Tirupati – The Divine Abode of Lord Venkateshwara
Known to be the richest pilgrimage city in the world, Tirupati is located in the Chittoor district, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Situated at the foothills of Tirumala, this town is visited by thousands of pilgrims every day. The Tirumala range is known for being the holy abode of Lord Venkateshwara, who is worshipped as one of the many avatars of Lord Vishnu.
The temple of Lord Venkateshwara, situated in Tirupati is amongst the most popular pilgrimage destinations. This magnificent temple was constructed by the Tamil king Thondaiman and then renewed by Cholas and, the later Telugu kings. In fact, it is the temple that makes this city renowned across the world. This temple is one of the most visited temples in the world.
Tirupati is the fourth largest city in Andhra Pradesh. It’s not only famous for its temples, but the city also has a fast-growing infrastructure which can be counted on expanding the number of BPO, IT, Real Estate, and Health industries. The Tirumala hills located in Tirupati are known to be the second oldest rock mountain in the world. This beautiful temple of Tirupati is showered with various gifts and offerings by the kings of several dynasties.
The city of Tirupati was first established close to Kotturu, which is presently known as the K.T. Road. However, consequently, the city was shifted near the temple of Govindaraja Swamy with the temple as the center of the city. Today, the city of Tirupati includes Tiruchanoor, Srinivasamangapuram and Renigunta, etc. If you are planning a visit to Tirupati, then book a tour package through online travel portals such as EaseMyTrip, Yatra.com, and many more. Read on to know more about the city and popular places to visit while you are here.
Places to See in Tirupati
Sri Venkateswara Temple
Sited on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarin, the Sri Venkateswara temple is located on the seventh peak of Tirupati-Balaji Hills and is a popular tourist attraction of Tirupati. This temple is a 12th-century Vaishnavite temple and is located about 18 kilometers northwest of Tirupati Balaji. This temple is a beautiful masterpiece of Dravidian architecture with an idol of Lord Venkateswara. As per the ancient Hindu texts, the one who visits the Sri Venkateswara temple gets great benefits and prosperity.
Sri Govindrajaswamy Temple
Another popular Sri Govindrajaswamy is amongst the most visited temples in the city of Tirupati. This temple has a gateway that is visible from quite a distance. This temple was constructed by Saint Ramanujacharya in 1130 AD. The prominent sanctuaries of this temple are devoted to Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna.
Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple
Situated around 3 kilometers north of Tirupati-Balaji, Sri Kapileswaraswami temple is the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the locale. This temple’s setting is very picturesque with a waterfall located nearby. The waterfall is known as Kapila Teertham or Alwar Teertham.
Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple
Having the deities (idols) of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple was constructed by a Chola king in the 10th century AD. As per many legends, this temple marks the visit of Lord Rama to Tirupati. The temple of Anjaneyaswami, which is located just opposite to the Sri Kodandaramaswami temple, is a sub-shrine of this temple that is visited by a number of tourists and devotees. Apart from these, Tiruchanur (also known as Alamelumangapuram), Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Kalyani Dam, Nagalapuram, and Kailasakona Waterfalls are some of the other famous places that are worth it.
