Tirupati tourism and travel guide

Tirupati, the holy city is located in the southeastern part of Andhra Pradesh, in Chittoor district. Known as the house of the Hindu god `Sri Venkateshwara`, Tirupati is famous for the Venkateswara temple in the hallowed Tirumala hills at an elevation of 860m.

Tirupati, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, is accessible by air, rail as well as road. Getting to the temple town is quite easy since a well-planned network of railways and roadways connects it with other parts of India. It is sited at a distance of 592 km, 145 km and 247 km from Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore, respectively. Tirupati boasts of its own airport and railway station, which are connected with major cities across the country.

Tirupati is a famous temple nestled in the Chittor district, Andhra Pradesh, South India. This temple is also known as the Triumala temple consecrated to Lord Venkateshwara also known as Lord Vishnu in North India. The attractions dotted in and around Tirupati includes Visweswaraswami temple, Sri Bedi Anjananeya Swami temple, Sri Chennakesavaswami temple, Sri Venkateswarami temple, and Vaikuntha Teertham. The Tirupati airport is the nearest airport from which operates many international flights. Located at Renigunta, this airport is just 15 km away from this holy city. Seamless flights to Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkota, and Delhi operate from the Tirupati International Airport. The Tirupati railway station connects this sacred city with the other neighboring cities of the South India region. The NH 205 is the main link road that connects with Tirupati with the cities bordering it.

Every day is a day of festivity at Tirumala. Tirupati Temple celebrates many festivals like Kalyanotsavam, Arjita Brahmotsavam, Dolotsavam, Vasanthotsavam but the annual festival of `Brahmotsavam` is particularly important. The most famous festival, `Brahmotsavam`, which is celebrated on grand scale for nine days in September, attracting pilgrims and tourists from all parts of the country. The fifth and ninth days of the festival are especially significant in as much as Garudostavam and Rathotavam takes place on those days. 

Brahmotsavam: The Brahmotsavam is the most important temple festival celebrated at Tirupati-Balaji. The festival is celebrated annually in September. The festival is grand every third year and is called Navratri Brahmotsavam. On the third day of the Brahmotsavam, the temple car festival called Rathotsavam is held. 

Vijayanagar Festival: The Vijayanagar Festival is held for three days at the historic Chandragiri Fort near Tirupati-Balaji in the third week of October every year. The fort is a living testimony to the heroism of the rulers of Vijayanagar, and the festival coincides with the annual Brahmotsavam at the Tirupati-Balaji Temple. Musicians and dancers from all over the state come here to perform during the festival. The Rayalseema Food Festival is also held at the same time. During this festival, most of the local delicacies of the state are presented. 

Kalyanotsavam: Tirupati also celebrates a festival called the Kalyanotsavam (marriage of the Lord). It is celebrated every day at the Kalyanmandapam except during the Brahmotsavam and on certain other festive occasions. Kalyanam" means Wedding in Sanskrit. Read More... 

Gangamma Jathara: Gangamma Jathara is also celebrated as a major festival. The Goddess Gangamma is offered animal sacrifices and also pongal and other offerings by the devotees. She is considered as the sister of The Lord Almighty, Govinda. 

Rathasapthami: Rathasapthami (Magha Shuddha Saptami) is another festival, celebrated during February, when Lord Venkateswara idol will be taken procession around the temple chariots. 

Arjita Brahmotsavam: For those that not present during the biggest event of the year, the Brahmotsavams, a mini version is celebrated every day at Rs.500 per 5 persons starting at about 1 PM. The devotees performing this have a choice of selecting which particular vehicle they want to see their God on, such as the Lion, the Elephant, The Eagle or Others. However, the Float festival that is celebrated during the Brahmotsavams is not included in this ceremony. It starts at around 1:30 PM in the afternoon. 

Dolotsavam: This festival is for those who wish to see Lord Venkateswara and his Consorts in all their regalia, on a tastefully decorated float amidst the waves of the sacred temple tank. This Utsavam is performed at Rs.750 per family of 6 persons. 

Vasanthotsavam: Vasanthotsavam is the festival of colors. This is of 3-day duration starting in Mid-April or 1st fortnight of May. The Lord and HIS consorts "play" and the devotees also spray colors on them. It costs Rs.3000 per family of 10 persons, per day. On the scheduled day, the function starts at 2 PM in the afternoon 

English New Year Day: Lakhs of devotees throng the hill shrine to have darshan of the Lord on the New Year Day. The crowds begin to throng a couple of days before and continue for another two days after January 1 

Rayalseema Food and Dance Festival: Held in - September - October Held to coincide with the Brahmostsavam of Lord Sri Venkateshwara of Tirupati. Artisans, craftsmen, and weavers from all parts of the country take part while the food courts offer mouth-watering cuisine of Rayalseema. 

