The temple of Balaji or Venkateshwara on Tirumala hill above the town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh has become a focal point of contemporary religion in India, attracting crowds of all ages, faiths and nationalities. However, not much is known about the God, except his ability to answer prayers and perform the most improbable miracles. Not many people are aware that the sanctity of the God and the hill is over two thousand years old. What makes the temple so popular, and what are the beliefs of the people, are questions that this book has tried to answer. This book is a collection of the folk legends about Venkateshwara, the sacred Tirumala hill and its many lakes and waterfalls, his miracles, and the beautiful rituals and festivals associated with him. He is a manifestation of Vishnu the preserver, and his association with the other incarnations is well documented. There are rare photographs of the God, his gold and diamond jewellery, the various other bronzes and sculptures contained in the temple and the images of the festivals for which Tirumala has been famous from time immemorial. The illustrations of the stories have been executed in the Tirupati style of drawing. This book would be of equal interest to the layman, the scholar and the devotee, and a valuable addition to every home and library.
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