Tirupati

When you visit a pilgrimage center you get to know about India’s vibrant culture and deep religious attachment. Tirumala Tirupati is one such center with a history spanning several centuries. Located on a range of seven hills of the Eastern Ghats, it is an ancient temple dedicated to Venkateswara, or Srinivasa or Balaji. The seven hills (Sapthagiri} resemble seven hoods. Hence this holy place is also known as Seshachala and the diety, ‘the lord of the seven hills”. The rush to this sacred place is so huge that you have to stand in line for hours together to get a fleeting glimpse of the diety. It is here that the richest temple of the world is situated.

This busy pilgrim centre never sleeps. The darshan or having a look of the Lord begins at 3 am in the morning and ends at 12 pm midnight. It takes around 3 to 4 hours waiting in queue. Most pilgrims take a dip at Swamy Pushkarani, located by the side of the temple, before going to the temple. The shrine of Varaha Murthy, the original deity of Tirumala, is situated here. Most devotees offer their hair as a vow. Hundi offering is another important part of the pilgrimage to Tirumala.

You can reach the shrine by either trekking up the hills, a lush green stretch of about 11 km or by bus service available from 4 am till mid night. A car or bus journey along the magnificent Ghat road can be an unforgettable experience. The hairpin bends, undulating hills with deep green valleys and picturesque surrounding is always very exciting.

Other attractions in Tirupati:

Govindarajaswamy Temple
This temple is located at the base of the Sapthagiri hills. Lord Vishnu, in his Ananthasayanam Posture, is enshrined here.

Tiruchanur (Alamelu Mangapuram)
This temple is dedicated to Devi Padmavathi in all her bridal glory. Worshiping the Goddess here after visiting the shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala is customary. The deities of Lord Krishna and Venkatachalapati can also be found here.

Srinivasa Mangapuram
Srinivasa Mangapuram, is close to Tirupathi. Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple is located in this place. According to mythology, Lord Venkateswara after his marriage with Padmavathi Devi stayed here for sometime before his onward journey to Tirumala.

Sri Kalahasti
This ancient pilgrim centre, is dedicated to Vayu (Wind God). Sri Kalahasti is also considered a Navagraha Sthalam dedicated to Rahu and Kethu.

When you visit Tirupati, you get to know a lot about Hindu religion.