- Best time
- November to February
- Main festival
- Brahmotsavam (September/October)
- Nearest airport
- Tirupati, about 16 km
- Nearest railway station
- Tirupati
The Tirumala temple
The Seven Hills, called Saptagiri, are said to stand for the seven heads of Adisesha, the great serpent on which Vishnu rests. The temple is built in Dravidian style, and the sanctum, known as Ananda Nilayam, holds the standing image of Venkateswara adorned with gold and jewels and a broad white namam on the forehead.
Many devotees have their heads shaved as an offering. The story goes that the lord once lost some hair in an accident, and a Gandharva princess, Neeladevi, cut her own hair to replace it; pleased, he promised to bless all who made the same gift. After darshan, pilgrims receive the Tirupati laddu, a prasadam made here for about three centuries.
Places to visit around Tirupati
Plenty of sights nearby are worth a detour once your darshan is done.
- Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple in Tirupati town
- Srikalahasti, the Vayu lingam shrine
- Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple
- Silathoranam, a natural rock arch at Tirumala
- Chandragiri Fort, a Vijayanagara stronghold
- Akasa Ganga and Papavinasanam
- Talakona Waterfalls, about 270 ft high
- TTD Gardens and Sri Vari Museum
- Deer Park on the ghat road
- Kalyani Dam and Horsley Hills
Best time to visit
November to February is the most pleasant season, with temperatures of roughly 15°C to 30°C. March to June is very hot, sometimes touching 45°C, though crowds can be a little lighter. July to October brings the monsoon, and the annual Brahmotsavam, usually in September or October, is the grandest festival. Book darshan and accommodation well in advance for any season.
How to reach
Tirupati Airport is about 16 km from the town, and Chennai airport is the main international gateway, a few hours by road. Tirupati railway station and the central bus station are both in the heart of town, and buses and taxis climb the ghat road to Tirumala. We run regular Tirupati tours from Virudhachalam and Chennai, including darshan planning and stays.
Places to see in Tirupati
SightTirupatiTirupatiChandragiri FortChandragiri Fort near Tirupati: the last Vijayanagara capital, with the Raja Mahal museum, Rani Mahal, ruined temples and an evening sound-and-light show.
Best: November to FebruaryRead guide →
SightTirupatiTirupatiDeer Park, TirumalaDeer Park on the Tirupati–Tirumala ghat road: a TTD-run woodland where spotted deer roam, a restful family stop with no entry fee.
Best: Early morning or late afternoonRead guide →
SightTirupatiTirupatiGovindarajaswamy TempleGovindarajaswamy Temple in Tirupati: the Ramanuja legend, the tall carved gopuram, annual festivals, darshan timings and how to get there.
Andhra PradeshRead guide →
SightTirupatiTirupatiTTD GardensTTD Gardens near Tirupati: the 460-acre gardens that supply flowers to the Venkateswara temple, rare plants, free entry, timings and nearby sights.
Andhra PradeshRead guide →
SightTirupatiTirupatiTalakona WaterfallsTalakona Waterfalls near Tirupati: Andhra Pradesh's tallest falls, about 270 ft, in the Seshachalam forest, with a canopy walk and Shiva temple.
Best: November to JanuaryRead guide →
SightTirupatiTirupatiTirumala Venkateswara TemplePlan your Tirumala darshan: the Alipiri and Srivari Mettu footpaths, daily sevas, the laddu, sights on the hill and the best ways to reach Tirupati.
Andhra PradeshRead guide →Also nearby
Plan it with us
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will build the route, book the car, driver and hotels, and send you a clear quote.
