Tirupati is the divine abode of Lord Venkateshwara (Balaji). Tirupati is also termed as “Tirumala” that is purely hallowed to Lord Vishnu. Snuggled at the bottom of Tirumalai Hills in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is most revered shrines of Hindus. Devotees visiting the shrine are filed with spiritual holiness and pray for a good luck in their life. Today this holy place draws more devotees than any other shrine in India.

Historical Background

Tirupati was mainly developed by the donation made by kings during their reign. Every king from great dynasties of Southern peninsula paid reverence to Lord Venkateshwara in the ancient temple of Tirupati. The Pandayas of Madurai, Vijaynagar rulers, Pallavas of Kanchipuram and the Cholas of Thanjavur were followers of the deity and all these empires competed with one another in bequeathing the shrine with sumptuous offerings.

The fall of Vijaynagar Empire did not affect the offerings to this sanctified place as many chieftains and nobles from all over the country contributed rich offerings to temple. After the decline of Hindu empires, Muslim rulers came into power and took over many shrines.

Worth-Visiting Places to See in Tirupati

Tirupati Tirumala Temple

Tirupati Tirumala shrine is recognized for being the most visited shrine in India. Settled on Venkata or Venkatachala Hill (the 7th peak of Tirupati hill), it is the richest temple of the world. The divine aura and importance of this holy place magnetizes millions of devotees. The sacred writings like Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Shastras have acclaimed that this sanctified place is the only way to attain emancipation (mukti).

About Temple The architecture of temple is an excellent example of Dravidian style of architecture. . There is a cupola that is covered with gold (Vimana) by the name of “The Ananda Nilayam” over the prime temple. The worship place consists of three enclosures that are also recognized as “Prakaramas”. Within the sanctum is the magnificent “Swayambhu” or naturally formed picture of Lord Venkateshwara. The image of deity is decked with copious jewel pieces. The early morning custom is an memorable experience- as the myriad gleaming oil lamps light up the shrine and the magnificence of the deity beautified in sparkling ornaments is seen.

Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple

Sri Kapileswaraswami temple is nestled approximately 3 km to the north of Tirupati. It is the only place of pilgrimage settled in Tirupati. The consecrated waterfalls called “Alwar Teertham “or “Kapila Teertham” are also situated here. The wonderful holy place embraces shrines of Sri Laxminarayanaswamy, Sri Vinayakaswamy and Sri Venugopalaswamy. Maha Shivratri, Brahmotsavam, Annabhishekam and Vinayaka Chaturthi are the major festivals that are celebrated in this hallowed place.

Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple

The shrine of Sri Kondaramaswami is another worth-visiting place to visit in Tirupati. The holy place was structured during the period of Vijaynagar and Chola kingdoms, and glorified to Lord Rama. The temple houses beautiful idols of Lord Rama, in addition with main deity. The shrine reflects the glimpse of Vijaynagar style of architecture. The temple walls are beautified using Sinhalata gables in conjunction other styles of architecture. The pillars of the temple are well-carved with exquisite carvings and sculptures. The shrine also comprises of two pools known as Lakshamanatirtham and Ramatirtham. Devotees can visit the temple between 6:00 am to 11:00 am and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Sri Padmavathi Temple

Sri Padmavathi Devi temple is considered as one of the highly revered holy place in South. The beautiful pilgrimage place is a home of goddess Sri Padmavathi Devi. It is also termed as “Alamelumangapuram” and believed that a visit to Tirumala is fruitful only after paying a visit to Sri Padmavathi temple. The goddess, Sri Padmavathi Devi is settled in “Padmasana”, with lotus in her both hands. Apart from the presiding deity, the shrine also has the idols of “Suryanarayan Swami”, “Sundaraja Swami” and “Sri Krishna”.

Padi Kavali Maha Dwara

Padi Kavali Maha Dwara is the external gopuram of Sri Venkateshwara temple. This is the interesting feature of the temple that stands on a quadrangular base. It represents the architecture of later Chola period. The inscriptions on the gopuram are of 13^th century and carved with various figures of Vaishnava deities like Kevale Narsimha, Hanuman and Lakshmi Narasimha.

Ranga Mandapam

Ranga Mandapam is also named as Ranganayakula Mandapam. It is situated in the south-eastern area of Sampangi Pradakshinam. It is believed that this is the place where utsava murti of Lord Ranganadha of Sri kept during 14^th century. The shrine was constructed by Yadava ruler Sri Ranganadha Yadava Raya between 1320 and 1360 AD. The architecture of this edifice belongs to Vijaynagar style of architecture.

Krishna Deva Raya Mandapam

Krishna Deva Raya Mandapam is also tagged as Pratima Mandapam. This Mandapam has got its name from bronze portrait images of Vijayanagara ruler Krishnadevaraya and his two companions, Chinnadevi at his right side and Tirumaladevi to his left. All the three idols face the main temple, with their hands folded hands.

In the southern section of Mandapam of Mandapam, the idol of Venkatapathi Raya of the Aravidu Empire who was the king of Chandragiri around 1570 AD. The stone idols of Achyutha Raya are settled at the side of Mandapam. It is deemed that the Mandapam is structured in later Vijayanagara period. The Mandapam is stacked with exquisitely beautiful images of Vijayanagara period like Krishna Leela, Rama Pattabhishekam and Rama breaking the bow. The two main pillars of the Mandapam, Urdhvapundras and Sri Vaishnava are bordered by a disc and conch.

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