The Vijayanagar Festival at Chandragiri: Held in - October The historic Chandragiri fort near Tirupati (where a Sound & Light Show is held daily) stands testimony to the grandeur of the Vijayanagar rulers. This festival coincides with the annual Brahmotsavam at the Tirumala temple. The visitors who witness the most reputed musicians and dancers perform embark on a journey into the past. Through the Rayalseema Food Festival which is also held at the same time, the most traditional delicacies of the region are brought forth exclusively for the gourmet`s delight.

Summer Temperature: Min 35° C; Max: 45°C | Winter Temperature: Min 10°C; Max 18°C

Best Time to Visit: October to February

The region experiences tropical climate round the year.

Summers: The summer season lasts from March to June with a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius. The temperature is at its peak during the two months i.e. the months of May and June. Even the nights during these months are very warm. 

Monsoon: Monsoon showers begin around the end of June or the beginning of July and last till the end of September. The region does not receive a heavy shower but the heat is reduced to some extent. With the beginning of October, the weather also begins to become pleasant. 

Winters: The winters in Tirupati begin from the month of November and lasts till February. The temperature is not freezing cold. The maximum temperature during the winters is around 180 C. The nights are cooler as compared to the nights. The winter season (around October to February) is the best time to visit the holy place.

Location – Chittoor district | State – Andhra Pradesh

Climate – Hot and Humid

Temperature - Max -45 C, Min -10 C

Languages – Tamil, Telgu, English

Best Time to Visit – September to February

Main Festivals – 10 days of Brahmotsavam, Gregorian new-year day.

Attractions – Venkateshwara temple, Varahaswamy temple, Tiruchanur

Nearest Airport – Tirupati airport (15 kms)Nearest Railway station – Tirupati, Reningunta (15 kms)

The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. It is by the Lord’s presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the title, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills.

The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect that advocates the principles of equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice. The sanctum sanctorum which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills is situated in the main temple complex of Tirumala. The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain Mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara. The benefits acquired by a pilgrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Purana. The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the principles of equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice

Devotional Activities Performed: There are several devotional activities performed at the temple premises. 

Tonsuring (Getting your head shaved): The objective behind tonsuring is to demonstrate that he/she completely surrenders his/her ego at the feet of the Lord. Pilgrims can have their heads tonsured at the Kalyanakatta (opposite the Annanadanam Complex). There are seventeen sub-centers for tonsuring. Pilgrims can also request to be tonsured at the cottages where they are staying. 

Walking up the Hills: Many pilgrims walk up the hills to fulfill vows they have taken, for which Tirumala - Tirupati Devsthanam has constructed a walkway from Alipiri to Tirumala. It takes approximately three and a half hours to walk up the hill. 

Angapradakshinam: Angapradakshinam is when pilgrims lie prostrate, and then roll around the temple, chanting the Lord`s name. The objective is to show their devotion to the Lord, and thank Him for protecting them. It is performed in the Vimana Pradakshinam, one of the pathways around the temple. Pilgrims who wish to undertake the Angapradakshinam have to take a dip in the Swami Pushkarini and reach the Main Temple Complex by 0200 hrs (through a special queue that starts from the PPC Sheds). 

Tulabharam: Tulabharam is offering one`s weight in coins or other items such as sugar, candy according to one`s vows to the Lord. Tulabharam is generally performed for children. Pilgrims can weigh their offerings in the temple complex. The coins can be deposited in the temple hundi and other items can be handed over to the temple authorities present. The queue for Tulabharam is the regular queue that starts from the Vaikuntham Queue Complex or PC Queue Complex. 

Niluvudopidi: Niluvudopidi is offering to the Lord the ornaments, etc., that one is wearing when one takes the vow. The objective is to sacrifice one`s belongings to the Lord, with the philosophy `what is mine is the Lord`s`.

Tirupati is also famous for handicrafts like Woodcarving and Kalamkari; special Whitewood toys are also available here. Traditional Tanjore style Gold leaf Paintings, which are done at Madanapalli town, are also popular and available in shopping outlets in Tirupati. These paintings have mythological themes as motifs. 

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, which has a publication department, publishes books & periodicals on Hindu religious treatises. Certain catalogue books are published in various categories such as Ithihas, Sthothras, etc.