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	Venkateswara literally means, "Lord of [[Venkata (hill)\|Venkata]]".<ref>{{cite book \|title=Visions of a New Earth \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kQMj8QQb6BwC&pg=PA115 \|page=115 \|author1=Daniel C. Maguire \|author2=Harold Coward \|author2-link=Harold Coward \|publisher=[[SUNY Press]] \|year=2000 \|isbn = 9780791499962}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XK2kQJqyXdEC&pg=PA474 \|title=The Blackwell Companion to Religious Ethics \|author=William Schweiker \|author-link=William Schweiker \|page=474 \|year=2008 \|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]\|isbn=9781405144445 }}</ref> The word is a combination of the words ''Venkata'' (the name of a hill in Andhra Pradesh) and ''isvara'' ("Lord").<ref>{{cite book \|title=The Life of Hinduism \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4-s325pdqW8C&pg=PA233 \|year=2006 \|page=233 \|authors=John Stratton Hawley and Vasudha Narayanan \|publisher=University of California Press \|isbn = 9780520940079}}</ref> According to the ''[[Brahmanda Purana\|Brahmanda]]'' and ''[[Bhavishya Purana\|Bhavishyottara]]'' [[Puranas]], the word "Venkata" means "destroyer of sins", deriving from the Sanskrit words ''vem'' (sins) and ''kata'' (power of immunity).<ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KnXXAAAAMAAJ \|title=Balaji-Venkateshwara, Lord of Tirumala-Tirupati \|author=Nanditha Krishna \|publisher=Vakils, Feffer, and Simons \|year=2000 \|page=49 \|isbn=9788187111467 }}</ref>		Venkateswara literally means, "Lord of [[Venkata (hill)\|Venkata]]".<ref>{{cite book \|title=Visions of a New Earth \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kQMj8QQb6BwC&pg=PA115 \|page=115 \|author1=Daniel C. Maguire \|author2=Harold Coward \|author2-link=Harold Coward \|publisher=[[SUNY Press]] \|year=2000 \|isbn = 9780791499962}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XK2kQJqyXdEC&pg=PA474 \|title=The Blackwell Companion to Religious Ethics \|author=William Schweiker \|author-link=William Schweiker \|page=474 \|year=2008 \|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]\|isbn=9781405144445 }}</ref> The word is a combination of the words ''Venkata'' (the name of a hill in Andhra Pradesh) and ''isvara'' ("Lord").<ref>{{cite book \|title=The Life of Hinduism \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4-s325pdqW8C&pg=PA233 \|year=2006 \|page=233 \|authors=John Stratton Hawley and Vasudha Narayanan \|publisher=University of California Press \|isbn = 9780520940079}}</ref> According to the ''[[Brahmanda Purana\|Brahmanda]]'' and ''[[Bhavishya Purana\|Bhavishyottara]]'' [[Puranas]], the word "Venkata" means "destroyer of sins", deriving from the Sanskrit words ''vem'' (sins) and ''kata'' (power of immunity).<ref>{{cite book \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KnXXAAAAMAAJ \|title=Balaji-Venkateshwara, Lord of Tirumala-Tirupati \|author=Nanditha Krishna \|publisher=Vakils, Feffer, and Simons \|year=2000 \|page=49 \|isbn=9788187111467 }}</ref>

	It is also said that 'Venkata' is a combination of two words: '<nowiki/>''ven''<nowiki/>' (keeps away) and '''kata''<nowiki/>' (troubles). Venkata means he 'who keeps away troubles' or 'who takes away problems' or such terms in a similar context.		It is also said that 'Venkata' is a combination of two words: '<nowiki/>''ven''<nowiki/>' (keeps away) and '''kata''<nowiki/>' (troubles). Venkata means he 'who keeps away troubles' or 'who takes away problems' or such terms in a similar context.{{Cn\|date=February 2023}}

