Vendi Vakili Tirumala Temple

Vendi Vakili Tirumala Temple

Vendi Vakili Tirumala Temple

It is the Inner Gopuram that leads to the Temple Proper. The base of the Inner Gopuram is rectangular in shape and east to west it is about 7 m wide and 11 m long from north to south. The width of the gateway is 2.7 m. In design it is similar to the outer Gopuram or Mukha Dwaram. The wooden doors here are covered with silver carvings. So it is also referred to as Vendi Vakili. The compound wall or the Prakaram of the his Gopuram measures 70.5 m east to west and 48 m north to south. The thickness of the walls is 90 cm.

There are numerous inscriptions on the outer as well as inner face of these walls and also on the base and walls of the Gopuram. The older inscriptions can be seen on the basement and walls of the Gopuram while the inner face of the Prakaram walls depict the inscriptions belonging to a later period of time. The outer face of these walls contains inscriptions belonging to the 15th and 16th centuries. From the earliest inscriptions belonging to the year 1209, it is assumed that the inner Gopuram has been in existence at least since then. It is also assumed that the base portion of this Gopuram might have been constructed sometime between 1160-1170. The inscriptions are found on the north base of the Gopuram that are partially hidden by the Prakaram wall.

There are two bas-reliefs on the walls at the entrance of this Inner Gopuram. One is Hathimramji playing dice with Lord Venkateswara and the other is the scene of Sri Rama Pattabhishekam. Sri Rama is seated on a platform in Sukhasana and His right hand is in Abhayahastha Chinmudra pose. His Consort Sita is also seated in Sukhasana like Her Lord; Her right hand holds a Lotus while the left hand is in the Parasarita Vamahastha pose. Lakshmana and Bharata are shown with folded hands in Anjali posture. Shatrughna standing to the right of Sri Rama holds the royal Umbrella. The carvings of Anjaneya and the two Paricharakas are also seen.

On the inside walls there are several inscriptions, the earliest one related to Pandya King Jata Varma Sundara Pandya who came to the throne in 1251.