Tirupati Balaji Temple is one of the most visited and richest temples in the world. It is located in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu. According to legend, Venkateswara appeared on earth to save humanity from the troubles of the Kali Yuga. Here are 8 secrets of the Tirumala Temple that you should know before visiting:
The Eyes of Lord Venkateswara: The eyes of the deity are covered with a white mask because they emit cosmic energy, making it impossible for devotees to look straight into them. The mask is adjusted every Thursday, allowing worshippers to see the eyes.
The Off-Center Idol: Although it appears that the idol of Lord Tirupati Balaji is in the center of the sanctum sanctorum, it's actually located in the right-hand corner.
The Secret Village: Flowers and other items are collected from a secret village 22 kilometers from Tirupati for ritual devotion. The secret village is known only to its inhabitants. The used flowers are dumped behind the statue, where they're swept away by a nearby waterfall.
The Real Hair of Balaji: The hair of the idol is real, soft, and smooth. According to legend, Lord Balaji lost his hair, and the Gandharva princess Neela Devi cut off her own hair and gave it to the deity.
The Eternal Lamp: The clay lamps in front of the deity have been lit forever, and their flames never blow out.
The Sound of Sea Waves: If you put your ear close to the wall behind the Balaji idol, you can hear the sound of sea waves.
The Sweating Idol: The back of the Balaji idol is always moist, with tiny water droplets that are wiped away with a silk cloth.
The Strong Idol: Despite being exposed to camphor, which can cause fissures in rocks, the Balaji idol remains unaffected.