	==Legend==		==Legend==
	{{Main\|Legend of Tirumala}}		{{Main\|Legend of Tirumala}}
	[[File:ISKCON Lord Balaji.jpg\|thumb\|Venkateswara with consorts Bhudevi and Padmavati.]]		[[File:ISKCON Lord Balaji.jpg\|thumb\|Venkateswara with consorts Bhudevi and Padmavati.]]
	Every year, hundreds of thousands of devotees donate a large amount of wealth at the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] at [[Tirupati]], [[Andhra Pradesh]].~~<ref>~~{{cite web\|url=http://www.hindu-blog.com/2010/01/why-do-we-hindus-offer-gold-and-large.html\|title=Why do we Hindus offer Gold and large amount of money at Tirupati Balaji Temple?\|work=Hindu Blog\|access-date=25 July 2016\|date=~~31 October 2015~~}}~~</ref>~~ A legend provides the reason for the same.		Every year, hundreds of thousands of devotees donate a large amount of wealth at the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] at [[Tirupati]], [[Andhra Pradesh]].{{Cn\|date=February 2023}} A legend provides the reason for the same.

	Once, the sages wanted to decide the deity to ~~whom~~ a ritual ~~was to be dedicated~~. The sages appointed the sage [[Bhrigu]] to select the god. Bhrigu decided to test the gods. He first went to the King of [[Svarga]], [[Indra]], who ignored the sage, and was busy in enjoying the dance of ''[[Apsara\|apsaras]]'' in heaven. Bhrigu cursed Indra that he would only be referred to as an egoistic soul, all over the universe. He next visited [[Brahma]]. Brahma was busy with his four heads in chanting the [[Vedas]], performing meditation, creating the world, and spending his time with his wife, [[Saraswati]]. Next, he visited [[Shiva]]. Shiva was busy in his ''Rudradhyanam'' with his wife, [[Parvati]], at his feet. Bhrigu cursed Shiva that he would be worshipped only in the formless [[Lingam]]. At last, Bhrigu went to [[Vishnu]]. Vishnu was sleeping on [[Shesha\|Adishesha]], and [[Lakshmi]] was at his feet. When Bhrigu arrived, he first saw Vishnu's feet, and felt humiliated. Enraged, he kicked Vishnu on his chest. Awakened, Vishnu started massaging Bhrigu's feet, and served him with great hospitality. Bhrigu was pleased, and ordered the sages to perform the rites to Vishnu. Lakshmi quarelled with Vishnu, as she felt that Bhrigu insulted her indirectly by hitting Vishnu on his chest where she lived, and thus left [[Vaikuntha]].		Once, the sages wanted to decide the deity to dedicate a ritual. The sages appointed the sage [[Bhrigu]] to select the god. Bhrigu decided to test the gods. He first went to the King of [[Svarga]], [[Indra]], who ignored the sage, and was busy in enjoying the dance of ''[[Apsara\|apsaras]]'' in heaven. Bhrigu cursed Indra that he would only be referred to as an egoistic soul, all over the universe. He next visited [[Brahma]]. Brahma was busy with his four heads in chanting the [[Vedas]], performing meditation, creating the world, and spending his time with his wife, [[Saraswati]]. Next, he visited [[Shiva]]. Shiva was busy in his ''Rudradhyanam'' with his wife, [[Parvati]], at his feet. Bhrigu cursed Shiva that he would be worshipped only in the formless [[Lingam]]. At last, Bhrigu went to [[Vishnu]]. Vishnu was sleeping on [[Shesha\|Adishesha]], and [[Lakshmi]] was at his feet. When Bhrigu arrived, he first saw Vishnu's feet, and felt humiliated. Enraged, he kicked Vishnu on his chest. Awakened, Vishnu started massaging Bhrigu's feet, and served him with great hospitality. Bhrigu was pleased, and ordered the sages to perform the rites to Vishnu. Lakshmi quarelled with Vishnu, as she felt that Bhrigu insulted her indirectly by hitting Vishnu on his chest where she lived, and thus left [[Vaikuntha]].

