History:- Srivaishnavite experts say that the Rig Veda makes a reference to the temple. The Puranas relate the site with Lord Varaha, a Dashavatara of Lord Vishnu. Thondaiman, the ruler of ancient Tamil Nadu and present day Kanchipuram is believed to have built the temple. Later on, the Chola dynasty improved the temple and gave rich endowments. During the rule of the Vijayanagara emperors the temple attained its current wealth and size. In 1932 Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams was established to look after the management of the temple.

Location:- Lord Venkateshwara’s abode is in the Venkatadri hill, one of the seven hills of Tirumala hill town, near Tirupathi, in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The Tirumala Hill about 10.33 sq miles in area, is 3200 ft above sea level. It is around 500 km from Hyderabad, 150 km away from Chennai and 250 km away from Bangalore.

The Temple:- As the richest and the most visited temple of world, the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is famous for the following things, systems and traditions.

Vimanam:- Vimanam is the roof with golden exterior of the inner temple that houses the presiding deity.

Bangaru Vakili:- The Bangaru Vakili is the way to reach the inner sanctum sanctorum. There are two tall copper images of the dwarapalakas on either side of the door.

Prasadam:- Laddu is the world famous prasadam given at Tirumala Temple. Many other delicious prasadams are also available including daddojanam (curd rice), pulihora (tamarind rice), vada and chakkera-pongali (sweet pongal).

Hair Tonsuring:- Many devotees have their head tonsured as an offer. The daily amount of hair collected is over a ton. The hair thus gathered is sold by the temple organization a few times a year bringing over $6 million to the temple’s treasury.

Darshan and Queue System:- Tirumala Balaji Temple has the most systematic arrangement for the visiting devotees. Because of the daily heavy rush, the temple authorities have set up an effective queue system. The devotees are given a specific time to enter the queue complex. There are 2 major kinds of Darshan at the temple. The first one is the Dharma Darshanam (free darshan), which takes about 10 hours through the Queue Complex. The second is Sudarshanam which costs Rs 50 and takes about 3 hours. Sheegra darshan which costs Rs 300 takes only 45 minutes to 1.5 hrs. There are also special queues for senior citizens and for people with children below 3 years.

Devotees for Sudarshanam, as well as free darshanam are required to get a ticket or token at any of the queue offices or at the local rail and bus stations in Tirumala and Tirupati, or at TTD offices in cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, Bhuba- neswar and many more.

The queue complex of the Tirumala Temple is not standing. These are huge halls, each accommodating about 300 persons, where one can sit and watch religious programs on a TV. For people seeking the free Dharma Darsanam, free food and tea/ coffee are served every couple of hours. From the actual queue it takes about 60–90 minutes to reach the sanctum  and have Darshan. Normally, one gets only 10 to 15 seconds during high season and about 60 seconds during low season to see the idol of Lord Balaji.

Arjitha Seva (Paid Services):- Pilgrims can participate in various sevas performed to Lord Balaji and other idols. When they purchase arjitha seva tickets, they get the opportunity to choose a seva performed to the Lord. It may be to obtain prasadam in the form of vastram (clothes), akshantalu (sacred and blessed rice) and food articles (laddus, vadas, dosas, pongal, rice items) and a darshan of the utsava murti.

Festivals:- Vaishnava festivals such as Vaikunta Ekadasi, Rama Navami and Janmashtami are celebrated in the Tirumala Temple. Brahmotsavam celebrated during September, Vasanthotsavam (spring festival) held during March-April and Rathasapthami (Magha Shuddha Saptami) celebrated during February are the other most important festivals.