Tell about Tirupati Balaji ?

The idol of Lord Balaji is adorned with a highly volatile chemical that is raw camphor or green camphor (Pachai Karpooram) derived from Cinnamomum camphora tree

Lord Balaji is also called Lord Venkateswara, and hence the Temple is called known as Sri Venkateswara Temple. The Tirupati Balaji Temple draws tourists and visitors from all across the world and of all different religious faiths.

Hindu mythology mentions the story of Balaji. Once sage Brighu wanted to find out who is the supreme one among the Hindu triad. Not being satisfied with the hospitality given by Brahma and Shiva, the sage went to Vaikunta and kicked Lord Vishnu on the chest to grab his attention

Natural Arch in the Tirumala Hills is a distinctive geological wonder located 1 km (0.6 mi) North of the temple, near the Chakra Teertham. The Arch is also called Silathoranam in Telugu (“Sila” means ‘rock’ and “thoranam” means a garland strung over a threshold, connecting two vertical columns or an ‘arch’ as in this case). The arch measures 8 m (26.2 ft) in width and 3 m (9.8 ft) in height, and is naturally formed in the quartzites of Cudappah due to natural erosive forces.

When this chemical is applied on any stone it creates crack and fissures but when applied on Lord Balaji’s idol there was no damage on the stone

Since Vishnu’s consort Lakshmi was residing in the chest of the Lord, she felt insulted and left Vaikunta to the earth.

The Tirumala slope has seven slopes namely the Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri. Let us uncover, surprising yet lesser known facts about Lord Balaji and his temple.

Primarily because its temples have pyramid shaped towers and are constructed of sandstone, soapstone and granite.

Lord Vishnu came to the earth in search of Lakshmi who had taken birth in the family of a king in the name Padmavati and married her on the Tirupati hills and got enshrined there forever to save the people of the Kali age.

The Tirumala Hill Range distinguishes the substance of Lord Balaji. A standout amongst the most stunning and astounding sight anyone could witness is the Tirumala Hills, found about a kilometre north of the Temple.

Lord Balaji’s idol has a specific temperature always maintaining 110 degrees F.

What’s even more remarkable is that this is significantly higher than the national average of 73%.Source

A famous verse from the puranas speak of the greatness of tirupati Balaji temple: -----Venkatadri Samasthanam Brahmande Nasti Kinchana----- Venkatesha Samo Devo Na Bhuto Na Bhavishyati

It has a characteristic curve and is a land attraction which is similar to the facial structure of Lord Balaji himself.It is called Silathoranam in Telegu, where ‘Sila means the stone and ‘Thoranam means the curve of it. The curve is said to be 8 m wide and 3 m tall.

There is no sacred place on the earth equal to Venkatadri (Tirupati – Tirumala; There is no Lord equal to Lord Venkatesha (Balaji)

But the temple is situated at a height of about 3000 feet which means the climate is normally cold up there and every morning at 4:30 am after the Abhishekam Lord Venkateswara Swamy is done with water, milk as well as other holy and divine dravayam, sweat appears in the form of fine water drops and particles on the idol or Lord Balaji’s body which is also wiped off with a silk fabric cloth.

There is a story behind all the ritual of hair sacrifice called Mokku. When Balaji lost a little hair when he was hit by a shepherd, Neela Devi, a Gandharva Princess.

The construction of Tirupati Balaji temple began in 300 AD with subsequent additions made from time to time. In the history of the temple, much of its wealth and size was gained during the reign of the Vijayanagara rulers who poured gold and diamonds into the treasury of the temple.

One of the most shocking and amazing fact that anyone could believe is the Tirumala Hills that is located 1 km north of the temple is a natural arch and is a geological magic which represents the facial structure of Lord Balaji itself which is also known as Silathoranam in Telugu where ‘Sila’ means the rock and ‘Thoranam’ means an arch. It is estimated that the arch is 8 m in width and 3 m in height.

Even on every Thursday when ornaments are removed from the idol before the sacred bath it is always noticed that they remain warm.

After realising what had happened, she proceeded to cut a bit of her hair and stick it to Lord Balaji's head. Lord Balaji told her, that every devotee of his, who will render their hair at his temple would be eventually begotten by her hair.

Lord Balaji’s silken dress that is upper saree and lower dhoti is around 21 arm length which is one and a half feet long and the weight is around 6 kg

When the emperor Krishnadevaraya visited the temple in 1517, he ordered for the gilding of the inner roof of the temple.

At the main entrance of Tirupati Balaji Temple, there is a stick to the right side which was used by Ananthaalvar to hit Venkateswara Swamy when he was a small boy and once his chin was hurt by that stick and since then the tradition and practice of applying sandalwood paste (Chandan) on Swamy’s chin started.

Every devotee who has visited Tirupati will state that Lord Venkateswara Swamy stands directly at the focal point of the Garba Gudi, the deepest sanctum. However, in reality, the statue on the right of the garba gudi, which can be seen from outside.