Tirumala

The temple town of Tirupathi and Tirumala southern state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Tirumala is located in the eastern ghats, a mountain range that runs along the south-eastern India. The temple of Lord Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak Venkatachala. The nearby town of Tiruchanoor or Alamelumangapuram is also covered in this page.

Before you start for Tirumala its recommended that you

offer your prayers to your kuladeiva (family diety)
Visit the temple of Lord Ganesha to ensure that the trip is not laden with obstacles
Visit Tiruchanoor and offer your prayers to Sri Padmavathi Ammavari
Visit Sri Varahaswami Temple on the northern bank of Swami Pushkarini at Tirumala
Then offer your prayers to Lord Venkateswara

History

Lord Venkateswara also called the Lord of the seven hills. This temple has acquired a special sanctity in Hindu religion. The benefits that accrue by a pilgrimage to this holy town is mentioned in the Vedas and Puranas. Hindus all over the world believe that in Kali Yuga its possible to attain mukti only by worshipping Lord Venkateswara. Around 50,000 pilgrims visit the temple every day.

The Pallava, Chola, Pandaya and Vijayanagar rulers have endowed the temple with offerings of funds and Jewels.

Newspapers

The Hindu

Stay

Get in

By plane

The closest airport is near Sri Kaalahasti. There are flights from Madras

By rail

There is a railway station at Tirupathi. The closest railway junction is Renigunta and all trains plying between Madras and Mumbai stop at Renigunta.

By bus

It takes about 5 hours by road to get to Tirupati from Bangalore. Both KSRTC and APSRTC operate busses during the day and night.

Its about 3 hours by road from Madras. Both TNSRTC and APSRTC operate busses during the day and night.

Tirumala ('mala' means hill), atop which the famous temple of Lord Venkateswara is situated is about 22 km from Tirupati (bottom of hill). It takes less than an hr by road. There is also a footpath uphill - about 14km in all for those who want to walk up to the temple. It takes about 4 hours at normal walking speed to climb the hill. There are several shops selling Lime Soda, Snacks, Water and Cool Drinks along the way. Stop by to beat the dehydration. Usually the prices in these shops are higher than the maximum retail price indicated on the labels.

By car

Get around

See

Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Tiruchanoor
Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, Tirupathi
Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple, Tirupathi
Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, Tirupathi
Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Srinivasa Mangapuram
Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Narayanavanam
Sri Veda Narayanaswami Temple, Nagalapuram
Sri Venugopalaswami Temple, Karvetinagaram
Sri Prasanna Venkateswaraswami Temple, Appalayanagunta
Sri Chennakesavaswami Temple, Tallapaka
Sri Annapurna Sameta Kasi Visweswaraswami Temple, Bugga

Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala
Sri Varahaswami Temple, Tirumala
Sri Bedi Anjaneyaswami Temple, Tirumala
Sri Anjaneyaswami Temple, Tirumala

Swami Pushkarini, Tirumala
Akasaganga Teertham, Tirumala
Papavinasanam Teertham, Tirumala
Pandava Teertham, Tirumala
Kumaradhara Teertham, Tirumala
Tumbhuru Teertham, Tirumala
Ramakrishna Teertham, Tirumala
Chakra Teertham, Tirumala
Vaikuntha Teertham, Tirumala
Sesha Teertham, Tirumala
Sitamma Teertham, Tirumala
Pasupu Teertham, Tirumala
Japali Teertham, Tirumala
Sanaka Sanandana Teertham, Tirumala

Silathoranam, Tirumala
TTD Gardens, Tirumala
Asthana Mandapam, Tirumala
Sri Venkateswara Dhyana Vignan Mandiram, Tirumala
Deer Park, Tirumala

Do

Don't

While in Tirumala don't

Consume Liquor
Eat non vegetarian food
Wear flowers - all flowers are for the lord only

Learn

Buy

Eat

Bhimas
Mayura

Drink

Tirupathi and Tirumala is a pilgrimage town. People on pilgrimage don't drink or eat non-vegetarian food. Consumption of liquor is prohibited in Tirumala.