LORD VENKATESWARA

Tirupati town, on the foothills of the Tirumala range in Andhra Pradesh, India, is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers in the world, outranking the other sacrosanct places in the world like Mecca etc. by the large turnout of devotees. Located in the Tirumala Hill range - a chain of seven hills known as Seshachalam or Venkatachalam, Tirupati is famous for the Sri Venkateshwara Temple.

Pilgrimage Destinations to visit on your travel to Tirupati:

Sri Venkateshwara Temple - Named after the Lord of the seven hills, Venkateshwara, it is one of the richest temples in the world with a turnover in donations and entry fees of over billion dollars a year. The money in turn is put back into the development of Tirupati that abounds in rest houses for the pilgrims (choultries) and the maintenance of the temple apart from other major philanthropic activities.

The Sri Venkatashwara Temple is run and managed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) like any profession institution. Unlike the other Hindu pilgrimage sites, Sri Venkateshwara allows believers of all faith to enter the sanctrum where the statue of Lord Venkateshwara resides.

Lord Venkateshwara, famously known as Lord Balaji in north India and Srinivas in the southern states of India, is another form of Vishnu. It is believed that Venkateshwara has the powers to grant any wish of yours that you make in front his idol on your travel to Tirupati.

To shave heads is an auspicious ritual for the pilgrims while visiting the temple. Imagine the amount of hair that the hundreds of barbers lining the streets of Tirupati must be racking in each evening.

A round bus trip from Tirupati to the Temple, a total of 15 km of steep climb, continues through the day so that the large number of pilgrims can reach the temple and be blessed by Venkateshwara. The time taken to reach the temple is nothing compared to the wait outside in endless queues that may last for more than five hours expect when you have enrolled for a special darshan available to all and sundry for 30 rupees or more.

You can also take a dip in the enormous rectangular bathing ghat with converging steps on all sides or walk along the streets around the complex and enjoy the architecture and intricate artwork on the gates and pillars on your travel to Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Brahotsavam Festival is a good time to visit Sri Venkateshwara Temple, Tirupati. Held over a period of nine-days in the month of September or October (decided according to the calendar prepared by the temple's priests), it is believed that Brahma himself first organized the festival. The temple is dressed in lights and colorful processions.

Sri Padmavathi Amma Vari Temple - You can also visit Sri Padmavathi Amma Vari Temple, devoted to Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth), that is located downhill from the Sri Venkateshwara Temple on the Tirumala Range.