A Spiritual Journey at the Temples of Tirupati

The town of Tirupati rests amongst the rugged foothills of Seshachalam Hills in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Tirupati rose to prominence as a Vaishnava centre in the 11th century and was majorly responsible for the spread of Srivaishnavism in neighbouring regions, most of which are parts of present-day Andhra Pradesh. To this date, the town is dotted with a plethora of historical temples including the world-renowned Venkateshwara Temple. We have curated a list of the most famous temples to visit in Tirupati. After an entire day of touring these religious shrines, you can avail comfortable accommodations at Raj Park Hotel. We offer two categories of rooms and an in-house restaurant where you can try out local delicacies and dishes from other cuisines as well.

an old temple facade with intricate carvings on the roof of idols

Sri Venkateswara Swami Vaari Temple

 
Perched atop the peak of Venkatadri in the Seshachalam Hill range, Sri Venkateswara Swami Vaari Temple is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Venkateshwara, a reincarnation of the deity Vishnu. The temple is the richest religious establishment in terms of the donations it receives and its inherent wealth including the gold used to construct the shrine and the ornaments of the idol it shelters. The architecture of the temple is characteristic of the ancient Dravidian branch and consists of intricate carvings on its walls and its pillars. Besides the silvery facade that greets you as you first enter the shrine complex, there is a second entrance made of gold in contrast. Pilgrims often walk long distances to pay homage to the deity here.

Another common practice noticed here that of women donating their hair to the Lord. The temple is illuminated with vibrantly coloured lights during important ceremonies and festivals.
 

Padmavathi Temple


If you are an architecture enthusiast, your list of must-visits must include Padmavathi Temple in Tirupati. Famous temples in this town adhere to the Dr?vi?a Style of architecture and Padmavathi is a fine example of such an aesthetic. The five-storied tower gateway to the shrine is a marvel to behold. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Padmavathi, who is believed to be the reincarnation of Goddess Parvati. Within the complex of the holy shrine is a large lake called Padma Sarovaram, the water is said to have spiritual powers. Devotees dip in the water and offer prayers to the holy waters.


Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple

 
Situated in the heart of Tirupati, Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple is yet another Hindu-Vaishnavite shrine. This ancient monument was built during the 12th century and was later consecrated by Saint Ramanujacharya. However, some of the structures found within the complex date back to the 9th and the 10th centuries. The temple is one of the largest temple complexes in the Chittoor district. The idol sheltered in this shrine is of Lord Vishnu in a reclining yoga nidra position. The entrance to the temple is a seven-stories tower, the peak of which is a holy kalash.


Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple

 
Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple is dedicated to the deities of Ramayana - Ram, an incarnation of Vishnu, Sita and Lakshman. Legend has it that while returning from their victory in Lankapuri, the three deities temporarily resided here. The temple was built in the 10 century by the Cholas. The major festival celebrated here is Rama Navami, which is a nine-day festival to commemorate the birth of Lord Ram.