Tirupati, located about 130 kms from Chennai, 704 kms from Hyderabad, has one of the richest temples in the country.The abode of the 'Kaliyuga' deity Lord Venkateswara, popularly knownas Balaji, Tirupati has for centuries remained a destination divine and this feeling grows on one as one goes round the various temples and spots of natural beauty surrounding this major town.

Infact, the government has proposed to give special status to the town on the lines of the Vatican. Lying at the southern tip of the Eastern ghats in Andhra Pradesh, the district has a number of perennial water falls and vast forest cover.

Lord Venkateswara Temple : Sri Venkateshwara temple, the abode of Lord Venkateshwara or Lord Balaji is located at Tirumala, 18 kms. northwest of Tirupati. Within the sanctum is the majestic "Swayambhu" or naturally formed image of the Lord.

Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple : Situated about 3-km to the north of Tirupati, at the foot of the Tirumala Hills, is the only temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, in Tirupati. The sacred waterfall called "Kapila Teertham " (also known as "Alwar Teertham") is located here. It is also the venue of many festivals.

Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple : This sacred temple is located 12-km to the west of Tirupati at Srinivasa Mangapuram and it is believed that Lord Venkateswara stayed here after his marriage with Sri Padmavati Devi, before proceeding to Tirumala.

Sri Kalahasti : Situated 36 km from Tirupati, is Sri Kalahasti. The presiding deity at the shrine is Lord Shiva who is represented in the form of a 'Vayu linga'.

Legend has it that the linga was worshipped by a spider (Sri), which built its web over it, a snake (Kala), who placed a gem on the linga and an elephant (Hasti), who washed the linga with water. The name of this place is derived from this legend.

How to get there

Air : Tirupati airport is about 15 kms. from the city. There are direct flights from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Bangalore and Chennai.

Rail : Tirupati is the nearest railway station. The city is well connected to all the cities of India.

Road : There are regular bus services from important cities of India. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs a regular bus service between the twin locales. One can travel from Tirupati to Tirumala by road, or climb the hills on foot.