Run Around Tirupati

Tirupati is famed for the shrine on the Seven Hills of Tirumala dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spots in India. The hill near the temple is called 'Tirumala' or the "sacred
hill." The temple is said to be the busiest in the world and the Brahmotsavam is undoubtedly celebrated for its oriental pomp and pageantry in September every year. Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirumala is located 860 metes above sea level atop a hill named Venkatadri. It is the last of the seven hills one has to traverse through from Tirupati, a transit point for Tirumala. This temple's importance in Indian religious milieu cannot be undermined.

Getting There:

Air: Tirupati airport is about 15 kms. from the city. There are direct flights from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Bangalore and Chennai.
Rail: Tirupati is the nearest railway station. The city is well connected to all the cities of India.
Road: Luxury coaches connects Tirupathi to major Indian cities
Weather and Best season to Visit: Summers record a maximum of 43C and a minimum of 22C. Winters record a maximum of 32C and a minimum of 14C.
The best season to visit would be from September to February.

Places in Tirupati

Sri Padmavati Samovar Temple, Tiruchanoor
Tiruchanoor, also known as Alamelumangapuram, is about 5 km from Tirupati. The temple of Sri Padmavati Devi, the consort of Lord Sri Venkateshwara is situated here. It is said that a visit to Tirumala is fruitful only after visiting the Sri Padmavati Devi temple. You may wonder why Sri Padmavati Devi's temple is away from Lord Sri Venkateshwara's. Legend has it that the Lord (Sri Maha Vishnu, who later took on the incarnation of Sri

Venkateshwara) showed his reverence towards the sage, Bhrigu Maharshi, even though the sage had insulted Vishnu by kicking Him on the chest. In anger, Sri Maha Lakshmi (the Lord's consort) reached Patala Loka, where she heard a divine voice stating that a pushkarini was dug on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, and here She immersed herself in penance for 12 years. In the 13th year (during the month of Kartika, on Panchami day in the last fortnight, highlighted by the nakshathram Uttarashadha), Sri Padmavati emerged from a golden lotus. It is believed that Goddess MahaLakshmi herself emerged as Sri Padmavati. Tirupati yatra is incomplete without a visit to this temple. Sri Padmavati is the divine consort of Lord Venkateshwara. 'Kalyanotsavam' is performed here as in Tirumala between 10.30 a.m. and 12 noon every day. Five members are allowed (Rs. 500/-). Special darshan (Rs. 5/-) is advisable. Darshan starts from 6.30 a.m. on Weekdays and from 8.00 a.m. on Fridays. Tiruchanoor (also known as Alarmelu Mangapuram) is 4 km from Tirupati. Buses ply throughout the day.

Sri Govindarajaswami Temple
Sri Govindarajaswami is the elder brother of Lord Balaji. His temple is the main landmark of Tirupati town. It has an imposing Gopuram that can be seen from a distance. Saint Ramanujacharya consecrated the temple in 1130 AD. The festivals and functions are similar to those conducted in the Sri Govindarajaswami is the elder brother of Lord Balaji. His temple is the main landmark of Tirupati town. It has an imposing Gopuram that can be seen from a distance. Saint Ramanujacharya consecrated the temple in 1130 AD. The festivals and functions are similar to those conducted in the Sri Venkateshwara temple. The annual Brahmotsavam in this temple is celebrated in the month of Vaisakha every year. Pilgrims must visit this temple without fail. This temple complex includes museum and a cluster of shrines like those of Sri Parthasarathy, Godadevi Aandal and Pundarikavalli. The principal deity is an impressive Sayanamurti (the Lord in a sleeping posture). Buy special Darshan tickets (Rs. 5/-) to avoid the long queue. The timings for Sarva Darshan are 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., 1.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. to 8.45 p.m.

Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple
This temple is situated in the heart of Tirupati town. The presiding deities are Sita, Rama and Lakshmana. A Chola king built this temple during the tenth century AD. The temple of Anjaneyaswami, which is directly opposite, is a sub shrine of this temple. According to legend, this temple commemorates the visit of Sri Rama to Tirupati. The festivals of Ugadi and Sri Ramanavami are celebrated in this temple on a grand scale. Every year the temple celebrates the Brahmotsavams to the Lord Sri Rama.

Sri Kapileshwaraswami Temple
Sri Kapileshwaraswami Temple is the only temple dedicated to Lord Siva, in the pantheon of Vaishnava temples in Tirupati. It is situated about 3 km to the north of Tirupati, at the foot of the Tirumala Hills. The sacred waterfall called Kapila Teertham (also known as Alwar Teertham) is located here. Annual Brahmotsavams and festivals like vinayaka Chavithi, Maha Shivaratri, Skhanda Shasti and Annabhishekam are performed in a grand manner. This is the only Siva Temple in Tirupati. The temple enshrines Sri Kapileshwaraswami. Waterfalls in this place are an attractive sight (especially in rainy season). One can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, as this place is located a little away from the town. City buses and autos are a means of conveyance to reach the Kapila Teertham.

Sri Kalyana Venkateshwaraswami Temple, Shrinivasa Mangapuram
Sri Kalyana Venkateshwaraswami temple is at Shrinivasa Mangapuram situated 12 km to the west of Tirupati. According to legend, Lord Venkateshwara stayed here after his marriage with Sri Padmavati Devi, before proceeding to Tirumala. Annual Brahmotsavam and Shakshatkara Vaibhavam are celebrated in grand manner. Sevas performed are and the fees mentioned here are per person, unless otherwise specified. Nithya Archana - permanent for Rs 542.00, Nithya Archana - one year for Rs 42.00, Abhishekam for Rs 100.00, Thomala Seva for Rs 10.00, Archana for Rs 10.00, Archana & Aarti for Rs 5.00, Abhisheka Darsanam for Rs 5.00, Vahanam Puja (for a 4-wheeler) for Rs 50.00, (for a 2-wheeler) for Rs 25.00, Kalyana Utsavam for Rs 500.00.

