Considered as one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus, Tirupati is a major tourist attraction and at the same time a sacred place for the devotees from all around the nation. A trip to Tirupati makes you witness the presence of so many historical temples such as Venkateswara temple, Padmavathi Temple, Govindaraja Temple. Perhaps, that is the reason why Tirupati is also referred to as the Spiritual Captial of Andhra Pradesh.
Known as the best heritage city by the Indian tourism department, Tirupati has got an immense significance both culturally and historically. It is also one of the seven Swayam Vyaktha Kshetraas which have been dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The famous temple situated here is also known by many other names such as Tirupati Temple, Tirupati Balaji Temple, Tirumala Temple. It has been constructed in the Dravidian form of architecture and its construction is believed to have started from 300 AD.
In terms of wealth, it is the richest temple in the world as it receives hefty donations from devotees present all across the globe.
Best Time to Visit Tirupati
There is even a space exposition hall which is the first of its kind in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. With this, it won't be wrong to say that Tirupati, as a travel getaway, offers a great exploration possibility for both travel-inclined as well as spiritually-inclined mindset.
September to January is the best time to visit Tirupati. It offers a great opportunity for sightseeing and exploring the history of this place.
History of Tirupati
There are many legends associated with Tirupati. One legend states that the present idol of Lord Venkateswara would be there till the entire period of Kaliyuga. And as per the Varaha Purana, it is said that during the time of Treta Yuga, Lord Sri Rama used to reside here along with Maa Sita and Lakshmana after his return from Lankapuri.
Tirupati was an established centre of Vaishnavism around 5th century AD and during the time of Ramanujacharya, in the 11th century, this place had become a very prominent Vaishnava centre. The Srikurmam Temple here bears the inscriptions of Tirupati Srivaishnavula Raksha.
However, with the advent of the Britishers in the 19th century, they took control of the Tirupati temple and in 1843 transferred the administration of the temple along with many other temples to the Mahants of Hathiramji Math. After which, this temple remained under the rule of Mahants till 1993, that accounts for about six generations. In the year 1932 Tirupati temple was handed over to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanms under the TTD act of 1932.
Major Attractions in and Around Tirupati
1. Sri Venkateswara Temple
Situated in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, this temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Venkateswara. It is a very famous temple and witnesses heavy footfall throughout the year. A number of complexes have been built inside the premises. It is believed that Lord Venkateswara was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
2. Swami Pushkarini Lake
Swami Pushkarini Lake borders the Sri Venkateshwara temple and historically, this temple has been devoted to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that this lake was created by a Garuda, a commuting source of Sri Venkateshwara. Many devotees take a dip in the water of this holy lake before stepping inside the temple.
3. Akasaganga Teertham
It is an amazing waterfall situated in Tirupati at a distance of about 3km from the main temple. Akasaganga Teertham waterfall flows all over the year and offers a magnificent view of nature's beauty, correlating the holy significance. And especially during the monsoon season, the beauty of this temple is just too mesmerizing to soak in.
4. Silathoranam
Silathoranam is not just religiously significant but is a big landmark in archaeology as well, representing the sacredness of this heritage site. An amazing point to notice here is that it’s a natural rock formation is one of the only three of its kind in the world.
How to Reach Tirupati
Tirupati is truly an incredible getaway, especially for the people who are spiritually hungry. It is situated at an approximate distance of 2,162, 1,415, 2,068, and 984 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can reach Tirupati following the below-mentioned routes.
By Air
The nearest airport is the Tirupati Airport, situated in Renigunta which is located at an approximate distance of 16km. From here, you can take direct flights to cities like New Delhi, Vishakapatnam, Hyderabad. The airport has been given an upgrade making it international by the central government. Once you deboard at the airport, you will need to cover the remaining distance by some means of public transportation.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Tirupati
By Train
Tirupati has good connectivity via train network to other neighbouring cities. You can consider deboarding at Renigunta Junction (RU), Tirupati Main (TPTY), Anantarajupet (ANE) as per your convenience. After you get off the railway station, you will need to take a local means of transportation like a bus or a cab to travel.
By Road
Planning a road trip to Tirupati can be a really fun experience. The overall connectivity via road networks to Tirupati from major cities is quite good. To travel via road you can choose NH44, NH52, NH716, NH544, as these are some of the highways which connect Tirupati to the nearby cities. For travelling you can book an interstate or private bus, otherwise, you can also opt for a cab or self-drive.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tirupati
Q. What are some other places of interest in Tirupati?
A. Some other places of interest in Tirupati include the Sri Padmavati Temple, the ISKCON Temple, and the Sri Kapileswara Temple.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
