Posted 21 October 2022 in Culture & Heritage

Here’s why you should travel to the underrated city of Tirupati this season

For those interested in learning more about Indian mythology, Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple (also known as the Balaji temple) at Tirumala has a number of intriguing legends. Lord Vishnu is believed to have resided atop one of the city's seven hills in Tirupati.

Every day, hundreds of people come to the temple to pay their respects. Lord Balaji blesses everyone, whether they are newlyweds, pilgrims seeking tranquillity, seekers of enlightenment, or students getting ready to embark on a new journey.

Let's uncover the best reasons to visit Tirupati this season:

Tradition: Before embarking on any new endeavour, it is tradition in Indian culture to seek the blessing of the a Many families take theiryoung children to visit Lord Balaji before the start of the school year. Pilgrims believe that Lord Balaji descended from heaven to bless them. Visitors visiting the Tirumala temple in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh are supposed to be able to see Lord Venkateshwara's ‘Divine Abode’ also known as Vaikunta. Hindu mythology depicts Lord Balaji as Kalyug Pratyusha Devam, or celestial incarnation, who takes on the form of the demon Kali.

Beautiful Location: Because of its spectacular location, the Tirumala Balaji temple is frequently referred to as the 'Temple of the Seven Hills.' These hills, which are part of the Seshachalam mountain range, are located in the Andhra Pradesh district of Chittoor and are a popular tourist destination. The temple is perched atop one of the seven peaks that make up the Seshachalam mountain range in southern India. Due to its spectacular beauty and religious atmosphere, it has been drawing people from all across India and the rest of the world for many years now. The temples of Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy and Swami Pushkarini, as well as the Tirupati Museum and the Akash Ganga waterfalls, are all noteworthy destinations for families travelling to Tirupati on their vacation itinerary.

Architecture: According to historical accounts, Lord Venkateshwara chose the hill of Tirumala as his permanent home around 5,000 yr Breathtaking architecture on 16.2 acres of land, a Dravidian-style temple was built in 300 AD and accessible to the public at the time of its construction. It has been defended by the Pallavas, Cholas, and Vijayanagara throughout history, and they have all played a role in its preservation. One of the main reasons people go from all over the globe to view the temple is its spectacular architecture.

Prasad: As prasadam, visitors are given laddus from the Tirupati temple. Prasadam is an integral part of every pilgrim's trip after visiting the world-famous Tirupati temple, and it is particularly important for the temple's younger visitors. From as early as the 18th century, when Lord Venkateshwara got his very first Srivari laddu, this has been distributed. Ithas a pleasant flavour since it is lord's offering.

Festivities: Visitors are encouraged to visit the templeon days that are deemed lucky by the local community, such as New Year's Day. Participation in religious festivals such as Brahmotsavam (September-October), Pavithrotsavam (November-December), Makar Sankranti (January-February) draws people from all across India and throughout the globe, including the United States. During the hottest months of the year, the number of visitors to this temple increases. Pilgrims may be permitted to remain at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, according to the availability of space. Pilgrims are only permitted to remain at the hostel for a maximum of 24 hr. In Tirupati, guests may stay in hotels and bungalows that are two- and three-star in quality and price.

Places to eat in Tirupati

Zodiac: Zodiac Restaurant specialises in Asian food. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and supper are all available. Their food is exceptional. The quality of service is outstanding. On the same day, guests may stay in any of Tirupati's hotels and eat at the restaurant.

Rainbow: Rainbow Restaurant is a vegan restaurant. Chinese, Italian, Indian, and Asian cuisines are available. Dinner, lunch, or brunch are all available. They deliver excellent service and delicious food. Their prices range from ₹258 to ₹ 581 per person on average. They also take credit cards as a form of payment.
Minerva Coffee Shop: Minerva Coffee Shop has a wide variety of delectable pastries and drinks. Their Indian food is well-known. The supper is fantastic, and the service is flawless. They are maybe most known for their exceptional cup of coffee.

Sri Lakshmi Narayan Bhavan: Sri Lakshmi Narayan Bhavan is a restaurant that serves Indian and in general Asian cuisine. There is also a take-out option. They have a parking lot for customers. The meals are delicious. The service is excellent, and the cost is justified.
Hotel Bliss: Asianand Chinese cuisines are available at Hotel Bliss. They also provide a delivery service to their customers' homes. They not only provide exquisite meals, but they also make sure the food is clean. The food is well worth the money. Due to its closeness to the city centre, it is preferable.
Neptune's Bar: The Neptune Bar is an Indian eatery. The bar is warm and inviting, with a music system and a television to keep you entertained. They also provide a delivery service to their customers' homes. It is the ideal hotel for spending time with friends and family in Tirupati because of its beautiful location.

How to Reach Tirupati?

Byroad: In order to link Tirumala and Tirupati, direct bus service is provided with one bus every two minutes. Direct bus service is available to the city from Chennai, Bengaluru, and Vellore. Tourists visiting Tirupati can reach the city by hired taxis and private bus operators from surrounding cities including Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Bengaluru, in addition to public buses.

By rail: Tirumala is not served by a railway station of its own. From Tirumala, the closest railway station is Tirupati, which is about 26 km This station provides service to the surrounding area. The railway station in Tirupati is a significant facility, with five platforms and an escalator to accommodate a large number of passengers. It is well-equipped with modern comforts and amenities. It has excellent transportation links to major cities around India.
By air: The closest airport to Tirumala is located in Renigunta, which is about 15 kilometres from Tirupati. This domestic airport, which now offers direct flights to T irupati from different destinations and is currently undergoing a transition into a fully operating international airport. You can get the best deals and discounts on IndiGo flight routes.
By foot: A large number of devotees make their way up the mountain to Tirumala to fulfil a vow. To get to Tirumala, one must descend two stone pathways that have been well-maintained. The sopanamargas are the pathways that take you to this location. The oldest of the two sopanamargas begins in Alipiri, at the foot of the mountains, and weaves its way through the woods until it reaches the coast. This route is 11 km long and is the most frequently used of all. The second sopanamarga (Srivari mettu) begins at Chandragiri. Restrooms, security, café, toilets, drinking water, medical assistance, and devotional music broadcast throughout the paths are all provided and maintained by TTD staff. The free baggage transportation service provided by TTD is available to devotees who wish to hike the hills to Tirumala to worship.

Conclusion

After having uncovered the best reasons to visit Tirupati this holiday season, it's time to get your bookings done. Don't miss indulging in one of the many wonderful festivities like Brahmotsavam festival, Var festival and Flamingo festival. Tirupati, a city famous for its beauijayanagty and famous temples, is worth paying a visit.