Places to Visit
Tirumala
Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple (Distance: 20Km)
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.
Tiruchanur Padmavati Temple
Sri Padmavathi Temple (Distance 4 kms)
Tiruchanoor, also known as Alamelumangapuram, is about 5 km from Tirupati. The temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi, the consort of Lord Sri Venkateswara is situated here. It is said that a visit to Tirumala is fruitful only after visiting the Sri Padmavathi Devi temple. You may wonder why Sri Padmavathi Devi's temple is away from Lord Sri Venkateswara's. Legend has it that the Lord (Sri Maha Vishnu, who later took on the incarnation of Sri Venkateswara) showed his reverence towards the sage, Bhrigu Maharshi, even though the sage had insulted Vishnu by kicking Him on the chest. In anger, Sri Maha Lakshmi (the Lord's consort) reached Patala Loka, where she heard a divine voice stating that a pushkarini was dug on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, and here She immersed herself in penance for 12 years.
Govindaraja Swamy Temple
Lord GovindaRaja SWamy Temple (Distance 0.4 kms)
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.
Kapilatheertham
Lord Shiva Temple (Distance: 3.6 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.
Kanipakam
Lord Vinayaka Swamy Temple (Distance: 56 Kms.)
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.
Sri Kalahasti
Lord Shiva Temple (Distance: 34 Kms.)
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'.
Vellore Golden Temple
Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple (Distance: 106 Kms.)
The religious center of Sripuram, famous golden temple is located among the small green mountains in an area called Malaikodi at Vellore city in Tamil Nadu state, India. It is located at the south part of Vellore city, at the place of Tirumalaikodi. The significance characteristics of Sripuram are temple of Mahalakshmi or temple of Lakshmi Narayan who is Ardha Mandapam and Vimanam is coated with pure gold including both interior as well as exterior. Renowned temple of Sri Lakshmi, prevalently called Golden temple, is recently constructed temple as well as Spiritual Park at the place of Thirumalaikodi in Vellore city.
Ardhagiri Hanuman Temple
Hanuman Temple (Distance: 75 Kms.)
That, Faith can move the mountains, is proved at this temple. 15 kms away from Kanipakkam is Sri Veeranjaneya swamy temple of Ardhagiri. This famous temple that attracts devotees from far and wide has a legend. It seems in Tretayuga during a battle Lakshmana went unconscious. In order to save his life Lord Hanuman carried Sanjeevani Parvatha. During the journey a piece of Sanjeevani Parvatha fell here. Later that place was called Aragonda. It is a belief that, the Sanjeevaraya Pushkarini (Tank) water here never gets dried up. Devotees carry water from this pond for intake as it is said to cure all diseases and it stays fresh for a longer period. Consuming the holy water has cured more than 1860 diseases.
Srinivasa Mangapuram
Sri Srinivasa Temple (Distance: 12 Kms.)
Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami temple is at Srinivasa Mangapuram situated 12 km to the west of Tirupati. According to legend, Lord Venkateswara stayed here after his marriage with Sri Padmavathi Devi, before proceeding to Tirumala. Annual Brahmotsavam and Sakshatkara Vaibhavam are celebrated in grand manner.