	She settled on earth in disguise as a young-sage like boy in the ancient city of Karvir, and meditated the name of Vishnu (Regarded by adherents to be the site of the Mahalakshmi temple). Vishnu soon arrived on earth, searching for his consort. He failed to find her, and instead settled on the [[Seshachalam]] hills. This happened to be the spot in Tirupati where [[Varaha]] had rested and taught Karma Yoga to the people till the beginning of [[Kali Yuga]], after having rescuing [[Bhumi (goddess)\|Bhudevi]] from the wicked [[Hiranyaksha]]. Vishnu sat inside an anthill in his disguise, which was situated under a tamarind tree, and started chanting the name of his wife, Mahalakshmi.<ref>{{Cite book\|last=HS\|first=ANUSHA\|title=Stories on lord Venkateshwara series - 1: From various sources\|publisher=Independently published (April 25, 2020)\|year=2020\|isbn=979-8640227642\|pages=1 page}}</ref>		She settled on earth in disguise as a young-sage like boy in the ancient city of Karvir, and meditated the name of Vishnu (Regarded by adherents to be the site of the Mahalakshmi temple). Vishnu soon arrived on earth, searching for his consort. He failed to find her, and instead settled on the [[Seshachalam]] hills. This happened to be the spot in Tirupati where [[Varaha]] had rested and taught Karma Yoga to the people till the beginning of [[Kali Yuga]], after having rescuing [[Bhumi (goddess)\|Bhudevi]] from the wicked [[Hiranyaksha]]. Vishnu sat inside an anthill in his disguise, which was situated under a tamarind tree, and started chanting the name of his wife, Mahalakshmi.<ref>{{Cite book\|last=HS\|first=ANUSHA\|title=Stories on lord Venkateshwara series - 1: From various sources\|publisher=Independently published (April 25, 2020)\|year=2020\|isbn=979-8640227642\|pages=1 page}}</ref>

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{{Short description|Form of the Hindu god Vishnu}}
{{Redirect|Srinivasa}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| name = Venkateswara
| image = Malekallu Tirupathi-balaji, Arsikere.jpg
| caption = Venkateswara at the ISKCON Bangalore
| alt =
| deity_of = God of the Seven Hills<ref>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=10QgAAAAMAAJ&q=venkateshwara+God+of+Seven+hills | title=Sri Venkateswara, the Lord of the Seven Hills, Tirupati | last1=Sitapati | first1=Pidatala | year=1968 }}</ref>
| affiliation = [[Sri Vaishnavism]]
| abode = [[Vaikuntha]], [[Tirumala]]
| mantra = Om Namo Venkatesaya<br>[[Om Namo Narayanaya]]
| weapon = [[Panchajanya|Shanku]], [[Sudarshana Chakra|Chakram]]
| symbols = [[Sricharanam|Namam]]
| mount = [[Garuda]]
| texts = [[Naalayira Divya Prabandham]]<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YlvikndgEmIC&dq=venkateshwara+naalayira+divya+prabandham&pg=PA429 | title=Veda and Torah: Transcending the Textuality of Scripture | isbn=9781438406954 | last1=Holdrege | first1=Barbara A. | date=February 2012 }}</ref>
| region = [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]
| other_names = Venkatesa, Venkata Ramana, Venkata Chalapathi, Srinivasa, Balaji, Yedukondalavadu, Tirupati Thimmappa, Govinda, Perumal
| spouse = [[Lakshmi|Sridevi]] and [[Bhudevi]]
}}
{{Vaishnavism}}
{{Hinduism}}
'''Venkateswara''',{{efn|{{Lang-te|వేంకటేశ్వరుడు}}, {{Lang-ta|வெங்கடேஸ்வரா}}, {{Lang-kn|ವೆಂಕಟೇಶ್ವರ}}, {{Lang-sa|वेङ्कटेश्वरः}}}} also known by various other names,<ref name=namegovinda>{{cite book |date= 1992 |title= Tourist Guide to Andhra Pradesh|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=E4l78qG3TkAC&q=other+names+of+venkateswara&pg=PA21|publisher= Sura Books |page= 21|isbn= 9788174781765}}</ref> is a form of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] god [[Vishnu]]. Venkateswara is the presiding deity of the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]], located in [[Tirupati]], Sri Balaji District, [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]].

