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Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati
Venkateswara Temple, also called as Tirupati Balaji Temple, was constructed by Thondaiman, the ruler of Thondaimandalam, ancient Tamil State. There have no exact evidence about the creation time of the temple, but, it is believed that the temple was originated near about 500 BC. Initially, a Gopuram (mean, entrance of any temple) and Prakaras (means, outer walls of any Temple) were built by Thondaiman. After that, the Cholas (during 301 BC to 1279 AD) and Pallavas (during 9th century) greatly developed the temple and gave a new look. Latter on, the rulers of Vijayanagar Empire (specially King Krishnadeva Raya) during 14th to 15th century had donated lots of gold and jewels.
Venkateswara Temple or Tirupati Balaji Temple is located on Tirumala Hill (Sapthagiri of Eastern Ghats Mountain Range) about 22 km away from Tirupati Town in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh State, India. It is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in India which dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (also called as Lord Balaji, Srinivasa, Govinda, Seshadri or Venkataramana), the last avatar of Lord Vishnu. Today, the temple has become the richest pilgrimage site in the world and second most visited spot in the world. There have several small shrines inside the main building ground and the temple was constructed in Dravidian style. You will found three fields inside the temple which are called as Prakarams and a dome on the main temple called as Vimana.
(Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati Town, Andhra Pradesh)
Tirumala Hill: Tirumala Hill or Saptagiri is located on Eastern Ghats Mountain Range about 22 km away from its foothill town, Tirupati. The hill is about 978 meters above sea level and covers an area of 26.9 sq km. It compromise with seven peaks namely Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudádri, Anjánadri, Vrushábadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. Among them, the Venkateswara Temple is placed on the seventh peak of Venkatadri. There have no Railway Stations or airports in Tirumala Town. But, a regular bus services have provided from its nearest (22 km) town Tirupati. You can also directly reach here by buses from Chennai, Bengaluru and Vellore.
Tirumala Hill is placed in Chittoor District of Hyderabad State about 66 km away from Chittor city centre, 153 km from Chennai, 382 Km from Mysore, 308 km from Pondicherry, 401 km from Vijaywada, 271 km from Bangalore and 572 km from Hyderabad, capital city of Andhra Pradesh. Nearest airport (41 km away) and railway station (27 km away) of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is situated in Tirupati Town. People of the Tirumala Hill Town mainly survive with the professions related to Venkateswara Temple. As on census report of 2001 India, about 17,790 people reside in this hilly town.
Tirupati Town: Tirupati is located on the foothills of Eastern Ghats Mountain Range with an average elevation of 161 meters in Chittoor District about 559 km south from Hyderabad (via Kurnool, Cuddapah and Kodur), 138 km away from Chennai (via Red Hills, Nagalapuram, and Renigunta) and 257 km from Bangalore (via Kolar and Chittoor city). The city covers an area of 449 km2 and it is under the Tirupati Urban development Authority (TUDA). Tirupati city have a population of about 236,570.
Lord Venkateshwara Temple is the main attraction close to the city, Tirupati. Besides of this you will found lots of more temples and tourists spots in the city. Some major of these are Govindaraja Swami Temple, Kodandaramaswami Temple, Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, Padmavati Temple, Sri Venkatesvara Museum, Chandragiri Palaces & Fort, Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Sri Prasanna Venkateswaraswami Temple, Kailasagiri hills, Thalakona forest and Horsley Hills.
Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD) Board of Trustee
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is operated by a Board of Trustees of the Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh. Initially, the Trustee board of TTD was organized by the Government of Madras in 1933 AD. Thereafter in 1956, Andhra Pradesh was formed, and the TTD Board came under its governance. Today, the entire management of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is the responsibility of an Executive Officer by of Andhra Pradesh government and other body member with about 14001 fulltime employee.
This board of trustee provides lots of facilities to make a comfortable trip to the temples. You will found a frequent bus services from Tirupati to Sri Varahaswami temple and many guest houses near temple by the TTD Trustee. There have 12 temples and small shrines under TTD trustee board, from where lots of donations (average annual profits INR 100 Crores) are collected. Besides of temple maintenance, the trustee also takes part in many social, religious, cultural and educational activities within the state Andhra Pradesh and also different state of India.
TTD Board of Trustee, Tourist Information Contact No:
Call Centre Numbers
(+91) 877-2233333, (+91) 877-2277777, (+91) 877-2231777,
(+91) 877-2231901, (+91) 877-2232813 (10 am to 5pm)
Online booking:
Call: (+91) 877-2263883, (+91) 877-2263281
Web: www.ttdsevaonline.com
Climate at Tirupati
The Climate adjacent to the Venkateswara Temple remain hot & wet in summer and dry & pleasant in winter. Usually, three major seasons are observed in this region namely summer, winter and monsoon.
Summer Season: Normally, the summer season of this region continues from end-February to June. During this season temperature ranges varies between 26°C and 38°C. Average temperature during this season is about 34°C.
Winter Season: Normally, the winter season of this region continues from November to mid-February. During this season temperature ranges varies between 18°C and 29°C. Average temperature during this season is about 20°C.
