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Tirumala is a sacred and holy town located in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district. Renowned for the iconic Swami Venkateswara Temple, the town beckons pilgrims from across the country and even outside India. Not just limited to offering your prayers at the Venkateswara Swamy temple, there are several other things to do in Tirumala that will further enrich your travel experience. There are natural wonders like the Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary and Akasa Ganga, which will further make your trip worthwhile. If you are planning a visit to Tirumala and have been looking for unique experiences to indulge in, having a pre-planned itinerary will be your saviour.
10 Things To Do In Tirumala
The town’s serene environment, lush greenery, and ancient temples make it a captivating destination for both pilgrims and tourists. Here are some of the popular things to do in Tirumala:
1. Visit Swami Venkateswara Temple
Photo: iMahesh / Wikimedia Commons
The main attraction of Tirumala town is the Swami Venkateswara Temple, which is a 2000+ years old temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is located on top of the Tirumala Hills and the entire temple complex is spread across an area of 16.2 acres and is home to a variety of unique paintings and sculptures, depicting the rich culture and heritage of Tirumala. The temple is alternatively known as the Tirupati Balaji Temple. The presiding deity in the temple is named Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam and the mysteries behind the temple add to the charm of this temple.
Location: S Mada St, Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 8:30 AM – 7 PM
2. Visit Akasa Ganga Waterfall
Photo: S. PRAVEEN KUMAR / Wikimedia Commons
One of the best things to do in Tirumala after visiting Tirupati Balaji temple is to head to Akasa Ganga. This is a popular waterfall that’s located at the foothill of Venkatadri Tirumala, around 3 km from the main bus stand. Only the Tirumala Nambi family have permission to take and transport holy water from this waterfall to the temple. According to the Hindu Vedas, the waterfall is referred to as “Teertham,” and further named “Akasa Ganga Teertham,” originated at the lotus feet of Lord Venkateswara. Taking a dip under the waterfall is believed to wash away the sins and the evil that surrounds you.
Location: Akasaganga, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
3. Explore Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
Photo: iMahesh / Wikimedia Commons
If you are a nature and wildlife enthusiast and have been considering exploring the rich biodiversity of the place, visiting Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park should be on your list of things to do in Tirumala. It comprises a national park and wildlife sanctuary; the former being spread across 35,362 hectares while the latter is spread across 15,332 hectares. There are deep forest-covered valleys and is home to a variety of wildlife including Asian elephants, sloth bears and jungle cats. You can also witness several waterfalls located inside the national park or indulge in bird watching to spot peacocks, kingfishers, parrots, and doves.
Location: 15 Km from Tirumala
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fees: ₹50 per adult, ₹10 per child
4. Explore Natural Rock Formations At Sila Thoranam
Photo: Kiranvirat / Wikimedia Commons
Another natural wonder that you can’t miss out from witnessing is Sila Thoranam, located in the Tirumala Hills. It is located roughly 3 km from the main temple and it is a naturally occurring rock arch. The arch measures 8 m in width and 3 m in height and looks astounding. Many of the locals, for ease of referring, name it as the Rock Gardens. The excavation of this natural rock arch took place back in the 1980s and archaeologists have confirmed that the arch is formed by two different rocks combining. It is believed to be pre-Cambrian, roughly 2500+ years old.
Location: Sila Thoranam Rd, Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM
5. Unravel History At Sri Venkateswara Museum
Photo: Saminathan Suresh / Wikimedia Commons
If you are done exploring the common sightseeing spots and have been wondering what to do in Tirumala, consider visiting the Sri Venkateswara Museum. It is located around 1 km from the main bus stand of Tirumala and a lot close to the temple. If you are a history and architecture buff who would like to immerse yourself in the history of the Tirupati Balaji temple and learn more about the mysteries and the architecture behind it, this is the place you must visit. The exact location of this museum is in the Vaikuntam Queue Complex 2 of Lord Venkateswara Temple. The museum dates back to 1980 and houses a variety of pooja items and artefacts related to the temple.
