Things to Do in Tirupati

The chief attraction of Tirupati tourism centres round the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam which is one of the most revered sites of Hindu pilgrimage. Its presiding deity is Lord Balaji or Venkateshwara or Vishnu whose effigy is adorned with extravagant jewellery and is considered as the richest shrine of India.

The temple is located atop the Seshachalam Range of Seven Hills in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Tirumala temple is considered as one of the most venerated places to see in Tirupati as Lord Venkateshwara grants every wish of his followers made in this holy site. In return devotees donate their hair to the deity as a mark of gratitude. 

Timing: There is no fixed timing for visit. Special puja timing is 5:30am -7am. 

Best time to visit: September- February is the best time to visit Tirumala Tirupati temple when the climate is pleasant with intermittent showers in November and December. Summer months are torrid with high humidity which makes travelling difficult at daytime. 

Location: S. Mada St.Tirumala Tirupati Andhra Pradesh 517504

Price: Entry fees for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam is Rs. 20 per person, Rs. 100 and Rs. 300 as SED (Special Entry Darshan).

For the devotees of Lord Shiva, Srikalahasti is one of the most highlighted places to visit in 2 days’ Tirupati trip. It is located at a distance of about 36 Km from the main temple. The Srikalahasti Temple was built in 1516 by the distinguished ruler of the Vijaynagar Empire, Krishnadevaraya. It is also referred to as the Kailasa/Kashi of the south as both are popular pilgrim sites of the Shaivites. The intricately carved interiors and bejewelled gopurams of Srikalahasti Temple is a living testimony of Chola architecture.

The temple represents one of the five earth elements i.e. vayu (air). Here the shrine of Lord Shiva is worshipped in a form of vayu linga as a representative of vayu (wind). It is believed that the place where the temple stands is where Lord Shiva rendered salvation to Kannappa, one of the 63 Shaivite Nayanars. The divine ambiance inside the sanctum of Srikalahasti Temple, bejewelled shrines and sombre rituals performed to the deity will certainly immerse you into a spiritual trance. 

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Srikalahasti Temple is between November to March when the climate is suitable for sightseeing.

Timings: Temple timings are between 6:00 am- 9 pm every day.

Location: Srikalahasti- Tirupati Road, Chittoor dist, Andhra Pradesh

Sri Venkateswara Temple is probably the most acclaimed religious place to visit in Tirupati which is crammed by tourists and pilgrims round the year. The temple consists of various complexes inside its premises all of which are dedicated to Lord Venkateswara/Vishnu/Balaji who is the presiding deity of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. The temple which dates back to the 12th century is considered as one of the wealthiest and holiest temples of the world encountering an approximate traffic of 50,000 pilgrims every day.

Due to such massive traffic entering the Venkateswara temple is an elaborate process. Visitors have to pass through a series of interconnected holes that lead to the main sanctum. The activities of the temple include hair tonsuring, offering prayers,prasadam, hundi, tulabharam and arjitha seva. 

Timings: The chief attraction of Venkateswara temple is its Vishesh Puja which is held from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. everyday. 

Best time to visit: The busiest months of temple activities are September and October when the Brahmotsavam festival is held with great pomp. It is also the best time to visit the temple.

Location: S Mada St. Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh- 517504

The TTD gardens in Tirupati is a slice of lush retreat with manicured landscapes and ornately decorated gardens. The garden sprawls over an area of 462 acres in Tirupati and Tirumala and provides flowers to all the temples in Tirupati from its cultivation. It is believed that the great Vaishnav saint Sri Ramanuja and his disciple Sri Anandalwar first started planting trees in this garden in the 14th century.

Legends have it that the flowers of this garden were cultivated by Sattada SriVaishnava under the guise of Dasa Nambis who made flowered wreaths for the temple in Tirumala-Tirupati. The massive garden hosts an array of colourful hybrid varieties of bougainvilleas, hibiscus, crotons and other flowers that is certainly a sight to behold. The park houses nurseries at four different areas namely Tirumala at Travellers Bangalore, Gogarbham Dam, Padmavathi Guest House and Divyanamam where approximately 10 lakh plants are cultivated annually. It also hosts annual flower shows and Pushpa Yagnam where rare and exotic varieties of flowers are kept for public display. 

Best time to visit: You can visit the garden round the year as different flowers bloom in different seasons which makes the garden look beautiful. 

