Tirumala is well-known as a pilgrimage place, attracting a large number of Hindu devotees each year. However, many people are unaware that Tirumala has other tourist attractions that are significant as historical and cultural heritage sites. Today, we will talk about Best Places to visit in tirumala hills.
White, cotton-like clouds blend into the pure blue sky and granite mountains as far as the eye can see. The terrain is rocky, the tree cover is somewhat dense, and little waterfalls cascade down the rocks, adding to the attractiveness.
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An amazing places to visit in Tirumala
Here is a well-curated list of the greatest sites to visit in Tirumala on your spiritual journey. Continue reading to learn more!
1. Akasa Ganga (Places to visit in tirumala hills)
Akasa Ganga is a revered waterfall on the Venkatadri Tirumala foothill, about 3 kilometres from Tirumala Bus Station and 5 km from Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Sanctuary. The main Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Shrine is around 5 km away from the waterfall, and the Tirumala Nambi family is allowed to convey holy water from the waterfall from the top.
It is a popular tourist attraction in Tirumala. The Vedas describe this hallowed theertha, and it is believed that Akasa Ganga Teertham arose at Venkateswara’s lotus feet. Previously, sanctuary priests took water from this section of the bush in the early morning hours.
2. Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, named after Venkateswara, was founded on the topic of Mythology. Lord Vishnu incarnations such as Varaha, Mastya, Kurma, and Narasimha avatars are displayed near the zoo’s entrance, thereby justifying the theme. It is home to 49 species of birds, 7 species of reptiles, and 32 species of animals.
It is also known as SV Zoo Park or Tirupati Zoo Park. The park features Lion Safari and Deer Safari facilities. Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park is one of the top tourist attractions in Tirumala if you want to be close to nature and wildlife. The zoo is so big to have an amazing experience with family and friends you can also come with your child to explore this beautiful zoo.
3. Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary
The Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary is a popular tourist spot in Tirumala. The Sanctuary’s varied fauna includes elephants, deer, tigers, leopards, and wild boars. The Sanctuary is also well-known for its magnificence. The area also offers excellent opportunities for bird watching.
Popular bird species found at the sanctuary include peacocks, kingfishers, parrots, and doves. Several lovely spots can be found around the park. Camping and trekking are among popular activities in the area. The Tirumala Wildlife Park offers a variety of recreational activities.
4. Chandragiri Fort (Places to visit in tirumala hills)
Chandragiri Fort, which spans approximately 25 acres, is supposed to have been built by the Yadava rulers in the 11th century. The mediaeval fort is situated on a hill known as Chandragiri and features Vijayanagara architecture.
It contains a Raja Mahal, or King’s Palace (now turned into an antiquities museum) operated by the Indian Archaeological Survey, a Rani Mahal, or Queen’s Palace, and a reservoir. The Raja Mahal, built in Indo-Saracenic style, houses sculptures, wooden carvings, antiques, and other items that date back thousands of years.
The Rani Mahal is a double-story palace built in the same style as the Raja Mahal. Although the fort was ruled by several dynasties, it has stood the test of time and retained the art, culture and architectural heritage of the area.
5. Sila Thoranam (Places to visit in tirumala hills)
Sila Thoranam is three kilometres away from the main temple. It is a naturally occurring rock arch near Chakra Teertham. Both “sila” and “thoranam” refer to rocks. The arch is 8 metres (26.2 feet) wide and 3 metres (9.8 feet) tall. It was produced spontaneously. It is also known as the Rock Garden. While excavating this site in 1980, archaeologists unearthed this natural stone arch.
This natural arch is constructed of two types of rocks that are joined together. However, the legends about the arch are perhaps more interesting. The formation is pre-Cambrian in age and dates back millions of years. The rock’s age has been calculated to be around 2500 million years, and the age of the arch is computed to be about 1500 million years.
6. TTD Gardens (Places to visit in tirumala hills)
The TTD Gardens are a 460-acre collection of floral, landscape, and decorative gardens in Tirupati and Tirumala. Tirumala’s four nurseries, located in the Travellers Bungalow, Gogarbham Dam, Sri Padmavathi Guest House, and Divyaramam regions, propagate ten lakh plants each year. New hybrid varieties of crotons, hibiscus, and bougainvillaas have been introduced and named after prominent individuals through hybridization and mutation.
The eminent Vaishnava acharya Sri Ramanuja and his pupil Sri Anandalwar are credited with establishing these gardens in the 14th century. Dasa Nambis, a Sattada Sri Vaishnava, is said to have managed the Tirumala flower gardens and made flower garlands for the temples at Tirumala-Tirupati.
7. Tumburu Theertham (Places to see in tirumala)
Thumburu Theertham, located 12 kilometres from Tirumala and 7 kilometres from Papavinasanam, tells the legend of a Gandharva who cursed his wife for her sloth. According to legend, the woman transformed into a toad and was condemned to live in the pond until the arrival of the sage Agasthya and his followers.
When the great sage was instructing his students about the holiness of the pond, the toad regained her Gandharva form, and the teertham became known as Tumburu teertham. It is one of Tirumala’s most popular tourist spots, approximately 12 kilometres from Tirumala Tirupati Balaji.
To get there, go 7 kilometres along a rough trail from Papa Vinasanam & Kalyani Dam. Typically, the road is open to the public at all times Palguna Poornima in March. On the route to this location, there are around five waterfalls.
8. Talakona Waterfalls (Places to visit in tirumala hills)
Talakona Falls are located in Andhra Pradesh’s Sri Venkateswara National Park, 89 km from Nerabailu Village in the Yerravari Mandal of the Chittoor district. The beautiful waterfall, which drops from a height of roughly 270 feet deep into a valley, is the tallest in Andhra Pradesh and one of the most popular tourist spots in the state.
This is another well-known waterfall near Bangalore. The waterfalls are surrounded by beautiful nature and greenery. The water at Talakona Falls is supposed to be imbued with therapeutic plants.
9. Gogarbham Dam Park (Places to visit in tirumala hills)
One of the reservoirs that supplies water to Tirumala people is the Gogarbham dam. This Gogarbham dam was built across the Gogarbham creek for Tirumala drinking water. This is a little dam, and one park has been constructed beside the Gogarbham Dam for pilgrims to relax, with decent care and room for improvement.
This reservoir is located on the peak of Tirumala, Lord Venkateshwara’s residence, on the road to Papavinasanam. This serene splendour of green mountains would make anyone fall in love. There are pockets of mound in the middle of the reservoir that support some trees and provide habitat for birds.
10. Japali Theertham
A peaceful location, Japali Theertham is tucked away among the lush, green Tirumala Hills. Caves surround this peaceful waterfall, creating a calm atmosphere ideal for relaxation and meditation.
Both pilgrims and lovers of the great outdoors are drawn to this beautiful place by its pure rivers that slowly fall down.
Surrounded by plenty of vegetation, Japali Theertham offers an ideal escape from daily life, inviting guests to lose themselves in the happiness of the natural world and take comfort in its calm environment.
11. Deer Park
Nature lovers and animal lovers will find paradise in Tirumala Hills’ Deer Park. The park, which is home to several deer species, including as sambar and spotted deer, provides a rare chance to see these beautiful animals in their great environment.
With its green surroundings, the park offers a calm setting for guests to relax and establish a connection with the natural world.
The park is connected with walking routes that let guests explore and take in the beauty of their surroundings while catching views of the lovely deer that walk freely among the woods.
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