Tirumala which is a combination of two Tamil words “Tiru” meaning holy or sacred and “Mala” meaning hill is a town of religious significance located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. It is in this hill station that the famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is located. This town is a part of the Tirupati Urban Development Authority. This town also comprises of seven grand mountain peaks called “Sapthagiri. The Venkateswara temple stands on top of a hill in the Tirumala town. It is the view of the town from the temple that is truly magnificent and is certain to take your breath away. So if you are looking for a temple tour then “Tirumala or Tirupati” which can also be called as “Holy Mountain” is the perfect destination for you to include in your schedule.
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How to get there?
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By train:
The nearest railway station to Tirumala is in Tirupati. This Tirupati Railway Station is well connected to major cities in the country like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai etc.
By road:
There are many state owned bus services that connect many towns in the state to Tirumala. There are also regular bus services from states such as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
By flight:
The closest airport to Tirumala is in Reingunta. The Reingunta Airport is well connected to many of the major cities across the country and receives regular flights from Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad etc.
Climate and the best time to visit Tirumala Valley
The climate of Tirumala can fluctuate between hot and pleasant. The summer months which begins in March and ends in June the temperature varies from 42 degrees to 45 degrees and is extremely hot and humid. The rainfall received during the monsoon season i.e. July to October is average associated with a significant drop in temperature. While winters which begin in November and end in February the climate is pleasant with the temperature usually hovering around 15 degrees. The best time to visit this religious site of significance is from September to March.
Things to do
Sri Venkateswara Temple: This temple is a perfect example of Dravidian architecture. The Venkateswara idol sits in the chamber(sanctum sanctorum) of the temple. The idol is beautifully adorned with precious stones. It takes nearly two to four hours to reach the temple from downhill.
Akaasa Ganga: A natural waterfall and according to folklore is considered to have its origin from the feet of Lord Vishnu.
Silathoranam: It is a natural rock formation that holds a great archaeological significance. It looks like the hood of a serpent, a discus, and a conch. The arch of the Silathoranam is considered to be pre-Cambrian which dates back to millions of years ago. Archaeologists believe that this rock formation might have evolved due to intensive weather condition or erosion. Some others say that it might have been made out of quartzite.
TTD Gardens: This beautiful garden lies below the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. Flowers from this garden are used for the temple. There are several small streams and ponds here.
Sri Vari Museum: It is a museum that is completely dedicated to the history of the Sri Venkateshwara Temple. It has some amazing pictures, sculptures, and artifacts that throw a good deal of light on the history of the temple. The entry to this museum is free.
Other places of tourist interest in close proximity to Tirumala includeSrivaariPaadamulu, PaapaVinaasanam, Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple, Sri PadmavathiAmmavari Temple, and Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple.
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