==Etymology==
Venkateswara literally means, "Lord of [[Venkata (hill)|Venkata]]".<ref>{{cite book |title=Visions of a New Earth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kQMj8QQb6BwC&pg=PA115 |page=115 |author1=Daniel C. Maguire |author2=Harold Coward |author2-link=Harold Coward |publisher=[[SUNY Press]] |year=2000 |isbn = 9780791499962}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XK2kQJqyXdEC&pg=PA474 |title=The Blackwell Companion to Religious Ethics |author=William Schweiker |author-link=William Schweiker |page=474 |year=2008 |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|isbn=9781405144445 }}</ref> The word is a combination of the words ''Venkata'' (the name of a hill in Andhra Pradesh) and ''isvara'' ("Lord").<ref>{{cite book |title=The Life of Hinduism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4-s325pdqW8C&pg=PA233 |year=2006 |page=233 |authors=John Stratton Hawley and Vasudha Narayanan |publisher=University of California Press |isbn = 9780520940079}}</ref> According to the ''[[Brahmanda Purana|Brahmanda]]'' and ''[[Bhavishya Purana|Bhavishyottara]]'' [[Puranas]], the word "Venkata" means "destroyer of sins", deriving from the Sanskrit words ''vem'' (sins) and ''kata'' (power of immunity).<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KnXXAAAAMAAJ |title=Balaji-Venkateshwara, Lord of Tirumala-Tirupati |author=Nanditha Krishna |publisher=Vakils, Feffer, and Simons |year=2000 |page=49 |isbn=9788187111467 }}</ref>

It is also said that 'Venkata' is a combination of two words: '<nowiki/>''ven''<nowiki/>' (keeps away) and '''kata''<nowiki/>' (troubles). Venkata means he 'who keeps away troubles' or 'who takes away problems' or such terms in a similar context.

==Legend==
{{Main|Legend of Tirumala}}
[[File:ISKCON Lord Balaji.jpg|thumb|Venkateswara with consorts Bhudevi and Padmavati.]]
Every year, hundreds of thousands of devotees donate a large amount of wealth at the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]] at [[Tirupati]], [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu-blog.com/2010/01/why-do-we-hindus-offer-gold-and-large.html|title=Why do we Hindus offer Gold and large amount of money at Tirupati Balaji Temple?|work=Hindu Blog|access-date=25 July 2016|date=31 October 2015}}</ref> A legend provides the reason for the same.

Once, the sages wanted to decide the deity to whom a ritual was to be dedicated. The sages appointed the sage [[Bhrigu]] to select the god. Bhrigu decided to test the gods. He first went to the King of [[Svarga]], [[Indra]], who ignored the sage, and was busy in enjoying the dance of ''[[Apsara|apsaras]]'' in heaven. Bhrigu cursed Indra that he would only be referred to as an egoistic soul, all over the universe. He next visited [[Brahma]]. Brahma was busy with his four heads in chanting the [[Vedas]], performing meditation, creating the world, and spending his time with his wife, [[Saraswati]]. Next, he visited [[Shiva]]. Shiva was busy in his ''Rudradhyanam'' with his wife, [[Parvati]], at his feet. Bhrigu cursed Shiva that he would be worshipped only in the formless [[Lingam]]. At last, Bhrigu went to [[Vishnu]]. Vishnu was sleeping on [[Shesha|Adishesha]], and [[Lakshmi]] was at his feet. When Bhrigu arrived, he first saw Vishnu's feet, and felt humiliated. Enraged, he kicked Vishnu on his chest. Awakened, Vishnu started massaging Bhrigu's feet, and served him with great hospitality. Bhrigu was pleased, and ordered the sages to perform the rites to Vishnu. Lakshmi quarelled with Vishnu, as she felt that Bhrigu insulted her indirectly by hitting Vishnu on his chest where she lived, and thus left [[Vaikuntha]].

She settled on earth in disguise as a young-sage like boy in the ancient city of Karvir, and meditated the name of Vishnu (Regarded by adherents to be the site of the Mahalakshmi temple). Vishnu soon arrived on earth, searching for his consort. He failed to find her, and instead settled on the [[Seshachalam]] hills. This happened to be the spot in Tirupati where [[Varaha]] had rested and taught Karma Yoga to the people till the beginning of [[Kali Yuga]], after having rescuing [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhudevi]] from the wicked [[Hiranyaksha]]. Vishnu sat inside an anthill in his disguise, which was situated under a tamarind tree, and started chanting the name of his wife, Mahalakshmi.<ref>{{Cite book|last=HS|first=ANUSHA|title=Stories on lord Venkateshwara series - 1: From various sources|publisher=Independently published (April 25, 2020)|year=2020|isbn=979-8640227642|pages=1 page}}</ref>

