Tanjore Painting Balaji 2

Venkateshwara or Balaji, an aspect of Sri MahaVishnu, is the presiding deity of the Tirupati temple, India. It is believed that the deity is Swayambhu (self manifested). Ten Puranas state that the idol of Venkateswara has the attributes of both Vishnu and Shiva- the preserving and destroying aspects of the Hindu Trinity. The deity wears ornaments associated with Vishnu, but also ornaments such as the Naga, associated with Shiva. As such, followers believe that Venkateswara represents the vishwaroop, or universal form, encompassing all of God’s forms. According to legends, Venkateswara married Padmavathi and Sri Mahalakshmi as an expression of their wish to always be together. Lakshmi stays with him on the left side of his chest while Padmavathi rests on the right side of his chest.