The story of Lord Venkateswara, popularly known as Tirupathi Balaji, borrowing money from Kubera to get married is one of the most famous and beloved legends associated with the deity.
According to the legend, Lord Venkateswara was preparing to get married to Goddess Padmavathi, but his treasury was empty. The god of wealth, Kubera, was approached by Lord Venkateswara for a loan to finance the wedding. Kubera, impressed by the devotion of the lord, readily agreed to lend him the money.
However, there was a condition attached to the loan: Lord Venkateswara had to repay the entire amount with interest before he could leave the earth. Lord Venkateswara accepted the condition and took the loan from Kubera.
The wedding of Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Padmavathi was a grand affair, and it is said that the gods themselves attended the ceremony. The wedding is still celebrated every year in Tirupathi with great pomp and splendour.
After the wedding, Lord Venkateswara realized that he had taken a large loan from Kubera and that he needed to repay it to fulfil his promise. He decided to take a vow of austerity, and he and his consort, Goddess Padmavathi, began to live in a simple hut in the forest.
Meanwhile, news of the loan and the vow of austerity taken by Lord Venkateswara reached his devotees on earth. They were deeply moved by the lord’s devotion and began to offer money and other valuables to the temple as a way of repaying the loan.
This tradition of offering money and valuables to Lord Venkateswara is still followed today and is known as the Hundi system. The money collected in the Hundi is used to repay the loan taken by Lord Venkateswara from Kubera.
The legend of Lord Venkateswara borrowed money from Kubera to get married is a testament to the devotion of the lord and the power of faith in Hinduism. The story also teaches the importance of fulfilling one’s promises and the virtues of austerity and simplicity.
Today, the Tirupathi Balaji temple is one of the most visited temples in the world, and millions of devotees come every year to seek the blessings of the lord and to offer their prayers and offerings. The legend of Lord Venkateswara and his vow of austerity continues to inspire and touch the hearts of millions of people around the world.
Tirupathi temple, also known as the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, is one of the most famous Hindu temples in the world. Located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India, the temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is believed to be one of the richest and most visited temples in the world, with millions of devotees visiting it every year to seek the blessings of the lord.
History of Tirupathi Temple:
The history of the Tirupathi temple dates back to the 9th century AD when the Pallava dynasty ruled over the region. According to legend, Lord Venkateswara appeared in a dream to a king named Thondaman Chakravarthy and asked him to build a temple for him on the Seven Hills of Tirumala.
The king followed the instructions of the lord and built a small temple on the site where the lord had appeared in his dream. Over the centuries, the temple was expanded and renovated by various rulers and devotees, and it eventually became the grand structure that we see today.
The temple was also patronized by the Vijayanagara Empire, which ruled over the region from the 14th to the 17th century. The Vijayanagara rulers were ardent devotees of Lord Venkateswara, and they donated large sums of money and resources to the temple.
During the 16th century, the temple came under the control of the kings of the Tirumala Nayak dynasty, who were known for their patronage of the arts and their love for Lord Venkateswara. The Nayak kings built many beautiful structures within the temple complex, including the main gopuram (tower) and the Prakara walls.
In the 18th century, the temple was taken over by the rulers of the Kingdom of Mysore, who were also ardent devotees of Lord Venkateswara. The Mysore kings expanded the temple complex and built many new structures, including the Kalyana Mandapam, the Tirumala Devasthanam, and the Vimanam.
In the 20th century, the temple was taken over by the government of Andhra Pradesh, which established the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to manage the temple’s affairs. The TTD has since been responsible for the administration of the temple, including its finances, rituals, and maintenance.
Today, the Tirupathi temple is one of the most popular and important Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world. The temple attracts millions of devotees from all over India and the world, who come to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara and to offer their prayers and offerings.
The temple is also famous for its traditions and rituals, which are performed with great devotion and fervour. One of the most important rituals is the seva, in which the deity is adorned with precious jewels and worshipped with great reverence.
Conclusion:
The Tirupathi temple is an important symbol of the Hindu faith and devotion, and its rich history and traditions make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the cultural heritage of India. The temple’s enduring popularity and significance in the lives of millions of people is a testament to the power of faith and the enduring legacy of India’s ancient culture and traditions.