TIRUPATI

Amidst the thickly-wooded hills in Chittoor district lies the temple town of Tirumala with Tirupati at the foothills, the abode of Lord Venkateswara. The range of hills is said to resemble a snake with Tirumala forming the hood. Lord Venkateswara, the residing god, is known as ‘Lord of the Seven Hills’ and ‘Balaji’.

Tirupati and Tirumala today are modern destinations of pilgrim tourists. Not only the bliss of a divine 'darshan' but added attractions provided by nature make them the ideal pilgrimage-cum-holiday destination.

While Balaji remains the main draw, the beauties of nature and the serene surroundings have made Tirupati today a much visited town. A beautiful road leads up across the Seven Hills to Tirumala

Kapilatheertham:
A sacred Tank a mile and a half distant from Tirupati, where Lord Shiva is said to have blessed Sage Kapila with a vision of himself and his concert.


Govindaraja Sway Temple:
The temple is dedicated to Govindaraja Perumal in contradistinction of the Venkatachalapathi shrine at the top of the hill. There is also a tower called Galigopuram, which is very famous. There are shrines of Sri Andal, Sri Parthasarathy and Sri Venkateswara in the temple.


Sri Kondandarama Swamy Temple
This temple is dedicated to Sri Rama is situated with n a distance of about a kilometer from Tirupati railway station. This temple was built to commemorate the visit of Sri Rama, Laksmana and Sita to Tirupati, while returning from Lanka.


Regional Science Center
The Regional Science Center is established by the Central Government for the benefit of School Children in particular and public in general to create the awareness about the scientific procedures and importance of Science education to human life. The Science Center conducts different Programmes for Teachers and Students regularly to improve the quality of Science Education. The Science Center also conducts science Exhibitions at least once a quarter, where in, they propagate the recent innovations in Science and Technology and provide guidance to the teachers in exploring the locally available resources and improvisations to make their Class room teaching effective.


S.V.Zoological Park
The changed concept of exhibiting wild animals in cramped cages to that of vast natural and simulated enclosures, has established the zoological Parks world over as centers of wild life conservations and environmental education in addition to research and recreation. The Andhra Pradesh Forest department which had two of India's Best Zoos to its credit at Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, has set up its third venture at Tirupati, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, with a daily visitation of about fifty thousand people from all
corners of the Country and a number of Academic and Professional Educational Institutions, Ideally suited to achieve the objectives of an ideal Zoological Park, named as Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park extending an area of 5532 acres.


Srinivasa Mangapuram:
It is a place where a temple dedicated to Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy, situated at a distance of 12 km on Tirupati Madanapalli Road. Puranas says that Lord Venkateswara Swamy after his Kalyanam with goddesses Padmavathi Devi at Narayana Vanam while proceeding to Tirumala Hills had stayed here for six months on the bank of the river Kalyani on the advice of Agastheeswara Maharshi. Hence this temple is named Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy.


Tiruchanur
In Tiruchanur which is five kilometers from Tirupati is the temple of Alamelumaga, the consort of the Lord on the top of the hill. A visit to Tirupati will not be completed unless a Darshan of this Goddess is also had.


Chandragiri Fort:
Chandragiri came in to prominence during the last days of Vijaya Nagar Empire. The Fort is said to have been built in 1000 A.D. and was later improved by the Vijaya Nagar Kings. The Fort is built on a Huge rock above 183 mts height. With in the wall of this fort lie the ruins of Palaces and Temples. Near the Fort there are two big Buildings, known as Mahals which are formerly used by the memebers of the Royal Families. They present good examples of Vijaya Nagar architecture.
Kalyani Dam:
The scenic, Picturesque Tourist and Picnic spot Kalyani dam constructed on the river Kalyani, is located at a distance of 25 km from Tirupati on Tirupati - Madanapalli Road, attracts number of Tourists from Tirupati and sorrounding villages of Chittoor District


