Tirumala Travel Guide

The ‘holy hill’ of Tirumala in the extreme southeast of Andhra  Pradesh is one of the most important pilgrimage  centers in India and the Lord  Venkateshwara Temple here is claimed to be the busiest in the world-eclipsing Jerusalem  Rome and Mecca in the sheer number of pilgrims. Nestled on top of the divine mountain- Tirumala and the seven hills of the Eastern Ghats lies the temple of Lord Venkateshwara. The Tirumala shrine is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. This ancient temple has also found a mention in various Sastras and Puranas. It is considered as the richest Hindu Temple in the world.
According to a story a local chieftain called Tondaman discovered the idol of the Lord in a huge anthill and later built a temple. The image of the deity is profusely  bejewelled  in  precious stones worth millions.The hills are said to resemble the shape of the mythical  serpent Shesha. Hence the deity is called ‘Shashachalavasa’ and the ‘Lord of Seven Hills’. There are other famous shrines  in Tirupati town-Govindarajaswamy  temple ,Kodanda Ramaswamy, Tiruchanur  ( Goddess  Padmavathi), Kapila  Theertham  ( Lord Shiva) and  Srinivasa  Mangapuram  ( Lord Venkateshwara).The crowds are administered  by the efficient Tirumala Tirupathi  Devasthanams. Most pilgrims are housed in choulties in both Tirumala and Tirupati.Tirumala  is an engrossing place. It’s one of the few places in India that allows non-Hindus into the sanctum. Down the hill from the main temple is Sri Padmavathi Amma Vari Temple dedicated to Lakshmi  the goddess of abundance.

The main of Tirupati lies at the bottom of the hill where there are several temples some centers of Pilgrimage in their own right. The seven-headed Serpent God Adidesha  who protects the Sleeping Vishnu under his hood.

Places of attraction

Chadragiri: The fort is built on a huge rock about 56 mts. high and the remains of palaces and temple are found here. It became the capital of Vijaynagaras in 1600 after their defeat at the battle of Talikota  35 years earlier. Relive the lives of  Vijaynagar  royal families  in the Raja and Rani Mahal accompanied  by the exciting sound and light show.

Kailasanatha  Kona: This lovely natural waterfalls in the valley of Nagari Hill is near  Puttur. It is believed  that a bath at this mineral  rich waterfall has curative  effects.

Sri Kalahasti Temple-Legendary Existence
Sri  Kalahasti  temple is 36 kms. from Tirupati  and is located between two steep hills on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. The temple of Lord Shiva is in the form of ‘Vayu  Linga’. Legend has it that the Linga was worshipped by a spider (Sri) who built a web over it , a Snake ( Kala)  which placed a gem on the Linga and an Elephant ( Hasti) who washed the Linga with water. The name of this place is derived from this legend.

Tiruchanur: 5 kms southeast has a temple to Parvati  the consort of Venkateshwara