Timings: Everyday between 6AM- 6PM

Location: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh-517504

Located at a stone's throw distance of 4 Km from Tirupati Kapila Theertham is a fascinating waterfall at the base of the Seshadri Hills. Glistening white waters plunging down a height of 100 metres to form a pool inside the premises of the Kapileshwar Temple is a spectacle to witness. Kapeela Theertham is the main temple of Lord Shiva in Tirupati in which the Shiva Lingam is made of metal.

As you enter the sanctum of the temple you will be awestruck to see the massive stone effigy of Nandi- Lord Shiva’s bull. Kapila Theertham is visited by a large number of followers on special occasions like Annabhishekam, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayaga Chaturthi and Brahmotsavam. Among these festivals Kapileswara Swamy Brahmotsavam is the most significant one which is celebrated throughout the span of February. 

Best time to visit: During the rainy season between November- February.

Timings: Timings of visit are from 5 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. everyday.

Location: Srinivasa Nagar, NGO Colony, Tirupati Andhra Pradesh- 517507.

Located at a proximity to the Tirumala temple, Akashganga Theertham is of great religious significance to the devotees. It is also a picturesque tourist destination which is visited by nature lovers from different parts of the country.

Followers believe taking a dip in the plunge pool of this holy waterfall washes one of their sins. Akashganga Theertham is known for retaining its water throughout the year. The main abhishekam (bathing) ritual of the deities of Tirumala temple is performed in the waters of the Akashganga waterfall. According to popular belief the waters of Akash Ganga waterfall originates from the lotus feet of Ananda Neelayam.

Best time to visit: You can visit this place at any time of the year as water flows down the cataract at equal speed in all seasons.

Price: There is no entry fee. 

Timings: Timings of visit are 9m -6pm every day. 

Location: Akashganga Dam, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh- 517504

The massive fort of Chandragiri with its massive palaces namely the Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal is among the best places to visit in Tirupati. Located amidst lush greenery in the Chittoor district it offers a great trekking destination for adventure enthusiasts. The Chandragiri Fort is a brilliant specimen of the Indo- Saracenic architecture which dates back to the 11th century. The unique feature of the fort is its construction with brick, lime mortar and stone devoid of any timber in the entire edifice. 

Under the reign of the Yadava Naidus, Chandragiri Fort reached a milestone in Indian history as the fourth and the last capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Such rich heritage attracts tourists from various parts of the country to this place. You can see the ruins of the Rani and Raja Mahal in the fort although more than 800 temples of the Shaiva and Vaishnava communities are ruined completely. At present the Raja Mahal Palace is used as an archaeological museum and is an attraction for history buffs. .  

Best time to visit: Winter months (December- March) is the ideal time to visit. 

Timings: Timings of visit are from 10 am- 8:45 pm everyday (except Friday). 

Price: Entry fee is Rs. 20 per person for adults (sound and light show) Rs. 10 for children (sound and light show) and Rs. 100 for family.

Location: Chandragiri Fort Road, Chandragiri, Andhra Pradesh- 517101.

The world of science welcomes you with a massive planetarium with activity oriented informal science education, sky observation deck and galleries hosting science exhibitions and shows for school children. It is one of the top places to see in Tirupati which organises experience based educational programmes for all aged visitors. 

The Regional Science Centre Tirupati (RSCT) has 6 permanent exhibition galleries namely Fun Science, Our Senses, Popular Science, Illusion and Emerging Technology and Our Universe. It also hosts an outdoor science park spreading over an area of 5 acres. The outdoor park of RSCT houses exhibition halls, herbal garden, prehistoric life park and an animal corner. The regional Science Centre Tirupati is an autonomous unit under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and is directly run by the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum Bangalore.

Best time to visit: Any time of the year.

Timings: Between 10am -6pm. 

Price: Entry fees are INR 25 (Science Centre), INR 10 (shows), INR 25 (3D film shows) and INR 30 (Planetarium)

Location: Planetarium Road, Tirupati,  Andhra Pradesh- 517507

The ISKCON Temple at Tirupati is one of the major pilgrim sites of India and a centre for propagating the philosophy of Lord Krishna and teachings of Bhagavad Gita. Its founder is His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The Swami is a disciple of the unbroken chain of successors of Lord Krishna and a leading exponent of Vedic culture and theology.

The inauguration of the temple was done on April 10, 1984 through installation of the “Archa Vigraha” of Sri Sri Radha Govinda. Besides being an important religious site the Iskcon Temple undertakes various programs for the upliftment of the underprivileged masses. It is widely recognised by students, scholars, theologians and common people as a leading organisation for spiritual and social welfare.

Best time to visit: You can visit the temple at any time of the year.

