Occupying a special place in the hearts of millions of devotees, Tirupati, a pilgrimage city, attracts the largest number of pilgrims in India.
Ideally located at the foothills of Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh, the city is renowned for its Lord Venkateswara temple located at an altitude of 853 m on Tirumala hills.
It is also believed to be the richest shrines in the world.
It is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara (one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu).
The temple reflects Dravidian style of architecture and have beautiful gopuram and vimana.
The seven peaks of Tirumala namely Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri stand for the seven hoods of Adisesha.
There are many shrines in Tirupati but the most famous one is the Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple located on the Venkatadri hill, one of the seven hills of Tirumala.
It is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara ( one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu).
Tirumala is one of the 108 Sri Vaishnava Divya Desams- sacred shrines in the Sri Vaishnavite tradition.
The legend goes that the temple has a self-manifested idol of Lord Vishnu.
And it is said that this temple was once the abode of the Lord during the Kali Yuga.
The kings of the dynasties such as Cholas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagaras make their own individual contributions to the richness of the temple.
According to the Rid Veda and Asthadasa Puranas one must visit this temple.
Shopping is also a great attraction of Tirupati.
Its bazaars offer wonderful handicrafts such as Tanjore style gold leaf paintings, woodcarvings, wooden toys, idols of deities, brass lamps, rangoli stickers and bhajan cassettes.