Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala

Sthala Puranam

In the Kali age, Vishnu wanted to stay close to those who pray to him. Sage Narada guided him to the banks of the Swarnamukhi river in the south.

Adisesha became the hills around, called Seshachalam. Vishnu came down to the top as Venkateswara, and the place became Tirupati.

The seven peaks are said to be the seven hoods of Adisesha. The temple is on the seventh, Venkatadri.

The temple tank, Swami Pushkarini, is said to have been brought from Vaikuntha by Garuda. Tradition asks pilgrims to visit Bhu Varaha Swamy near the tank first.

Speciality

• Swami Pushkarini, a sacred tank of over 1.5 acres on the north side of the temple.
• Pilgrims offer their hair as a vow. Tirupati laddu has a Geographical Indication tag.
• Srivari Brahmotsavam, a nine-day festival in September–October, is the biggest festival. Vaikuntha Ekadasi is the busiest day of the year.
• Two footpaths climb the hills: Alipiri Mettu and Srivari Mettu.

Festivals

• Srivari Brahmotsavam (September–October), 9 days
• Vaikuntha Ekadasi (December–January)
• Ratha Saptami (February)
• Theppotsavam (float festival) on Swami Pushkarini

How to reach

Before you go

• Dress modestly. Leave footwear outside the temple.
• Timings, ticket rules and dress codes change. Check the temple's own notice or website before you travel.
• Book darshan, rooms and special poojas only at the official counter or website, not through agents.
• Sarva Darshan is the free general queue. Waits can run to many hours. Timed-slot tickets and accommodation are booked only through the official Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) site.
• Walking up: ask at Alipiri about current token rules for pedestrians. Rules and timings change.
• Do not pay agents or strangers for darshan tickets.

Prayers for this temple

• Vishnu Gayatri (Narayana)
• Achyutam Keshavam