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| Main Languages |
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Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and English |
| Population |
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Approx. 1,560,000 |
| Area |
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Tirumala Hills- 26.97 Sq. kms |
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:: About Tirupati
Tirupati is famed for the shrine on the Seven Hills of Tirumala dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spots in India. The hill near the temple is called ‘Tirumala’ or the “sacred hill.” The temple is said to be the busiest in the world and the Brahmotsavam is undoubtedly celebrated for its oriental pomp and pageantry in September every year.
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:: Attraction In and Around
 | Lord Venkateswara Temple
Sri Venkateshwara temple, the abode of Lord Venkateshwara or Lord Balaji is located at Tirumala, 18 kms. northwest of Tirupati. Within the sanctum is the majestic "Swayambhu" or naturally formed image of the Lord. |
| Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
Tiruchanoor, also known as Alamelumangapuram is about 5 kms. from Tirupati housing this large temple dedicated to goddess Padmavathi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara. It is said that a visit to Tirumala is fruitful only after visiting this temple. |
| Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple
At the foot of Tirumala Hills, Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple is the only temple dedicated to Lord Siva, in Tirupati. Annual Brahmotsavams and festivals like vinayaka Chavithi, Maha sivaratri and Annabhishekam are performed in a grand scale. |
| Swami Pushkarini
This sacred tank is adjacent to the Venkateswara temple where pilgrims bathe before entering the main temple. Here the wooden-float festival of Lord Venkateswara and Avabhrudhasnanam or Chakrasnanam during the Brahmotsavam takes place. |
| Sri Veda Narayanaswami Temple
This temple is located in Nagalapuram 70 kms. south-east of Tirupati housing an image of the Matsya form of Vishnu, with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side. It is believed that Lord Vishnu, in the form of Matsya, killed the rakshasa (demon) Somakudu here, retrieving the Vedas from the latter. |
| Asthana Mandapam (Sadas Hall)
This is a venue for holding devotional programs, music concerts, harikathas and Bhajans conducted under the auspice of Dharma Prachara Parishat. |
| Chandragiri
The well-secured fortification having cyclopean walls buttressed with the typical bastions at regular intervals and pierced with gateways and zig-zag entrances, appears to have been erected originally by Immadi Narasinga Yadava Raya, while ruling from Narayanavanam. It gained importance with the rise of kings of the Saluva lineage of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Structures in the Citadel: The fort along with the structures inside owes much of its construction to the Vijayanagara rule.
Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal are the two imposing structures fairly preserved in the citadel. Both are raised on high moulded plinths and have in their layout a series of corridors, halls and rooms with projecting window balconies decorated with stuccowork and supported by heavy corbels.
The austere yet elegant flat ceilings are laced with a border of foliage design. The steps to upper storeys are well lit by narrow arched slits. These edifices are built in coursed rubble masonary set in lime mortar with finely plastered surfaces and limited usage of timber. These bear close resemblance with the famous Lotus Mahal in the Zonana enclosure at Hampi a World Heritage site.
The temples of Chandragiri also follow the typical Vijayanagara pattern of plan in having a sanctum, a vestibule and an open pillared mandapa.
Recent excavations by the Hyderabad Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India, near the Rani Mahal, have laid bare the remnants of some more structures in the form of terraced pillared halls, court- yards and well secured restricted entrances with Yali balustraded flight of steps leading to the edifices.
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:: Getting in, Around & Away
| AIR : | Tirupati airport is about 15 kms. from the city. There are direct flights from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Bangalore and Chennai.
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| RAIL : | Tirupati is the nearest railway station. The city is well connected to all the cities of India. |
| BUS : | There are regular bus services from important cities of India. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs a regular bus service between the twin locales. One can travel from Tirupati to Tirumala by road, or climb the hills on foot. |
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:: When to Visit
| BEST TIME TO VISIT : |
September to February |
| TEMPERATURE (in celcius): |
Summer - Max: 43 Min: 22
Winter - Max: 32 Min: 14
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| CLIMATE : |
Tirupati experiences Tropical climate and is usually hot round the year. But on the Tirumala hills it is quite cool in winters. |
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:: Tourist Information Center
1) Regional Tourist Information Bureau,
Govt. of Andhra Pradesh,
T.P. Area, Near 3rd Choultry,
Tirupati.
2) Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Corporation (TTDC),
Information Service, Central Reception, R.R. Office,
Tirupati.
3) Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Information Centre,
G.D. Somani Memorial High School,
Cuffe Parade, Colaba,
Mumbai-400 005.
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