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Saluva Narasimharaya's Contributions to Tirumala Tirupati Temples

By V. Thimmapaa

Vol. 18September 2012pp. 37–47English

Summary

Saluva Narasimharaya, ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire (1485–1492), significantly advanced the Tirumala Tirupati temples into a major Hindu pilgrimage center. As a devout follower of Lord Venkateswara, he endorsed the temple through extensive donations, structural improvements, and endowments. His reign saw the gilding of the Vimana and Siknaram in 1359, construction of the Periya Raghunatha temple (1480), and expansion of festivals like Anna Unjal Tirunal (1473), Vasantostavam (1468), and Pavitrostavam (1464). He granted villages, including Allipuram and Durgasamudram, for daily offerings and temple maintenance, boosting food offerings from 24 to 177 markalas daily. Collaborating with Kandadi Ramanuja Ayyangar, he established Ramanujakutams (free kitchens) for pilgrims and institutionalized festivals like Adhayayanotsavam, enhancing both spiritual and administrative aspects. His efforts set a precedent for subsequent rulers, including Sri Krishnadevaraya, to sustain the temple’s prominence through continued patronage and infrastructure development.

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Conclusion

Saluva Narasimharaya's reign marked a transformative era for Tirumala-Tirupati temples, establishing foundational infrastructure and rituals that endure today. His patronage expanded temple endowments through land grants, including Allipuram and multiple villages, funding daily offerings and festivals. He initiated architectural projects like gilding the Vimana and Siknaram, constructing Periya Raghunatha Temple, and building the Alipiri shrine. His reign saw a tripling of daily food offerings to 201 Markalas, institutionalizing free pilgrim services like Ramanujakutams. By formalizing festivals such as Adhayayanotsavam and Pavitrostavam, he elevated the temple's spiritual and cultural stature, attracting scholars and devotees. Collaborations with Kandadi Ramanuja Ayyangar ensured efficient administration, blending secular and religious governance. These developments solidified Tirumala's role as a major pilgrimage center, setting precedents for subsequent Vijayan

Key passages

Chosen by AI from the article's text. Each one is checked word for word against the text before it is shown.

  • “Saluva Narasimharaya was son of Saluva Gunda and grandson of Saluva Mangideva Maharaya. It was he who was instrumental in gilding Vimana and Siknaram of the Tirumala temple in AD 1359.”
  • “Saluva Narasimharaya was an ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara and he used to visit the temple by walking up the hill to worship.”
  • “Saluva Narsimha was known as a pious ruler and also the first king who laid the real foundation through immense contribution to the growth of Tirupati into a great Hindu pilgrim centre.”

Works cited in this article

  1. V.V. Subramanya kumar, Sacred Shrines of Tirupati , Aswin Printers, Tirupati, pp.28, 1989.
  2. Dr. N. Rameshan, The Tirumala Temple , TTD Publication, Tirupati, pp.15, 2009.
  3. T.K.T. Viraraghavacharya, History of Tirupati , TTD Publications, Tirupati, pp.389, 2007.
  4. WWW. Mudiraja & Related Kings.Com.
  5. TTD Inscriptions Vol-II, TTD Publications, Truapti, 2007.

Discussed in this article

People

  • Saluva Narasimharaya
  • Lord Venkateswara
  • Srirangamamba
  • Sri Kandadi Ramanuja Ayyangar
  • Tiruvenkatacherukan Emperummanar
  • Immadi Narasimharay
  • Tirukalikanridasar Alagaperumanar
  • Venkatatturaivar
  • Jiyar Ramanujayyan
  • Sakkottai Krishnaswami Aiyangar
  • Saluva Gunda
  • Saluva Mangideva Maharaya
  • Saluva Parvata Raja

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In this issue

Vol. 18
7–12Bala Narasimha SculpturesBala Narasimha13–25Gender Inequality in Ancient Indian Buddhist MonasteriesS. Yashodhamani26–36Buddhist Sites in Visakhapatnam DistrictD. Mercy Ratna Rani37–47Saluva Narasimharaya's Contributions to Tirumala Tirupati TemplesV. ThimmapaaCurrent article48–61**Cloistered Spaces and Invisible Politics: Women in Mughal India**M. N. Rajesh, Rekha Pande62–78Rani Attimabbe: Chivalry, Charity, and Jaina Influence in 10th-Century KarnatakaT. SURYA PRAKASH, Y. RAMACHANDRA REDDY79–99Agrarian Relations and Feudal Land Distribution in Medieval BhagalpurY. P. ROY100–118The Shunned Cult of Jyestha: Revival and Transformation in Tamil NaduR. EZHILRAMAN119–134Rural Water-Resources and Irrigated Crop-Production in the Krishna-Godavari Tract: An Epigraphical Analysis from the 9th to 10th Century CESabarni Pramanik Nayak135–157Colonial Forest Policy and Deforestation in Bombay Presidency (1800-1947)LOUIZA RODRIGUES158–168John Dickinson and the India Reform SocietyPrabha Ravi Shankar169–187South Odisha's Mercantile Activities with South Asia (1858-1936 A.D.)N. P. Panigrahi188–205British Colonial Policies and Indian NationalismRukmini Nagarajan206–212The Grove: Architectural Fusion and HeritageJ. Sumathi213–240European Women's Political Endeavors in India: Annie Besant's Home Rule MovementI. Princes241–247Dewan Mirza Ismail's Economic Policies and Mysore's Industrial Growth (1926-1941)K. L. N. Murthy248–264Ganesh Idol Crafting in Western India: Culture, Creativity, and CommunityPreeta Nilesh265–280Monasteries, Shrines and Society: Buddhist and Brahmanical Religious Institutions in India in their Socio-Economic ContextBirendra Nath Prasad

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