Sri Govindaraja Swami is considered to be the elder brother of Lord Balaji and His temple is one among the most important temples in Tirupati. Sri Govindaraja Swami temple has an imposing gopuram that can be visible even from a distance. The Lord is found with his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama. The architecture of the temple is one of its kinds and is marvelously constructed. The entrance of the temple has a magnificent seven-storey Gopuram built in 1628 that can be seen even from a distance. To the left of the main Gopuram, is a temple dedicated to Goddess Laxmi who is seated on a lotus. There is a shrine dedicated to There are shrines of Sri Andal, Sri Parthasarathi, Sri Venkateshwara Swamy and Vedanta Desika, who was a great poet, devotee and philosopher and second great writer of Sri Vaishnava.
One interesting fact about the temple is that the celestial bath (Abhishekam) is not conducted with the presiding deity, as the deity, in the lying position, is made of clay. Rest all the festivals and functions in the shrine are similar to those conducted in the temple of Sri Venkateshwara at Tirumala.
Temple History
According to the legends, this temple was consecrated by the great Vaishnava Preceptor, Saint Ramanuja Charya, in 1130 AD. It is said that the temple had Sri Parthasaarthi (Lord Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna) on the main altar but Sri Ramanuja Charya added the deity of Sri Govindaraja Swami.
The Sri Govindaraja Swamy is the elder brother of Swamy Venkateswara. He is credited for carrying out the marriage that the entire universe was eagerly waiting – between the Sri Tirupati Venkateswara Swamy and Sri Padmavathi Ammavari. This marriage was attended by the gods, kings and public from every universe, those incurred huge expenses. The Govindaraja Swamy met these expenses by accepting credit from Kubera, the king of wealth. After receiving the huge credit, the Govindaraja Swamy conducted one of the magnificent marriages the world has ever seen.
According to legends, the Govindaraja Swamy was blessed with a left hand wealth line that said that he would return the four folds of everything he spend with his hand. This prediction stays true to itself, as he now continues to receive the immense wealth of his brother, the Sri Venkateswara Swamy. According the agreement, the principal interest will be dispensed in the kaliyuga. Afterward the main principal amount will be payed after the ending of ongoing kaliyuga. With Tirupati is one of the richest temples in Modern times, there couldn't be perceivable discomfort at paying back this amount to King Kubera.
The Sub-Temples in Sri Govindaraja Swami Temple premises are
- Sri Parthasarathi Swami Temple
- Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple
- Sri Andal Temple
- Sri Salai Nachiyar Ammavari Temple
- Sri Ramanuja Temple
- Sri Vyasaraya Anjaneya Swami Temple (Near Dwajasthambham)
- Sri Tirumangai Alwar Temple.
- Sri Kurath Alwar Temple
- Sri Madhurakavi Alwar Temple
- Sri Chakrathalwar Temple.
- Sri Mudal Alwar Temple.
- Sri Manavala Mahamuni Temple.
- Sri Vedantha Desikar Temple.
- Sri Woolu Alwar Temple.
- Sri Anjaneya Swami Temple(Near outer Bugga).
- Sri Nammalwar Temple.
- Sri Sanjeevaraya Swami Temple(opposite the Hathiramjee Mutt)
- Sri Eduru Anjaneya Swamy Temple.