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Renowned for the Sri Venkateswara Temple or Tirupati Balaji Temple, Tirumala is a place of extreme religious significance in India. The pilgrimage to this holy site is referred to as one of the most empowering pilgrimages in India. Besides visiting the Tirupati Balaji Temple, there are numerous places to visit in Tirumala, each depicting the spiritual, historical and natural wonders around the place. You get to immerse yourself in diverse experiences in this holy town. To plan a well-rounded trip to Tirumala, you must have a clear idea of the best spots worth visiting and exploring there.
10 Places To Visit In Tirumala
The charm of the Tirumala temple goes beyond the main Tirupati Balaji Temple. There are natural wonders, waterfalls and a variety of other sacred places to visit in Tirumala that you must explore.
1. Sri Venkateswara Temple
Photo: Siddharth Verma 101 / Wikimedia Commons
The most significant spot to visit and explore in Tirumala is the Sri Venkateswara Temple. This is more commonly known as the Tirupati Balaji Temple, where Lord Venkateswara is worshipped. The divine aura of this temple explains why millions of devotees from across the world come here to seek blessings. Inside the temple complex, Lord Venkateswara is worshipped to bring fulfilment and prosperity to the lives of the devotees. Inside the temple complex, people also donate their hair, believing that it gets rid of all the sins and negative energy.
Location: S Mada St, Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 24*7
2. Srivari Padalu
Photo: IM3847 / Wikimedia Commons
Srivari Padalu is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tirumala, located deep inside the forests, more specifically on the peak of the Narayanadri hill range. Legends depict that this is where Lord Venkateswara or Lord Vishnu first stepped his foot when he descended to Earth from Vaikuntam. The site is marked by the footprints of the deity and you get to soak in the views of the surrounding landscape, which adds to the beauty and thrill of the experience. The actual footprints are now in a glass box to prevent people from touching the footprints.
Location: Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
3. Akasa Ganga
Photo: SLNC / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Akasa Ganga is another one of the must-visit places for Tirumala trip. It is a sacred waterfall and the water is considered holy and used for daily rituals in the temple. Besides the religious and spiritual significance, the surroundings of the waterfall add to the charm further. A visit to the Akasa Ganga provides a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of the main temple area, all while offering you to feel spiritually empowered. Also, legends believe that the waterfall had been formed by Lord Vishnu’s divine discus.
Location: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
4. Papavinasam Theertham
Photo: Pixabay / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Another one of the popular Tirumala tourist places you wouldn’t regret visiting is the Papavinasam Theertham. It is also a sacred waterfall located 3-4 km from the Tirupati Balaji Temple. Located amidst the dense forest of Tirumala, it is a holy spot for devotees seeking spiritual purification. Hence, it is a common practice for pilgrims to take a dip in the theertham before visiting the temple. Not just the water, but even the area surrounding the waterfalls is extremely sacred and enchanting, adding to the charm of the visit.
Location: Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM
5. Silathoranam
Photo: kiranvirat / Wikimedia Commons
Also known as the Natural Arch, Silathoranam is another one of the best tourist places in Tirumala. This is a natural rock formation, which is shaped like an arch, and it derives its name from this very formation. Archaeological evidence and dating suggest that the rock formation is billions of years old. Besides the geological significance, the rock formation also has significance to the devotees visiting Tirumala. It reportedly depicts the “cosmic dance” of Lord Venkateswara, which explains why the people on the Tirupati Balaji pilgrimage don’t want to miss out on visiting the temple.
Location: Sila Thoranam Rd, Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
6. Chakra Theertham
Photo: రవిచంద్ర / Wikimedia Commons
Located close to the Tirumala bus stand, Chakra Theertham is another one of the significant places to visit in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, without fail. It is a sacred water body in Tirumala, named after the Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Vishnu. According to legends, Lord Vishnu himself cleansed this theertham with his chakra, making the water highly sacred. Like Papavinasam Theertham, the devotees also visit the Chakra Theertham to take a dip in the holy water to rid themselves of all their sins. The surrounding forests of the site further add to the charm and spirituality of the place.
Location: Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 24*7
7. Srivari Museum
Photo: Abdul Salphan / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Situated right beside the Tirumala Temple, the Srivari Museum narrates the history and story behind the temple. You can find different pictures, artefacts and sculptures, all dedicated to unfolding the history of the Tirumala Temple and its existence. It also showcases the evolution of the temple architecture and the various rituals performed over the centuries. A visit to the Srivari Museum provides a deeper understanding of the spiritual and cultural significance of Tirumala. So, if you are interested in unfolding more of the temple’s history, this is the place you need to visit.
Location: Tirumala Town, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
8. Kapila Theertham
Photo: Srilakshmi1991 / Wikimedia Commons
Quite close to the main town of Tirumala, Kapila Theertham is a popular destination that you must visit in the region. This is a culmination of a sacred temple and waterfall that attracts the majority of tourists from around the world. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple has a little sacred waterfall in its proximity that most people bathe under. It is believed that Sage Kapila visited this waterfall, which further adds to the spiritual significance of the place. Also, since the waterfall falls from the Tirumala Hills, it explains why it is regarded as a holy stream.
Location: Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple Rd, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517507
Timings: 7 AM – 8 PM
9. Japali Teertham
Photo: Hitesh Patel / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Japali Teertham falls on the way to Akasa Ganga. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the teertham is amid the dense forests in Tirumala. Accessible via a short trek through the woods, the journey to this place is as enriching as the destination itself. There are several legends associated with this temple. However, the most believable one is that Lord Hanuman himself meditated in this specific area. The beauty of nature in the surroundings, paired with the adventure that you have to take on to reach the temple explains why it is such a popular spot among tourists.
Location: Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 5 AM – 1 PM and 2 PM – 7 PM
10. Tumburu Theertham
Photo: Ylnr123 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Last on the Tirumala tourist places list is the Tumburu Theertham, which is around 12 km from the main Tirumala temple complex. Theertham is accessible only during the Tumburu Theertham Mukkoti Festival, held annually in March. It is believed that taking a dip in the waters of Tumburu Theertham can cleanse one of all sins. You have to trek through dense forests to reach the temple, but the result is worth it. The legends associated with this spot suggest that a Gandharva cursed his wife and turned her into a toad. Later, Sage Agastya freed her from that curse.
Location: Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 24*7
A visit to Tirumala is an experience that you can’t swap for another. It is an exhilarating pilgrimage experience, one that rewards you with experiences that last a lifetime. There are numerous places to visit in Tirumala, each offering a diverse range of emotions to indulge in. For a well-rounded travel experience, get your bookings done with TripXL for the ultimate discounts.
Cover Photo: Nikhilb239 / Wikimedia Commons
