Tirupati, Tirumala

Tirupati is noted for its rich religious and cultural legacy, which includes the renowned Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site, as well as other historic temples. The temple is one of eight self-manifested temples devoted to the god Vishnu.

India’s Ministry of Tourism named Tirupati the “Best Heritage City”. It was also chosen as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed under the Government of India’s Smart Cities Mission, which aims to modernize and improve urban areas.

History of Tirupati.

Pallava Kings developed The City beginning in the sixth century. citation needed] The city became a major Vaishnava centre during the reign of Ramanujacharya in the 11th century. The temple town was part of the Vijayanagara Empire for the majority of the medieval period until the 17th century, and its rulers contributed significant resources and wealth, including Krishna Deva Raya and Achyuta Deva Raya, Sadasiva Raya, and Tirumala Deva Raya.

Tourism In Tirupati

The City is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage locations because of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. Padmavathi Temple at Tiruchanur, Govindaraja Swamy Temple, and Kapileswara Temple at Kapila Theertham are three other well-known historic temples in the city. Other tourist attractions in and around The City are Chandragiri Fort, Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, Natural Arch (Tirumala Hills), and Regional Science Centre.

Temples around Tirupati

Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala

Tirumala is the richest pilgrimage centre in the world. It is Lord Venkateswara’s home, perched atop the Seshachalam Hills, also known as Seven Hills. Thondaman King erected the temple of Lord Venkateswara, which was constantly renovated by the Cholas, Pandyas, and Vijayanagar. Ramanujacharya established the temple rites in the eleventh century A.D. These hills are 980 meters above sea level and cover approximately 10.33 square miles. In terms of income, the Tirumala Temple ranks second only to the Vatican City in Rome.

Vakula Matha Temple in Peruru Village

Vakula Devi is Lord Venkateswara’s foster mother. Vakula Matha Temple is located in The City, of Andhra Pradesh. According to Tirumala legend, it began in the Dvapara Yuga, when Yasoda, Lord Krishna’s foster mother (an avatar of Lord Vishnu), complained to him about not being able to witness any of his marriages. Lord Krishna responds that he would make sure she has such an opportunity later in the Kali Yuga. In the Kali Yuga, Lord Vishnu illuminates the globe as Lord Venkateswara, and Yasoda is reborn as Vakula Devi, Lord Venkateswara’s foster mother, to arrange his marriage to Padmavati, the daughter of King Akasa Raja. Thus, Vakula Devi realizes her longing to attend Lord Venkateswara’s kalyanam (wedding).

Govindarajaswamy Temple in Tirupati

Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple is a historic Hindu-Vaishnavite temple located in the heart of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple was built in the 12th century and consecrated in 1130 AD by Saint Ramanujacharya. The temple is one of the oldest constructions in The City and one of the largest temple complexes in the area. This temple serves as the focal point of The City (downhill) city. The temple is currently administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati

Kapila Theertham is a well-known Saivite temple in The City. The statue is said to have been installed by Kapila Muni, hence Lord Siva is known as Kapileswara here. The temple is located at the entrance to a mountain cave on one of the steep and vertical sides at the foot of the Tirumala hills, which are part of the Seshachalam Hills, where the waters of the mountain stream flow directly into Temple Pushkarini, also known as “Kapila Theertham”. A massive stone monument of a seated bull “Nandhi,” Shiva’s steed, greets devotees and passers-by at the entrance to the temple.

Mukkoti Agastheeshwara Temple in Chandragiri

Mukkoti Agastheeshwara Temple is situated near Tirumala Hill. This is a prominent Shiva temple located near the Kalyani River. According to Shatla puranam, this occurred after Srinivasa’s marriage. Rishi Agasthya invites Srinivasa to stay at his Ashram. Srinivasa consented to Agasthya’s request and decided that he and Padmavathi would stay for six months. We can observe Bhagwan’s footprints near the riverside, next to the Agasthya munis ashram.

Agastya conducted Nityapoojas to Shiva and Tapasya here. Agathyamuni performed the Prathishta of Mahadeva, hence the name Agastheeswara Lingam. Parvati Devi, also known as Vallimata, possesses Sannidhi within the prakaram. During his Tapasya to Mahadeva, Agastya Muni constructed the River Swarnamukhi.

Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple at Appalayagunta.

Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple is a Vaishnavite temple at Appalayagunta, 16 kilometres from The City and 82 kilometres from Chittoor Town and District in Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is devoted to Lord Venkateswara, also known as Prasanna Venkateswara. Unlike other Venkateswara temples, the presiding deity’s right hand is in Abhaya posture. TTD took over this temple in 1988, and all of the rites follow the Vaikhanasa Agama tenets.

Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanur

The Padmavathi Temple is devoted to Goddess Padmavathi, also known as Alamelumanga, Lord Venkateswara’s spouse. The temple is located in Tiruchanur, Tirupati in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams administers the temple.

Sri Kalahasti Temple at Srikalahasti

Srikalahasthi is situated on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. It is one of the most prominent Saiva Kshetras in South India. The name Srikalahasthi is derived from three animals: Sri (Spider), Kala (Snake), and Hathi (Elephant), who worshipped Shiva and found redemption here.

Kalyana Venkateswara Temple, Narayanavanam

Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru, Akasha Raju’s daughter, were wedded here. Padmavathi’s brother built two temples, one here and another at Tirumala, to honour the marriage, which took place in Narayanavaram. It is one of the few temples where we may witness Venkateswara Swamy and Padmavathi Devi in the same complex. This temple houses four modest shrines to Sri Padmavathi, Andal, Sri Prayaga Madhava Swami, and Sri Varadaraja Swami. The little Garudalwar Sannidhi can be found at the Sanctum’s entrance. In addition to this, there are five other temples near the main one. These are devoted to Sri Parasareswara Swami, Sri Veerabadhra Swami, Sri Sakthi Vinayaka Swami, Sri Agatheeswara Swami, and Sri Avanakshamma.

Chengalamma Temple in Sullurpet

Goddess Chengalamma Parameswari showed herself in the village of Sullurupet, which is 94 kilometres from Tirupati (Tirupati District) on the Kolkata-Chennai route, and Her temple was established on the banks of the Kalangi river. History tells us that it was founded in the fourth and fifth centuries. People often refer to her as the village goddess “Tekkali”. Devotees now worship her as Chengalamma regularly. A significant number of devotees attend the “Chengalamma Jatara” (fair).

The village deity Tankali became known as Sullurupet Chengalamma Thalli, and her idol in the temple faces the sea. Devotees from all across the state come here to fulfil their vows, referring to the goddess as the mother who generously bestows boons. The organically formed figure of the goddess embellishing the hanging roots of the banyan trees is quite breathtaking.

Pallikondeswara Temple in Surutupalle.

Pallikondeswara Temple (also known as Pradosha Kshetram) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located in Surutupalle village, Tirupati District. Unlike other Shiva temples, the presiding god Pallikondeswara is shown in a reclining pose on the lap of his bride, Parvati. The temple celebrates three important festivals: Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Somavaram, Thiruvadhirai in the month of Margazhi, and Annabhishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi.

Adityeswara Temple in Bokkasampalem

Bokkasampalem is located 2 kilometers from Tondamanadu in Sri Kalahasti Mandal. The settlement has a Siva temple called Kodandaramesvara, also known as Adityesvara. The Adityesvara temple is reported to be a pallipadai built in honour of Chola king Aditya I by his son Parantaka I in or around A.D.940-41. Devi’s shrine appears to have been established somewhere during the 12th century A.D.