The town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh is notable for its temples, the most famous and popular of which is Sri Venkateswara Temple, which sits atop one of the seven peaks of the Tirumala Hills. The town is famous for the footfall of pilgrims from around the country as well as the world. Home to centuries-old temples whose architectural splendours have an atmosphere of their own apart from the aura of their presiding duties.
Top 11 Places To Visit In Tirupathi Sri Venkateswara Temple
1. Sri Venkateswara Temple
The temple that has put Tirupati on the world map as a unique destination for tourists is Sri Venkateswara Temple, and it is among the most appealing places to see in Tirupati. The temple is devoted to Lord Sri Venkateswara, believed to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu. People also refer to this temple as Tirupati Temple, Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Balaji Temple, etc. It is situated on the seventh peak of the Seshachalam Hills range at a height of 2799 feet above sea level. It is the most popular of all the locations to visit in Tirupati.
Known to be one of the richest temples in the world owing to the massive sum of gifts that it receives every day, Sri Venkateswara Temple is thronged by roughly 30 to 40 million people every year. On significant events, such as the yearly Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims rises substantially.
Since there is significant footfall in the temple on a regular basis, the officials have built 2 modern queue structures to organize the rush. It also serves complimentary lunches to all the pilgrims. There is also a facility designated for tonsuring heads since it is mandatory for pilgrims to tonsure their heads before entering the temple. There are a handful of lodging sites for pilgrims, too.
2. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Garden
The body that organizes the operations of Sri Venkateswara Temple is called the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. It also boasts a stunning garden spanning over an area of 460 acres, close to the main edifice of the temple. The stunning assortment of more than 200 species of flowers of different colours and forms blooming over the garden is a sight to behold and appreciate. The garden also features various tanks and ponds, which are used as a supply of water for the inhabitants as well as for the temple. It is one of the popular attractions to see in Tirupati. The flowers from this garden are used to ornament the god and the temple every day. The garden also gives flowers to neighboring temples. On average, roughly 500 kg of the flower is supplied from this garden. This garden is one of the most highly popular locations to visit in Tirupati
3. Talakona Waterfall
With a height of 270 feet, the Talakona Waterfall is the highest waterfall in Andhra Pradesh and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in India. The waterfall starts 30 kilometers inside the forest, and to watch the waterfall, you need to hike for roughly 2 kilometers. However, the stress of walking will go up in thin air when you behold this amazing waterfall in its natural ensemble. During the rainy season, it emanates a lovely aura. The seductive and cascading beauty engulfs much of its stony base during the rainy season and cascades down on the stony bed with a constant chatter. The crystal-clear and chilly water may attract your senses to a delightful boat ride. You may even go for a walk on the canopy rope if you love adventure. The waterfall is one of the most renowned sites to visit in Tirupati.
4. Deer Park
This is a natural park maintained by TTD, i.e., Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The garden offers much more than just deer and is one of the prominent tourist attractions in Tirupati. Deer Park boasts a large range of flora and animals, including deer. There are a significant number and type of deer in the park; however, the enclosures are gated. Nobody is allowed within the enclosures. The deer park itself is immersed in and surrounded by nature with all its grandeur. Here, you can appreciate not only the sight of numerous sorts of deer but also a true piece of nature in full flow. This is why the deer park is one of the most famous and picturesque spots to view in Tirupati. This is one
5. Sri Vari Museum
Sri Vari Museum is extended over an area of 1.25 lakh square feet and is situated near one of the queue complexes of Tirupati Balaji Temple. There are several reasons that make it one of the most exciting spots to see in Tirupati. In fact, it is positioned in such a way that it matches the setting of the majestic temple, which also incorporates the TTD garden. This museum boasts a vast reservoir of Vaishnavism, the traditions of Tirumala, and Hinduism.
There are around 6,000 artifacts of historical relevance in this museum, and they vary from archaeology to contemporary items. Also, there are rare antique materials like Varahaswamy Copper inscription, Original copper plates of Annamayya’s, etc. You may even be overtaken by a nostalgic sense when you come across the offers and donations of as far-back as middle-age dynasties like the Cholas of Tanjavur, Pallavas of Kanchi, Pandyas of Madurai, Vijayanagara of Hampi, etc. shown in the countless galleries of the museum. The museum is open from 10:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening every day, and admission is free. Book a hotel in Tirupati to experience a luxury stay.
6. Sri Govindarajaswami Temple
Sri Govindarajaswami is said to be an elder brother of Sri Venkateswara, and the Sri Govindarajaswami Temple was founded by none other than one of the greatest spirits of Vaishnavism, Saint Ramanujacharya. These are the fascinating facts about the temple that make this one of the must-see destinations in Tirupati. It is probably one of the most important temples in Tirupati. The tower, or gopuram, of the temple is its most noticeable feature. On the walls of the gopuram, Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita have been set up in tiny art. People here think that if one visits this temple, they can eliminate all barriers from their path and gain wealth. The entry fee is INR 10; however, for VIP darshan, you have to pay INR 25.
