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Trivandram
Tirupati is the richest pilgrimage city (of any religious faith) in the world, located in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India
Overview
Tirupati is located at the foothills of Tirumala. The city owes its existence to the sacred temple situated on the Tirumala Hills. Tirumala is the abode of Lord Venkateshwara, one of the Avatars of Lord Vishnu, located atop Seshachala hills often called as "Yaedu Kondalu" (seven hills). The temple of Lord Venkateshwara was build by the Tamil king Thondaimaan, and reform periodically by Cholas and later Telugu Kings. It is the richest and most visited temple (of any faith) in the world.
Tirupati has been a city for many years though recognised as a major municipal Corporation (MCT) only recently. It is the fourth largest city (5 lakh population and 56 km² area) in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Although the district headquarters is 60 km from the city, major government establishments and operations take place in Tirupati alone. The Tirupati Urban Development Authority further expanded its horizon to about 400 km² with a total population of about 8 lakhs. Tirupati is a very fast growing city with IT, BPO and Health industries coming. It is a major boom for real estate. Tirupati is also emerging into a major al, entertainment, tourism and a commercial city. Near the bus stand, stands a statue of the great singer Bharatharatna M.S. Subbulakshmi.
Etymology
Garuda Statue on the way to Tirumala
The word Tirupati means the Lord of Lakshmi and the word Tirumalai means Mountain of Highness in Tamil. Tirumalai is called as Tirumala in Telugu. Tirumagal means Lakshmi, Pathi means husband or king, and Malai means hill. Another version of etymology goes like this. The word Thiru Venkatachalapathy is formed of few sub-words Thiru Vel Irrukkum Eedum or Thiruvenkadam and Thalapathy. In other words, the place of the lord holding the sacred Vel. Within Vaishnava tradition the temple is considered as one of the 108 most sacred temples throughout India, collectively known as 'Tirupatis'. Since Tirumalai and Tirupathi have been passed from the Tamil-majority Madras State to the majority-Telugu Andhra State, Tirumalai is now officially known as Tirumala.
History
The Tirumala hills are the world's second oldest rock mountains. The Sangam literature of Tamil such as Silapadikaram and Satanar's Manimekalai, dated between 500 BC to 300 AD, mentions Tiruvengadam (now named Tirupati) as the northernmost frontier of the Tamil Kingdoms.
It is believed that it was "Aadi Varaha Kshetra" (the ancient site of Varaha) mentioned in Indian literature dating during the Mauryan and Gupta regimes. Lord Venkateswara is referred in Vedas, Tirupati is considered as Kaliyuga Vaikuntha (Heaven on the earth).
Front View of Tirumala Temple
The site was an established center by the 5th century A.D, and the Alvars (Vaishnava saints) belonging to the Bhakti movement in Dravidian land sung in praise of Venketeswara. Its significance in Southern Vaishnava tradition was at the time next only to Srirangam. The temple was richly endowed by the kings of various dynasties thus adding to its current reputation as the richest and most opulent pilgrimage centre in the world. It was supported by Cholas, later by Hoysalas, the Vijayanagaras. Krishna Deva Raya of Vijayanagara led the temple to great popularity by donating gold and other ornaments for the temple and constructing extended shrines. The place of Chandragiri, presently a village near Tirupati, was used as the secondary capital of Vijayanagara kings.
Tirupati survived the Muslim invasions of South India, unlike other temples such as the Meenakshi temple in Madurai and Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam. It is believed that during the invasions the deity of Sriranganatha from Srirangam was brought to Tirupati for safekeeping. To commemorate this event, a hall in Tirupati is still known as the Ranganatha mandapa.
Tirumala
The Tirumala hill is 3200 ft above sea level, and is about 10.33 sq miles in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha, thus earning the name, Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.
Climate
Rainy Season remains pleasant.
City Life
The city has many places of attraction. In the evening, Municipal music gardens, also known as Centenary Park is filled with the youth. It has many musical fountains to attract children. The second hot spot in the city is the exhibition grounds near the bus-stand. The Central Park shopping mall and Arcades nearby have huge shops to cater the public with their requirements like jewellery, gifts, clothes, cosmetics, super marts, gadget showrooms and many more. Pasuparthy's Super Market, Sarayu Hyper Mart and TMC on the Tirumala bypass road (Near Krishna Dev Raya Junction Signal) are other shopping malls. A shopping mall has recently been inaugurated at NTR Square near Town Club. The multiplex in T.P area and the group theatres near the bus stand are worth visiting. One can also pay a visit to the famous Hastha-kala-ramam, formerly known as Urban Haat, near STPI on Tiruchanur Express road. The major center of attraction for the children and youth is Grand Water World by near Karakambadi, some 13 km from the city centre. Not to mention about the other places like Mahati auditorium, Annamacharya Kalamandapam which host the culture and traditional aspects of the city. The traffic is moderate to very high in peak hours. Traffic is managed by well maintained traffic signals at every important junction. The roads are wide and good parking facility and lane systems have been provided. You find young guys and girls in modern dresses and elder residents in traditional dress. A walk in the evenings near K.T. road and ISCKON is a pleasant surprise for you. Shopping and commercial localities on Prakasham Road, Big Bazaar, Chinna Bazaar Street, T.K Street, Kola Street, M.G Road, G. Car Street, Tilak Road, V.V Mahal Road, K.T Road and also Tirumala Bypass Road and Tiruchanur Express Road, a few parts of Maruthi Nagar in Tirupati-West. The Reliance have started a big hypermarket Reliance Mart which is the third Reliance Hypermarket in India and the first Reliance Hypermarket in South India.
