A must-visit while in Tirumala, Silathoranam is one of the few natural bridges or arches to be found in Asia. It’s a natural rock formation and has the peculiar shape that appears to be the hood of a serpent and a conch. This is perhaps why it is believed that the idol of Lord Venkateswara at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is exactly of the same height as the Silathoranam.
About 5 Kms north of the Tirumala temple is a deep bowl formed by the surrounding hills that created a reservoir ages ago and many a mountain stream emptied into it. This came to be known as the Papavinashanam (The Cleanser of sins). It is believed that the holy waters of this place dissolve the sins of the devotees. Hence this place is known as Papavinashanam. A dam constructed here regulates the water flow.
The Akashganga waterfall is about 3 Kms north of the Tirumala temple. This is very famous for the prime reason is that its waters are used for The Lord’s bath every day. In the olden days, the priestess took turns to carry the water all the way from this part of jungle to the temple in the wee morning hours by the rough walk path that meanders thru the jungle even to this day.
The sacred temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala hills is easily accessible by all modes of transport. After reaching Tirupati, one can easily travel to Tirumala by road or on foot.
Tirumala has direct bus services from Tirupati with a frequency of a bus in every 2 minutes. Taxi’s are available at Tirupati.Buses and other transport are banned on ghat road from Tirupati to Tirumala between 12 AM and 3 AM. Tirupati to Tirumala by the ghat road is 21 km.
Tirumala does not have its own railway station. The nearest railway station is in Tirupati, which is a major railway station.
The nearest airport to Tirumala is near Renigunta about 15 km from Tirupati. This domestic airport has direct flights to Hyderabad, Visakapatnam, Chennai, New Delhi and Bangalore and is now being upgraded to an International airport.
Many devotees climb the hills to Tirumala on foot to fulfil a vow. There are two well-laid stone footpaths leading to Tirumala. The most ancient of the two starts from
In the divine seven hills of Tirumala, located on the banks of Swami Pushkarini, is the Sri Varahaswami Temple also known as Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy Temple. It has been mentioned in the holy book of Brahma Purana, it is essential for the devotees should first offer Naivedyam, which is the food cooked and offered to the God, to Sri Varahaswami. It has also been specified that pilgrims must visit the Sri Varahaswami temple, and seeks lord’s blessings before offering their prayers at Tirumala Temple. Hence this has been practised by every devotee, they visit Sri Varahaswamy temple first and then head towards the Tirupati Temple. According to the beliefs, for a pilgrim to have a complete Tirupati visit, he or she first must take bath in the holy waters of Swami Pushkarini, and then offer their prayers to Sri Varahaswami Temple and afterwards a visit to the Tirupati Balaji Temple.
Swami Pushkarini Lake is situated within the main premises of Sri Venkateswara Temple.This is also considered to be the holy lake of Vaikuntha, where Lord Vishnu used to take bath with his wife. Garuda is believed to have brought the theertha and water at this site. The holy water tank at this place is associated with cleansing all the evils and sins of the people.
