Tirumala is widely famous as a pilgrimage site which attracts huge crowds of Hindu devotees every year. But many people do not know that there are other tourists here Places to visit in Tirumala, Which have importance as historical and cultural heritage sites. These places are often ignored as people plan their trip considering only the religious aspect of visiting Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala. However, there is no need to worry because we’ve got your back. You can extend your stay by a day or two and cover other attractions that you weren’t able to visit before!
6 places to visit in Tirumala
Here is a well-arranged list of the best places to visit in Tirumala where you can stay during your spiritual stay. Scroll down to know more!
1. Sri Venkateswara Temple
Dedicated to Sri Venkateshwara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Sri Venkateshwara Temple is a famous pilgrimage site in India. Also known as Kaliyuga Vaikuntha, it is believed that Lord Vishnu took the form of Sri Venkateswara to save mankind from the adversities of Kaliyuga, the fourth era of the Yuga cycle. Sri Venkateswara is the Lord of the seven hills, known as Saptagiri, which represent the seven heads of Adisesha, a snake on which Lord Vishnu rests.
The temple is built in Dravidian style of architecture with three entrances leading to the main sanctum. Apart from the sacred Swayambhu temple of Lord Venkateshwara, there are temples of Lord Rama with Mother Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman, Lord Krishna with Rukmini and many more. Devotees from far and wide come to this pilgrimage site in large numbers to seek blessings, making it one of the best pilgrimage places to visit in Tirumala.
Place: Tuda Park Rd, Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504, India, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Time: 4 am to 10 pm
VIP Darshan: ₹ 500
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2. Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
Image Credit: iMahesh for Wikimedia Commons
Named after Lord Venkateswara, Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park was established on the theme of mythology. The Varaha, Mastya, Kurma and Narasimha incarnations of Lord Vishnu are displayed at the entrance of the zoo, which justifies the theme. Also known as SV Zoo Park or Tirupati Zoo Park, it is home to 49 species of birds, 7 species of reptiles and 32 species of mammals. The park has facilities for lion safari and deer safari. If you are interested in being close to nature and wildlife, Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park is one of the best tourist places in Tirumala.
Place: Po, Pudipatla, SV Zoo Road, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517505
Time: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM (March to August) and 9 AM to 5 PM (September to February), closed on Tuesdays
ticket price: ₹10 for children, ₹50 for adults
3. Sri Venkateswara Museum
Established in 1980, Sri Venkateshwara Museum is an ideal place for those who want to delve deeper into the history of Tirumala. The museum is located at a walking distance from Sri Venkateswara Temple, and the external structure of the museum resembles a temple. The museum is divided into various sections that display paintings, musical instruments, coins, pottery, inscriptions and many other artefacts. A special section of the museum displays models of the temple in various shapes and sizes made of different materials. Sri Venkateshwara Museum is one of the top places to visit in Tirumala for history lovers and students wanting to know the heritage of the spiritual city.
Place: 294, Gandhi Rd, Varadaraja Nagar, Tirupati Urban, Andhra Pradesh
Time: 8 am to 8 pm
entrance fees: Free
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4. Chandragiri Fort
Spread over an area of about 25 acres, Chandragiri Fort dates back to the 11th century and is said to have been built by the Yadava emperors. The historic fort is situated atop a hill, also known as Chandragiri and exhibits Vijayanagara architecture. It consists of a Raja Mahal or King’s Palace (now converted into a museum of antiquities), which is currently managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, a Rani Mahal or Queen’s Palace and a reservoir.
The Raja Mahal, built in Indo-Saracenic architecture, displays thousands of years old sculptures, wood carvings, artefacts and other objects. Rani Mahal is a two-storey palace whose structure is similar to Raja Mahal. Although the fort was ruled by many dynasties, it has stood the test of time and has retained the art, culture and architectural heritage of the region.
Place: Chandragiri Fort Road, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517101
Time: Closed on Fridays from 9am to 5:30pm
entrance fees: ₹45 for adults, ₹35 for children 5-12 years
Summer Laser Lighting Show Timings: 7 pm to 7:45 pm (first show in Telugu), 8 pm to 8:45 pm (second show in English)
Laser lighting show timings in winter: 6:30 to 7:15 pm (1st show in Telugu), 7:30 to 8:15 pm (2nd show in English)
5. Akash Ganga
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Akasa Ganga is a sacred waterfall amidst lush greenery in Tirumala, offering breathtaking views of the surroundings. According to beliefs, Akash Ganga Theertham originated from the lotus feet of Lord Venkateswara. One can walk to the beautiful waterfalls or take a bus, cab or jeep. Earlier, the sacred water of the theertham was taken to bathe Lord Venkateswara, but now pipelines have been installed to carry water from Akash Ganga directly to the Sri Venkateswara temple. However, on special occasions, the priest himself carries water to complete the daily ritual. Akasa Ganga is one of the best places to visit in Tirumala, and your trip would be incomplete without a visit to this holy place.
Place: 3 km from Tirumala Bus Stand
Time: 6 am to 6 pm
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6. Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy Temple
Dedicated to Hanuman, Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy Temple is located opposite Sri Venkateswara Temple. “Bedi” means “cuff”, and the background story of this temple is that once, a young Hanuman wanted to leave Tirumala in search of a camel, when his mother Anjana Devi tied his hands to the bedi after stopping him. Gave and ordered. She will have to stay there until he returns. Hanuman agreed to this, but Anjana Devi never returned. Therefore, to this day, Hanuman is seen standing with folded hands in front of the Mahadwaram, bowing to pay respect to the Lord. Abhishekam is performed every Sunday, while special Abhishekam is performed every year on Hanuman Jayanti.
Place: Opposite Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Sannidhi Street, Tirumala, Tirupati Urban, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Time: 5:30 am to 9 pm
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Now that you have read the list of places to visit in Tirumala, you can bookmark it for your next trip to Andhra Pradesh. These tourist places are ideal for any kind of traveler, from religious souls to history lovers to nature lovers. Although many tourists visit the holy pilgrimage site Sri Venkateswara Temple every year, you can extend your short trip and visit other major attractions of Tirumala as well.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Places to Visit in Tirumala
What are the 6 must-see places in Tirumala?
Top 6 places to visit in Tirumala are:
1. Sri Venkateswara Temple
2. Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
3. Sri Venkateswara Museum
4. Chandragiri Fort
5. Akash Ganga
6. Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy Temple
Which day is less crowded in Tirumala?
Being a religious place, Tirumala is always crowded with devotees. However, one can visit on weekdays, late afternoon and non-festival days to experience less crowd.
What is not allowed in Tirumala?
Non-vegetarian food, alcohol and other intoxicants are not allowed in Tirumala. One must follow other rules and regulations and maintain decorum.
What is the cost of VIP darshan in Tirumala?
VIP darshan at Tirumala costs ₹500. There is no online booking and VIP tickets are divided into three categories – L1, L2 and L3, all of which require recommendation letters from various higher authorities. After the recommendation is approved, the person has to submit the letter at the JEO office in Tirumala and pay ₹ 500.
Are phones allowed inside Tirumala?
Mobile phones, electronic devices and accessories are strictly prohibited inside the Tirumala temple.
Can I get free rooms in Tirumala?
Yes, there are many rest stops with free room facilities. For free accommodation options, one can contact the central reception office near Tirumala Bus Stand. Moreover, hostel hall facility is available by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
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