What to do in Tirupati in 2 Days

For most of first time travellers to Tirupati the only place to visit is Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple which is one of the richest and oldest temples in India as well as in the world. But there are many other amazing places to go. In this blog I will summarize 13 places you can visit in 2 days.

How to go to Tirupati: Tirupati is well connected with rest of India. You can go by bus (from most of major south Indian cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Kanchipuram) or hire cab (through apps like Ola or Uber or any private cab) or go by Rail (Railway station Tirupati) or by flight (Tirupati International Airport).

Where to Stay in Tirupati: If you want to stay in Tirumala (where Balaji temple is located) there are free or paid (at the cost of very less amount of money) accommodations provided by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD). The service is provided first come first serve basis. If you want to stay in Tirupati the best location to stay to visit major attractions in Tirupati is nearby Sri Vishnu Nivasam. During our visit we stayed in Laxmi Narayan Bhavan (LNB) Residency just opposite to Sri Vishnu Nivasam and their service was very good. Tirupati Bus stand is just a minute away.

 

Govinda Raja Swami Temple

This temple is built of stones just like many other south Indian temples. Here Lord Vishnu is worshiped in Anantashayi Avatar (reclining posture). Spiritual scripts are there on the stone walls. On the way to the main temple Goddess Laxmi’s various forms and Lord Vishnu’s avatars are there. Mahalaxmi temple, Parthasarathi temple, Sri Kalyanavenkateswara temple, Godess Andal temple are there. As per the mythology Govindaraja Swami is elder brother of Venketeswara Swamy of Tirupati and associated with progress in terms of wealth and prosperity.

There are shops selling garlands, photo, bags, cloth etc. on both sides of the road to Govindaraja Swami Temple. During evening on the bank of pond Bhagavat Gita is recited alongwith other religious teachings. Remove shoes before entering the temple. Before entrance to main temple you can find Sri Manayala Mahamunigal Sannidhi, temple dedicated to different Alwars (guards of Lord Vishnu). Free cellphone and luggage deposit counter is there. At the center there is a huge tree where people take rest. Photography and videography are not allowed inside the temple. Special ticket is there for quick darshan and price of the ticket is Rs.20/- but if you want to visit the place slowly free darshan is sufficient.

Ram Mandir

Inside this temple Lord Ram is worshipped. You can listen Ram bhajan being played through sound system. Remove your shoes before entering the temple. Free shoe and cell phone deposit counters are there outside the temple.

Sri Kapileswara Swami Vari Temple

After reaching Sri Kapileswara Swami Vari temple you start walking from big gate in front of the temple with the sign of Kapileswara Swami Vari Temple. You can buy people selling flowers, mangoes and other worshipping items before entrance. As you walk towards the temple on the way you can see signboards of Forest Department. A beautiful park is there inside. This place comes under Vanaganga Forest.

Sri Kapileswara Swami temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is the only shaiva kshetram in Tirupati. The water from the waterfall of Seshachala hills is being stored in the tank inside the temple which is called Kapilateertham. This tank is surrounded on it’s three sides by Seshachala hills. During my two times visit I found this is the most famous spot for photoshoot. It is said that taking bath in this holy tank and performing poojas to Navagraha (nine planets) wards off the sins and fulfills all the wishes. The temple is open from 5AM to 8PM. Inside the main temple different forms of Lord Shiva are worshipped.

On the eastern side of the tank Sri Kapileswara Maha Shivalingam is there. On the southern side of the tank Sri Venugopala Swamy and his consorts Sri Rukmini and Sri Satyabhama temple facing northern direction is there. Sri Lakshminarayana Swamy temple is there near to Sri Venugopala Swamy temple. After darshan of Kapileswara Swami temple visit Hanuman temple.

ISKCON Tirupati

Next visit ISKCON temple branch of Tirupati. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The whole temple complex is light blue in color. Wash your feet before entering the temple. There is a tank at the entrance of the temple. It’s called Govinda Pushkarini. Mythological Samudra Manthan (churning the ocean of milk for amrita or nector of immortality) is depicted on the side of the tank. In front of the main temple there is a golden pillar which is similarly seen in other south Indian temples. Wood carvings related to Lord Vishnu like Shankha (the conch), Kaumodaki/Gada (the mace), Radha-Krishna dancing and sitting on a swing, Padma (the lotus), Lord Vishnu standing with his weapons are there.  Before entry of temple hall Lord Vishnu in Balaji form is there. The roof arts are beautiful. You can buy Sri Sri Radha Govinda Laddu Maha Prasadam (Rs.50/- for each laddu), Sri Bhagavat Gita, T-shirts, holy books and other interesting items from the shop inside the temple.

At around noon we were lucky to receive free prasad (pongal) of the temple.

Ramkrishna Mission Ashram Tirupati

Just opposite to ISKCON Ramkrishna Mission is situated. Ramkrishna Mission was originally started by Swami Vivekananda (famous disciple of Sri Ramkrishna) in West Bengal by the bank of River Ganga which later spread to many other places in India and abroad. You can sit there for some time and do meditation. Read and roam around the library. The temple complex is small but you will find peace of mind inside.

Regional Science Centre Tirupati

This place is an amazing place to learn science in a simple way. Get entry ticket for Rs. 30/- for each person. Outside the main building there are scientific tools which you can see and understand how they work. Then visit the main building where physics, space technology, Sound related technologies, nanotechnology, biotechnology related science exhibitions are there.