Srikalahasti:
This picturesque religious centre is famous for the temple dedicated to Vayu, the wind god. It is said that the Linga was worshipped by a spider, by spinning a web over it, a snake by placing gem upon the Linga and an Elephant by washing the Linga with water from its trunk and attain Mukti. Hence this place is called Srikalahasthi.
Karvetinagar:
Karvetinagar earlier ruled by Suryavamsa Dynasty with Narayanvanam as their capital. Having special importance of this place due to rabit hunding dog, the rulers of surya dynasty later built their new capital Nagaram at this place by clearing the forest. In Tamil Kadu means forest, and vetti means clearing. Hence this place is known as Kaduvettinagaram and later known as Karvetinagaram which is now the mandal headquarters. The Venugopala Swamy Temple, Skanda pushkarani and the Old Palaces are worth seeing here.


Narayanavanam:
The importance of this village is due to big temple dedicated to Lord Kalyana Venkateswara swamy. It is believed that the marriage of Lord Venkateswara Swamy with Goddess Padmavathi Devi took palce here. This is the temple where in we can see both Venkateswara Swamy along with Padmavathi Devi in one temple complex. This place is famous for handlooms.


Kailasanathakona:
Kailasanathakona water falls are situated in the valley of Nagiri hills near Puttur. The water here is said to be rich in minerals and possess curative properties. Puranas reveal that Lord Kailasanatheswara Swamy attended the marriage of Lord Venkateswara Swamy and Goddess Padmavati at Narayanavanam and selected this water fall for meditation for sometime. Hence this place is called Kailasanathakona which is a picnic, scenic and pituresque spot.


Nagalapuram:
Nagalapuram Temple is said to have been built by Sri Krishnadeveraya in memory of his mother Nagamba. It contains a few rare stone images such as Vinachara, Dakshinamurthy, Hayagriva, Bhuvarbha and Trivikrama. The sun festival is March is very important here. During the festival the first rays of sun falls on the feet of the first day, on the abdomen on the second day, and on the face on the face on the third day. The temple is maintained by the T.T.D and annual Brahmostavam is being celebrated in large scale.


Talakona:
Talakona is famous for the temple of Sri Siddheswara Swamy and the scenic and picturesque water falls in the midst of thich forest. People from Chittor district and neighboring districts will gather on 1st January and Mahasivaratri festival days and week ends to pray god and enjoy the water falls. Puranas says that those who do not have children come here and pray god for children and name their children as Siddaiah or Siddamma. The water falls are four km from the temple.


Gurramkonda:
Gurramkonda is located in between Madanapalli - Rayachoti - Cuddapah road at a distance of 29 km from Madanapalli and 12 km from Vayalpad. This place was ruled by Lieutenants of Tippu Sultan of Mysore and they built a Fort on a huge hill and the Ragini Mahal and used to go to the Fort on Horses. Hence this place is called Gurramkonda, which has got historical and archaeological importance. The Ragini Mahal and Maqbara Tomb and the Fort are worth seeing here.


Reddemmakonda:
Reddemmakonda, the famous Pilgrim center is situated on Madanapalli - Gurramkonda - Cherlopalli - Rayachoti - Cuddapah road. The preceding deity here is a glorified and sanctified village "Lass Reddemma", Who lost her life in an attempt to escape molestation by sensuous lieutenants of Tippu Sultan, who chased her. On reaching huge rock during chase, finding no way to escape, she prayed protection in  a sheer helpless state and the rock before her, left a cleavage enabling her to pass through it. Soon after she entered inside the cleft closed affording no entry for chasers. Ever since that time, people around started praying the sacrificed Lass Reddamma for begetting children.


Sompalyam:
Sompalli, which has got architectural importance, is situated in between Mulakalacheruvu and Thambalpalli civil road at a distance of 6 km from Mulkala Cheruvu. A temple of Chennakesava swamy is claimed as one of the finest temples in Andhra districts. A monolith of the most graceful proportions stand in front, presenting a beautiful spectacle. The rich carvings on the kalyana Mandapam are very attractive. According to local tradition a shepherd was responsible for the construction of this temple during Vijayanagar period.