Temples · On Tirumala
Tirumala – Sri Venkateswara Temple
History and legend
Legend says Vishnu came to earth as Srinivasa to seek Lakshmi and settled on these hills. Recorded history spans over a thousand years. Pallava queen Samavai made the first recorded endowment, and the outer-wall inscriptions date from 966 to 1013 CE.
Pallava, Chola and Pandya kings worshipped here. The Vijayanagara emperors gave the temple most of its wealth, and Krishnadevaraya installed his own statue in 1517.
What makes it unique
- One of the world's most visited and richest religious sites, with around 24 million pilgrims a year.
- The sanctum sits under the gold-plated Ananda Nilayam vimana.
- It is one of the 108 Divya Desams.
Distance from Nirvana Backpackers
About 25 km, roughly 1 hour.
How to reach
Take an APSRTC bus, cab or bike up the ghat road from Alipiri. You can also walk up via the Alipiri or Srivari Mettu footpaths.
Tip: Book darshan and accommodation slots on the official TTD website well ahead, and follow the temple dress code.
Stay at Nirvana Backpackers
Budget AC dorm beds in Tirupati, a base for Tirumala – Sri Venkateswara Temple and the rest of the temple town. Lockers, Wi-Fi and free luggage storage.
See beds & prices