Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirumala-Tirupati is world famous. The cities of Tirumala (uphill) and Tirupati (downhill) is heavy crowded with pilgrims through out the year irrespective of festive season.
The floating population to Tirumala-Tirupati mostly visit the temple of Lord Venkateswara to fulfill their vows. However, there are many interesting / important pilgrim places and tourist attractions in and around Tirupati. Most of these places are worth a visit. Here are some important places to visit:
The ancient temple of Govinda Raja Swamy is at a walkable distance from Tirupati Railway Station. The temple entrance gate / gali gopuram is an imposing structure which is remarkable and there large spacious premises on entering inside. It is a temple complex with several small temples inside the premises.The temple opens at 5.00 a.m with Suprabhata Seva.
Kapila Teertham is one of the most visited teerthams by the Tirumala pilgrims. It is located at the foot hill of Tirumala. There is an ancient temple of Kapileswara Swamy (Lord Shiva). During monsoon, you can enjoy seeing the waterfalls from steep vertical rocky cliff and forms a large pond in front.
Starts once in 2 hours from Vishnu Nivasam, opposite Tirupati RS (Railway Station) from 6.00 a.m to 12.00 noon. Every day 4 trips in all.
The tour covers the temples of Govindaraju Swamy, Kodandarama Swamy, Mangapuram Padmavati, Agastyeswara Swamy at Thondavada, Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy at Srinivasa Mangapuram and Kapileswara Swamy at Kapilateertham.
The tour completes in 4 hours and the fare is Rs.100/- per pilgrim.
Starts at 8.00 a.m and 9.00 a.m from Srinivasam complex.
Covers:
1. Venugopala Swamy temple, Karvetinagaram
2. Veda Narayana Swamy temple, Nagulapuram
3. Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy temple, Nagari
4. Annapurna sameta kasi Visweswara temple, Bugga
5. Palli Kondeswara Swamy temple, Surutupalli
The tour completes in 8 hours and the fare is Rs.250/- per pilgrim.
The floating population to Tirumala-Tirupati mostly visit the temple of Lord Venkateswara to fulfill their vows. However, there are many interesting / important pilgrim places and tourist attractions in and around Tirupati. Most of these places are worth a visit. Here are some important places to visit:
Tiruchanoor Padmavati Ammavari temple
Padmavati Ammavaru also known as Alamelu Manga is considered as the consort of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. Tiruchanoor is also known as Alamelu Mangapuram or just Mangapuram, is located in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The temple opens for devotees from 5.30 a.m to 6.30 a.m, from 7.30 a.m to 6.00 p.m and from 7.00 p.m to 8.45 p.m (8.00 p.m only on Fridays).Govinda Raja Swamy Temple
Kapila Teertham
Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple
The temple of Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy is located at Srinivasa Mangapuram which is around 12 Km from Tirupati. There is a tall and beautiful idol of Lord Venkateswara which is considered as important as the one in Tirumala temple. According to the mythological story of Lord Venkateswara, it is believed that Venkateswara Swamy along with Padmavati Ammavaru halted at this place for a while after marriage, on their way to Tirumala.Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple
The small temple town of Kanipakam has become famous in the recent past. It is located on the banks of River Bahuda. Tirumala pilgrims mostly visit the temple of Lord Ganesha which is popularly known as Kanipakam Vinayaka temple. It is believed that the stone idol of Ganesha is a 'swayambhu' one i.e self-evolved' and the stone idol is increasing in size every year. However, there is no scientific proof for the same.Ardhagiri Veeranjaneya Temple
Ardhagiri also known as Arakonda is at a distance of around 75 Km from Tirupati. There is a small Hanuman (Anjaneya Swamy) temple atop the hill. Ardhagiri Veeranjaneya Swamy temple is one of the lesser known and less visited temples around Tirupati. Many pilgrims either don't know / haven't heard about the temple or don't find time to visit the temple. There is a small pond on the serene / less visited hill with a big statue of Lord Hanuman sitting in meditation posture. It is believed that while Lord Hanuman was carrying Sanjeevani mountain, a small piece of the mountain with the roots of Sanjeevani tree fell at this place. People believe that drinking the water of this pond would be effective in curing many bodily ailments. Due to this belief people visiting the place carry cans of the pond which is channelized and let out through pipes. This is a beautiful location with peaceful surroundings. And really one can get peace of mind at this place and hence people feel like sitting at this place for hours together.Package Tours by APTDC
There are local / nearby temples packages tours offered by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) from Tirupati.Local Temples tour
Starts every hour from 6.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m from Srinivasam complex opposite APSRTC Central Bus Station, Tirupati. Every day 8 trips.Starts once in 2 hours from Vishnu Nivasam, opposite Tirupati RS (Railway Station) from 6.00 a.m to 12.00 noon. Every day 4 trips in all.
The tour covers the temples of Govindaraju Swamy, Kodandarama Swamy, Mangapuram Padmavati, Agastyeswara Swamy at Thondavada, Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy at Srinivasa Mangapuram and Kapileswara Swamy at Kapilateertham.
The tour completes in 4 hours and the fare is Rs.100/- per pilgrim.
Surrounding Temples tour
Only 2 trips per day.Starts at 8.00 a.m and 9.00 a.m from Srinivasam complex.
Covers:
1. Venugopala Swamy temple, Karvetinagaram
2. Veda Narayana Swamy temple, Nagulapuram
3. Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy temple, Nagari
4. Annapurna sameta kasi Visweswara temple, Bugga
5. Palli Kondeswara Swamy temple, Surutupalli
The tour completes in 8 hours and the fare is Rs.250/- per pilgrim.