Location: Tirumala, Tirupathi, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 8 AM – 8 PM
6. Find Prosperity At Srivari Padalu
Photo: IM3847 / Wikimedia Commons
When you are planning a trip to Tirumala, a visit to Srivari Padalu is a non-negotiable. Legends depict that this is where Lord Venkateswara first stepped foot on Earth. The location is a lot close to Sila Thoranam and around 5 km from the main town. It is located on top of Narayanagiri hill where the footprints are kept on display for the devotees to seek blessings from. Besides these footprints, you can also walk a little ahead to find a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and surrounded by a well-maintained garden. To ensure optimal security, the Srivari Padalu is now encased in a glass frame to prevent anyone from touching the footprints.
Location: Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
7. Plan A Trip To Pushkarini
Photo: Dinesh.das.171 / Wikimedia Commons
While visiting Tirumala, another one of the must-visit spots is Pushkarini, which is a popular lake, located close to the revered Sri Venkateswara Temple. Due to its sacred nature, many devotees often take a dip in the water of the lake before visiting the Tirupati Balaji temple. Historical evidence depicts that Pushkarni previously belonged to Sri Maha Vishnu and was originally in Vaikuntam. Many religious scholars also believe that taking a dip in the lake on Mukkoti Dwadashi is similar to taking a dip in the sacred waters of Ganga.
Location: Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
8. Visit TTD Gardens
Photo: Saminathan Suresh / Wikimedia Commons
If you want to bask in some nature and be surrounded by trees, gardens and birds, consider visiting TTD Gardens in Tirumala. This is a decorative garden and nature recreational spot that’s spread across an area of 460 acres. Inside the garden, there are around 10 lakh plants that are propagated across the four nurseries inside. There are a variety of unique gardening practices that are performed inside the gardens involving hybridisation and mutation experiences. Some of the most popular flowering plant species available inside are crotons, hibiscus, and bougainvillaeas. The gardens date back to the 14th century and were built by Vaishnava Acharya Sri Ramanuja and his pupil Sri Anandalwar.
Location: Srinivasa Nagar, Dwaraka Nagar, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517507
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
9. Experience Divine Serenity At Papavinasanam
Photo: Petekai96 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Another one of the things to do in Tirumala Andhra Pradesh is visit Papavinasanam, which is a small waterfall. Reports suggest that the water from this fall has healing and therapeutic properties. Also, as the name suggests, the majority of the devotees visiting Tirumala often visit this waterfall to wash away their sins. There are changing rooms available for men and women, so once you are soaking wet under the falls, you can change there. The beauty of this waterfall is further accentuated with the surrounding lush greenery. There is a nearby reservoir and dam beside the waterfall which you can visit as well.
Location: Papavinasanam, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
10. Visit Tumburu Theertham
Photo: Serg Alesenko / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Last but not least on your itinerary in Tirumala is to visit Tumburu Theertham. There is a mythological story behind this spot where it is said that Gandharva cursed his wife in the same spot for her laziness. Due to the curse, the wife transformed into a toad and lived inside the pond that existed there. It wasn’t until the arrival of Sage Agastya that her curse was prolonged. When Sage Agasthya was teaching his disciples about the divinity of the pond, the toad was then transformed back to its original form, making this spot a popular site henceforth.
Location: Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Tirumala, with its rich spiritual heritage and natural beauty, offers a diverse range of activities for visitors. With the variety of things to do in Tirumala, you have to plan a well-thought-out itinerary so you don’t miss out on any of the experiences. Be it the pilgrimage experience to Tirupati Balaji or exploring the other tourist attractions, a lot is waiting to be explored. The next time you plan a trip to Tirumala, secure all your bookings with TripXL for a hassle-free travel experience.
Cover Photo: Rahul D’silva / Shutterstock
