# Gukesh visits Tirumala temple ahead of world title defence _The reigning world chess champion prayed at Tirumala before defending his crown against Javokhir Sindarov in Geneva._ - Publisher: Apex Sports News (https://apexsportsnews.in) - Canonical URL: https://apexsportsnews.in/news/gukesh-visits-tirumala-temple-ahead-of-world-title-defence - Author: Rohit, Sports writer (https://apexsportsnews.in/author/rohit) - Published: 2026-11-06T09:28:28.154Z - Section: Other Sports - Topics: Javokhir Sindarov, Gukesh Dommaraju, FIDE World Chess Championship, Tirumala, Viswanathan Anand ## Summary D Gukesh visited the Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh on November 6, 2026, ahead of his FIDE World Chess Championship 2026 title defence against Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov. The 14-game classical match will run from November 24 to December 12 at the Fondation Martin Bodmer in Cologny, Geneva. ## Key takeaways - Gukesh prayed at Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple on Friday, November 6, 2026 - He will defend his world championship crown against Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan - The 14-game classical match runs from November 24 to December 12, 2026 - Venue is the Fondation Martin Bodmer in Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland - Gukesh won the title in December 2024 by defeating Ding Liren of China in Singapore ## Article Indian chess grandmaster and reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju visited the Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh on Friday, November 6, 2026, to offer prayers to Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy ahead of his upcoming title defence at the FIDE World Chess Championship 2026. The 20-year-old grandmaster sought blessings at the shrine atop the Tirumala hills in Tirupati district as he prepares for a challenging contest against Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov. Gukesh is scheduled to defend his world championship crown in a 14-game classical chess match against Sindarov from November 24 to December 12, 2026. The contest will be held at the Fondation Martin Bodmer in Cologny, Geneva, Switzerland. ## Previous title win and records Gukesh will look to retain the title he won in December 2024 after defeating China's Ding Liren in Singapore. At 18 years, six months and 24 days, Gukesh became the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion in history. His triumph marked a significant milestone for Indian chess, as he became only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the undisputed world championship. Gukesh earned his Grandmaster title in January 2019 at the age of 12 years, seven months and 17 days, establishing himself as one of the youngest players to achieve the distinction. He has since continued to make his mark on the international circuit, becoming the youngest player to cross the 2750 rating mark and India's top-rated player in September 2023, surpassing five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand. The Chennai-born grandmaster has also played a key role in India's success at the Chess Olympiad, winning both individual and team gold medals. ## About the temple The Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is one of India's most revered pilgrimage sites and attracts millions of devotees every year. The deity is also worshipped as Balaji, Govinda and Srinivasa. ### Related on Apex Sports News - [Javokhir Sindarov to challenge D Gukesh in Geneva](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/javokhir-sindarov-to-challenge-d-gukesh-in-geneva) - [Ajay Singh ineligible for World Boxing Executive Board elections](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/ajay-singh-ineligible-for-world-boxing-executive-board-elections) - [Jatin Dev wins Under-19 table tennis title in Hyderabad](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/jatin-dev-wins-under-19-table-tennis-title-in-hyderabad) ### Sources - [sports.ndtv.com](https://sports.ndtv.com/chess/gukesh-d-seeks-tirumala-blessings-ahead-of-world-championship-title-defence-12291246) - [rediff.com](https://www.rediff.com/sports/report/gukesh-seeks-lord-balajis-blessings-before-title-defence/20261106.htm) - [Photo: Yunfan Zhao / lichess.org, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gukesh_at_the_46th_FIDE_Chess_Olympiad_(2).jpg) --- Source: Apex Sports News, https://apexsportsnews.in/news/gukesh-visits-tirumala-temple-ahead-of-world-title-defence. Please cite and link the original article when quoting.