Tirupati is a city and a municipal council in Chittoor district in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is known as the “spiritual capital of Andhra Pradesh“.It is one of the eight self-expressed realms dedicated to Vishnu. Tirupati has been named the “Best Heritage City” by the Indian Ministry of Tourism. Tirumala is one of the seven hills of Tirupati. The city is home to the most famous important Vaishnavite shrine of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.
The city became a great Vaishnava center in the 11th century during the time of Ramanujacharya. There is an inscription in the Srikurmam temple in Srikakulam district saying Tirupati Sri Vaishnava Raksha. The city has 1150 inscriptions in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada languages. According to the Varaha Puranas, Rama settled here with Sita and Lakshmana on their return from Lankapuri during the Tretayuga.
Visiting place in Tirupati
Venkateswara Temple
Venkateswara Temple is a Hindu temple located in the mountain town of Tirumala. Venkateswara Temple is a form of Vishnu dedicated to Venkateswara. It is believed that they came here to save mankind from the trials and tribulations of the Kali Yuga. Here the Lord is known as Kaliyuga Pratyaksha Daivam. Here Venkateswara is known by many other names like Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivas. The hills consist of seven peaks. The temple is located on the seventh peak – Venkatadri, Sri Swami Pushkarini, on the south bank of the holy water tank. Hence the temple is also known as the “Temple of the Seven Hills”.
Chandragiri Fort
Chandragiri fort was built in the 11th century. The fort was built by the Yadav rulers. The fort is also associated with the Vijayanagar Kingdom. The inhabitants are drawn by its rich history and value of heritage. The palace was built without the help of stone, brick, lime mortar, and wood. Inside the fort are the Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal which have been well maintained for over 300 years.
Kapila Teertham
The temple is located at the entrance of a mountain cave at the foot of Tirumala Hills. The temple is built in Dravidian style. This temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. An idol of God was erected by Kapila Muni in this temple. This temple is locally known as Lord Kapileswara. It is a part of Seshachalam Hill.
Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
The Padmavati temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara’s spouse Pankamavati or Almelumanga. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi was born as Aleshalu by Akash Raja, the ruler of this region. Then Goddess Lakshmi got married to Venkateswara. According to tradition, mother Pavitra Pushkarmini calls Swadeshi Padmaswarom in lotus. The Padma Purana vividly describes the arrival of the Goddess and her subsequent marriage to Lord Srinivas.
Varaha Swamy Temple
Sri Varahaswami Temple is dedicated to Shri Adi Varahaswami.It is believed that Shri Varahaswamy owns seven hills. The temple is located on the northwest corner of Swami Pushkarini, in the northern precincts of Tirumala, Venkateswara temple.
