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| Tirumala
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| Distance: 8 Kms. |
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This holiest of the 108 pilgrim
centers, Tirumala Hills snugly nestles in the
Eastern Ghats surrounded by hills. Mystical
vibration surrounds everyone in the chanting of
the dawn invocation known as "Suprabhatham" to the
Lord, in the twinkling of the temple bells, in the
fragrance of sandal paste and camphor, in the
heavy, smoky scent of incense - all these blending
together to raise the restless mind to an
experience of intense spiritual awareness. The
origin of the deity is said to be pre-historic,
but the central shrine was build in the 4th
century A.D. by the Greater Pallavas. The Lord of
the Seven Hills has been referred to in the Rig
Veda, the oldest literature - extent. The
Venkatachala Mahathyam contains lore from twelve
Mahapuranas. | |
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| Tirupati |
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| Distance 0.4 kms |
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The founder of Govindarajaswami
Temple was the famous Vaishnava teacher Ramanuja. This
temple is situated in the heart of the temple town. The
earliest records belongs to the year 1235 A.D. ascribe
the foundation of the shrine to Ramanuja. An inscription
of 1456 AD states that Govindaraja, Sridevi and Bhudevi
were given a holy bath with water obtained from a tank
built by Ramanuja. We learn from epigraph of 1475 AD
that oil and betel leaves offered to Lord Venkateswara
were being bought down from Tirumala to be offered to
Govindaraja at the time of his Tirumanjanam Abishekam on
the the day of Krittika star in the month of Krittika.
The Govindaraja temple received wider attention with the
advent of Vijayanagara rule over Tondamandalam. The
Govindaraja temple came in for greater patronage during
the rule of the Saluva dynasty of Vijayanagara. A
certain Appapillai built a mantapa in front of the
kitchen in 1506 AD where the devotees drop their
offerings. |
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| Sila
Thoranam |
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| Distance: 24 Kms. |
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This is a rare Geological Rock
Arch. This is only one of its kind in the whole of
Asia. Only two other such Arches are known to
exist in the world, namely the Rain Bow Arch of
Utah in U.S.A. and Arch cut through the Radiant
Quartzsite in U.K. This is one of the rarest
Geological facts of our country and the age of the
rock is estimated to be 2500 million years and
Geologists compute the age of arch as 1500 million
years. This is also a rare Geological feature
called Eparchean Unconformity. This natural arch
is supposed to have formed due the intensified
weathering and erosion of stream along and has
withstood the torque of nature. This is a Natural
Geological phenomenon. Its length is 25 feet and
height is 10 feet. Devotees believe that Lord
Venkateshwara the presiding deity of this sacred
hill appeared through this as a swayambhu and took
up his abode at the temple, which is past a
kilometer away. Pilgrims must make it a point to
visit the wonder of the world during their
Tirumala trip. No buses are available, a private
vehicle or a 20 minute walk from Sri Varahaswamy
Temple brings you
there. | |
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| Chandragiri |
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| Distance: 12 Kms. |
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This historic place is 12 kms from
Tirupati. A beautiful fort was built in 1000AD and was
developed by Saluva Kings of the Vijanagara Empire. Raja
Mahal and Rani Mahal are fine specimens of architecture
(no timber is used in the entire construction). Emperor
Sri Krishnadevaraya, who distinguished himself by his
invaluable offerings to Sri Venkateswara was a frequent
visitor to Chandragiri. The replicas of the statues of
Sri Krishnadevaraya and his consorts (originals inside
Tirumala Temple) are kept here. The museum inside Raja
Mahal has fine collections of bronze and granite
sculptures. Town buses are available from Tirupati Bus
Stand every ten minutes. Be prepared for a 20 minutes
walk from Chandragiri town center to the fort. The sound
and light shown is another added attractive at the fort.
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| Alamelu
Managapuram |
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| Distance: 4 Kms. |
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Tiruchanur, popularly known as
Chirtanur, is a village situated three miles to
the south of Tirupati. This village was known as
Tiruchchogionur and Tiruchchukanur in earlier
times and one late inscription calls it
Srisukagrama. Trichanur is of great importance in
the history of the Tirupati region, particularly
for the evaluation of religious activity therein.
This region comes under the influence of
vaishnavism as early as the eight century. Alamelu
Mangapuram is a tamil name and means a woman
standing on the, Floating Lotus flow. After
Mahalaskhmi's departure from Vaikunta due to
Brighu Maharshisrash rash action, Mahavishnu was
unable to bear the pangs of separation. Mahavishnu
descended to Bhuloka and wandered for years here
and there and finally came to know that
Mahalakshmi is in Tapodan in the lotus of
Padmasarovar of Tiruchanoor and after deep penance
for 12 long years mother Lakshmi, gave darshan to
Balaji on a red lotus
flower. | |
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| Kapilatheertham |
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| Distance: 2 Kms. |
This is a small temple situated about
two miles to the north of Tirupati town on the eastern
bank of the Kapiltheertham tank, which is also known as
Alwar Theertham. The structures were erected by certain
Rayan - Rajendrasolan alias Brahmrayan the head of the
village Kottu, in ancient times Tirupati is called as
Kottur. The last inscription dated 1865 AD mentions that
Mahanth Dharma Das renovated the steps and mantaps of
the Kapilatheertham tank. The earliest of the records
mentioned above does not mention the name of the God.
