Tirupati

Hindu Voice UK, August 2008 Edition

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Tirupati, situated in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is one of the several holy sites which all Hindus wish to travel to at least once. Western sources say it to be the most frequently visited religious city after Mecca and the richest religious institution after the Vatican.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkatesvara (a form of Vishnu) and Goddess Lakshmi. The legend goes that Vishnu borrowed a lot of money from Kubera to marry Goddess Lakshmi, and till date he is still repaying his debt. Thus till the debt is complete, him and his wife, shall reside in the foothills of Tirumala in Mangapura. Tirumala, is also a hill station. It is a beautiful place of immense natural beauty.