Tirupati Travel

Location: Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh
Major Draw: Tirupati Temple
Best Time to Visit: Round the year
Temperature: Summer – Minimum 35°C, Maximum 45°C; Winter – Minimum 10°C, Maximum 18°C

Tirupati is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in India, attracting millions of devotees from across the globe. It is believed that no prayer goes unanswered at this sacred shrine. This holy town is internationally renowned for the magnificent Tirupati Balaji Temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu). The temple is nestled amidst the Tirumala Hills in a serene and picturesque setting. The charming town of Tirupati is also home to several other important shrines.

Tirupati is considered one of the richest religious institutions in the world. The name Tirupati is derived from two words: ‘Tiru’, meaning ‘Sri’, and ‘Pati’, meaning ‘Lord’. Thus, Tirupati means ‘Lord of Goddess Lakshmi’. Every day, approximately 100,000 to 200,000 pilgrims visit Tirupati for darshan.

History

Legend has it that the temple enshrines a self-manifested idol of Lord Venkateswara, and it is believed that the Lord resided here during the Kali Yuga. The temple is regarded as one of the 108 Divya Desams. Several dynasties and rulers over the centuries have contributed to the construction, development, and prosperity of the temple.

Main Attractions of Tirupati

Sri Venkateshwara Temple

This highly revered Hindu temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India. Showcasing the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is also known as Balaji, Srinivasa, Venkateswara, and Venkatachalapathy. Often regarded as the richest temple in the world, it attracts countless devotees every day. The idol in the sanctum is believed to be self-manifested. Devotees chant ‘Yedu Kondala Vada Venkataramana Govinda Govindaa’ with great devotion. Festivals such as Vaikunta Ekadasi, Rama Navami, and Brahmotsavam are celebrated here with immense fervour.

Srikalahasti Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

Situated on the banks of the River Swarnamukhi, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the prominent Shaivite shrines in South India. A fine blend of Chola, Pallava, Pandya, and Krishnadevaraya architectural styles can be seen in its structure.

Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park

Rich in biodiversity, this zoological park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Spread over an area of about 1,200 hectares, the zoo has been developed based on the theme of Hindu mythology. It is an ideal place to visit with family and children during a Tirupati tour.
Timings:
Summer (March to August): 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Winter (September to February): 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Sri Govindarajaswami Temple

Founded by Saint Ramanujacharya, the Sri Govindarajaswami Temple dates back to 1130 AD and houses idols of Lord Parthasarathy and Lord Govindaraja. The temple hosts numerous fairs and festivals and is visited by devotees throughout the year.

Shopping in Tirupati

Explore the vibrant bazaars of Tirupati, where you can find exquisite handicrafts such as traditional Tanjore-style gold leaf paintings, wooden toys and artefacts, idols of deities, brassware, devotional music recordings, and rangoli stickers. Popular shopping spots include Bazaar Street at Chandragiri and Lepakshi Emporium.

Accommodation

Tirupati offers a wide range of accommodation options, including government-run guesthouses, budget hotels, luxury hotels, and homestays to suit all budgets.

Best Time to Visit

Though Tirupati welcomes pilgrims throughout the year, the winter months from September to March are ideal for tourism. During this period, the weather remains pleasant and suitable for sightseeing.

How to Reach Tirupati

By Air: Tirupati is well connected by regular flights to major cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. The airport is located at Renigunta, approximately 15 km from the city.

By Rail: The Tirupati railway station connects the city with major destinations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Madurai, Puri, and Hyderabad.

By Road: Tirupati is easily accessible by road from all major cities of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states. It is well connected to cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahobilam, Lepakshi, Srikalahasti, Chennai, and Vijayawada.

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