Tirupati City is located in the southeastern part of Andhra Pradesh, in Chittoor district. It lies about 152-km northwest of Chennai in the Palkonda Hills. Tirupati is known as the abode of the Hindu god Venkateshvara (also spelt as 'Venkatesvara'), "Lord of Seven Hills". About 10-km northwest of Tirupati, at an elevation of 750m, is the sacred hill of Tirumala, which was considered very holy. One of the most important pilgrimage centers in India, the temple draws millions of  pilgrims and is believed to be the busiest pilgrimage centre in the world.

   History of Tirupati

Sangam literature, the earliest of Tamil literature (dated between 500 B.C to 300 A.D) mentions of Tirupati as Thrivengadam which used to form the northernmost frontier of the Tamil Kingdoms. Sangam literature such as Ilango Vadigal's Silapadikaram and Satanar's Manimeghalai bear testimony to the existence of a shrine at Tirupati. Puranic literature which was composed roughly around the post-Mauryan and early-Gupta era also mentions of Tirupati as the Aadhi Varaha Kshetra. The Puranas associate the site with Lord Varaha one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Till today the Varaha shrine holds great importance in Tirupati and is said to be older than the main sanctum of Venkateswara.

The Alvars or Vaishnava saints who led the Bhakti or Devotional movement in South India sung in praise of Lord Venkateswara as Vishnu. For the centuries to come Tirupati was richly endowed by the kings and emperors of various dynasties thus owing to its current reputation as the richest and most opulent temple in the world. The Imperial Cholas, Hoysalas, the Vijayanagara emperors were just some of the contributors for building the temple and donating gold and other ornamanents for the temple. During the invasions, the idol of Sriranganatha, the deity of Srirangam was brought to Tirupati for safekeeping. To remember this event a hall in Tirupati is still known as the Ranganatha mandapa. It was under the regime of the Vijayanagara emperors that the temple attained its current opulence and size. The emperors of the dynasty in particular Krishna Deva Raya lavished on the temple numerous objects of priceless value, ranging from diamond studded crowns to golden swords. The coronation ceremonies of the emperors were also held at Tirupati.

 Places of Interest in Tirupati

 Lord Venkateshwara Temple 

Tirupati is one of the most important pilgrimage centres in India. It has the historic shrine of Sri Venkateswara or Balaji, an incarnation of Vishnu. Also known as the 'Lord of the Seven Hills', the 2m high standing idol of Venkateswara on a lotus flanked by his consorts Bhudevi and Sridevi,  is believed to grant any wish made in front of it. The most striking feature of the awe-inspiring black idol is its fabulous diamond crown, which is said to be the most precious single ornament in the world. This temple draws millions of  pilgrims and is believed to be the busiest pilgrimage centre in the world. The richest temple in India, it is a master piece of South Indian Architecture. The Sanctorum 'Ananda Nilayam' has a glittering gold covered 'Vimana' and gold covered gates guard the sanctum sanctorum. It is considered auspicious to offer the hair as sacrifice to the deity.

 Govindaraja Swami Temple

Located in the heart of Tirupati is Sri Govindaraja Swami Temple, which was consecrated by Saint Ramanujacharya in 1130 AD. It is built by the Nayakas, the successors to the Vijayanagar empire. The temple has an impressive outer gopuram. The inner most gopuram is the earliest dating from the 14th-15th centuries. The main shrines are dedicated to Vishnu and Krishna.

Silathoranam

About 1km from Tirumala Temple is a rare naturally formed arch. Believed to be the source of Lord Venkateswara's idol, the rocks resemble hood of a serpent, a conch and a discus. It is a geological wonder.

Kodandaramaswami Temple

Located in the heart of the Tirupati town, the Kodandaramaswami Temple was built by a Chola king in the 10th century AD. The presiding deities here are Sita, Rama and Lakshmana. The temple of Anjaneyaswami, which is directly opposite, is a sub-shrine of this temple.

Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple

Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, is situated about 3-km north at the foot of the Tirumala Hills. This is the only temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, in Tirupati. Annual ' Brahmotsavams' and festivals like ' Vinayaka Chavithi', ' Maha Shivaratri', ' Skhanda Shasthi' and ' Annabhishekam' are performed in a grand manner. The sacred and beautiful waterfall, 'Kapila Teertham' or 'Alwar Teertham' is located here.

Padmavati Temple

In Tiruchanur, about 3 km south of Tirupati is the temple of goddess Padmavati, the consort of Lord Venkateswara (Balaji). The large temple is also known as 'Alamelumangapuram' and it is said that a visit to Tirumala is fruitful only after visiting the Sri Padmavati Devi temple.

Sri Venkatesvara Museum 

This museum is situated at the Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple compound, Tirupati. This museum contains exhibits of temple arts. The entrance of the Tirumalai temple exhibits an interesting collection of  Indian musical instruments. The Sri Venkatesvara University Oriental Research Institute has the collection of stone images, wood and metal images, pottery, coins and inscriptions.

Chandragiri  Palaces and Fort

Located 11 km from Tirupati, in Chittoor district, Chandragiri was the former capital of the mighty Vijayanagar Empire. The fort here was built on a 180m high rock. The fortifications, 'Raja Mahal' with its romantic lily pond and the 'Rani mahal' are well preserved. The Museum in Raja Mahal contains Chola and Vijayanagara bronzes.

Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple

Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami temple is located 12 km west of Tirupati at Srinivasa Mangapuram. It is believed that Lord Venkateswara stayed here after his marriage with Sri Padmavati Devi, before proceeding to Tirumala.

Sri Prasanna Venkateswaraswami Temple

Sri Prasanna Venkateswaraswami is situated in Appalayagunta, 4-km from Tirupati. Sri Venkateswaraswami, after marrying Sri Padmavati Devi, blessed Sri Siddeswara and other sages here. 

Srikalahasti

About 60-km from Tirupati, Srikalahasti is situated on the banks of the Swarnamukhi river at the foot of the Kailasagiri hills. This16th century town is famous for its 'Kalahasthisvara Temple', one of  the most sacred Shiva shrine and the production of 'Kalamkari' paintings. The temple is particularly revered for the 'Siva lingam' in white stone. The shrine of 'Vayu Deva' the Wind God is the only one of its kind in India. 'Kalamkaris' are brightly coloured hand painted textiles used as Temple decoration and wall hangings. 

Thalakona

Thalakona is a forest located 30-km from Tirupati. Deep in these forests is a 6m perennial waterfall known as 'Talakona'. It is an enchanting picnic spot of great scenic beauty.

Horsley Hills

Horsley hills, situated at an altitude of 1,265m is a hill resort located 151-km from Tirupati and named after WD Horsley, who was the collector of Cuddapah district. Horsley chose this spot for his summer residence. The place is luxuriously green and cool, with a maximum summer temperature of 32°C, and minimum of 20°C.