Top 10 Places to Visit in Tirupati

Tirupati, a city located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, is known for having huge religious significance for Hindus. Famous for being home to a number of temples and other religious sites, the major highlight of this place is Shri Venkateshwara Temple, commonly referred to as Tirupati Balaji. This temple is believed to be the earthly location where Lord Vishnu resides in Kalyug, the modern age. Attracting thousands of devotees on a daily basis, Tirupati Balaji is among the most eminent Hindu pilgrim destinations. This temple also receives a large amount of donations, which is more than any other temple in the country.

Best Places to Visit in Tirupati

Other than the Shri Venkateshwara temple, there are several other places in this hill town that enthral a large number of visitors throughout the year. Here is a list of all the major places to visit in Tirupati:

• Akasaganga Teertham
• Silathoranam
• Swami Pushkarini Lake
• Shri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
• Shri Govindarajaswami Temple
• Tumburu Teertham
• Kapila Teertham
• Deer Park
• Talakona Waterfall
• Chandragiri Fort

Akasaganga Teertham

Located at an approximate distance of 3 kilometres from the main temple, Akasaganga Teertham is a scenic waterfall. It is one of seven holy theerthams in the Seshagiri hills. According to legend, this waterfall originates from Lord Venkateshwara's feet and holds great religious significance. Although this waterfall flows throughout the year, it becomes 10 times more beautiful during the monsoon season. This is the reason why this place witnesses the maximum visitor influx in the rainy season. Other than this, the Devi temple is also located in close proximity to the Akasaganga Teertham, where devotees also pay homage.

Silathoranam

If you are looking for some places to visit in Tirupati other than temples, then Silathoranam is one option that you can consider. This 2.5 million-year-old, rare rock formation currently serves as a national geo-heritage monument. The word ‘Silathoranam’ literally means ‘a garland of rocks’ and this is the reason why this structure got this name. This naturally formed arch measures eight metres in width and three metres in height and is the result of natural weathering. There are only three such rock formations in the world, and this is what makes Silathiranam even more fascinating. Other than this, Silathoranam is also known for having a close connection with the idol of Lord Venkateshwara.

Swami Pushkarini Lake

Located right next to the Shree Venkateshwara Temple, this is a holy lake that is visited by a large number of devotees every day. According to the legend, Swami Pushkarini Lake originally belonged to Lord Vishnu and was located in Vaikuntham. It is believed that at some point, this lake was brought to Earth by Garuda for Shri Venkateshwara. People who visit the Tirupati Balaji temple usually take a dip in this holy lake before entering the main temple.

Shri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple

Dedicated to goddess Laxmi, wife of Lord Shri Venkateshwara, this temple is one of the best places to visit near Tirupati. Situated in the foothills of Tirumala, this temple is located at a distance of 5 kilometres from Tirupati. The temple complex features a few sub-temples as well, which are Shri Krishnaswamy Temple, Sri Sundara Rajaswamivari Temple, and Sri Suryanarayana Swamivari Temple. It is also believed that every devotee who is going to visit Shri Venkateshwara Temple should visit Shri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple first.

Shri Govindarajaswami Temple

This is a 12th-century Hindu temple built by Shri Ramanujacharya, which is also among the biggest ones in the region. The original temple had Sri Parthasarathi as the main deity, but in 1130 AD, Shri Govindaraja was added to the temple deities. Currently, the main deity of this Vaishnavite temple is Lord Vishnu, who is called Govindarajaswami. The large temple complex is a great example of traditional Dravidian architecture. Attracting a large number of visitors every year, this temple is one of the best local sightseeing places in Tirupati.

Tumburu Teertham

Surrounded by dense natural vegetation, Tumburu Teertham is a sacred lake with great religious significance for Hindu devotees. Local people believe that the water of this lake has magical powers to absolve any individual’s sins and help them attain moksha. Located at a distance of 12 kilometres from the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, this place is flocked by a large number of visitors throughout the years. Other than being a religious site, Tumburu Teertham is also famous for its natural beauty and is frequented by nature lovers.

Talakona Waterfall

Located in Shri Venkateshwara National Park, Talakona Waterfall is one of the most sought-after picnic spots in the region. With an impressive height of 270 feet, this is also the tallest waterfall in the entire region. It is believed that the water comes from an unknown underground stream and possesses several medicinal properties. Other than this, this place is equally popular among adventure lovers as it features trekking routes that also offer scenic natural vistas along the way. This is also one of the reasons why this waterfall is more famous than any other sightseeing place in Tirupati.

Kapila Teertham

Kapila Teertham is also one of the best places to see in Tirupati. Situated right next to the entrance of a mountain cave in the foothills of Tirumala, this Shaivite temple is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus. Boasting a beautiful temple complex, this is a fine example of ancient Dravidian architectural style. The main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva, who is known as Lord Kapileshwara among locals. Since the idol of the deity was installed by Kapila Muni, this temple got the name ‘Kapila Teertham’.

Deer Park

This is another addition to the list of major tourist places near Tirupati. As the name suggests, Deer Park is a natural reserve that is known for being home to a large number of deer and other regional flora and fauna. Located at a close distance from Tirupati, this place is a real paradise for nature lovers. A large number of people make a stop here while going to Tirupati. Here, you can see several herds of deer thriving in their natural habitat and spend some time surrounded by lush green forest.

Chandragiri Fort

Located in the Chandragiri suburb of Tirupati, this is a historical fort that was originally built in the 11th century. Built in an expansive area of approximately 25 acres, this fort is divided into two parts: the lower fort and the upper fort. The entire structure has a nearly crescent shape, which gives it the name ‘Chandragiri’. Currently, this fort features two well-preserved structures, which are Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal. This magnificent structure is strategically located on the banks of the Swarnamukhi River and served as the last capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. Even in today’s time, it fascinates a lot of people and is flocked by hundreds of history enthusiasts every day.

With this comprehensive list of important places to visit in Tirupati, you can make sure that you don’t miss any major tourist attractions. With Veena World, you can book an all-inclusive Tirupati trip package and choose a travel itinerary that suits your specific requirements.

Stop procrastinating; take the trip!