Timings: Temple timings are from 4:15 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Price: There is no entry fee to visit the temple.

Location: Chenna Reddy Colony, Marri Chenna Reddy Colony, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh- 517501

The Rock Garden is one of the best places to see in Tirupati which is considered sacred among the believers of Lord Vishnu. It is also known as Silathoranam as it has a Natural stone formation in the form of an arch. The Precambrian natural stone formation of the Rock Garden is the only one of its kind found in the continent. Hence the site has paramount importance among the geologists.

However, according to popular belief Lord Vishnu also known as Lord Venkateswara walked over this arch when he was on his way to Tirumala from the Vaikunth Dham. Another belief says, the height of the presiding deity of the Tirumala Temple is of the same height as that of the religious arch in the Rock Garden. The arch is worshipped as a divine statue and is offered daily aarti by its believers twice a day. The divine arch is a protected monument which attracts thousands of visitors round the year to see this natural spectacle.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit the Rock Garden is between September- February

Timings: 10AM - 6PM

Location: Chittoor Road Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh- 518002

If you are on a weekend trip to Tirupati, the Talakona Waterfalls has to be included in your bucket list. The sight of sparkling white water cascading down a waterfall is simply bewildering. Nestled amidst dense thickets, Talakona is one of the few places to visit in Tirupati in 2 days which is located about 60 Km from Tirupati in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The place welcomes nature lovers and common tourists round the year to spend some tranquil vacation and enjoy a picnic.

Near the waterfall is the Siddheshwar Temple which is visited by the pious Hindus on their trip. The place is also visited by a huge number of followers on the day of Mahashivratri. The serenity of the surroundings and the musical sound of the waterfall add to the surreal ambiance of the region. Talakona Waterfall is also a popular trekking destination as it abounds several trekking trails that run through the dense forest. 

Best time to visit: Monsoon (November- January) is the best time to visit Talakona Waterfalls when you can see the water course at its fullest spate. 

Timings: 6AM- 7:30PM

Location: Chittoor Dist. Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh- 516101

The Govindaraja Temple located at a distance of about 20 Km from the world famous Venkateshwara Temple is one of the most highlighted places to visit in Tirupati. It is a revered pilgrim site among the Vaishnavites whose presiding deity is Lord Vishnu. Given the number of followers visiting the temple everyday, pomp of rituals and the brilliance of Dravidian architecture it showcases, Govindaraja Temple  is an architectural marvel to behold.

The history of the Govindaraja Temple dates back to the 12th century by the saint Ramanujacharya. From the sanctum of the temple you can get sweeping views of the Tirumala Hills, Padmavathi Temple and Kapila Teertham.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit the temple is between October- March.

Timings: Entry timing is between 5am -9pm. 

Price: Entry fee is Rs. 5 for special darshan and Rs. 20 for quick darshan.

Location: Near Railway Stn, Tirupati, Chittoor dist, Andhra Pradesh- 517501

Being in Tirupati does not mean you will have to go on pilgrimage tours only and cannot spend your vacation in a different way. The Deer Park is one such place to visit in Tirupati which offers a rewarding escapade to nature and wildlife enthusiasts.

The Deer Park lies on the way to Tirumala and you may take a stop over in this place and enjoy the joyful company of deer in their natural habitat. You can see herds of deer thriving in the incredible flora of the park and can even feed them with your hands. The Deer Park Reserve is a tourist friendly zone which allows friendly activities with the deer and dramatic views of the surrounding landscapes. 

Timings: The timings for the visit is from 10 am- 5:00 pm.

Location: Nerabailu Village, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh

Price: There is no entry fee to visit the Deer Park Reserve.

Sri Vari Museum aka Hall of Antiques is an eminent place to visit in Tirupati offering you a glimpse of its religious and architectural history. The Museum building sprawls over an area of 1.25 lakh sq. ft. in the pristine environment of Tirumala Hills. It is located opposite to the Vaikuntam Queue complex near the Govindarajaswami Temple.

The museum is a treasure trove of the age-old traditions of Vaishnavism and Tirumala’s indigenous culture. It houses more than 6000 artefacts that date back to the ancient period till present. The collections of the museum are preserved in ten sections ranging from ancient scriptures and sculptures to contemporary items. The museum houses different galleries with appreciations, donations, valuable antique pieces and offerings on display. In the attic of the museum is a meditation hall where pilgrims can recline and meditate in blissful ambiance. 

Best time to visit: Winter months (November- February) are the best time to visit the museum.

Timings: Museum timings are between 10am -6pm every day.

