Things to Do in Tirupati

Sri Venkateshwara Temple is the most revered and celebrated temple of Tirupati having tourists and pilgrims flooding in all year long. This is one of the holiest and the wealthiest temples in the world and millions of devotees flock here to pay their reverence.

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.

A Shaivite temple, Kapila Teertham is a famous pilgrimage in the city. The temple is located at the entrance of a mountain cave at the foothills of Tirumala Hills and is a marvellous example of Dravidian architecture. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva who is locally known as Lord Kapileshwara. 

One of the natural marvels that history left behind, the Silathoranam, now, finds itself being an important landmark in archaeology and heritage. This is a natural rock formation, one of the only three of this kind in the world.

Almost neighboring the Sri Venkateshwara Temple, is Swami Pushkarini Lake. According to the legends, the lake belonged to Lord Vishnu and was located in Vaikuntham.

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.

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.

Spreading over an area of 460 acres, the TTD gardens in Tirupati are known for their ornately decorated and manicured flower gardens. Alongside its lush green beauty, the garden also includes Alwar Tank, Mangalabhavi and Ananthapalligunta.

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.

At around 72 km away from Tirupati, Chittoor or Chittur is a temple town and enshrines many deities. Some of the famous temples include Varasiddi Vinayaka Swamy Temple, Subramanya Swamy Temple, Durgamma Gudi and Sai baba Temple.

Tirupati, the holy city famous for its shrines, is a popular destination for many pilgrims. However, one of the underrated pleasures that this city in Andhra Pradesh has to offer is shopping. Everything from painting to gift items you will find all in the market. 

Sri Govindarajaswami Temple is a 12th century Hindu Vaishnavite shrine built by Saint Ramanujacharya and is one of the biggest temple complexes in the district. The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu, also called Govindarajaswami. The beautiful traditional Dravidian architecture and its rich culture attract tourists in quite a large number every year.

Tumbhuru Teertham is a sacred lake located amidst dense natural vegetation. The waters are believed to have magical powers and can absolve one's sins and help them attain moksha. The attraction is also famous for its natural beauty and is frequented by nature lovers for nature walks.

Located in Sri Venkateswara National Park, Talakona Waterfall is the highest waterfall in the region and a famous picnic spot. The water is believed to have medicinal properties and comes from an unknown underground stream. The attraction is also famous for trekking and has several trekking routes running around it amidst the scenic natural surroundings.

The waterfalls near Tirupati are a perfect way for the city dwellers for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Flowing graciously amidst dense green woods and pristine atmosphere, the waterfalls are also a popular spot for trekkers, adventure enthusiasts, photography buffs and nature lovers. 

Located amidst the beautiful natural surroundings, the Deer Park is a splendid escape from the routine for nature and animal lovers. The park houses a large number of deer and other regional flora and fauna. Tourists on their way to Tirumala often take a pit stop here to watch and feed the deer.

Regional Science Centre is a famous planetarium built with latest digital technology. They have a marvellous sky observation deck, galleries, parks and equipment of the highest quality. The centre also holds several demonstrations, exhibitions and shows in schools and institutes through their mobile science exhibition.

Also known as Silathoranam, the Rock Garden in the city is a natural stone formation in the shape of an arch. It is a Pre-Cambrian natural formation and is the only such found on the continent. Many believe that it is over this arch that Lord Venkateswara walked on.

Tirupati has always been famous for handicrafts such as woodcarving and calamari art. It is renowned for their traditional Tanjore style gold leaf paintings which are so popular that they are available in almost all the shopping outlets in Tirupati. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam also has a publication department which publishes books and the various journals on Hindu theological dissertations.