Tirupati is the most revered temple towns in India. Situated atop the Tirumala Hill in Andhra Pradesh, it houses the grandest temples of all, in the world. The term Tirupati is made of two words, "Tiru' means 'Sri' and 'Pati' means 'Husband'. Thus, Tirupati signifies 'Lord or Husband of Lakshmi'. The Tirupathi Balaji Temple is the main attraction here, which is the epicenter of all religious activities in the town. The glistening cupolas of the temple emit divine radiance, while the statue of Lord Venkateswara is truly enigmatic. This even contributes to the travel and tourism quotient of the state. However, there are many other shrines worth visiting in Tirupati.

Tourist Attractions

Acclaimed to be the world's richest and most visited shrine, Tirupati Balaji Temple does not require any introduction. Situated on the Venkatachala or Ventaka Hill, it is dedicated to Sri Venkateswara. Regarded as the form of Lord Vishnu, the term Venkateswara is popular in South India, while Balaji is more popular in the North. Being one of 108 Divya Desam sites of Vaishnava tradition, queues stretching over long distances are a common sight here. An exemplary example of Dravidian architecture, it has a 'Gopuram' (tower) and gilded cupola (Vimana). The main sanctum sanctorum houses the beautiful idol of Lord Venkateswara.

After the Tirupati Balaji Temple, Sri Govindrajaswamy Temple is the most visited shrine by the devotees. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his incarnation, Lord Krishna, it has a huge, impressive spire. Situated at the foot of Tirumala Hill, Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple is the sole shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. With splendid architecture and natural waterfall, it attracts many tourists. Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple is another worth visiting shrine in the heart of Tirupati. Dedicated to Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, it was built in the 10th century by Chola kings.

It is believed to a memorial of the journey of Lord Rama to Tirupati Balaji. Located just opposite to Kodandaramaswami Temple, there is a shrine dedicated to Lord Anjaneyaswami (Hanuman). Just 5 km away from Tirupati, the renowned temple of Tiruchanur is located. It is dedicated to Sri Padmavathi Devi (Goddess Lakshmi), the consort of Sri Venkateswara. It is said that a visit to Tirupati Temple is only worthwhile after visiting Sri Padmavathi Devi Temple.

How to Reach
By Air: Tirupati has its own airport. Situated at Renigunta, about 15 km from the city, it has direct flights to Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. The next major airport lies at Chennai, which caters to international tourists as well.

By Rail: Tirupati Railway Station is connected to all the major cities of the country. Stations at Renigunta (15 km) and Gudur (100km) also serves as vital links to the city.

By Road: Tirupati has a well maintained network of roads, which link it to approximately all the cities of the state. Moreover, there are ample bus services from here to commute to the neighboring states.