The original Lord Venkateswara Temple is situated in the hill town of Tirumala in Tirupati, Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh in India.
Devotees believe that Lord Venkateswara, the Presiding Deity, is Swayambhu (Self-Manifested), having risen more than 5000 years ago, although the Temple has undergone several stages of construction and improvements over the past several hundred years.
Tirumala Hills are part of the Seshachalam Hills range. The Hills are 853 metres (2799 ft) above sea level. They comprise seven peaks, representing the seven Heads of Adisesha.
The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. The Venkateswara Temple is located on the seventh peak of Venkatadri, on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank. Hence the Temple is also called, ‘Temple of Seven Hills.’
The Temple follows Vaikhanasa Agama tradition of worship. It is one of the eight Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras and is listed as 106th and the last earthly Divya Desam.
The premises comprises two modern queue complex buildings to organise the pilgrim rush, Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasadam complex for free meals to Pilgrims, hair tonsure buildings and a number of pilgrim lodging sites.
The Temple is run by the body Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) under the direct control of the Andhra Pradesh government.