The whole earth became gloomy. On the request of Parvati and Saraswati, Shiva and Brahma incarnated as a cow and a calf respectively, in the [[Chola dynasty|Chola]] kingdom. This cow and calf were being grazed daily by a shepherd of Chola kingdom in the Seshachalam hills. Everyday, the cow used to pour her milk into the anthill to lessen the thirst of Vishnu. Due to this, the cow and calf became pale and unhealthy. The shepherd noticed this, and felt that something was awry. The next day, the shepherd took the animals for grazing, and as was the custom, the cow poured milk into the anthill. The shepherd saw this act, and he threw an axe (parasu) on the cow and calf. Vishnu noticed, and in order to protect them, Vishnu arose from the anthill and the axe hit his own forehead (the blood poured as his [[Urdhva Pundra|namam]] on his head). An enraged Vishnu cursed the shepherd that he would die immediately, and the latter succumbed to the blow of his own axe. This news reached the Chola king. The ruler suspected the absence of the shepherd. He went near the grazing field, and was surprised to see the corpse of the shepherd. He went to the grazing field, where the cows were offering their milk to Vishnu. However, Vishnu was in disguise, and so the king could not identify him. The king strung his arrow, believing that the milk should serve the kingdom rather than the boy he saw. Vishnu, once again, emerged, and grew enormous, stopped the arrows from passing further and he cursed the king for not maintaining the [[dharma]] of his kingdom. The king repented and surrendered at the deity's feet. Unlike the shepherd, the king had realised his mistake, which pleased Vishnu, and hence presented him with the boon that he would marry the king's daughter in his next birth.

In his next birth, Vishnu incarnated as Srinivasa, to a woman named Vakuladevi. It is said that in the ''[[Dvapara Yuga]]'', [[Krishna]] presented [[Yashoda]] with a boon that he would be born to the former in the ''[[Kali Yuga]]''. Vakuladevi is regarded as the reincarnation of Yashoda. Meanwhile, the goddess Lakshmi was born at the palace of Akasha Raja, the next birth of the Chola king. Srinivasa was a forest-dweller. One day, he met a beautiful girl named [[Alamelu|Padmavati]], the princess of the Chola dynasty. Padmavati fell in love with Srinivasa , and decided to get married to him. According to the boon of Vishnu to the Chola king in their previous births, Srinivasa has to get married to Padmavati, princess of Chola dynasty. For the marriage expenses, Srinivasa borrowed riches from [[Kubera]], and promised to repay the loan with interest at the end of the ''Kali Yuga''.

== Literature ==

=== Skanda Purana ===
The [[Skanda Purana]] extols the significance of worshipping this deity:<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2020-02-25 |title=The Glory of Śrī Veṅkaṭeśvara [Chapter 18] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc370697.html |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=If people wish for perpetual happiness and kingdom in heaven, let them joyously bow down at least once to the Lord residing on Veṅkaṭādri.

Whatever may be the sins committed in the course of crores of births, all of them perish by visiting Veṅkaṭeśvara.

If anyone remembers Veṅkaṭeśa, the great Lord, on account of his association with other people, or out of curiosity, or due to covetousness or on account of fear, he shall not be miserable here or hereafter.

One who glorifies and worships the Lord of Devas on Veṅkaṭācala shall certainly attain Sārūpya with Viṣṇu. There is no doubt about it.

Just as a well-kindled fire reduces firewood to ash in a moment, so also a visit to Veṅkaṭeśa destroys all sins.|title=[[Skanda Purana]]|source=Chapter 18}}

==Deity==
{{See also|Tirumala Dhruva Bera|Deities in Tirumala Venkateswara Temple}}
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 [[Shaivism|Shaivas]], and appears as whichever form the devotee desires.