Kapileswara and his temple as such comes to be mentioned
for the first time in 1563 AD. This is much sought after
the largely visited saivate temple in Tirupati. The
sight of archamurthi sivalinga with its diamond studded
triple lines on the forehead standing for vibhuti marks
raises the hands in reverence instantly on entering the
mukha mantapa. This is the only saiva temple in
Tirupati. The temple enshrines Sri. Kapileshwaraswamy.
Waterfalls in this place are an attractive sight
(especially in rainy season). One can enjoy the peaceful
atmosphere, as this place is located a little away
from the town. City buses and autos are the means of
conveyance to reach Kapilatheertham. |
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| Sri
Kalahasti |
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| Distance: 40 Kms. |
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'Sri Kalahasti' is one of the
ancient sacred places of our country. It is
believed that many saints and holy persons
attained ' mukthi' at this unique and important
Siva Kshetra, which is well known for its
religious importance and philosophical greatness.
It is claimed that a visit to this holy shrine by
a devotee would earn him the 'peace', 'happiness'
and 'prosperity' with the blessings and divine
grace of Lord Siva. This religious centre is
situated in beautiful and natural setting. The
presiding deity of the 'puniya' kshetra is 'Sri
Kalahasteswara'. The Siva linga of Sri Kalahasti
is one of the five supreme Lingas representing the
five great fundamental ' Elements' namely (Appu)
Water, (Tejos) Fire, (Vayu) Air, (Akash) Sky,
(Prithvi) Earth. Lord Siva has taken the form of
'Vayu-Linga' in this temple to bless devotees
during all four
'yougas'. | |
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| Srinivasa
Mangapuram |
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| Distance: 11 Kms. |
The Kalyan Venkateswara is a replica of
the main deity of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala situated
towards western side of Tirupati, around 10 kms, on the
banks of the Swarnamukhi River. The reason behind the
construction of the temple here is an ethic that Lord
Venkateswara married padmavathi. While trekking to
Tirumala hills he wants to visit saint called Agastya,
and the blessings of the saint and as per his advise
Lord Venkateswara stayed beneath the hills for six
months. When Lord decides to go back to Tirumala he gave
two boons to the devotees that whoever could not be able
to do darshan at Tirumala can worship me at Srinivasa
Mangapuram the similar moksha can be attained by the
devotee. Whoever faces hindrances regarding their
marriage can come and worship him, they can overcome
their problems. Thus the lord is called as Kalyana
Venkateswara. This temple was in dilapidated condition
due to natural disasters and external aggression of
Yavanas, under such circumstances Chinna Tirumalayya
renovated the temple and conducted all the temple
rituals as per Agamasastra. This information is provided
in Rock pillar inscription inscribed during the period
of 22/03/1540 |
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| Kanipakkam |
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| Distance: 60 Kms. |
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The
renowned Varasiddi Vinayaka Temple
is situated here. The temple is
1000 years old. It is believed that
Vinayaka incarnated as ‘Swayambu’
here. According to Stalapurana,
three brothers who were deaf, dumb
and blind were digging a well. At
that time blood came from a black
stone. That blank stone is Vinayaka
idol. Due to touch of blood, the
three brother lost their deformities.
The idol is growing every year which
is manifested in change of ornaments
every year. There is a strong belief
that the wishes of the devotees
are fulfilled and hence called Varasiddi.
The temple is famous for pramanams.
Many of the people perform 'Pooja'
for their new vehicles here to avoid
untoward incidents. |
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| The
Sri Venkateswara Zoological park |
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Distance
: 12 Kms
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The Sri
Venkateswara Zoological park
is located in the outskirts
of the world famous temple
town of Tirupati. It is well
connected by both road and
rail. The nearest airstrip
is in Renigunta and the nearest
international airport is in
Chennai The message of conservation
of nature with all its diversity
is conveyed by highlighting
the role of animal and plant
life in Indian culture, mythology
and literature. It also reminds
the modern man of the importance
given to wild life by our
ancestors. The unique aspect
of this zoo is that all the
animals that have been exhibited
in this zoo are those mentioned
in our ancient epics and manuscripts
such as the Ramayana, Mahabharatha,
Panchatantra etc. The main
areas and enclosures in the
zoo have been named after
famous locations and personalities
mentioned in Indian mythology
and epics like the Ramayana
& the Mahabharata Few
other parks can boast of such
a scenic location and a diversity
of endemic flora and fauna
in vast natural and simulated
enclosures. |
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