𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞, 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐮 Temple History

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞, 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐮

Located along the Tirupati-Chittoor bypass route, the Vakula Matha Temple is a place I never miss whenever I visit Tirupati. At the temple entrance, an inscription confirms that this sacred site was originally built during the Chola dynasty.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

The temple is dedicated to Vakula Matha, the foster mother of Lord Venkateshwara. According to spiritual history, Vakula Matha was Yashoda (the foster mother of Lord Krishna) in her previous birth.

During the Dvapara Yuga, Yashoda was unable to witness Lord Krishna’s wedding. To fulfill her deep desire, Lord Krishna granted her a boon: she would be reborn in the Kali Yuga as Vakula Matha to arrange and attend the grand wedding of Lord Venkateshwara.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥

Centuries ago, a massive bell was situated on this small hill near the temple. Legend has it that 300 to 400 years ago, when the population was sparse and there was no vehicular noise, the sound of this bell would travel all the way to the Tirumala hills.

It was only after the bell rang at the Vakula Matha Temple that the Pujas and Naivedhya (food offerings) would begin for Lord Venkateshwara at Tirumala. This tradition continued until the temple was unfortunately invaded and demolished by the forces of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, who looted its treasures.

Above picture were taken when temple was in ruined state before 2012

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥

For centuries, the temple remained in a ruined state. However, through the dedicated efforts of various Jeeyar Swamigal and legal action taken by the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams), the site was recovered around 2012.

Renovation work was successfully completed in 2022, and devotees now visit the temple regularly once again. To all devotees of Lord Venkateshwara: it is highly recommended to seek the blessings of his mother, Vakula Matha, here before proceeding to Tirumala.

Above are present pictures after its renovation.