In the 12th century, [[Ramanujacharya]] visited Tirupati for settling a dispute that arose between the [[Saivites]] and [[Vaishnavites]], regarding the nature of the deity set up in the Tirumala temple.<ref>{{Cite book |last=R. |first=Sreenivasa Ayyangar, C. |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/30865934 |title=The life and teachings of Sri Ramanujacharya |date=1908 |publisher=R. Venkateshwar |pages=181 |oclc=30865934}}</ref> Ramanuja streamlined the rituals at Tirumala temple according to [[Vaikhanasas|Vaikanasa]] [[Agama (Hinduism)|Agama]] tradition, and introduced the recitation of the [[Naalayira Divya Prabandham]]. He also set up the Tirupati Jeeyar [[Matha]] in 1119 AD, in consultation with Tirumalai Ananthalwan to institutionalise service to the deity and supervise the temple rituals. The Jeeyars, to this day, ensures that the rituals ordained by Ramanuja are observed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pontiffs Jeeyangars, the Ombudsman of Tirumala Temple rituals – TTD News |url=http://news.tirumala.org/pontifs-jeeyangars-the-ombudsman-of-tirumala-temple-rituals/ |access-date=6 June 2022 |work=T. T. D. News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Voice of a mighty philosophy |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/Voice-of-a-mighty-philosophy/article16614610.ece |access-date=6 June 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=25 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Narasimhan |first1=T. A |title=He streamlined the rituals at Tirumala temple |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/He-crawled-all-the-way-up/article14425912.ece |access-date=6 June 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=16 June 2016}}</ref> The deity is believed to be as old as the "Shila thoranam" in Tirumala. Tirumala has tremendous fame from the ancient period. The deity is referred to as 'Balaji' by north Indians. The scriptures state that Venkateswara is the saviour of all suffering people in the [[Kali Yuga]]. Emperors like [[Krishnadevaraya]] and many devotees have paid homage to Venkateswara.
[[File:Lord Venkat.jpeg|thumb|250px|A replica of the [[Garbhagriha]] of the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala depicting '''Left''' - [[Lakshmi|Sridevi]] and [[Bhūmi|Bhudevi]] and [[Malayappa swami|Malayappa Swami]], '''Center''' - Venkateswara Main Deity (Dhruva beram), '''Center bottom''' - Bhoga Srinivasa, '''Right'''- Ugra Srinivasa, Koluvu Srinivasa, [[Sita]] and [[Lakshmana]] and Sri [[Rama]], Sri [[Krishna]], [[Rukmini]] ]]

===Five Deities===
According to the Vaikhanasa Agamas, Venkateswara is represented by five [[Murti|deities]] (berams) including the [[Moolavar|Moolavirat]], which are together referred to as the '''Pancha beramulu''' in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] (pancha means five; beram means deity).<ref name=panchaberam>{{cite book | title =Sri Venkateshwara| date = 7 January 2014| publisher = Shantha Nair| isbn = 9788184954456| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=CY9eAAAAQBAJ&q=pancha+beram&pg=PT219}}</ref> The five deities are Dhruva Beram (Moolavar), Kautuka Beram, Snapana Beram, Utsava Beram, and Bali Beram. All the pancha berams are placed in the Garbha griha under [[Ananda Nilayam|Ananda Nilayam Vimanam]].<ref name=panchaberam />

