Sri Govindarajaswami Temple is one of the most important temples in Tirumala Tirupati. It has an imposing gopuram which can be seen from a distance.
Saint Ramanujacharya consecrated the temple in 1130 AD.
The festivals and functions are similar to those conducted in the Sri Venkateswara temple. The annual Brahmotsavam at this temple is celebrated in the month of Vaisakha every year. The annual float festival is also celebrated every year.
The sub-temples in its premises are:
- Sri Parthasarathiswami Temple
- Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple
- Sri Andal Temple
- Sri Salai Nachiyar Ammavari Temple
- Sri Ramanuja Temple
- Sri Vyasaraya Anjaneyaswami 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 Anjaneyaswami Temple(Near outer Bugga).
- Sri Nammalwar Temple.
- Sri Sanjeevarayaswami Temple (opposite the Hathiramjee Mutt)
- Sri Eduru Anjaneyaswamy Temple.
The important festivals conducted in Sri Govindarajaswami Temple are:
- Vaisakha Festival (Brahmotsavam)
- Float Festival
- Rathasapthami
- Bugga and Ponnakalva Utsavam
- Sri Andal Margalineerattam Festival
- Sri Salai Nachiyar Panguni Uttara Festival
- Sri Bhashyakarla Utsavam
- Sri Nammalwar Utsavam
- Jestabhishekam
- Thiruvadipuram Festival
- Thirumala Nambi Festival
- Adhyayanotsavam
- Thiru Nakshatram of alwar
- Manavalamahamuni Asthanam
- Vedantha Desikar Utsavam
Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Govindaraja, who is considered to be the elder brother of Lord Venkateswara, and he is worshipped similar to Lord Ventakeswara by the devotees, and this marvellous temple is situated in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The temple was built during 11th century AD and it was consecrated by the great Vaishnavite Saint Sri Ramanujacharya.
The temple is one of the biggest Temple in Tirupati, and it is considered as the most popular temple similar to Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala. At present this wonderful Govindaraja Temple is being administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. As per customary practice, whoever intends to visit Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala, must have to visit and worship Lord Govindaraja also at his temple. While Lord Venkateswara is worshipped as the divine father by his devotees, Lord Govindaraja is worshipped as the divine mother, since he carefully listens to the problems of his devotees and sort out it instantly. He is also fondly called by his devotees as M.G.R, which means Mother Govinda Raja.
In this temple, the deity of Govindaraja can be seen in Yoga Nitra form, also called as resting or sleeping form. We can also happily witness our beloved goddesses, Ma Sridevi and Ma Bhudevi who can be seen in the form of sitting posture at the foot of Lord Govindaraja. Apart from the main shrine of Lord Govindaraja, few more shrines can also be found at this temple, like shrines of Ma Padmavati Devi, Saint Ramanuja, Kurathazhwar, Chakaratazhvar, Hanuman and Andal. We can also see the deities of Vishnu Avatars, which must be worshipped by us by considering them as the Holy Navagrahas. Most of the Iyengars would name their male children either as Srinivasa or as Govindaraja!
We can also witness a wonderful shrine dedicated to Lord Kalyana Venkateswara at this temple. It is also believed that during Saturdays, Deva Rishi Narada and Gandharva Muni Sri Tumburu Bhagavan used to visit this temple in an invisible form, and they also used to circumambulate this temple for 108 times, by considering it as the Holy Tirumala Hills.
Vaikunta Ekadasi, Krishna Jayanti and Rama Navami are the important festivals celebrated at this temple. Saints like Vyasaraja, Kanakadasa and Guru Raghavendra have visited this excellent temple while they were on their way to the Sacred Tirumala Hills.
“OM SRI GOVINDARAJA PERUMALE NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR