Tirupati is a spellbinding location where nature and spirituality join hands. The beautiful shrine on the Seven Hills of Tirumala dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara brings fame to this place. Tirupati Temple is a paradise for pilgrims and also takes the privilege of being the second most frequented shrine all over the world. The number of donations offered every year at the Tirupati Temple is so bountiful, making it the wealthiest temple in the world.

The Sapthagiri or the Seven Hills of Tirumala is the second oldest rock mountains in the world, and it represents the seven hoods of Adisesha, the giant serpent on which Lord Vishnu lies. Words just can't express the utmost divinity offered by the place and one must visit Tirupati to experience it for yourself.

We can see pilgrims shave their head off at the Tirupati temple and donating their hair as an offering to Lord Venkateshwara. Legend is that when Lord Venkateshwara (Lord Balaji) lost some of his hair in an unexpected accident during his regime on earth, Neela Devi, a Gandharva Princess cut a portion of her long glorious hair and offered it to the Lord asking him to plant them on his head.

Lord Venkateshwara was very pleased with her dedication and accepted her offering. He also promised that whoever visits the temple and sacrifice his/her hair at his feet will be blessed. Hence it is regarded as an auspicious ritual by the devotees to seek the blessings of the Lord.

The architectural excellence of Tirupati Temple that showcases Dravidian style with marvelous Gopuram, and intricate carvings amaze you at its very first glance.

Powerful chanting of mantras reverberate through the entire temple premises radiates a positive energy that can be etched in your memory for a long time. As you reach the inner temple called Ananda Nilayam where the eight-foot-tall idol of Lord Venkateshwara is kept, the ethereal magnificence of the Lord dressed in yellow robes, and ornaments of gold, diamond and emerald with a golden crown on his head and a thick tilak on his forehead will induce a heavenly bliss all around.

After the darshan, the devotees are given Tirupati Laddu as prasadam. The unique and delicious flavor of Tirupati Laddu makes it so popular among devotees all across the country.

Another highlight is that the quality of Laddus are still retained ever since it was distributed 300 years ago. Tirupati not only provides a spiritual break away for the pilgrims but also treats the tourists with plenty of natural and heritage sites. It is home to many breathtaking waterfalls that automatically soothes the nerves.

Among them, the Akasa Ganga waterfall which is considered as holy is worth mentioning as it is believed to be falling from the feet of the Lord Venkateshwara.

Tirupati is blessed with an endless number of wildlife and plant species that adds to the beauty and biodiversity of the place. And last but not the least, Tirupati is a shopaholic's paradise. You can bring home a lot of handicraft stuff, handlooms, souvenirs, home decor, etc from Tirupati.

Popular As:

Tirupati is popular for its temples.

Prominent places to visit:

Tirumala Tirupati Sri Venkateshwara Temple: Being the richest temple in the world, Tirumala Tirupati Sri Venkateshwara Temple is an asset of Tirupati.

Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple: Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple with its huge temple complex housing numerous shrines is one of the finest examples of ancient South Indian architecture and is a must visit for architecture buffs.

Sri Kalahasthi: Sri Kalahasthi Temple which is carved out of the side of a huge stone hill is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams of Lord Shiva where Shiva Linga is worshipped as Vayu Linga.

Kanipakam: Kanipakam is a mysterious temple where the idol of Lord Ganesha still grows in size.

Silathoranam: The Silathoranam that resembles a natural arch is an amazing geological marvel adorned with beautiful flowering gardens for the eyes to behold.

Chandragiri: Chandragiri is a historically significant fort that displays ancient Vijayanagara architecture.

Horsley Hills: The Horsley Hills is a pleasant surprise for adventure seekers where they can quench their thirst for adventure with activities like zorbing, rappelling and trekking.

TTD Gardens: The vast 460 acres of TTD Gardens is a spellbinding spectacle blanketed in green and sprinkled with colourful flowers that enchant you with its charm and lovely fragrance.

Talakona Waterfalls: The Talakona Waterfalls flaunts its soothing beauty, cascading down from a height of 270 feet amidst the dense green forest.

Papa Vinasanam Dam: The Papa Vinasanam Dam is mostly frequented by devotees to take a dip in the holy waters of Papavinasam, on the belief that doing so will free them from all the sins they have committed in their life.

Kalyani Dam: Kalyani Dam is a beautiful dam site with captivating scenic views and an ideal location for film shooting.

Sri Vari Museum: There is no better place than Sri Vari Museum that depicts the history and the architectural framework of Tirumala Tirupati Temple.

Deer Park: With a wide range of flora and fauna as well as housing, a large number of deer, the Deer Park in Tirupati is a wonderful picnic spot, especially for kids.

Best Time to Visit:

Tirupati is one of the most popular sites that can be visited throughout the year. November to February is considered as the best time to visit Tirupati. It is the time Tirupati enjoys a pleasant and chilling winter season. The temperature during this season ranges between 15°C to 30 °C. But the temperature during the summer months of March to June rise as high as 45°C, making it the most uncomfortable season to visit Tirupati. Throughout the summer season, the place will be less crowded as most of the people avoid visiting Tirupati because of the hot and humid climate. So, if you want to keep away from the crowd of the place and also doesn't bother about the weather, then visiting Tirupati during summers is a good idea. Heavy rainfalls during the months of July to October marks the monsoon season in Tirupati. It is also regarded as the ideal time to visit Tirupati as you can take part in the magnificent festival in the region called Brahmotsavam which is held in the month of September. You can also enjoy the pleasant climate of the place during the monsoon season.

Way to Reach:

 By Air -  Chennai International Airport and Tirupati Airport are the nearest airports to Tirupati which are situated at a distance of 163 Km and 16 Km respectively.

 By Rail -  Tirupati Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Tirupati which is just 75 m away.

By Road: Tirupati Bus Station is the nearest bus station to Tirupati which is just 950 m away.