#'''Moolavirat ('''Chief deity) or '''[[Tirumala Dhruva Bera|Dhruva Beram]]'''- In the centre of the [[Garbha griha]], under the Ananda Nilayam Vimana, the Moolavirat of Venkateswara is seen in a standing posture on lotus base, with four arms, two holding shanka and chakra, one in the Varada posture, and the other in the Kati posture. This deity is considered the main source of energy for the temple, and is adorned with the Vaishnavite nama and jewels, including vajra kiritam (diamond crown), Makarakundalas, Nagabharana, Makara Kanti, [[Saligrama]] haram, Lakshmi haram.<ref name=panchaberam /> Venkateswara's consort, [[Lakshmi]], stays on the chest of the Moolavirat as Vyuha Lakshmi.
#'''[[Bhoga Srinivasa]]''' or '''Kautuka Beram''' -- This is a small one-foot (0.3 m) silver deity that was given to the temple in 614 AD by the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallava]] queen, Samavai, for conducting festivals. Bhoga Srinivasa is always placed near the left foot of Moolavirat, and is believed to always be connected to the main deity by the holy ''Sambandha Kroocha''. This deity receives many daily sevas (pleasures) on behalf of Moolavar, and is hence known as Bhoga Srinivasa (Bhoga: pleasure). This deity receives Ekanthaseva daily<ref name=bhoga1>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Tiruppavai-to-replace-Suprabhata-Seva/articleshow/55865340.cms| title=Tiruppavai to replace Suprabhata Seva | work=times of india | date=8 December 2016 | access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref> (the last ritual of the day), and Sahasra Kalasabhisheka (a special [[Abhisheka|abhishekam]] (ablution) with [[sacred waters]] in 1008 [[kalasha]]s (pots)) on Wednesdays.
#'''[[Ugra Srinivasa]]''' or '''Snapana Beram''' - This deity represents the fearsome (Ugra: terrible) aspect of Venkateswara.<ref name=ugra2>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Much-awaited-Kaisika-Dwadasi-falls-on-November-11/articleshow/55271593.cms| title=Much awaited Kaisika Dwadasi falls on November 11 | work=times of india | date=6 November 2016 | access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref><ref name=ugra1>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Fervour-marks-%E2%80%98Kaisika-Dwadasi%E2%80%99-at-Tirumala/article16443338.ece| title=Fervour marks 'Kaisika Dwadasi' at Tirumala | work=The Hindu | date=2 December 2016 | access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref> This deity was the main processional deity until 1330 CE, when it was replaced by the Malayappa Swami deity.<ref name=panchaberam /> Ugra Srinivasa remains inside the sanctum sanctorum, and is carried out on a procession only one day in a year, on ''Kaishika Dwadasi,'' before the sunrise.<ref name=ugra1 /><ref name=ugra2 /> This deity receives daily ''[[abhishekam]]'' on behalf of Moolavirat, offering it the name Snapana Beram (Snapana: cleansing)
#'''[[Malayappa swami|Malayappa Swami]]''' or '''Utsava Beram''' - Malayappa is the processional deity (Utsava beram) of the temple, and is always flanked by the idols of his consorts, [[Lakshmi|Sridevi]] and [[Bhūmi|Bhudevi]]. This deity receives veneration on all festivals, like [[Srivari Brahmotsavam|Brahmotsavams]], Kalyanotsavam, Dolotsavam, Vasanthotsavam, Sahasra deepalankarana seva, Padmavati parinyotsavams, pushpapallaki, Anivara asthanam, Ugadi asthanam, etc.
#'''[[Koluvu Srinivasa]]''' or '''Bali Beram''' - Koluvu Srinivasa represents the Bali Beram. Koluvu Srinivasa is regarded as the guardian deity of the temple, that presides over its financial and economic affairs. Daily Koluvu seva (Koluvu: engaged in) is held in the morning, during which the previous day's offerings, income, expenditures. are notified to this deity, with a presentation of accounts. Panchanga sravanam is also held at the same time, during which that particular day's [[tithi]], sunrise and sunset time, and nakshatra. are notified to Venkateswara.

==Hymns==
The [[Suprabhatam#Venkateshwara Suprabhatam|Venkateswara Suprabhatam]] is the first and pre-dawn prayer performed to Venkateswara at Sayana Mandapam, inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Tirumala Temple. 'Suprabhatam' is a Sanskrit term, which literally means ‘morning salutations’, and is meant to wake up the deity from his celestial sleep.<ref name=suprabhatham>{{cite book |last=V.K. |first=Subramanian |title=Sacred Songs of India, Volume 10 |year=1996 |publisher=Abhinav publications |page=59 |isbn=81-7017-444-9}}</ref><ref name=song>{{cite web|url = http://www.tirumala.org/Suprabhatam.aspx|publisher= Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams|title =Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams-Suprabhatam|access-date=29 July 2015}}</ref> The Venkateswara Suprabhatam hymns were composed by [[Prathivadhi Bhayankaram Annangaracharya]] during the 13th century, and consists of 70 slokas in four parts, including Suprabhatam (29), Stotram (11), Prapatti (14), and Mangalasasanam (16).<ref name=song/><ref name=suprabhatham />