Monsoon Season: Normally, the monsoon season continues from mid-Jun to end-September. In this season, weather of Tirupati Balaji Temple sarrounding remains hot and humid. The average annual rainfall during this season is about 91 cm.
People, Festivals, Languages and Religion
The people of Tirumala town or adjacent to the Venkateswara Temple mainly follow the Hindu religions. And maximum of them survive with the professions which usually related to the temple. Telugu is widely used by the native as the official language and spoken dialect of the town. Some other uses languages in the Tirumala Town or Adjacent to the temple are Tamil, English and Kannada.
There have some rules to enter the temple and you have must be followed these. Some important of these are put on a formal clothe (Dhoti, Saree, pants or Salwar), don't take alcohol, eat vegetarian food, etc. You are not allowed with a mobile phone or any types of camera while you going for Darshan (watching Lord Venkateswara) inside the temple, it will be banned by authority.
The early morning prayers or Subha Prabhatam start at midnight (3 am) and it continue throughout the day until the day ends (1 am) with Ekanta Seva (putting the Lord to sleep). Besides of this daily prayer, the temple trustee board organizes an annual festival during September which is called as Brahmotsavam and it continue for nine days. During this festival time the temple receive maximum of devotees and tourists.
How to Reach Venkateswara Temple?
Travel by Roadways
If you planned to visit Venkateswara Temple then best option is to reach at Tirupati Town first which is located about 22 km away from the Temple. From here, you will be found two different hilly roads towards the temple, first one is provided to carry the passenger's cars and another road is for only walking journey. It takes around 3 hours (distance 10 km, from Alipiri to the Temple) to reach the temple on foot from Alipiri, Tirupati. TTD Trustee Board or the Andhra Pradesh State Government provides regular bus services from Tirupati town to the temple with a frequency of a bus in every 2 minutes. Except the time period during 1 am to 3 am (only three hour), buses are available every time in a day to the Venkateswara Temple. There have 4 Bus stations between Tirupati and Tirumala respectively Sri Venkateswara Bus Státion, Balaji Link Bus Státion, Sapthagiri Link Bus Stâtion and Sri Padmavathi Bus Stâtion.
Tirupati is directly connected to the other major cites of south India through the National Highway No. 205 and several State Highways. The regular bus services from the city Chennai (5 - 6 hrs), Hyderabad (11 - 12 hrs), Vijayawada, Vizag, Bangalore (6 - 7 hrs), Vellore, etc are available here. Lots of Government and Private Bus services are provided to the temple by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (APTDC, Mobile: 9840580577), India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (ITDC, Phone: 044-28257214), Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC), Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (TTDC, Phone: 044-24343535) and lots of Private automobile Ltd.
Travel by Railways
There have no railway station in Tirumala hilly area. Tirupati Railway station is the closest station located about 27 km away from the temple. Tirupati Railway Junction is well-connected to the other major stations in South Central Railway of India. The station is directly connected with the stations of Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Jaipur and Dehradun. On the way to Tirupati Railway Station trains can be boarded at Renigunta (10 km away) and Gudur (101 km away) as well. From here, you easily get lots of bus services between Tirupati, Renigunta and Gudur city.
There have no airport in Tirumala town. Airport of Renigunta in Tirupati Town located about 41 from Sri Venkateswara Temple is the nearest airport. It is a domestic airport and a daily flight of King Fisher air service from Hyderabad (8:10 am) is available here. Nearest international airport of Tirupati Balaji Temple is located in Chennai about 131 km away. Other important neighboring airports to the temple are Bangalore International Airport (228 km) and the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (572 km) of Hyderabad city.
If you wish to visit to Sri Venkateswara Temple by airways then any one airport of above mentioned would be suitable for you. Above three cities (Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad) are well-connected to Tirupati Town by roadways. Among these three cities Hyderabad make a long distance (551 km) from the temple. So, you can also take another flight from the airports to Tirupati Town. Important operators of Renigunta Airport of Tirupati Town are Indian Airlines, Jet Air Ways, King Fisher, etc.
Spots around Sri Venkateswara Temple
Akas Ganga (Akas - sky and Ganga - a river) is a beautiful waterfall located about 3 km away from the temple and its holy water is used for the bath of Balaji or Venkateswara every day.
Papavinasanam (Papa - sin and Vinasanam - which ended sins) is a large holy pond for bathing the devotees. Hindus believed that a holy bath in these waters would relieve the sins of their mortal lives and brings success and peace.
Geological Arch or Silathoranam is a beautiful geological arch located very close (about 1 km) to the temple the temple. This arch is 25 ft in length and l0 ft in height.
TTD Gardens are created to solve the daily demands of flowers in the temples of Tirumala and is maintained and these lovely gardens are carefully treated by the TTD Trustee employees.
Some other important spots close the Venkateswara Temple are Govindaraja Swami Temple, Kodandaramaswami Temple, Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, Padmavati Temple, Sri Venkatesvara Museum, Chandragiri Palaces & Fort, Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Sri Prasanna Venkateswaraswami Temple, Kailasagiri hills, Thalakona forest, Vaikunta Tirtha and Horsley Hills.