7. Srikalahasti
This location has more historical and religious significance than many other places in the temple town of Tirupati. In reality, Srikalahasti itself is a temple town, but the temples here are devoted to Lord Shiva. At a distance of roughly 38 miles from Tirupati, you can locate this very ancient temple town. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva, and it dates back to ancient times. The temple is also claimed to be related to Rahu and Ketu, two terrifying celestial bodies in the domain of the Indian astrological scheme of things. The religious significance of this location accrues from its other name, Dakshina Kailasam, meaning Kailash of the South. The Kailash Mountain, being the abode of Lord Shiva, is a treasured destination for Hindus. People take enormous pains and undergo grueling journeys to reach Kailash Peak in the Himalayas. You can undoubtedly make a comparison between the significance of this area for Hindus and the name of this temple, the namesake of the residence of Lord Shiva. This is the reason why it is one of the top tourist attractions in Tirupati. There are various legendary stories that explain the name given to it. Book a hotel in Tirupati to visit this site.
8. Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple
It is one of such temples, which is not yet complete, although its building started all the way back in the 11th century during the rule of the Chola Dynasty. Even the idol of the presiding deity is not yet complete. The temple is currently being built, and it is a compelling reason to make it one of the top tourist attractions in Tirupati. At present, devotees may view just up to the midsection of the idol. The idol is positioned in a well with an everlasting spring. Holy water from this spring is offered to devotees. The temple is well connected to other sections of the state. There are trains and APTDC buses to go to this temple. The temple is kept open for a long time, i.e., from 4:00 in the early morning until 9:30 at night. One of the most famous locations to visit in Tirupati is the Kanipakam Vinayaka Mandir
9. Kapila Teertham
At a distance of roughly 25 km from the Tirupati Balaji Temple, there lies Kapila Theertham, a popular and famous waterfall and one of the regularly visited tourist attractions in Tirupati. This is a magnificent waterfall found at the foot of the Sheshadri Hills. The water is dropping from a height of more than 100 feet into a big pond inside the Kapileswara Swamy Temple premises. The gorgeous natural water body terminating in the pond inside the temple is one of the enticing tourist attractions around Tirupati as well as a key pilgrimage location in Tirupati. There is a brass Shiva Linga within the temple and a big stone statue of a bull at the entrance of the shrine. The temple also contains several sub-shrines for Gods and Goddesses like Vinayaka, Kamakshi Devi, Subhramanya, Sri Krishna, etc. For pilgrims, both the waterfall and the temple are immensely sacred. A plunge in the pond is regarded as holy. This makes it one of the top locations to see in Tirupati, especially during the monsoon when the waterfall provides a breathtaking vista. The temple is open from 5:00 in the morning to 8:00 in the evening. It is one of the major locations to visit in Tirupati.
10. Chandragiri
About 15 miles from Tirupati sits Chandragiri, an old town that used to be the fourth capital of the Vijayanagar Kingdom. It is a famous heritage site in Andhra Pradesh and one of the most popular tourist destinations near Tirupati. There are many attractions to view here, including an amazing fort and two spectacular palaces built by the Vijayanagara emperors. The fort lies atop a massive rock at a height of 183 metres. The castle is guarded by thick walls on the southern side and a ditch to stop invaders from accessing the fort. There are eight temples inside the fort, which are laying in ruins. It is one of the most prominent landmarks in Tirupati, with a historical lineage.
While the fort is a sturdy piece of building, the palaces—Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal—are excellent specimens of Vijayanagara architecture. These are three-story houses created with brick, stone, and lime mortar. There is no use of timber in the whole construction. The central tower of the palace includes the durbar hall, which rises to the second level and is supported by pillars. The marvel of construction and the wonder of ornamentation make this site one of the most enticing destinations to view in Tirupati. The site is open from 10:00 in the morning to 8:45 in the evening, and you need to pay INR 10 per person as an entry fee. It is one of the prominent locations in Tirupati.
11. Srinivasa Mangapuram
About 12 miles from Tirupati sits Srinivasa Mangapuram, also known as Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple, an important center of pilgrimage and one of the must-visit tourist attractions near Tirupati. The temple is under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India but is maintained by TTD, i.e., Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Despite being under the supervision of the ASI, rituals and festivals are still performed and celebrated in this temple. This temple is believed to be one of the most revered temples in Venkateswara. If you cannot make it to the Sri Venkateswara Temple, you can have a darshan of the Lord Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy and fulfill your yearning to see Tirupati Balaji. The yearly Brahmotsavam celebration is an important celebration celebrated in this temple. The landmark is regarded as one of the most prominent places in Tirupati.
Although Tirupati is considered to be the abode of Sri Venkateswara or Balajee, it also contains other areas of tourist importance. There is little doubt that the principal attraction of Tirupati is the Sri Venkateswara Temple on the Tirumala hills. Yet, once you have had a darshan of the god, there is abundant possibility to extend your awareness concerning sites to see in Tirupati. Monuments of religious significance are not the sole tourist attractions of this hallowed town. If you are visiting as a tourist, Tirupati will not disappoint you. It offers an ensemble of natural nooks, historical sites, archeological remnants, and possibilities to engage in adventurous activities, as well as lovely gardens.