SV Zoological Park and Science Center
Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park is the second of its kind in the Andhra Pradesh. It has many species of animals and plants which are being conserved. Regional Science Center, must visit for children, is also present nearby which is very famous in Andhra Pradesh. It also has a planitorium which grabs huge amounts of crowd. It takes minimum of a day to see it. Nearly 10 to 15 tigers are present in this zoo. There is a proposed pharma university and medical at renigunta in an area of 165 acres. An IT SEZ is also coming up in Renigunta in 147 acres. Surappakasam township is also coming which is in between Tiruchanoor and Renigunta.
Transportation
Road
Tirupati has the third largest bus station in Andhra Pradesh. It has nearly 50 platforms. Tirupati has another bus station near Alipiri. For every 2 minutes, there is a bus facility from Tirupati to Tirumala. Tirupati has bus facilities connecting almost each and every important city and town. Tirupati has good infrastructure. The by-pass laid by NTR is a six lane road covering most of the parts in the city. Tirupati is criss-crossed by National Highways. For every 3-4 km, traffic signals are present to control the traffic. Many non air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses are operated by the government-run APSRTC and other private operators connecting Tirupati to other major cities and towns directly.
Rail
Tirupati East railway station has 10 platforms. The station is currently undergoing moderanisation with the construction of 3 escalators. There is another major junction in Tirupati (Renigunta).Tirupati West railway station and Chandragiri stations are also present which have to be developed. There are many trains travelling across the country with Tirupati as the starting point. Tirupati is connected to all the cities in the country with railways. Tirupati railway station is the fourth in India to be recognised as a "World class" with Mumbai, Delhi, Secunderabad in the first three places.
Air
Tirupati Airport is the third airport established in the state. It operates national airlines between Tirupati and Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi and Visakhapatnam. Air India operates flights from Hyderabad and Delhi, while Deccan operates flights from Vishakapatnam(Vizag), Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The airport is located 15 km from the city center. Paramount Airways is planning to launch its service soon. Other services are roping up to join the big league too. The airport is huge and to international standards. The runway is being extended by 1 km and the night landing facility has been installed recently.
Culture
Tirupati is a landmark in the culture and traditions for Hindus. The residents and visitors can be seen in both traditional attire like pancha, lungi and chira and modern attire. Practices of tonsure and using tilaka are commonly seen. Songs and prayers of Lord Venkateswara like Annamacharya kirtanas can be heard all over the city. Every year, "Telugu Bhasha Bramhostavams" are conducted here to delevop the usage of Telugu language.
Festivals
Elephants Welcoming Lord Srinivasa
The town celebrates most Vaishnava festivals including Vaikunta Ekadasi, Rama Navami and Janmashtami with great splendor, while the Brahmotsavam celebrated every year during September is the most important festival in Tirumala when it receives millions of devotees over a short span of a week. Rathasapthami (Magha Shuddha Saptami) is another festival, celebrated during February, when Lord Venkateswara's idol is taken in a procession around the temple chariots.
Another local festival Gangamma Jathra is also celebrated as a major festival. The Goddess Gangamma is offered animal sacrifices and also pongal and other offerings by the devotees. She is considered as the sister of The Lord Almighty, Govinda.
Religious Attractions
KodhandaRamaSwamy Temple at Tirupathi
There are many temples in Tirupati and Tirumala. Some of them are:
* Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu as 'Venkateswara' (or Srinivasa) and attracts followers from a wide range of Hindu traditions.
* Alamelu Mangamma Shrine in Alamelumangapuram also called Thiruchanoor
* Padmavati Temple
* Govindaraja Swamy Temple
* Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple: The temple is so beautiful in architecture. Lord Rama, Seetha and Lakshmana are present in a beautiful form in the temple. Lord Anjaneya Swamy is seen near the foot of Lord Rama. The temple is in the heart of the city. There is also another temple dedicated to Lord Anjaneya Swamy opposite to Kodhanda Rama Swamy Temple. Prasadams are offered daily to pilgrims.
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New Delhi 110 008.
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