Hotels, Restaurants and Accomodations
There have no public hotels or accommodations in Tirumala. You will find lots of Guest Houses which are under the control of TTD (Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam) Trustee. There is a list of Guest Houses and contact details bellow.
TTD Guest Houses at Tirumala
Sri Padmavathi Guest House
Phone: Phone: 0877-223 3333 Ahobila Mutt Guesthouse
Phone: 0877-2279440 Tirumala Arya Vysya Samaj
Srimad Andavan Ashram
Phone: 0877-2277826 Parakal Mutt
Phone: 0877- 2270591 Tirumala Kashi Mutt
Public Hotels, Resorts and Guest Houses at Tirupati Town
Aishwarya Hotel
Tirupati, 19-9-2A, Opposite I.O.C. Petrol Bunk
Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh
Tele-Phone: 0877-2222221 Preethika Hotel
No. 241, G.N. Mada Street
Tirupati-517501, Andhra Pradesh
Tele-Phone: 0877-2222276 Ramee Hotel Guestline (3 Star)
14-37, Karakambadi Road
Tele-Phone: 0877-2280800
The Sai Inn (3 Star)
Chalapathi Towers, Thiruchanoor Road
Tirupati-517502 Andhra Pradesh
Tele-Phone: 0877-2238063, 9885457943 (Mobile) Hotel Bliss (3 Star)
Near Ramanuja Circle, Renigunta Road
Tele-Phone: 0877-2237773 Hotel Sindhuri Park (3 Star)
Address: 14-2-118, 119, T.P Area
Tirupati - 517 501, Andhra Pradesh
Hotel Poojith Residency (2 Star)
Opposite RTC Bus Stand, Old Tiruchanoor Road
Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
Tele-Phone: 0877-2251544 Temple Valley Resort
Byepass Road, Tirupathi – 517507
Tele-Phone: 0877 2281832
Free accommodations in Tirupati
Sri Govindaraja Dharamsala
Near Tirupati East Railway Station
Tirupathi – 517501, Andhra Pradesh
Tele-Phone: 0877 2220991 Sri Kodanda Rama Dharamsala
Cheep rated Guest Houses in Tirupati Town
Sri Venkateswara Dharamsala
Opposite Railway Station, Tirupathi - 517501
Tele-Phone: 0877-2220103 Sri Venkateswara Guest House
North of Tirupati Railway Station, Tirupathi
Tele-Phone: 0877-2225144 Sri Padmavathi Guest House
Chittoor Road, Tirupathi – 51750
General Information Venkateswara Temple
District Chittoor
City Tirupati
Location Tirumala Seventh Hill (at Venkatadri)
Time Zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Distance from Tirupati 22 km
STD Code 0877
ISD code 0091877
Best time to visit Any time, but October to March is best..
Open Days Every day in a year
Open Timing 3:00 am to 12:00 night
Daily pilgrims Daily average visited devotees - 50000 (approx)
Average devotees during festivals - 100000
Entry Fees There are no entry fees to visit the Temple. But, some charges can be taken if you want to do something special, as for example standing in the express lane to get a quick look of the Lord. You can also donates some money to respect of lord Tirupati Balaji.
Temple Architecture Ancient Dravidian style architecture
Temple Foundation day Before 300 BC
Temple Founded by Thondaiman, King of ancient Tamil State.
Tour Spots around Venkateswara Temple Some major tourist's spots around Sri Venkateswara Temple are Akas Ganga, Papavinasanam, Geological Arch, TTD Gardens, Govindaraja Swami Temple, Kodandaramaswami Temple, Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, Padmavati Temple, Sri Venkatesvara Museum, Chandragiri Palaces & Fort, Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Sri Prasanna Venkateswaraswami Temple, Kailasagiri hills, Thalakona forest, Vaikunta Tirtha and Horsley Hills.
Attractions inside the Venkateswara temple Major attractions inside the Venkateswara Temple are Ranga Mandapam, Pratima Mandapam, Tirumal Raya Mandapam, Aina Mahal and Dhwajasthamba Mandapam.
Clothing at Venkateswara Temple Best is Dhoti (for male) and Sharee (for female) or any Formal Dress, Summer Season - Light Cottan
Winter Season - Cottan or Light Woolen.
Fooding You should take Vegetarian foods to enter the temple. And types of smoking and alcohol are not allowed here.
Restrictions There have some restrictions or Indian culture you have to fallow it. Never put any kind of objects on a temple. Never point the soles of your feet towards a temple or religious sites. Remove your shoes when entering the Temple. Don't take photograph without permission. Put on a formal dress.
Nearest Tourist Enquiry Centre (Govt.) APTDC Tirupati, Chittoor District
Tirupati Tourist Information office
Tourist Information officer
Near TTD 3rd Choultry
Tirupati – 517501, Chittoor
Phone No: 087-72243306
Central Reservation office, APTDC
Near Venkateshwara Bus Station
Tirupati-517501, Chittoor
Phone No: 877-22553885/22553886
Fax Number: 877-2256877
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