Holy Destinations of India

Tirupati

The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spots in India. The name 'Tirupati' means the "Lord of Lakshmi," and should have been applied to the village on the Venkat hill, the dwelling of Lord Venkateswara. However, Tirupati is the town and transport hub at the bottom of the hill. The hill near the temple is called 'Tirumala' or the "sacred hill." The temple here is said to be the busiest in the world, eclipsing even Rome, Jerusalem and Mecca in the number of pilgrims visiting it.
 

LOCATION

Tirumala is in the extreme southeast of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. It is situated in the Chittoor district of the state. The Tirumala Hill is 3200 ft above sea level, and is about 10.33 sq miles in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha, thus earning the name Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. Tirupati is 137 km from Chennai, 258 km from Bangalore, and 562 km from Hyderabad (via Kurnool and Cuddapah).

HISTORY

All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijaynagar (14th-15th century AD) were devotees of this shrine.

It was during the rule of the Vijaynagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple. The Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle visited the temple and set up a permanent endowment for the conduct of worship in the temple. He also presented valuable jewels to the Lord, including a large emerald that is still preserved in a box named after the general. Among the later rulers who have endowed large amounts are the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal.

In AD 1843, the administration of the shrine of Sri Venkateswara and a number of estates were entrusted to Sri Seva Dossji of the Hatiramji Mutt at Tirumala, and the temple remained under the administration of the Mahants for nearly a century, until AD 1933.

In 1933, the Madras Legislature passed a special act, which empowered the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Committee to control and administer a fixed group of temples in the Tirumala-Tirupati area, through a Commissioner appointed by the Government of Madras. In 1951, the Act of 1933 was replaced by an enactment whereby the administration of TTD was entrusted to a Board of Trustees, and the Government appointed an Executive Officer.

 

General Information :-

Tourist Information Centre

APTDC Tourist Info Centre
Room No. 516, Sri Devi Complex
Tilak Road
Tirupati
Ph: 0877-2255386

 

Major Attractions of Tirupati

AGASTYASWAMY TEMPLE This lies about 12 km from Tirupati, at the confluence of Swarnamukhi, Bhima and Kalyan rivers. It has three beautifully sculptured entrances and a separate shrine for Goddess Parvati. Opposite the shrine in the middle of the river is a mandap where the statues of Balaji, Ayyappa and Ganapati are installed. A small shrine dedicated to Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya is also located near the tank.

CHANDRAGIRI TOWN Located about 11 km southwest of Tirupati this was once the capital of the Vijayanagar rulers way back in AD 1600. This town is famous for the Chandragiri Fort built on a 180-metre-high rock. One can still find well-preserved fortifications and palaces and temples.

HOESLEY HILLS This charming hill station lies along the southwest border of Andhra Pradesh at an altitude of 1,265 metres. The resort, named after the former collector of Chittoor, is a fascinating place to visit with valleys covered with teak, mango, sandalwood and eucalyptus plantations.

KAILASAKONA WATERFALLS Situated in the Nagary Valley, this beautiful waterfall is rich in minerals and is said to possess curative powers and is well worth a visit.

KALYANI DAM About 18 km from Tirupati, in the Rangampet forest on the Tirupati-Madanapallee Road, lies the Kalyani Dam which is the main source of water for Tirupati and Tirumalai.

NAGALAPURAM This is a small town about 65 km south-east of Tirupat with the Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple as its major attraction. Believed to have been built by the Vijayanagar emperor, Sri Krishna Devaraja, it is a fine specimen of Vijayanagar architecture style. The sanctum sanctori houses an image of Vishnu in his Matsya (fish) incarnation accompanied by the Sri Devi and the Bhu Devi on either side. An important aspect of this temple is Sun worship. The temple has been constructed in such a wayas to allow the rays of the sun to pass through its gopuram and fall on the idol for three days every year in the month of March.

NARAYANAVANAM The shrine dedicated to Kalyana Venkateswara is a major attraction here. Legend has it that Lord Venkateswara married Padmavathi Devi, the daughter of Akasa Raja, here. The temple was built to commemorate this great event by Akasa Raja.

SRI KALAHASTHI Located between two steep hills along Swarnamukhi River, about 36 km from Tirupati, is Sri Kalahasti. Here one can find a temple dedicated to Vayu, the God of wind. The river running north touches the base of the temple.

Photos of Tirupati

Accessibility / How to reach :-

By Air : The nearest airport is at Renigunta(15 kms). Tirupati is connected by air with Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. From the airport you can hire a taxi or an auto rickshaw or you can take a bus to reach the temple.

By Rail : Tirupati temple is well connected by roads and proper transport services to the nearest railway station situated at Tirupati. This place is connected by rail with Hubbi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolhapur , Mumbai, Puri, Tiruchirapalli, Varanasi and Vijayawada.

By Road : To reach Tirupati temple, one should first reach Tirupati. It is linked with important cities like Hyderabad (617), Banglore(248), Chennai(151 km), Vijayawada(380 km) and Lepakshi (379 km) through good roadways.

Fairs and Festivals at Tirupati

Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Temple celebrates many festivals but the annual festival of 'Brahmotsavam' is particularly important. This festival is celebrated extravagantly for nine days in the month of September every year. The Garudostavam and Rathotavam rituals take place on the fifth and sixth day of the festival. Thus, attracting flocks of tourists and devotees to the temple.

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