TIRUPATI

Tirupati is a major pilgrimage city located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh,located at the foothills of Eastern Ghats at a distance of 550 km south of Hyderabad, the state capital.Tirupati is located near Srikalahasti in the state of Andra Pradesh. The name Tirupati implies the 'Lord of Lakshmi' as is given to the village on the Venkat hill, the dwelling of Lord Venkateswara.
 

Tirupati is famous for the Venkateswara Swamy temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, located about 10 km north west of Tirupati in the hallowed Tirumala hills at an elevation of 853 m. The sanctum sanctorum which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills is situated in the main temple complex of Tirumala and is one of the most important pilgrimage centers in India, the temple draws millions of pilgrims and is one of the busiest pilgrimage centres in the world.

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. The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the principles of equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice.
 

How to Reach Tirupati?

By Air

Tirupati Airport is a domestic airport that has direct flights to Hyderabad, Vizag, Chennai, New Delhi and Bangalore. The airport is located 15 km from the city centre. Closest international airport is located in Chennai, (Chennai International Airport) which is 130 km from Tirupati.

By Rail

The nearest railhead is at Renigunta Junction just a 10 minute drive from Tirupati town. The city is well connected with other parts of the country.

By Road
Tirupati has direct bus services to nearby towns and major cities across South India. From Tirupati, Tirumala can be reached through the buses from a dedicated Bus Stand at Alipiri that run on the ghat road every 2 minutes.
 

Distances from Tirupati

Hyderabad - 580 km                           Bangalore - 247 km

Coimbatore - 547 km                          Guntur - 377 km

Pondicherry - 317 km                          Thanjavur - 494 km

Vijaywada - 409 km                            Kakinada - 609 km

Chennai - 153 kms

Places to see in Tirupati

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple - The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Venkateswara (also known as Balaji and Srinivasa).Located atop the Tirumala Hill, the temple enshrines a mesmerizing idol of the Lord, made completely of gold and ornamented with a magnificent crown.

Sri Govindrajaswamy Temple - After Tirupati Balaji Temple, Sri Govindrajaswamy Temple is the shrine that is most visited by the devotees coming here. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu's incarnation, Lord Krishna. However, there are also temples of Sri Andal, Sri Parthasarathy and Sri Venkateswara inside its premises.

Alamelu Mangamma Shrine - This temple is located in Alamelumangapuram also called Thiruchanoor.

Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple  - Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple located at the base of the Tirumala Hills is the only temple in Tirupati dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of three Gods forming the Hindu Trinity.

Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple -  Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are the presiding deities of the temple. Lord Anjaneya Swamy is seen near the foot of Lord Rama. The temple is in the heart of the city.

Kapila Theertham - This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. There is a beautiful waterfall near the temple.

Shilatoranam - Rock garden in Tirumala. A private vehicle or a 20-minute walk from Sri Varahaswamy Temple brings you here.

Tiruchanur - Located at a distance of around 5 km from the town  near Tirupati is Tiruchanur. It is known for being home to the temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi (Goddess Lakshmi), the consort of Sri Venkateswara. It is said that a visit to Tirupati temple is incomplete without a visit to Sri Padmavati Devi Temple.

ISKCON Lord Krishna Temple - The temple has its own style of architecture with the towers coloured in gold and white. The carvings of Lord Narasimha Swamy, Lord Varaha Swamy and Krishna Leela are marvelous.

Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park - This is the second of its kind in the Andhra Pradesh. It has many species of animals and plants which are being conserved.

Regional Science Center - This is a science center which also has a planetarium attached to it.

Museum in Tirumala - The museum is situated at the Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple compound, Tirupati. This museum contains exhibits of temple arts. It has many sculptures, Deities of Krishna, and other interesting displays. It also has a photo exhibit of the important 108 Divya Desam Vishnu temples. The Sri Venkatesvara University Oriental Research Institute has the collection of stone images, wood and metal images, pottery, coins and inscriptions.

Temples Near Tirupati

Avanakshamma temple - 42 km from Tirupati

Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple in Karvetinagaram, 40 km from Tirupati
Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple - Narayanavanam, 48 km from Tirupati
Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple - Appalayagunta, 20 km from Tirupati

Rajasthan Holiday Packages

Royal Rajasthan (14 days)	Forts and Palaces tour (21 days)
Rajasthan with Golden triangle (16 days)	Rajasthan Cultural Tours (16 days)
Pushkar Fair Tours (19 days)	Rural Rajasthan Tour (12 days)