Technology At Tirumala’s Renovated Museum Brings Old Treasures To Life
Krishnadevaraya’s Dhupa Ganta, silver-plated door jambs once used in the temple, and the cosmic form of Lord Venkateswara are among the displays: Reports
TIRUPATI: The renovated Sri Venkateswara Museum in Tirumala has many artefacts, including the Dhupa Ganta associated with Vijayanagara Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya, copper plates carrying Annamacharya’s compositions, old temple vessels, sculptures, and rare photographs.
The museum has been redesigned to present the history of the hill shrine using digital displays, bringing to life original artefacts. Spread across four floors and about 1.25 lakh square feet, its 14 galleries house more than 8,000 artefacts covering architecture, art, royal patronage, temple worship, and contributions of devotees.
The museum started in 1980, with establishment of the Hall of Antiques in the Thousand Pillar Mandapam opposite the main temple. It later shifted to the present building near the Vaikuntam Queue Complex II. The facility has been renovated with support from Tata Consultancy Services and MAP Systems.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the renovated museum recently.
Among the important exhibits is the Dhupa Ganta donated by Krishnadevaraya, who visited Tirumala seven times and made several offerings to Lord Venkateswara. The museum preserves contributions made by Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, and Vijayanagara rulers to the temple.
There are stone sculptures of deities and bronze images made using the traditional lost wax technique. The Annamayya and Numismatics Gallery combines the saint poet’s legacy. There is a collection of old coins. The art gallery has works by artists including Bapu, Krishna Rao, and Pilaka Lakshmi Narasimha Sastry, besides paintings depicting episodes from the Bhagavata, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, apart from rare photographs of Tirumala and Tirupati.
The museum displays objects that are a functional part of the temple. The Sri Venkateswara Gallery has the Koluvu Simhasanam, Hundi, Coconut Hundi, Satari, and traditional vessels used in the temple kitchen for preparing Naivedyam and Prasadam. Silver-plated door jambs once used in the temple and the copper covering of Kulasekharapadi are among the architectural and ritual objects on display.
A separate presentation explains the ornaments of Lord Venkateswara, including Sikhamani, Vajrakireetam, Makarakundalam, Sahasranama Mala, Suryakatari, and Dasavatara Vaddanam. A 3D projection presents the self-manifested idol and explains aspects of the deity’s adornment according to Vaikhanasa Agama traditions.
Digital technology has been used to connect the exhibits with their historical and religious context. Holographic displays, 360-degree sound, interactive digital screens, 3D projections, and digital archives form part of the new presentation.
Brahmandam Gallery uses 7D and immersive technology to present creation, the planets, the cycle of time, and the cosmic form of Lord Venkateswara.
Other galleries focus on temple architecture, stone sculptures, devotees and their contributors, weapons, musical instruments, puja articles, and the Trinity. The rooftop has meditation halls, while a library and Harini Auditorium provide additional material on Tirumala’s religion, art, and history.
The museum is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The entry fee is ₹50 per person, with an additional ₹200 for the Brahmandam experience.