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Tirupati is a world in itself, millions of pilgrims from all
over India and abroad visit the temple of Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati
round the year. In addition to various shrines scattered all over Tirupati
and beyond there are holy water falls, scared rivers and archaeological
wonders. It is regarded as one of the most ancient temples which were
mentioned in Puranas and Sastras.
The temple is patronized by the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, the Vijayanagar
Rulers and the later kings of Mysore. Hastakalaramam Papanasanam, Akasganga,
Gogarbham, Shilathoranam, View Point, S.V. Museum are the other places worth
seeing at Tirumala. Kapilatheetham, Hare Rama Hare Kishna Mandir, Regional
Science Centre, S.V.Zoological Park, Srinivasa Mangapuram, Kalyani Dam,
Chandragiri Fort, Tiruchanur, Govindaraja Swami Temple are the other places
worth seeing in and around Tirupathi.
Location - Tirupati is a town in the Chittoor district of the
Southern portion of Andhra Pradesh and is at a convenient train journey away
from Chennai (formerly Madras) in Tamilnadu. Tirumalai, on the last of the
seven Hills, is home to this temple and is connected by a well maintained
and picturesque mountain road constructed by the Tirumala Tirupati
Devastanam.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - Nearest Airport is Renigunta, a place just 10 kms from
Tirupati.
By Train - Tirupati is connected with all major cities in cities. It is just
five hours by rail from Chennai and Bangalore. Two daily inter-city trains
connect Chennai and Tirupati. Four daily trains from Hyderabad also means
good connectivity with Hyderabad, from which the journey takes 12-14 hrs.
During the return journey, train bookings can be made from Tirumala also at
the South Central Railway counter there.
By Road - Tirupathi is linked by regular Bus Services with important
places Chennai (130 Km) Bangalore (240 Km) Hyderabad (572 Km) Vijayawada (380
Km) Chittoor (61 Km)
WHEN TO GO
Best time to travel Hyderabad is September to February.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Sri Venkateswara Temple - The ancient and sacred
temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala
(Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of
Sri Swami Pushkarini. It is by the Lord’s presidency over Venkatachala,
that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata
Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills.
The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian
religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns
unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only
by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara.
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Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams - Tirumala Tirupati
Devasthanams is an independent trust which manages the Sri Venkateshwara
temple at Tirumala, Tirupati. The chairman of the board is nominated by
the state government of Andhra Pradesh. Hindus believe that this richest
Hindu temple is the second most visited religious center after Vatican
City. About 60,000 to 150,000 devotees visit the temple complex every
day for the auspicious darshan (visit) of the deity donating nearly $2
million every month.
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Alamelu - The main temple to Sri Alamelu is
situated at Thiruchanoor, also known as Alamelu-Mangapuram, a village in
the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, lying at a distance of about 5
km from the temple-town of Tirupati. Tradition dictates that every
pilgrim to Tirupati must offer obeisance at this temple before
proceeding to the temple at Tirupati.
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Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam - It is a
women's university in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was
established as a state university by the Andhra Pradesh legislature in
1983, named after the goddess Sri Padmavati, the consort of Lord
Venkateswara. The university has approximately 2,000 students.
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Tirumala Brahmotsavam - The term "utsava" means a
festival that raises one beyond the darkness of material life. In
Tirupati, every day is filled with countless festivals that elevate us
to spiritual consciousness by connecting us with the deity through
service. Among all the festivals observed in Tirupati, the most
important of them is the annual Brahmotsava festival, which derives its
name from the fact that it was originally inaugurated by Lord Brahma
himself. This festival is conducted once a year, and runs for nine days. |
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WHERE TO EAT
There is no dearth of restaurants in Tirupati and Tirumala and most provide
delicious vegetarian food at very economic prices. Non-vegetarian fare may
be difficult to find, especially near the temple areas. The Sri
Venkateshwara Canteen Complex offers free vegetarian food on a meal coupon
system to devotees who seek blessings at the shrine. According to legend,
the delicious Tirupati laddoos are a favorite dish of Lord Venkateshwara and
are therefore offered as prasadham at Tirupati temples and are unique to the
region.
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