The city is nicknamed "Gadapa" (which means 'Threshold') because it is the gateway from the west to the sacred hills of Tirumala, which is known for its connections to Venkateswara Swamy.
Nadireyi Eee jamulo - prayer to Balaji, god at Tirumala written by Dasarathi and sung by Ghantasala and S. Janaki.
In the Puranas, Venkatadri is believed to be a part of Mount Meru, which was brought on to the earth from Vishnu's abode Vaikuntam by his mount Garuda.
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple | Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams | Tirumala | Tirumala Rama Idol |
May 9 – Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya the mystic saint composer of the 15th century is the earliest known musician of South India to compose songs called "sankIrtanas" in praise of Lord Venkateswara, the deity of Seven Hills in Tirumala.
Bangaru Tirumala approached Safdar Ali Khan, son of the Carnatic Nawab, with an offer of three million rupees to oust the queen in favour of him.
(Tirumala Ramachandra's essay in Andhra Patrika a Telugu daily October, 1972 in connection with his centenary celebrations on 10-10-1972 and Dr D.Sriniovasacharyulu's Sri bhavadeva Satakam 2012.)
Though this temple's significance has diminished due to the hugely popular neighboring Temples in Tirumala and Tiruchanoor, it received very good patronage from the Kings of Vijayanagara in the 13th thru 16th centuries, especially Saluva Narasimha Deva Raya, and the eternally famous Sri Krishna Deva Raya, and some of the later rulers like Venkatapathi Raya, and Aliya Ramaraya, sri Krishna Deva Raya's Son-in-law.
Details of festivals and observances in the Tirumala temple and those at the temples of Govindaraja Swami and Kodandarama Swami at Tirupati, Padmavathi Devi at Tiruchanur, Sri Kalahastiswara at Sri Kalahasti and several other nearby temples are read out.
It is located on the shores of a temple pond, called the Swami Pushkarini, in Tirumala, near Tirupati; to the north of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple (another temple of Vishnu in the form of Venkateswara).