The temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared on the earth to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga.

The temple lies on the seventh peak—Venkatadri, on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a holy water tank.

According to one legend, the temple has a murti of Venkateswara, it is believed, which shall remain there for the entire duration of the present Kali Yuga.

As of 30 September 2022, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the governing body of the temple, had fixed deposits with several PSU and private banks amounting to over Rs 15,938 crore.

[16] Vishnu bore human form as Srinivasa, left Vaikuntha, in search of Lakshmi, reached the Seshachalam hills in Tirumala and started meditating.

After curse, Chola king took rebirth as Akasharaja and he had a daughter named Padmavati, who was born in the Padmapushkarini situated at present day Tiruchanur in Andhra Pradesh.

Srinivasa married Padmavati who is form of Lakshmi at present day Narayanavanam in Andhra Pradesh and returned to Tirumala Hills.

[16] The temple finds a mention in the Sangam epic Silappathikaram, Kovalan meeting a Brahmin asks him where he is from and why did he come here, and he Replied "I came to satisfy my heart's desire, to see with my own eyes the glory of Vishnu, whom many worship with prayer as He reposes with Lakshmi in His chest, on the couch of the thousand hooded Serpent, in the temple in island jutting out on the widening waves of the Kaveri, even as the blue clouds repose supine on the slopes of the lofty golden mountain (Meru)."

This line mentions Srirangam and next he mentions Tirumala as follows, "I also came to see the beauty of the red-eyed Lord, holding in His beautiful lotus-hands the discus which is death to His enemies, and also the milk white conch (to see Him) wearing a garland of tender flowers on His chest, and draped in golden flowers and dwelling on the topmost crest of the tall and lofty hill named Venkatam with innumerable waterfalls, standing like a cloud in its natural hue, adorned with a rainbow and attired with lightning, in the midst of a place both sides of which are illumined by the spreading rays of the sun and the moon.

The temple gained most of its current wealth and size under the Vijayanagara Empire, present-day Karnataka state, with the donation of diamonds and gold.

[20] After the decline of Vijayanagara Empire, rulers from states such as the Kingdom of Mysore and the Gadwal Samsthanam worshipped as pilgrims and donated ornaments and valuables to the temple.

[citation needed] Maratha general Raghoji I Bhonsle set up a permanent administration for the conduct of worship in the temple.

His second visit was to settle a dispute that arose between the Saivites and Vaishnavites regarding the nature of the image set up in the Tirumala temple.

[22] During the last visit, which was at an advanced old age of 102 years, the acharya installed the image of Govindaraja and laid the foundations of the present town of Tirupati.

[19] Ramanuja streamlined the rituals at Tirumala temple according to Vaikanasa Agama tradition and introduced the recitation of Naalayira Divya Prabandham.

He also set up Tirupati Jeeyar Mutt in 1119 AD in consultation with Tirumalai Ananthalwan to institutionalise service to the deity and supervise the temple rituals.

[23][24][25] After the end of Vijayanagara Empire, the temple went into the hands of Golconda in July 1656 and then it was under the French for a short period of time and under Nawab of Carnatic till 1801 CE.

The daily operation and management of TTD is the responsibility of an executive officer, who is appointed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Based on analysis of data during Jan 2022 – Feb 2024, maximum average daily visitors to Tirumala Venkateswara temple is about 87,000.

This path known as Sampangipradakshinam has many Mandapas, a dvajasthambam, a Bali Pitha, kshetrapalika sila, and a prasadam distribution area.

This path has sub-shrines dedicated to Varadaraja and Yoga Narasimha, a potu (main kitchen), a bangaru bavi (golden well), an Ankurarpana Mandapam, a yagashala, Nanala (coins and Notla (Paper notes) Parkamani, Almyrah of Sandal paste (Chandanapu ara), a cell of records, Sannidhi Bhashyakarulu, a hundi, and the seat of Vishvaksena.

[43] Along with Pancha berams, the garbha griha also hosts the panchaloha deities of Sita, Rama, Lakshmana, Rukmini, Krishna,[44] Chakratalvar.

The temple hosts the deities of Garuda (Vishnu's vehicle), Narasimha, Varadaraja, Kubera, Hanuman in their respective sub-shrines.

[43] The temple follows Vaikhanasa Agama (vadakalai) tradition of worship,[47] which is believed to have been revealed by Sage Vikhanasa[48][49] and propagated by his disciples Atri, Bhrigu, Marichi, Kasyapa.

[59] To manage the large number of visitors, the temple administration has established various darshan types to ensure an orderly and efficient flow of pilgrims.

[64] A protest led by Kagganapalli Radha Devi overturned the objections and temple agreed to appoint women barbers.

During brahmotsavams the processional deity Malayappa along with his consorts SriDevi and BhuDevi, is taken in a procession in four mada streets around the temple on different vahanams.

[68][69] Rathasapthami is another festival, celebrated during February, when Venkateswara's processional deity (Malayappa) is taken in a procession around the temple on seven different vahanams starting from early morning to late night.

The seven hills are as follows:[75] There is a small shrine dedicated to Varadaraja located in Vimana-pradakshinam, towards left of Vendivakili (silver entrance) while entering temple.

[78] A small shrine dedicated to Garuda the vehicle of Venkateswara is situated exactly opposite to the Bangaruvakili (Golden Entrance) of Jaya-Vijaya.