Looking at the history of Tirupati, which was in controversy for making prasadam with ghee mixed with animal fat, even Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj visited this temple, even when there was a record increase in the price of gold, the temple where gold is accumulating because of the offering is the richest Tirupati Venkateswara temple.
Located in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, the temple is seen by the devotees as Bhuloka Vaikunda. Despite the record rise in the price of gold last year, devotees had offered a huge amount of gold to the temple. In 2023, the temple received 1031 kg of gold worth around Rs 773 crore. Today, Tirupati is in controversy for making prasadam with ghee mixed with animal fat.
Renowned scholar Ramachandra Chindaman Dhere has stated in his book ‘Srivenkateswara and Srikalahastheeswar’ that the connection between Maharashtra and Tirupati Balaji temple is more than 1000 years old. Devotees in Maharashtra have been coming for Balaji darshan for many centuries. Maratha rulers have also sought darshan of Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
It is also said that during the long journey that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj undertook after his coronation, after having darshan of Tirupati Sri Venkateswara Swamy, he went to Kalahasti and performed darshan. He also visited many prominent temples of South India. It is mentioned in the book ‘History of Tirupati’ that Peshwa Bajirao visited the temple along with his wife and mother and paid Rs 20,000 as a gift to the temple at that time.
