The Sri Vari Museum, also known as the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Museum, is a treasure trove of religious and cultural artifacts located in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, India. It's situated near the Vaikuntam Queue Complex, opposite the Govindarajaswami Temple .
The museum is a sprawling complex that houses over 6,000 artifacts dating back to ancient times. These artifacts offer a glimpse into the rich history, traditions, and architecture of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Hinduism.
Here's a breakdown of what you can expect to see at the Sri Vari Museum:
Galleries: The museum is divided into ten sections, each showcasing a specific aspect of the temple's history and culture. These galleries include:
- The Hall of Inscriptions: This gallery displays inscriptions from various ruling dynasties that shed light on the temple's development over the centuries.
- The Sculpture Gallery: This gallery houses a collection of stone sculptures dating from the 8th to the 19th centuries. These sculptures depict Hindu deities, mythological scenes, and temple architecture.
- The Vahanams Gallery: This gallery showcases the various vahanams (celestial vehicles) used during the Brahmotsavam festival, a ten-day celebration held at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.
- The Temple Utensils Gallery: This gallery displays a collection of temple utensils used in daily rituals and poojas (prayers) at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.
- The Arms and Armour Gallery: This gallery exhibits a collection of weapons and armor used by the temple guards over the centuries.
- The Philately and Numismatics Gallery: This gallery displays a collection of stamps and coins related to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.
- The Manuscripts Gallery: This gallery houses a collection of ancient palm-leaf manuscripts containing religious texts and temple records. Sri Vari Museum Temple Utensils Gallery
Other Exhibits: In addition to the permanent galleries, the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions on various themes related to Hinduism and Indian culture.
Meditation Hall: After exploring the museum's many exhibits, visitors can relax and meditate in the peaceful ambiance of the meditation hall located on the museum's top floor.
Tips for Visiting the Sri Vari Museum:
- The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Entry is free.
- Photography is not allowed inside the museum.
- The museum is located in Tirumala, which is on top of the Tirumala Hills. Visitors need to obtain a free darshan (pilgrimage) ticket to enter Tirumala.
- It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking involved in exploring the museum's many galleries.
The Sri Vari Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning more about the history and culture of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple and Hinduism in general.