SRI VENKATESWARA MUSEUM, TIRUMALA — Attraction in Andhra Pradesh

The Hall of Antiques was first established in 1980 in Thousand Piller mandapam opposite to the main shrine in Tirumala . Now the S.V. Museum is situated in a sprawling building with an area of 1.25 lakh sq.ft opposite to Vaikuntham Queue Complex in kaleidoscopic environ of Tirumala surrounded by beautiful gardens and it is a rejoicing place for visiting pilgrims. This museum is an epitome of Traditions of Tirumala, Vaishnavism and Hindu culture. It houses more than 6000 items of historical interest ranging in date from very early period to the present. The collections are spread over ten sections ranging from archaeology to contemporary items.

Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh has been a repository of rich heritage, cherished by the kings, nobles, poets, sculptures, dancers, musicians all gathered in Tirumala and enriched the temple lore. It contains valuable antique materials to enable an art historian to trace the history and development of temple art. Different galleries in the S.V. Museum host and display its acquisitions, donations, and offerings bequeathed from the unknown past. Vahanams gallery presents an array of Srivari Vahanams used during Brahmotsavams. Original copper plates of Annamayya’s compositions enthrall the visitors. Pilgrims can have a look at the Varahaswamy Copper inscription, a cherished treasure of Tirumala.

All the great dynasties of southern peninsula of India have paid tributes to lord Venkateswara. Pallavas of Kanchipuram, Cholas of Tanjavur, Pandyas of Madurai, Kings of Vijayanagara of Hampi and chieftains of local dynasties have esteemed the lord.

Sri Krishnadevaraya (16th Century AD) of Vijayanagara Empire have personally visited Tirumala seven times and offered tens of valuable ornaments made of jewels, diamonds, emeralds and pearls. The museum displays Dhupa-Ganta donated by Sri Krishnadeva Raya to a priest in Tirumala. You can witness this very precious item in the museum.

The stone gallery contains more than 80 wonderful images retrieved from across the region dating from 8th century AD to 19th century AD. Most of these stone sculptures speak of history of Vaishnavism in the region. The gallery of musical instruments has collected a wide range of instruments of bygone ages.

The picture gallery in the third floor displays rare images of temple history, ornaments of the lord and some contemporary art depicting Srinivasa and Tirumala.

Armory section displays variety of ancient weapons like swords, shields, battle axes, guns etc used or possessed by the rulers in the medieval and colonial periods.

In the origin and emergence of Vaishnavism in the south, the Alwars have played a significant role and they are given utmost importance in the museum. The front porch of the museum on both sides is decorated with the stone...

While my visit it was closed when I asked the guards about it , they said it will open after 6 months.

TTD Museum / Sri Venkateswara Museum was inaugurated on December 26th, 1980 in Thousand Pillars Mandapam by Dr Neelam Sanjeev Reddy, the president of India. Later it was shifted to a new constructed building with architectural elements beside Narayanagiri Gardens on 27th September 1999 and was opened by Chief Minister of A.P Sri Nara Chandra Babu Naidu Garu

The museum contains approximately a thousand objects of Indian culture and heritage.

With elegant features, the sculpture of Vishnu in the form of sudarsana moorthy is on display at th museum entrance. He represented all the weapons in his right and left arms used for the destructio of an enemy. There is a reference to sudarsana moorthy in Mahabharata, Bhagavatha, Ramayana am in Itihasas. It belongs to the 16th-century architectural features.

The museum widely has three floors. The ground floor is totally on display of the objects Photographs, Sculptures, Bronze idols, Wood Cravings and Musical Instruments in chronological order.

The first floor has collections of Paintings, Vahanams, Coins, and other miscellaneous items of Annamayya Bhandagaram, Prasadam carrying vessels, Pooja Samagri, Asanams etc. relating to the temple culture and tradition. At a distance of 1 Kms from Tirumala Bus Station & situated close to Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, Sri Venkateswara Museum is a good place to understand the history and architecture of Tirumala temple. It is located near Vaikunta Queue Complex 2 of Lord Venkateswara Temple. It is one of the popular attractions in Tirumala.

Established in 1980, the Museum wing houses numerous religious artifacts of pooja utensils, along with the time-honored art and architecture. This place has meditation halls for the worshipers to make a peaceful meditation.

Timings:...

:The museum is open EVERY DAY from 8 am to 8 pm. Entry is free and works seven days a week.

It houses a library with books in Telugu, English, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi on religion, history, heritage, temple arts and architecture. It serves the curious pilgrims and research scholars doing research on Tirumala history. Harini, the auditorium in the S.V. Museum is now planning to show interesting programs, documentaries, films on Tirumala and heritage everyday from 10 am to 6 pm.

After or before the darshan of lord Venkateswara spend some time in the S V Museum and get enlightened with the hoary past and colorful present.

To enhance the spiritual ambience among the devotees thronging to Tirumala to get the darshan of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, TTD has introduced traditional dress code in 2013. Initially it was implemented for the pilgrims who are taking part in Arjitha Sevas and now it has been extended to VIP pilgrims seeking break darshan of Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy, and general pilgrims who go for darshan.

MEN: For men the dress code is dhoti or pyjamas with upper cloth. WOMEN: For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or churidar with pyjama and upper cloth

Venkateswara, an avatar of Vishnu, is the presiding deity of the Tirupati temple. It is believed that the deity is Swayambhu (self manifested). The deity possesses the power of the Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and some sects believe that Venkateswara holds the power of Shakthi and Skanda as well. Sage Annamacharya praised Venkateswara as the 'Supreme Lord' who appears as Dattatreya for yogis, Shiva for Shaivas, and appears as whichever form the...