Home :: South India Travel Destinations :: Tirupati India

» Location : 67-km From Chittoor, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh
» Famous For : World's Richest Temple
» Previously Known As : A Pilgrimage Centre
» Nearby Attractions : Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Sri Venugopalaswami Temple, Srikalahasti

Tirumala-Tirupati, one of the richest temples in the country, is the most venerated Vaishnavite shrine of Lord Venkateswara. It was patronised by the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas and the Vijayanagar kings. 130 kms from the city of Madras (Chennai), this temple is located in the southern Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Tiru' in Tamil means `Sri'. Hence Tirupati translates to Sripati or Sri Maha Vishnu. 

According to the Puranas, the range of Tirumala hills represent the body of the serpent Adisesha, on which Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world, rests. The seven hills represent the seven heads of the serpent. 

Perched on the 860 m high peak of the Tirumala hills, the temple is a Dravidian masterpiece. The splendid Viman or 'Ananda Nilayam' rising protectively over the sanctum is the most arresting feature in the temple complex. It is plated with gold, as is the Dwajasthambam, or the temple flagpost. The innermost enclosure of the three 'prakarams', opened once annually, enshrines the two-metre high majestic black idol of Lord Venkateswara, bedecked with priceless glittering jewels, most striking of which is the diamond crown said to be the costliest in the world.

Some people believe that the idol of Sri Venkateswara has the attributes of Vishnu and Shiva, the preserving and the destroying aspects of the Hindu Trinity. This conception is a happy compromise appealing at once to the Vaishnavites and Shaivites. The idol has four arms, two in the rear, one carrying the Shankha or the conch, and the other the Chakra or the discus, and two in the front, one in the Abhaya pose and the other resting on the hip. On both the front arms, the Bhujanga Valaya, or the girdle of the serpent, an emblem of Shiva can be seen. People from the Northern parts of India, worship Lord Venkateswara, as Balaji. It is praised by poets as `Bhuloka Vaikuntha'.

The two very important customs followed in the temple are anointing the body of the Lord with camphor (Karpoora), saffron and musk, and offering the tonsure of hair as a sacrifice to the Lord. 

The Varahaswami temple, situated near the Venkateswara temple, on the banks of Swami Pushkarani tank, is said to be even more ancient. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Varahaswami. It is said that the Adi Sesha himself forms the seven hills on which the temple of the Lord is located.

Festivals in Tirupati
Brahmotsavam, the most important of the various festivals of the temple, is conducted usually in Bhadrapada i.e., in September for about 9 days. On account of Adika Masam, which comes in every third year, a second Brahmotsavam in the month of Aswayuja (Puratasi) will be held under the name, "Navarathri Brahmotsavam". These Brahmotsavams attract thousands of pilgrims from various parts of the country.

Prime Attractions of Tirupati
Horsely Hills: Looking for a quiet end to your holiday? Stop by at Horsley Hills, located at an altitude of 1265 mts. The delightfully cool hills are named after W.D. Horsley - a one time collector of Cuddapah District, who chose this spot as his summer residence.
Groves of teak, red sanders, eucalyptus, gulmohar, and enchant you.   

Chandragiri Fort: After temple bells and shrines, visit the Chandragiri Fort built on a huge rock about 56 mts high. Discover the remains of palaces and temples. relive the lives of the Vijayanagar royal families in the Raja and Rani Mahal! Coming up shortly, is an exciting sound and light show which will add a perfect touch to your evening!          

Lepakshi: Lepakshi houses the famous Veerabhadra temple and the astounding monolothic Nandi, that has come to symbolize not only the Shaivite culture in South India but also the very cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh. Easily accessible from Tirupati, this religious centre of the finest temple architecture and paintings. The famous Veerabhadra temple is built in the Vijayanagara style. As per local legend, Lord Shiva and Parvati were married in this temple at portion called Kalyan Mandapa  The nearest railhead to Lepakshi is Hindupur, which is 16 kms. away, on the Hyderabad – Bangalore line.

Puttaparthi: Prasanthi Milayam, the main ashram of Shri Sathya Sai Baba, is in Puttaparthi. Sai Baba's followers are predominantly Indian but he also has many western devotees, among them the founder of the Hard Rock Cafe franchise. Known as the Adobe of highest Peace, the ashram is spacious and beautiful with good food and accommodation- at least when the numbers aren't overwhelming. Sai Baba spends most of the year here but sometimes moves to Whitefields Ashram near Banglore in neighbouring Karnatka or Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu during the hot, dry season.  

Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple: Sri Padmavathi is the goddess of abundance and prosperity. This temple is down the hill from the main temple. There are images of Lord Hanuman the monkey god, Lord Krishna and others in the white pillared hall.  

Sila Thoranam: Sila Thoranam is a natural rock formation, few kilometers up the hill from the temple. It is the only one of its kind in Asia. It is believed to be the place, where the deity Lord Venkateshwara descended to earth. There are rock impressions of foot and wheel behind the arch. According to the mythology, the foot belongs to Lord Vishnu.

Narayanagiri: The highest point on Tirumala is called Narayanagiri. From here, you can have a panoramic view of the landscape.

Padmavathi Temple: At the foot of the Tirumala Hill stands the more modest Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, dedicated to the consort of Venkateshwara. Unlike most Hindu temples where the spouses are worshipped together, in Tirupathi Venkateshwara and Padmavathi have separate homes. It is said that one's pilgrimage to Tirupathi is complete only after visiting both the temples.

How to Get There
By Air : The nearest airport is at Tirupati.

By Road : Tirupati is the nearest railway station. There are trains that travel via Renigunta or Gudur, but do not touch Tirupati. In such cases, Renigunta (just 10-km from Tirupati) or Gudur (100-km from Tirupati), are convenient points to alight. From Renigunta/Gudur, one can reach Tirupati by train, bus, or taxi.

By Bus : APSRTC buses run from all the important places in the state and between Tirupati and Tirumala. TTD also runs buses between Tirupati and Tirumala, free of cost. Taxis are also available over here.