ABOUT TIRUPATI - TIRUMALA:

• Sacred abode of Lord Venkateswara or Balaji is one of the oldest and richest Hindu pilgrim centres of the country.
• Tirupati, literally the ‘Lord Lakshmi’ is the town and transport hub set in the foot hills of Tirumala.
• Sacred Tirumala hill in the Eastern Ghats has seven peaks, representing the seven headed serpent Adisesha, on whose coil Lord Vishnu sleeps.

 MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Tirupati Airport, Renigunta (TIR), 15 kms away from Tirupati city centre.
• Rail: Tirupati Railway Station, Tirupati, 1 km away from Tirupati city centre.
• Road: Well connected by road.

SIGHTSEEING AT A GLANCE:

For more information visit https://tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in/

ATTRACTIONS OF TIRUPATI - TIRUMALA

Lord Venkateswara Temple:

• Majestic shrine of Lord Venkateswara nestling amidst the Tirumala Hill.
• About 700 metres above the town is one of the most popular Hindu temples in the world.
• Visited by over 25,000 pilgrims a day and the number reach up to 1,00,000 on festival days.
• Temple staff alone accounts to a number of about 18,000.
• Popularity of the temple can be judged by its annual income, which is over two billion rupees.
• Sacred temple finds mention in the ancient religious texts and was perhaps built during the 9^th century.
• Masterpiece of Dravidian architecture has a huge outer courtyard or sampangi pradakshinam, which is dotted by several interesting mandapams.
• Glittering gold Vimanam, known as Ananda Vimanam rises protectively over the sanctum sanctorum.
• Enshrines the ‘swayambhu’ or naturally formed two metres high jet-black stone idol of Lord Venkateshwara.
• ‘Brahmotsavam’ (September/ October) is the main temple festival celebrated in a grand way for nine days and attracts a large number of devotees.

Swami Pushkarni:

• Many pilgrims take holy dip in the sacred tank before having a darshan of the Lord.

Akasa Ganga:

• Perennial stream flowing 3 kms north of the main shrine is regarded as one of the sacred Thirthams.
• Stream is said to be flowing from the feet of Lord Vishnu.
• Its sacred water is used for the daily rituals in the temple.

Sila Thoranam:

• Arch lake natural rock formation just 1 km north of Venkateswara temple.
• Only one of its kind in Asia and a must visit site.

Sri Govindrajaswamy Temple:

• Largest shrine of Tirupati town and is dedicated to Krishna and Vishnu.
• Temple was consecrated I 1130, by saint Ramanujacharya.
• Present structure was built by the Nayaks.

Goddess Alamelumanga (Padmavati) Temple:

• Shrine dedicated to Padmavati, the consort of Lord Venkateswara lies at Tiruchanur, 4 kms from Tirupati.

ATTRACTIONS AROUND TIRUPATI - TIRUMALA

Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary:

• 10 kms away from Tirupati.
• Spread over an area of 505.94 sq. kms in Chittoor.
• Cuddapah district with rich variety of plant and animal species.
• Sanctuary is inhabited by very rare slender loris, endangered, golden gecko, Indian giant squirrel, tree shrew and flying lizard.
• It also home to panther, sloth bear, sambar, wild boar, hyena, civet cat etc.

Sri Kalahasti:

• Important Hindu pilgrim centre is located between two steep hills on the banks of Swarnamukhi River.
• Sri Kalahasthisvara temple here is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Vayulinga.
• According to a legend, spider (Sri) spun a web over the linga, a snake (Kala) placed a gem atop it and an elephant (Hasti) brought the water to wash the linga.
• All three were ardent devotees of Shiva and the shrine is named after them.
• Flame of the temple deepam (lamp) flickers regularly as air (Vayu) is said to be constantly emanating from the Shivalinga.