[[Annamacharya|Tallapaka Annamacharya]] (Annamayya), the poet saint<ref name=annam1>{{cite book | title =Poet Saints of India| publisher = Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd | year = 1996 | isbn = 9788120718838 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=zMvlDsnEgRoC&q=annamacharya&pg=PA145}}</ref> of 14th century, one of the greatest Telugu poets and a great devotee of Venkateswara, had sung 32000 songs in praise of Venkateswara.<ref name=annam3>{{cite book | title = 101 Mystics of India| publisher = Abhinav Publications | year = 2006 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=KPPWvkKXwCwC&q=annamacharya&pg=PA97}}</ref><ref name=annam1 /> All his songs, which are in [[Telugu Language|Telugu]] and [[Sanskrit]], are referred to as Sankirtanas and are classified as Sringara Sankirtanalu and Adhyatma Sankirtanalu.<ref name=annam1 />

==Other Venkateswara temples==
;India:

* [[Venkateswara Temple, Dwaraka Tirumala|Venkateswara Temple, Dwaraka Tirumala, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh]]
* Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana
* [[Padutirupathi|Paduthirupathi Venkataramana Temple]], Karkala, Karnataka
* Sri Venkataramana Temple, Carstreet, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
*[[Venkatachalapathy Temple]]
* Shree Balaji Mandir, Fanaswadi
*Shri Lakshmi Venkate Devasthan, Chatribagh, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
*Shri Ramanuj Kot Mandir,291. MG Road,Indore,Madhya Pradesh
*Kodandarama Temple, Buchireddypalem, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh
*Shri Balaji Temple, Washim, Maharastra
*Sri Venkateswara Swamy Devastanam, Jamalapuram, Khammam Dist, Telangana
*Sri Venkateswara Swamy Devastanam, Kaman Bajar, Khammam Dist, Telangana
*Sri Venkateswara Swamy Devastanam, Garla, Khammam Dist, Telangana
*Sri Venkateswara Swamy Devastanam, Jeelacheruvu, Khammam Dist, Telangana
*Sri Venkateswara Swamy Devastanam, Palvoncha, Khammam Dist, Telangana

;Indonesia:
* Sri Balaji Venkateswara Temple, [[Medan]], [[North Sumatera]]

;Mauritius:
*Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swami Temple, [[La Laura-Malenga]]
*Hari Hara Devasthanam
;United States of America:
[[File:Lord Balaji only at Parashakthi Temple.jpg|thumb|Lord Sri Venkateswara at [[Parashakthi Temple]] in Pontiac, [[Michigan]], USA]]
*[[Malibu Hindu Temple]], [[California]]
*[[Venkateswara Temple, Minnesota]]
*[[Sri Venkateswara Temple, Pittsburgh]]
*[[Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina|Sri Venkatewara Temple of North Carolina]]
*[[Sri Venkateswara Temple (New Jersey)|Sri Balaji Temple, Bridgewater, NJ]]
* Sri Venkateswara Temple at Castle Rock, Denver, Colorado
*[https://www.balajiusa.org/#/home Sree Venkatesvara temple, Richfield Ohio] (Cleveland area)
*[[Hindu Temple of Atlanta]], Riverdale GA
*[https://svsbalaji.org/ Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple, Aurora Illinois] (Chicago Area)
*[https://www.svtco.org/#/home Sri Venkateswara Temple of Central Ohio] (Columbus, Ohio)
*[https://www.ebalajitemple.com/html/index.aspx?page=home HECSA Portland Balaji Temple] (Hillsboro, Oregon)

;Australia:

*Venkateswara Temple

;England:
*[[Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]], England

;Malaysia
*Sri Venkatachalapathi & Alamelu Temple, Batu Caves, Selangor

;Nepal
*Narayanhiti Temple (Inside Royal Palace of Narayanhiti) Kathmandu
*Budhanilakantha Temple ( Sleeping Vishnu), Kathmandu

==See also==
{{commons category|Venkateshwara}}
*[[Alamelu|Padmavathi]]
*[[Vakula Devi]]
*[[Perumal (deity)|Perumal]]
*[[Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam]]
*[[Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==External links==
* [https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc370679.html Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya, Skanda Purana]
*[http://www.tirumala.org/ Official Tirumala Homepage]

{{VishnuAvatars}}
{{Hindu deities and texts}}
{{Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Forms of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Regional Hindu gods]]
[[Category:Telugu names]]