Some Unique Places That Give You a Never-Before Glimpse into Tirupati
Tirupathi is known as a temple city and indeed, there are many temples here like the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple and the Srikalahasti temple among others. However, there are many other attractions here as well, covering mental, physical and spiritual aspects alike.
Best places to visit in Tirupati which you must try out.
- Venkateswara National Park
- Deer Park
- Talakona Waterfalls
- Akash Ganga Theertham
- TTD Gardens
- Silathoranam
- Papa Vinasanam Dam
- Srivari Museum
- Chandragiri
1. Venkateswara National Park
This National Park is a perfect getaway for those who want a break from city life and want to indulge in nature’s beauty instead. Stunning greenery, amazing waterfalls and a chance to gaze on wildlife makes this park a perfect destination for the weekend. The park covers an area of 354 square kilometres and a number of endangered species are to be found here like the Nilgai, the flying lizard and others. The park is located about a half-day ride away from Tirupati. The best time to visit is from November to February.
Timings: 08:30 am – 05:30 pm (Mar-Aug), 09:00 am – 05:00 pm (Sep-Feb)
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2. Deer Park
The Deer Park is home to a large number of wildlife and beautiful landscapes. For those who love animals and birds this is an absolute joy to visit. The best thing here is that the visitors can feed the deer with their own hands but no outside food is allowed. It is where you will find the best spots to indulge in some nature photography. Those who want to get away from the crowd for a few days will find it to be a most rejuvenating experience.
- Timings: 10:00 am – 05:00 pm
- Entry Fee: Free
3. Talakona Waterfalls
This amazing waterfall drops from a height of 82 metres and is one of the highest falls in the entire country. It is believed that the waters of the fall have medicinal properties and illnesses can be cured if one takes a dip. Although it is prohibited to take baths in the falls in the monsoons, people still come here from far and wide to catch its majestic beauty after it has been freshly fed by the rain water. The surrounding area of the waterfalls is dense with forests and diverse flora and fauna can be seen as well. The waterfall was declared as a biosphere reserve in 1989.
4. Akash Ganga Theertham
It is one of the most scenic places in Tirupati and it is not very far from the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple. This is a very popular spot for pilgrims who come from far and wide to pay their respects. There is a small waterfall here and people take a dip in it, believing that it will wash away all their sins. The water from the same falls is also taken for the Lord’s Abhishek. The views all around the waterfall are captivating and will delight photographers to say the least.
5. TTD Gardens
These Gardens are spread over an area of 460 acres and the wonderful landscapes will leave you awestruck. The biggest assets of the garden are its flowers and about 500 kilos of flowers are delivered to the temples of Tirupati everyday from here. This is a staggering number and also happens to be the main source of income from for the garden and much of it goes into its maintenance. There are about 200 varieties of flowers and hybrid varieties are also grown here, along with hibiscus and various kinds of exotic orchids. There are four nurseries inside the garden and there are also ponds and lakes which create a delightful ambience for visitors.
Timings: 06:00 am – 06:00 pm
6. Silathoranam
This happens to be a very famous and mysterious attraction near Tirumala. There are three natural rock arches here and it happens to be the only one of its kind in the entire world. The formation is about 3 metres high and 8 metres wide and one of them is shaped like the head of a Serpent. The other two formations are shaped like a discus and a conch and nobody knows how they were formed. The Rock dates back to the pre-Cambrian era which means that it could be a whopping 1.5 billion years old. What is more mysterious is that the rock, from which the idol of Lord Venkateswara has been built in the Tirumala temple, also happens to be of the same height. It is said, that with divine intervention, the symbols of the Lord- the conch, the disc and his serpent head, appeared beside the lord himself.
7. Papa Vinasanam Dam
This happens to be a most rejuvenating experience because the waters of the dam are known to wash away people’s sins. The surrounding beauty of the region from this dam is truly captivating. It happens to be one of the best places around Tirupati and any local transport will take you there.
8. Srivari Museum
This museum is a great attraction for those who are interested in history and the annals of the past. This museum displays the history of the temple of Tirumala and how the temple was conceived along with maps and documents of its initial phase of development. There are various scriptures, photographs and sculptures, all of which depict the rich history of the temple. The museum is open for the public throughout the year and entry is absolutely free. It happens to be a very popular place to visit near Tirupati Quora.
- Timings: 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
9. Chandragiri
This is an ancient town which also happens to be the fourth capital of the Vijayanagara dynasty, as a result of which it is historically very significant. The main attractions here include the Chandragiri Fort which was built in the 11th century and it was built on a massive rock, which has a height of 183 metres. It had a vantage point at that time, and from here, the kings could keep watch for any intruders. The fort has 8 temples inside the premises along with the Rani Mahal. Although parts of the Fort are in ruins, it is still a great place to study and explore. Raja Mahal has been converted into an archaeological museum and many examples of Vijayanagar architecture can be seen here. A light and sound show is also organized here in the evening and it is narrated in both Telugu and English.
- Timings: 10:00 am – 08:45 pm (Closed on Friday)
These places to visit nearby Tirupati will enlighten you immensely, making this one of the most memorable vacations that you will spend with your family members.
