The photograph in this posting is an aerial view of Tirupati which is home to the most famous and busiest Temple in the world – Sri Venkateshwara Temple (Balaji) which is situated in the Chittoor District of southern Andhra Pradesh.
The name Tirupati (i.e. the Lord of Lakshmi) is assigned to the Municipal town at the foot of the Hill, while the village around the Hill near the Balaji Temple is called Tirumala (the Sacred Hill).
The twelve Temples and their sub-shrines of the Tirumala-Tirupati area are maintained by the the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam) which employs about 14,000 people. Its declared responsibility is to provide facilities for pilgrims, preserve the serenity and sanctity of the Tirumala-Tirupati area and also to facilitate schemes and activities designed to improve conditions for the people of the area.
The name Tirupati (i.e. the Lord of Lakshmi) is assigned to the Municipal town at the foot of the Hill, while the village around the Hill near the Balaji Temple is called Tirumala (the Sacred Hill).
The twelve Temples and their sub-shrines of the Tirumala-Tirupati area are maintained by the the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam) which employs about 14,000 people. Its declared responsibility is to provide facilities for pilgrims, preserve the serenity and sanctity of the Tirumala-Tirupati area and also to facilitate schemes and activities designed to improve conditions for the people of the area.
Tirupati is a shining example of how communality of thinking for the welfare of an area and its implementation through an efficient and dedicated organisation can have truly wonderful results.
One hopes that through the inspiration of Arunachala, decision making positions of this area will be increasingly filled by righteous Siva devotees who understand the importance of preserving the sanctity of this area. Particularly by addressing the problems of granite quarrying and dynamiting in residential and agricultural areas, sand quarrying at Samudram Erie and Eries (lakes) around the Hill, land grabbing with ensuing speculation and development, rampant inflation, noise and plastic pollution and lack of a unified vision in the expansion of Tiruvannamalai and its surrounds.
One hopes that through the inspiration of Arunachala, decision making positions of this area will be increasingly filled by righteous Siva devotees who understand the importance of preserving the sanctity of this area. Particularly by addressing the problems of granite quarrying and dynamiting in residential and agricultural areas, sand quarrying at Samudram Erie and Eries (lakes) around the Hill, land grabbing with ensuing speculation and development, rampant inflation, noise and plastic pollution and lack of a unified vision in the expansion of Tiruvannamalai and its surrounds.