Things to do in Tirupati

It goes without saying that this is one of the most-visited places in Tirupati as people from all over India, and even the world, come to this temple. The coveted darshan takes place early in the morning and that’s when there are long winding queues. But nevertheless, this is a fantastic place to visit in Tirupati, if only to see the gleaming devotion in the eyes of the visitors and the innate sense of spirituality that is prevalent here. 

One of the top Tirupati sightseeing spots is the Chandragiri Fort, which is a historic 11th century fort that was built by the Yadava Naidu kings.  The fort is fascinating for various reasons especially if you love architecture, as the fort follows the Indo-Sarcen style of architecture of the Vijayanagar period. An interesting fact about this fort is that there is no wood used anywhere in its construction! 

The famous Shiva temple in Tirupati draws its own share of devoteed who come here to truly understand the spectacular might of Shiva. At the foot of one of the steep Tirumala Hills, this temple can be found at the entrance to a mountain cave. The Shiva idol here is said to have been installed by Kapila Muni and hence is called Kapila Theertham. Don’t miss the majestic sight of the huge seated bull ‘Nandi’ at the temple’s entrance.

Said to be one of the only three such natural arches in the world, this geological feature is a popular Tirupati sightseeing spot. The arch has a mythological connection too and is said to represent the symbols of worship in the Hindu religion. Another mythological version holds that the arch is where Lord Venkateshwara put down his foot and the arch is the first of a pair of divine footprints with the second one being at the temple in Tirupati. 

If you have children with you who would like to take a break from visiting all the temples, do head out to Sri Venkateshwara Zoological Park. It is a rather large zoo that houses all sorts of exotic animals such as white tigers and even takes people out on a lion safari. It’s a well-maintained park. But since it’s so huge, it’s a good idea to take the electric car or bicycle to explore the park thoroughly. It’s, quite easily, one of the best things to do in Tirupati.

Said to be the highest waterfall in Andhra Pradesh, the Talakona Waterfall can be found in Sri Venkateshwara National Park. Nearby, there’s the beautiful temple of Lord Siddheswara Swamy which was built in the 19th century. The waterfall is lush and especially vibrant during the monsoons. The water here is said to imbued with herbs that have restorative powers. During the rainy season, the roar of the waterfall can be heard from very far away. 

Many people staunchly believe that taking a dip in the holy waters of Papavinasa Theertham will absolve them of their sins. While the Papavinasa waterfalls have a religious source, they are also considered to be prime examples of Tirupati sightseeing. Plenty of tourists also come here as the falls are indeed quite beautiful. Nearby there are beautiful gardens and the overall experience is one that gives a sense of peace and spirituality. 

Tirupati is indeed a temple town with as many as 25 temples. Some of these are very important while some are more obscure, but most of them are worth a visit. The Sri Kalyana Venkateshwara Swamy Temple is not crowded but it is an important temple that reveres Lord Balaji or Lord Venkateshwara. The Padmavathi Temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara’s consort – Goddess Padmavathi. Of course, there’s also the ISKCON Tirupati which can be found on a sprawling complex. The adjoining guest house where you can book your stay also makes it a great choice because of its proximity to the temple. Some of the other famous temples here include Sri Varahaswami Temple, Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, and the Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple to name a few.

If you are planning a trip to Tirupati, do remember to check the SOTC website for offers and deals on holiday packages.