Srinivasa temple at Tirumalai.

Waters sprinkled from perforated metal steps wash one's feet at the entarance to the Srinivasar temple at Tirumalai.Just a few paces away from the huge wooden gates , hangs an ancient iron crowbar on the wall , that was used by Sri Ramnujar's disciple Anantha Aazhwar to break ground ,to lay the garden to supply tulsi leaves and fragrant flowers to adorn Srinivasar.

There are two mantaps flanking the dwajastampam [flag pole] . The one on the left was built by a Nayak ruler to house the idol of Sri Raganthar of Sri Rangam,when Sri Rangam town was attacked by Malik kafur in the 14 th centuryAD. This was during the time of Sri Desikan.The idol was shifted back to Sri Rangam 40 years later when the invaders retreated.

There are sannidhi's of Sri Vardarajha perumal and Sri Narsimha perumal at front of the main sannidhi , to the left and right hand side of Srinivasar.

This temple is not very big only medium sized. But the devotees Srinivasa attracts on any single day would fill all the other huge temple complexes to the brim and spill over!

All the 12 Aazhwars have visited and worshipped at this temple and have dedicated 202 hymns in honour of ThiruVengadanathan---Sri Venkateswara or Srinivasa, who is majestic in his standing position.All acharyas down the ages have also visited , resided and learnt the scriptures and worshipped Srinivasar for long periods of time.They have sung several slokas in his praise.

Amazingly despite the huge turn out my wait for darshan was only an hour !No , not due to any one's recommendations but only of Srinivasa's.Words fail me to describe the charm , beauty and divinity of LordSrinivasa.The swelling upsurge of the milling crowd and 'Jargandi'[move please-- in Telugu] of muscle men grabbing and pushing , gave me a glimpse of the divine form for barely a few seconds . Was it enough?Well , that is my lot. It should see me through till I pay my obeisance ,next.

Photo. The golden Vimanam enshrining Srinivasa perumal within.