Temples in Tirupati for a Spiritual Short Trip

Sri Venkateshwara Temple is the most revered and celebrated temple of the temple town of Tirupati having tourists and pilgrims flooding in all year long. Comprising of various complexes inside the premise, the temple is known for its Vishesh Puja, held from 5:30 am till 6:30 am everyday. With the most busy months being September-October due to the Brahmostava festival, this temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, and dates back to the 12th century.

Established in the year 1980, the Sri Venkateswara Dhyana Vignan Mandiram in Tirupati is a museum that houses some of the most traditional articles that are used to perform Puja. Many stone and wood carved items can also be sighted here. The museum is extremely beautiful and fills into you a sense of religious faith not easy to describe. This is one of the experiences, one must not miss while in Tirupati.

Akasaganga Teertham is a waterfall in Tirupati, located at a distance of 3 km from the main temple. The waterfall has water flowing all throughout the year and holds immense religious significance. Pilgrims can also pay homage to the Devi temple situated very close to the waterfall. During the monsoons, the waterfall is a beautiful sight to the eyes.

At a little distance from the main city area, one finds the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple dedicated to Goddess Padmavathi. One of the many sacred structures of Tirupati, this one is home to many legends and stories about the Goddess. The legend has it that while Akasha Raja of Thondamandalam was having a great yagna performed and had the earth ploughed, he found a little girl in a lotus flower, and hence the name.

This temple lies at a distance of 70 km from Tirupati and was constructed by Sir Krishna Deva Raya. It holds great mythological importance and is believed to be the site where Lord Vishnu battled with Rasksash Somakadu, won and took over the vedas from him.

A little away from the city of Tirupati, this temple is devoted to Lord Venugopalan. With the highlights being an idol of Sri Sita Ramula Pattabhishekam, it's a must visit area, when in Tirupati. Some of the main festivals celebrated in this temple are Annual Bhramotsava, Ugadi Asthanam and Sankranti Utsavam.

Standing to the north of Sri Venkateswara Temple is the Sri Varahaswami Temple which according to a lot, is said to belong to Sri Adi varahaswami. Various legends surround this temple. f visiting the Venkateswara temple, it is advised to first pay a visit to this temple. The reason behind this too finds roots in a legeng, according to which Sri Varahaswami owned th seven hills. He agreed to hand them to Sri Venkateswaraswami, on the condition that he too, shoul be worshipped.

Located at the foothills of Tirumala Hills, ISKCON Tirupati is one of the most famous pilgrimages in the city. Srila Prabhupada, during his visit in 1974, suggested the teachings from Bhagwad Geeta be propagated by establishing a centre of Vedic Culture. ISKCON Tirupati was thus established in 1982 to revive the messages of Lord Krishna. It is believed to be the only way to bring about peace and harmony in the world.

The Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple or Kodandarama Temple is a temple in the heart of Tirupati, dedicated to Lord Rama. The Varaha Purana suggests that Lord Rama, Sita Devi and Lakshmana stayed here when returning to Ayodhya from Lanka. Built by the Cholas in tenth century CE, this temple commemorates their stay here. While Ugadi and Ram Navami are celebrated on a grander scale, Brahmotsav is also celebrated here every year. There is a sub-shrine dedicated to Anjaneya, the mount of Lord Rama.

At the heart of Tirupati, Tataiahgunta Gangamma Temple is dedicated to the Devi Gangamma who is the patron village deity or Grāmadevatā of the town. As sister of the God of Tirumala, Lord Venkateswara, gifts or ‘Saare’ are sent to her on Ganga Jatara every year. Lore suggests that Goddess Gangamma, a woman known for her beauty, fought against harassment on women. She tricked the then local chief Palegondulu to come out of hiding and brought him to justice for his crimes.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Agastheshwara Temple or Agastheshwara Swamy Temple lies on the banks of Rivers Swarnamukhi and Kalyani. It is believed that while worshipping Lord Shiva, Sage Agasthya caused the origin of Swarnamukhi from this very place. It is also known for preserving a foot print of Lord Sri Venkateswara and has three intricately sculpted entrances. The location of Sage Agasthya’s Ashram, it is believed that Lord Srinivasa performed Nitya Poojas in worship of Lord Shiva here.

Located 4.5km from Tirupati in Yogimallaram Village, Parasareswara Temple is an important Shiva temple as the idol assumes form as Kala Bhairava Swamy. This form of Shiva is said to bring immediate relief to existential or spiritual blocks in your life. Built in the ancient Vesara architectural style, this temple also hosted Sage Agasthya’s poojas and homams.

Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple or Kapila Theertham is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The idol in this temple is said to have been installed by Kapila Muni, a bhakt of Lord Shiva. At the foot of the Tirumala hills, this temple has been built right infant of the entrance to a mountain cave. A mountain stream falls directly into this temple.  It is said that the lingam here manifested by itself when Shiva and Parvati visited Kapila Muni, impressed by his penance.

Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple or Prasanna Venkateswara Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, around 16km from Tirupati. Built in 1232 AD, this is a temple where the presiding deity’s right hand is placed in the unique Abhaya posture also known as the ‘ultimate blessing posture’. As Lord Venkateswara married his consort Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru here, this is considered a temple of blessings and prosperity. Lord Vayu, liberator of chronic diseases, is also a deity commemorated here.