Sri Kalyana Venkateshwaraswami Temple, Narayanavanam:

Sri Kalyana Venkateshwaraswami temple at Narayanavanam is 40 km from Tirupati. Lord Sri Venkateshwaraswami and Sri Padmavati Ammavaru, daughter of Akasa Maharaja were married here. Sri Kalyana Venkateshwaraswami is the main deity here. The four sub-temples are,
1) Sri Padmavati Ammavari temple, 2) Sri Andal Ammavari temple, 3) Sameta Ramulavari temple, 4) Sri Ranganayakula Swami temple, 5) Sri Sita Lakshmana temple,
In addition, there are five other temples attached to Sri Kalyana Venkateshwaraswami temple. They are,
1) Sri Parashareshwara Swami temple, 2) Sri Virabhadra Swami temple, 3) Sri Shakti Vinayaka Swami temple, 4) Sri Agasthishwara Swami temple, 5) Sri Avanakshamma temple,

The annual Brahmotsavams are conducted every year in the main temple, Sri Virabhadraswami temple and Sri Avanakshamma temple. Navaratri festival is also celebrated at the Sri Avanakshamma temple every year. Giri Pradakshina (Konda Chuttu Thirunallu) is one of the important festivals conducted during the end of Sankranti, once a year, with the utsava murthis of Sri Parashareshwara Swami and Sri Champakavalli Ammavaru, and Sri Agastheeshwara Swami and Sri Markathavalli Ammavaru. The other festivals conducted here are Andal Neeratotsavam, Panguni Uttarotsavam, Vara Lakshmi Vratham, and Float festival, Anivara Asthanam, Ratha Sapthami, Ugadi Asthanam, Srirama Navami, Chaitra Pournami, and Periodical Sevas.

Sri Veda Narayanaswami Temple, Nagalapuram:

Sri Veda Narayanaswami temple is located in Nagalapuram, 70 km southeast of Tirupati. It is believed that Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, in the form of Matsya, killed the Rakshash (demon) Somakudu here, and retrieved the Vedas from the latter. The sanctum sanctorium houses an image of the Matsya form of Vishnu, with Shridevi and Bhudevi on either side. A peculiar feature of the idol is that it holds the Sudarshana Chakra in prayoga (ready for release). The temple was constructed by Sri Krishnadeva Raya, the Vijayanagara emperor, and is a fine specimen of the Vijayanagara style of architecture. The most important annual festivals in this temple are Brahmotsavam, and Surya Puja along with the Float festival, conducted on the 12th, 13th and 14th days of the month of Phalguna. During these three days, the sunrays fall on the main deity between 0600 hrs and 0615 hrs. On the first day, they fall on the feet, on the second - on the chest and on the third - on the forehead, depicting worship by Sri Surya Bhagavan (the Sun God) himself. The annual Brahmotsavam is conducted in the month of Jyeshtha.
Sri Venugopalaswami Temple, Karvetinagaram:

Sri Venugopalaswami temple is situated in Karvetinagaram, 58 km from Tirupati.The main deity of the temple is Sri Venugopalaswami with His consorts - Sri Rukmini Ammavaru and Sri Satyabhama Ammavaru. There is a sub-temple with the idol Sri Sita Ramula Pattabhishekam.

Sri Prasanna Venkateshwaraswami Temple, Appalayanagunta:

Sri Prasanna Venkateshwaraswami temple is located in Appalayagunta, 14 km from Tirupati. It is believed that Sri Venkateshwaraswami, after marrying Sri Padmavati Ammavaru, blessed Sri Sidhdheshwara and other sages here. The temple, constructed by the Rajas of Karvetinagar, consists of a shrine for Anjaneyaswami. Devotees for relief from chronic diseases worship the imposing image of the wind-god. There are also idols of Goddess Padmavati and Sri Andal here. Brahmotsavam is celebrated once a year.

Sri Chennakeshavaswami Temple, Tallapaka:

Sri Chennakeshavaswami Temple is located in Tallapaka village at a distance of 100 Kms. from Tirupati, which is the birthplace of Sri Annamacharya, the Sankeertana Acharyulu who was born to Sri Narayanasuri and Lakkamamba. According to legend, the temple was constructed and administered by the Matti Rajahs about 1000 years ago.

Sri Kariyamanikyaswami Temple, Nagiri:

Sri Kariya Manikyaswami temple (also called Sri Perumala Swami temple) is located in Nagiri, 51 km from Tirupati. It is believed that Lord Sri Maha Vishnu killed Makara (a crocodile) and saved Gajendra (an elephant) at this place. This episode is referred to as the Gajendramoksham in the Mahabhagavatam.

Sri Annapurna Sameta Kashi Vishweshwaraswami Temple, Bugga Agraharam:

Sri Annapurna Sameta Kashi Vishweshwaraswami Temple is located in the Bugga Agraharam village, 56 km from Tirupati. The temple is on the banks of Kushasthali River. The main deities are Sri Kashi Vishweshwara Swami, Sri Annapurna Ammavaru, Sri Kamakshi Ammavaru, and Sri Devi Bhudevi Sameta Sri Prayaga Madhava Swami. The important annual festivals in the temple are Maha Shivaratri and Kartika Somavaramu.