Location: Tirumala Town (near Karnataka Choultry), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

If you are visiting Tirumala, make it a point to visit the Papavinasanam Dam located near Papavinasanam waterfall at a stone's throw distance from the main temple. Taking a dip in the refreshing waters of the dam cleanses your body and enriches your soul. It is said that the water of Papavinasanam Dam comes directly from the feet of The Lord.

Whoever takes a dip in this holy water is cleansed of their sins or “paapa”. Hence the place is called papavinasanam. Papavinasanam Dam is a popular tourist destination due to its fascinating natural setting with dense forest and cascading waterfall. 

Best time to visit: The best time to visit this place is during monsoon when the region takes on a verdant look and the waterfall magnifies to its fullest volume.

Timings: Entry timings are from 6am -6pm.

Location: Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh- 517504

Located at a distance of just 5 kilometres from Tirupati Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple is one of the must visit places in Tirupati. It is also known by the name of Alamelu Mangapuram Temple. It is believed that goddess Padmavati descended on a golden lotus in this place.

Hence the temple got its name derived (‘alar’- lotus, ‘mel'- top, ‘manga’- goddess and ‘puram'- village). There are several other folk tales surrounding this temple which makes it a highly revered place to see in Tirupati. 

Best time to visit: Although it is flocked by the followers throughout the year, the best time to visit the Padmavathi Ammavari Temple is during the festivals such as Navaratri, Theppotsavam, Kartheeka and Dussehra.

Timings: The temple timings are from 5:00 am- 9:00 pm everyday.

Location: Sannidhi St, Tiruchanur, Tirupati,  Andhra Pradesh- 517504

The 9 crore modernisation project of Prakasam Municipal Park started almost a year ago under the Governance of the Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT). At present with its top notch entertainment facilities the park is ready to welcome you with family or friends to spend some fun time in the evenings.

Prakasam Park is the only big park with ultramodern amenities run by a civic body for the city residents of Tirupati. Manicured green space, play corner (for kids), comfortable sitting arrangements, water pond, laser show night, light and sound system, selfie points, fountains, walking tracks and canteen facilities make the spark one of the best places to visit in Tirupati trip. If you are taking the youngest member of your family they can also spend quality time in the open-air roller skating rink and try their skills out there.

Best time to visit: Winter (October- March) is the best time to visit this place.

Timings: The timings for visiting the park are 8:30 am - 5:30 pm (in summer) and 9:00 am- 5:00 pm (in winter). The park remains closed on Tuesdays.

Price: Rs. 10 per person, Rs. 5 parking fee 

Location: Srinivasa Nagar, Khadi Colony, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh- 517501

Located in the premises of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam temple, Swami Pushkarini is a holy pond which is swarmed by numerous devotees every day with the belief to wash off their past sins. Devotees visiting the Venkateswara Temple take a dip in this pond before offering prayers to the deity. Legends have it that the Swami Pushkarini pond was constructed by Garuda, for the sport of Lord Vishnu or Venkateshwara.

When Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi descended to the Tirupati Temple from the Vaikunth Dham they took bath in this holy pond. Since then it is a custom to take a dip in this pond before offering puja to the Tirupati temple. Pilgrims pay visit to this sacred pond throughout the year as it never dries up even during hot summer months. It is believed that the pond is bestowed with divine properties to purify one’s body and soul and lead them towards salvation.

Best time to visit: Remains open round the year.

Timings: Remains open for 24x7 for pilgrims.

Location: Pushkarini At,Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh-517504

For nature enthusiasts Sri Venkateswara National Park is a green oasis to spend quality time in the lap of Mother Nature. Dry deciduous woodlands blended with patches of sodden deciduous thickets and dotted with cascading waterfalls make this place an obvious choice for hikers and environmentalists. It is one of the best places to visit in 2 days in which you can enjoy various activities or simply enjoy a relaxed vacation in an unspoiled natural ambiance.

Sri Venkateswara National Park is also home to diverse wildlife including wild dogs, Spotted Deer, Hawk-Cuckoo, Golden Jackal, langur, yellow-throated Bulbul and other animals. If you are looking for some adventure in your trip, you can go hiking to the nearby Seshachalam Hill. 

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Sri Venkateswara National Park is from December- March and August- November. 

Timings: Timings of visit are 8am- 6pm (during summer) and 9am- 5pm (during winter). 

Price: Rs. 50 for adults, Rs 10 for children

Location: KT Road, near Nandi Statue Circle, Tirupati Andhra Pradesh- 517505