Tirupati, a city located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is noted for having tremendous religious significance for Hindus. Famous for being home to a variety of temples and other holy places, the principal highlight of this place is Shri Venkateshwara Temple, often referred to as Tirupati Balaji. This temple is supposed to be the earthly spot where Lord Vishnu lives in Kalyug, the contemporary period. Attracting hundreds of devotees on a daily basis, Tirupati Balaji is among the most prominent Hindu pilgrim destinations. This temple also receives a considerable quantity of donations, which is greater than any other temple in the country.
Best Places to Visit in Tirupati
More than the Shri Venkateshwara temple, there are various other locations in this hill town that enthral a significant number of visitors throughout the year. Here is a list of all the prominent locations to visit in Tirupati:
- Akasaganga Teertham
- Silathoranam
- Swami Pushkarini Lake
- Shri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
- Shri Govindarajaswami Temple
- Tumburu Teertham
- Kapila Teertham
- Deer Park
- Talakona Waterfall
- Chandragiri Fort
1. Akasaganga Teertham
Located at an approximate distance of 3 km from the main temple, Akasaganga Teertham is a picturesque waterfall. It is one of seven holy theerthams in the Seshagiri Hills. According to folklore, this waterfall originates from Lord Venkateshwara’s foot and carries tremendous religious significance. Although this waterfall falls throughout the year, it becomes 10 times more spectacular during the monsoon season. This is the reason why this site observes the largest visitor influx in the rainy season. Other than this, the Devi temple is also located in close proximity to the Akasaganga Teertham, where devotees also pay devotion.
2. Silathoranam
If you are looking for some locations to visit in Tirupati other than temples, then Silathoranam is one choice that you can consider. This 2.5 million-year-old, unique rock formation currently serves as a national geo-heritage monument. The word ‘Silathoranam’ literally means ‘a garland of rocks’ and this is the reason why this monument received this name. This naturally formed arch measures eight metres in width and three metres in height and is the result of natural weathering. There are only three such rock formations in the world, and this is what makes Silathiranam even more remarkable. Other than this, Silathoranam is also noted for having a close link with the idol of Lord Venkateshwara.
3. Swami Pushkarini Lake
Located immediately near the Shree Venkateshwara Temple, this is a holy lake that is frequented by a huge number of devotees every day. According to tradition, Swami Pushkarini Lake originally belonged to Lord Vishnu and was located in Vaikuntham. It is claimed that at some point, this lake was transported to Earth by Garuda for Shri Venkateshwara. People who visit the Tirupati Balaji temple traditionally take a swim in this sacred lake before visiting the main shrine.
4. Shri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
Dedicated to goddess Laxmi, wife of Lord Shri Venkateshwara, this temple is one of the best sites to visit around Tirupati. Situated in the foothills of Tirumala, this temple is located at a distance of 5 km from Tirupati. The temple complex has a few sub-temples as well, which are Shri Krishnaswamy Temple, Sri Sundara Rajaswamivari Temple, and Sri Suryanarayana Swamivari Temple. It is also believed that every devotee who is going to visit Shri Venkateshwara Temple should visit Shri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple first.
5. Shri Govindarajaswami Temple
This is a 12th-century Hindu temple established by Shri Ramanujacharya, which is also among the biggest ones in the region. The initial temple featured Sri Parthasarathi as the principal god, but in 1130 AD, Shri Govindaraja was added to the temple deities. Currently, the main deity of this Vaishnavite temple is Lord Vishnu, who is called Govindarajaswami. The enormous temple complex is a wonderful example of traditional Dravidian architecture. Attracting a significant number of visitors every year, this temple is one of the top local sightseeing attractions in Tirupati.
6.Tumburu Teertham
Surrounded by lush natural foliage, Tumburu Teertham is a sacred lake with profound religious significance for Hindu followers. Local residents think that the water of this lake has mystical abilities to absolve any individual’s sins and help them obtain moksha. Located at a distance of 12 miles from the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, this site has been swarmed by a significant number of visitors throughout the years. Other than being a holy location, Tumburu Teertham is also noted for its natural beauty and is frequented by nature enthusiasts.
7. Talakona Waterfall
Located in Shri Venkateshwara National Park, Talakona Waterfall is one of the most sought-after picnic places in the region. With an astounding height of 270 feet, this is also the tallest waterfall in the entire region. It is thought that the water flows from an unknown underground stream and boasts numerous healing characteristics. Other than this, this place is similarly famous among adventure fans since it has trekking trails that also give magnificent natural vistas along the way. This is also one of the reasons why this waterfall is more famous than any other sightseeing destination in Tirupati.
8.Kapila Teertham
Kapila Teertham is also one of the top locations to see in Tirupati. Situated immediately close to the entrance of a mountain cave in the foothills of Tirumala, this Shaivite temple is a prominent pilgrimage spot for Hindus. Boasting a stunning temple complex, this is a wonderful example of ancient Dravidian architectural style. The major deity of this temple is Lord Shiva, who is known as Lord Kapileshwara among locals. Since the idol of the god was erected by Kapila Muni, this temple received the name ‘Kapila Teertham’.
9.Deer Park
This is another addition to the list of prominent tourist places near Tirupati. As the name suggests, Deer Park is a natural reserve that is noted for being home to a high number of deer and other area flora and animals. Located a short distance from Tirupati, this location is a wonderful delight for nature lovers. A considerable number of travelers make a stop here while going to Tirupati. Here, you can view many herds of deer prospering in their natural habitat and spend some time surrounded by lush green woodland.
10. Chandragiri Fort
Located in the Chandragiri area of Tirupati, this is a historical fort that was initially erected in the 11th century. Built on an immense area of around 25 acres, this fort is divided into two parts: the lower fort and the higher fort. The entire construction has an almost crescent form, which gives it the name ‘Chandragiri’. Currently, this fort has two well-preserved structures, which are Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal. This majestic edifice is ideally positioned on the banks of the Swarnamukhi River and served as the last capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. Even in today’s time, it interests a lot of people and is flocked to by hundreds of history buffs every day.
With this thorough list of significant locations to visit in Tirupati, you can make sure that you don’t miss any major tourist attractions. With Veena World, you may book an all-inclusive Tirupati trip package and choose a travel itinerary that matches your personal requirements.
