Tirmala tirupathi

There is ample literary and epigraphic testimony to the antiquity of the temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara. All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions.It was during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Sri Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple.After the decline of the Vijayanagar dynasty, nobles and chieftains from all parts of the country continued to pay their homage and offer gifts to the temple. The Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle, visited the temple and set up a permanent endowment for the conduct of worship in the temple. He also presented valuable jewels to the Lord, including a large emerald which is still preserved in a box named after the General. Among the later rulers who have endowed large amounts are the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal. After the fall of the Hindu kingdoms, the Muslim rulers of Karnataka and then the Britishers took over, and many of the temples came under their supervisory and protective control.The legend of how Lord Venkatesha came to reside on the Seshachala hill is repeated in numerous Puranas. Extracts from twelve Puranas have been published in 2 volumes as Sri Venkatachala-Mahatmyam. Padma Puran, Uttara 255,states that once Manu performed a sacrifice. A dispute arose among the scholars gathered there regarding the supremacy among Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. The task of finding out the truth was entrusted to sage Bhrigu. First he went to Kailash. Nandi did not permit him to go in. Somehow he secured as mission but Siva was sporting with his consort Parvati and paid no attention to Bhrigu. Cursing Siva, Bhrigu came to Brahma.