The Story of Hathiram Baba

Lord Venkateshwara's famous Devotee Hathiram baba came from Nagaur in Rajasthan Centuries back. Lord himself played dice with Hathiram baba every night. One night while both Lord and Hathiram baba are playing dice it was almost dawn and the Lord Venkateshwara realized that he had to leave. Lord rushed back to temple and some of his ornaments fell down in Hathiram baba's house. As usual priests opened the temple and realized that some ornaments was missing and so they instructed them to search. Meanwhile Hathiram baba realized that Lord's ornaments had fallen in his house and so he rushed to the temple to return it to the priests. Hathiram baba was stopped at the gate and thought that he was the thief who had stolen the Lord's Ornaments no matter how much he protested. Lord Hathiram baba was confined to home and this matter was posted to the King.

Hathiram Baba with Lord Venkateshwara

After listening all the information from both sides The King posed a serious challenge to Hathiram baba. As according to his instructions  A massive load of sugarcane was placed in Hathiram baba's house and he asked to finish the complete sugarcane before sunrise.  There is no way that Hathiram baba could fulfill the Kings demand. He started praying Lord. Suddenly a white elephant appeared in the Hathiram baba's home and in a matter of minutes the elephant has finished off eating the entire sugarcane. After eating the elephant trumpeted loudly and came out of the Hathiram baba's home right infront of the King , priests and all other people, The King, priests and all other persons was amazed to see the Elephant coming from the small room. Hence then he is popularly known as Hathiramji. Hathi means Elephant  and Ram the name he always chanted. Later priests had handed over the duty of looking into Temple accounts.

From then Mahants belonging to Hathiramji Matt were responsible for managing the temple accounts from 1843 to 1933. After the formation of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams The Accounts administration was handed over to TTD. At the Temple entrance we can still find the Hathiramji Mutt. Behind the Ashram we can find a dormitory and also Marriage hall.  We can find several thousands of Unique Saligrama stones collections . These Sacred stones are from Gandaki river. Pilgrims can visit this historic place and do meditation to experience the devine feeling.