Tirupati Sightseeing : Places to visit in destination Tirupati

Places to visit in the city Tirupati

SRI VENKATESWARA TEMPLE - Tirupati

Lying on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini (a tank), the ancient temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak of the Tirupati Hills and is a major attraction here. The deity here has been described as the great bestower of boons, and the ancient Hindu texts talk of the benefits acquired by a pilgrimage undertaken to this temple

. A masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, this 12th-century Vaishnavite temple is located at about 18 km north west of Tirupati. The gold-plated spire (Ananda Nilaya Vimanam) over the sanctum sanctorum presents an awe-inspiring sight as it comes alive with the early rays of the dawn. At night, the vimanam is well illuminated and is the focal point of the night sky atop the Tirumala. The temple flag post is also gold plated and stands tall in all its magnificence

. The idol of Lord Venkateswara, supposed to be a form of Vishnu, has four arms, one holding a conch, the second a discus, the third in the abhaya (blessing) pose, with the fourth resting on the hip. The girdle of the serpent, an emblem of Lord Shiva, encircles both the front arms

. Theoretically, the inner shrines of the temple are open only to Hindus but foreigners are also welcome.

SRI KAPILESWARASWAMI TEMPLE - Tirupati

Situated at about 3 km to the north of Tirupati, at the foot of the Tirumala Hill, is Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple. Amidst all the Vaishnava temples in Tirupati, Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple is the only temple dedicated to Lord Siva. The temple has an attractive setting and there is a sacred waterfall called Kapila Teertham or Alwar Teertham located here.

SRI KODANDARAMASWAMI TEMPLE - Tirupati

Built by a Chola king during the tenth century AD, Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple is situated in the heart of Tirupati town. The temple has Rama, Sita and Lakshmana as the presiding deities. Legend has it that this temple commemorates the visit of Lord Rama to Tirupati. The temple of Anjaneyaswami, which is directly opposite, is a sub-shrine of this temple.

TIRUCHANUR - Tirupati

Also known as Alamelumangapuram, Tiruchanur is situated at about 5 km from Tirupati. Here one can find a temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi or Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Sri Venkateswara. It is said that a visit to Tirumalai is fruitful only after visiting the Sri Padmavathi Devi temple. The sub-temples in its premises include the Sri Krishnaswamy Temple, Sri Sundara Rajaswamivari Temple, and Sri Suryanarayana Swamivari Temple.

SRI KALYANA VENKATESWARASWAMI TEMPLE - Tirupati

About 12 km to the west of Tirupati lies the Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram. Legend has it that Lord Venkateswara stayed here after his marriage with Sri Padmavathi Devi before proceeding to Tirumala.