Location

Tirupati town is 67-km from Chittoor in Chittoor district, the southern portion of Andhra Pradesh. The most important place of interest at the place is the historic shrine of Sri Venkateswara, the Lord of Seven Hills, who is famous all over the country.

About Tirupati Balaji

The town of Tirupati-Balaji is one of the most sacred places in India. It is famous for Lord Venkateshwara Deity. The name Tirupati-Balaji means the 'lord of Lakshmi'. The shrine is located on a hill at Tirumala, a cluster of seven hills known as Venkatachalam with an elevation of 853m above the sea level. It is said to be the richest temple in the world, this temple is a vibrant cultural and philanthropic institution with a grand history. The architecture of the temple is such that the Cupola over the sanctorum is covered entirely with gold plate and is known as "the Ananda Nilayam". The shrine consists of three 'Prakarams'or enclosures.

Being one of the most revered shrines in the country, millions of devotees visit the temple to seek to blessings of Lord Vishnu-the patron deity of the temple. The shrine is a unique example of the Dravidian architecture. The temple has an exquisitely carved Gopuram facing the east. The Vimana is completely covered with the gold plate, Ananda Nilayam. The annual festival, which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country, is observed in September.

Rituals Held Daily

Each day pilgrims in thousands throng the temple. They wait patiently in long queues, offer cash and jewelry and tonsure their heads in fulfillment of their vows. The view of the deity completely ornamented from tip to toe is in itself awe-inspiring. Before entering the temple, devotees have to take a dip in the Pushkarini tank, the waters of which are considered sacred and highly praised in the Puranas. Devotees overflowing with bhakti (devotion), with prayer on their lips, move in single file with hands held high in salutation. The day starts with the suprabhata darshanam and ends with the ekanta seva when the Lord is put to bed in a velvet mattress spread over a swing cot suspended by gold chains.

Getting There

Road transport: Only TTD buses will be allowed to enter in to tirumala and all the private and own vehicles are allowed with the nominal toll gate fee. Antharyami will provide the transport facility for all the antharyami customers.