Tirupati – Tirumala This the sacred abode of Lord Venkateswara or Balaji is one of the oldest and richest Hindu pilgrim centers of the country. Tirupati, literally the ‘Lord of Lakshmi’ is the town and transport hub set in the foot hills of Tirumala. The sacred Tirumala hill in the Eastern Ghats has seven peaks, representing the seven headed serpent Adisesha, on whose coil Lord Vishnu sleeps.
Lord Venkateswara Temple : The majestic shrine of Lord Venkateswara nestling 
amidst the Tirumala Hill, About 650 meters above the town is one of the most popular Hindu temples in the world. It is visited by over 30,000 pilgrims a day and the number reaches up to 100,000 on festival days. The temple staff alone accounts to a number of about 17,000. The popularity of the temple can be judged by its annual income, which is over two billion rupees. Devotees offer money and precious articles etc. in the hundi or collection box placed at various sites in the temple. The entire sum is administered by the temple trust which ploughs this bulk of money back into hundreds of choultries and charities, such as schools, colleges, art academies, craft training centers and in the home of poor and orphans. The sacred temple finds mention in the ancient religious texts and was perhaps built during the 9th century. Several additions and renovations were later made under the patronage of Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas, the Vijayanagar rulers and the Maharaja of Mysore. This masterpiece of Dravidian architecture has a huge outer courtyard or sampangi pradakshinam, which is dotted by several interesting mandapams. The glittering gold Vimanam, known as Ananda Vimanam rises protectively over the sanctum sanctorum, which enshrines the ‘swayambhu’ or naturally formed two meters high jet-black stone idol of Lord Venkateshwara. The magnificent idol depicts the Lord with four hands in a standing posture over a lotus and is adorned with exquisite jewelery. ‘Brahmotsavam’ (Sept. – Oct.) is the main temple festival celebrated in a grand way for nine days and catch the attention of a large number of devotees. Another attraction of the shrine is the 'Prasad' cooked in the temple kitchen. This mouth watering delicacy is of great value for the devotees. Many devotees also consider very auspicious to have their heads shaven on visiting the temple, as an act symbolic of renouncing their ego.
amidst the Tirumala Hill, About 650 meters above the town is one of the most popular Hindu temples in the world. It is visited by over 30,000 pilgrims a day and the number reaches up to 100,000 on festival days. The temple staff alone accounts to a number of about 17,000. The popularity of the temple can be judged by its annual income, which is over two billion rupees. Devotees offer money and precious articles etc. in the hundi or collection box placed at various sites in the temple. The entire sum is administered by the temple trust which ploughs this bulk of money back into hundreds of choultries and charities, such as schools, colleges, art academies, craft training centers and in the home of poor and orphans. The sacred temple finds mention in the ancient religious texts and was perhaps built during the 9th century. Several additions and renovations were later made under the patronage of Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas, the Vijayanagar rulers and the Maharaja of Mysore. This masterpiece of Dravidian architecture has a huge outer courtyard or sampangi pradakshinam, which is dotted by several interesting mandapams. The glittering gold Vimanam, known as Ananda Vimanam rises protectively over the sanctum sanctorum, which enshrines the ‘swayambhu’ or naturally formed two meters high jet-black stone idol of Lord Venkateshwara. The magnificent idol depicts the Lord with four hands in a standing posture over a lotus and is adorned with exquisite jewelery. ‘Brahmotsavam’ (Sept. – Oct.) is the main temple festival celebrated in a grand way for nine days and catch the attention of a large number of devotees. Another attraction of the shrine is the 'Prasad' cooked in the temple kitchen. This mouth watering delicacy is of great value for the devotees. Many devotees also consider very auspicious to have their heads shaven on visiting the temple, as an act symbolic of renouncing their ego. Reaching there:
By Air
Located at Renigunta, about 15 km from the city, Tirupati Airport has regular flights to and from Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. One can hire taxis from the airport for reaching Tirupathi. Another major airport situated near the holy city is sited at Chennai, which has international connections too.
By Rail
Tirupati Railway Station has direct trains to and from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Madurai, Puri and Hyderabad. Stations at Renigunta (15 km) and Gudur (100 km) also serve as the major connections across the country. From Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, there are overnight trains for Tirupati.
By Road
Almost every town and city of Andhra Pradesh is connected with Tirupathi by regular bus services. The town is linked by road to Ahobolam (272 km), Bangalore (280 km), Horsley Hill (145 km), Hyderabad (555 km), Kalahasti (36 km), Lepakshi (379 km), Chennai (140 km), Srisailam (436 km), Vijayawada (380 km) and Renigunta (55 km). Taxis are available throughout Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states to reach Tirupathi.
Located at Renigunta, about 15 km from the city, Tirupati Airport has regular flights to and from Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. One can hire taxis from the airport for reaching Tirupathi. Another major airport situated near the holy city is sited at Chennai, which has international connections too.
By Rail
Tirupati Railway Station has direct trains to and from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Madurai, Puri and Hyderabad. Stations at Renigunta (15 km) and Gudur (100 km) also serve as the major connections across the country. From Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, there are overnight trains for Tirupati.
By Road
Almost every town and city of Andhra Pradesh is connected with Tirupathi by regular bus services. The town is linked by road to Ahobolam (272 km), Bangalore (280 km), Horsley Hill (145 km), Hyderabad (555 km), Kalahasti (36 km), Lepakshi (379 km), Chennai (140 km), Srisailam (436 km), Vijayawada (380 km) and Renigunta (55 km). Taxis are available throughout Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states to reach Tirupathi.
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