Tirumala is located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh and it is one of the most famous pilgrimage centers in India. Tirumala is commonly referred to as Tirupathi by devotees, but they are 22 km apart and the sacred Balaji Temple is situated in Tirumala.

Apart from the main Balaji temple, other tourist places on Tirumala hills include Akasa Ganga, Srivari Padalu, Chakra Theertham, Papavinasam, Shilatoranam, etc.

Tirumala Balaji Temple:

Tirumala, adobe of Sri Venkateswara (also known as Balaji – an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centers in India and it attracts millions of devotees every year. The Tirumala Temple is situated atop the Tirumala Hills which consists of seven peaks known as Sapthagiri at an altitude of 3,200 feet. The seven peaks represent the seven hoods of Adishesha, the serpent on whom lies Lord Vishnu.

The temple of Lord Venkateswara was built by the Tamil king Thondaimaan. The Pallavas of Kanchipuram (9th century), Cholas of Tanjore (10th century), Pandyas of Madurai and Vijayanagara Kings (14th & 15th centuries) regularly visited the temple and made large contributions towards its development. Especially, Sri Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagara Empire contributed a lot to the temple. The statues of Sri Krishna Devaraya and his spouse stand in the premises of the temple.

The Tirumala shrine is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. The main sanctum contains 2 m high standing idol of Venkateswara on a lotus flanked by his consorts Bhudevi and Sridevi. The most striking feature of the awe-inspiring black idol is its fabulous diamond crown, which is said to be the most precious single ornament in the world. The Sanctorum ‘Ananda Nilayam’ has a glittering gold covered Vimana and gold covered gates.

Temple Timings and Darshan Details:

Different darshan methods are available in Tirumala. There is always a huge queue for darshan which can be done through the paid darshan or through the free darshan. Special Sevas and paid darshans are a little faster than the free queue. The waiting time in the queue is typically 4-5 hours. Around 50,000 people are believed to visit the temple every day. Faster Darshan is available for elders (>65 years), parents with infants (<1 year) and physically handicapped.

Temple Contact Details:

Please check TTD website http://www.tirumala.org/ for more details.

Ph: no: 0877 223 3333

             0877 227 7777

Akasa Ganga Theertham:

Akasaganga Teertham is a waterfall in Tirupati, located at a distance of 3 km from the main temple. The waterfall has water flowing all throughout the year and holds immense religious significance.

Pilgrims can also pay homage to the Devi temple situated very close to the waterfall. During the monsoons, the waterfall is a beautiful sight to the eyes.

Timings:

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Contact Details:

Tirupathi Ho, Tirupati – 517502, Near Sri Venkateswara Temple

Srivari Padalu:

This Srivari Padalu otherwise known as Vishnu Padam is located in the forests at the top of Narayanadri hill range. This is another very important place at Tirumala being visited by a quite good number of devotees. It is believed that this is the place where Lord Narayana first set his feet when he came down from Vaikuntam.

Srivari Padalu”, in English means “Lord Venkateswara’s Feet. To worship the feet of Lord, we have to climb 250 to 300 steps. The Srivari Padalu now is encased in a glass frame on a firm stone platform to avoid any damages. The practice of breaking coconuts has been shifted to another venue. It is a must to visit this Srivari Padalu when you visit Tirumala. You can go to this place by Private Cabs/Jeeps and Buses of TTD.

Timings:

Open for 24hrs

Contact Details:

Ph: No: 088790 56740

Shilathoranam:

It is an original rock formation in the shape of an arch (garland). The rocks are estimated to be 250 Crore years old. It is a miracle that it is intact even after so many years. There are two other rock formations in the world, one in US and other in England. The formation is twenty-five feet in width and ten feet in height. It is a heritage monument. Though there is garden around the place, entry is restricted. This place is also known as Rock Garden and we will be able to get cabs to reach there.

Timings:

Open 24hrs

Contact Details:

90002 42391

Papavinasam Theertham:

A beautiful and a pious destination, the Papavinasaram Theertham in Tirupati is the best holy place to visit. The place has a mesmerizing waterfall whose water is believed to be sacred and that a dip in it washes away all the sins and misdeeds. Papavinasam waterfalls captivate many tourists from across the nation with its charm beauty. Pure streams of water flowing down the hill make it a mesmerizing natural beauty. Walking on the rocky trail amidst the nature to reach to the waterfall is a refreshing experience. The reservoir in the dam prevents the water to flow into the Theertham. You can find countless beautiful fishes in the dam. There are several beautiful gardens close to the dam where the visitors can spend some time after the holy dip.

Timings:

Open 24hrs

Contact Details:

Tirumala, Tirupati – 517504