Who should you dharshanam first in Tirumala?

When devotees arrive at the sacred Tirumala hill, their hearts are filled with devotion and anticipation for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara. However, not everyone is aware of the traditional practice that holds immense spiritual significance visiting the Sri Varaha Swamy temple first. This temple is situated beside the sacred Swami Pushkarini (the holy tank) and is considered an essential stop before proceeding to the main temple. The Varaha Swamy temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) incarnation and is believed to be the original guardian deity of the Tirumala hills.

According to the scriptures and traditions upheld by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Tirumala is known as “Adivaraha Kshetra,” meaning it was sanctified first by the presence of Lord Varaha. It is believed that Lord Venkateswara, before settling on the hill, took permission from Lord Varaha to reside there. As a gesture of respect, it was agreed that any devotee coming to Tirumala must first offer prayers to Lord Varaha, and only then proceed for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara. TTD Updates and other official platforms are now actively educating devotees about this ancient tradition to preserve its spiritual sanctity.

This divine protocol emphasizes the importance of following the prescribed sequence of worship in Tirumala. Devotees who perform darshan of Varaha Swamy first are believed to receive double blessings, as it fulfills both traditional obligation and divine favor. Visiting the Varaha Swamy temple not only pays homage to the guardian of the hills but also ensures that the pilgrimage is complete and aligned with the spiritual promises made by Lord Venkateswara. Therefore, before joining the queue for the Balaji darshan, offering prayers at Varaha Kshetra should be the first sacred step.