Checkout Blog on Regional Science Centre

Sri Lalitha Peetham

This temple is newly built. Banana plants, mango trees are there on both sides of the way to the temple. Gomata or cow is worshipped. You can feed her by paying Rs.10/-

In Lalitha peetham the most interesting thing is that you enter through the mouth of lion to see 12 jyotirlingas and Shaktipeethams. In the main temple Goddess Durga is worshipped. Then there is a place like cave (you have to get down through the stairs) where there are statues of Lord Rama and his teacher (Lord Rama learning from his teacher). People offer coins/Rupee notes there. After seeing the temple you will be happy to see 12-15 small turtles swimming in a small water-tank.

Venkateswara Vishnu Temple, Mangapuram

This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is also known as Kalyana Venkateswara Temple. The temple complex comprises of three shrines. The central one is for Venkateswara Vishnu. The second one is for Reclining Ranganatha and a seated image of Lakshmi Narayana. The third one is for Vishvakshamapathi. As per Archeological Survey of India the temple complex belongs to 14th-16th Century AD and sculptured ornamentations of torons (embellished pillars and walls with designs of Elephant, Lion, Crocodile, Lotus Buds) indicate the completeness and finest Vijayanagara style. There is dress code for this temple (Wear Indian dresses). Special entry ticket is available at Rs.5/- for each person.

Chandragiri Fort

This fort is believed to be built during 1000AD. by Immadi Nrasimha Yadavaraya. It was later improved by the Vijayanagara rulers. The portions which are open to the visitors comprises of Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal. Raja Mahal is the place where musuem is located and you can see collections of weapons, coins, worshipping materials, photographs of ancient cave arts etc. of very historical period. Rani Mahal is an open stable like place and the upper floor is believed to be the quarters of the soldiers of Viajayanagar. Musuem timing is 9am to 5pm. Friday Museum holiday.

Check out blog on Chandragiri Fort

Check out video of Chandragiri Fort

Padmavati Temple

Padmavati or commonly known as Goddess Lakshmi is Lord Balaji’s wife. People offer Padma or lotus to her during worshipping. There are two small temples inside Padmavati temple – Lord Balaram and Lord Krishna. There is also a temple of Sundar Balaji. You enter through Gate No. 3 where you can see many women selling lotus (special flower for Goddess Padmavati), flowers, garland. After entering you can go for free darshan or buy special ticket for quick darshan at Rs.100/- or Rs.20/- for each person. We were in hurry as we reached just before closing time so we purchased Rs.100/- ticket each. With Rs. 100/- ticket you get one free laddu. Electronic gadgets like cellphone, camera, laptop etc. can be kept at their respective counter near ticket counter (electronic items are strictly prohibited inside). We kept our shoes inside the car. You can keep the luggage in luggage counter. You can purchase laddu prasadam after your darshan/visit. Entry Gate closes at sharp 6pm so be sure you enter the temple before closing time.

Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swami Vari Temple/Aplyagunta

In this temple Lord Vishnu is worshipped alongwith his two wives Jaya and Vijaya. One important thing about this temple is that there is a special place for bell named Ghanta Mandapam. Special entry ticket costs Rs.20/- for each person.

 

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple

For Balaji temple visit you will need to have a complete day. Tirumala Tirupati Balaji temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple was originally built by Sri Krishna Deva Raya of Vijayanagara kingdom. The temple is located at Tirumala hills. Near Sri Vishnu Nivasam (from where you get ticket for Balaji temple) Tirupati Bus Stand is there. Bus ticket costs Rs.65/- for each person. You can hire cab also.

When we went for the first time we got special ticket for Balaji darshan for Rs.300/- but during our second visit special tickets were sold online and lesser quantities due to Covid situation so we got free darshan (sarva darshan) ticket. Please note if you are an Indian you need to have AADHAAR card while getting the ticket (better keep the hard copy of it). Foreigners have to show Passport. For Covid restrictions day of darshan was after 2 days of purchasing the ticket for eg. we purchased the ticket on 16th for seeing on 18th). Dress code is there for temple visit (Indian dress for both male and female). During our first visit my husband purchased dhoti from the local shop and I wore salwar kamiz. During our second visit he wore pajama and shirt and I wore saree. But found few men wearing shirt and pant also. We have to go through security and luggage checking after sometime of our ride. We have to show darshan ticket to security personnels. Many people offer hair to Lord Balaji so you can see many people after their hair shaved. Even Shivam’s Mundan (first time hair cut) was done during our second visit to Tirupati. Hair shaving is free and TTD officials insist on not paying money to the barbars. There are two places for hair shaving – one is near the bus stand and another one is inside Nandakam Rest House (Mini Kalyana Katta). Before you entry towards  Mundan hall keep shoes in the shoe stand. Get ticket for mundan (free). There are both male and female barbars (male wears white shirts and female wears green saree). On the way to the temple you can see Annaprasadam (food) and Jalaprasadam (drinking water), free luggage and shoe (remember the no. where you kept your shoe) Counters. As you enter first you see Coconut hundi where people breaks coconut (offer to Lord Balaji) and burn lamps. Coconut and camphor can be purchased at Rs.20/- from the TTD shop. You can visit Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy Temple opposite to coconut hundi. After getting down through the stairs you can sit and enjoy mythological programs. While walking through supatham or way towards temple you need to show your darshan tickets to TTD security personnels. Finally tickets are checked electronically and then go to luggage centre if you have any luggage. After this point you can not make any videography or take any photo.

Inside Balaji Temple security is very tight. Everything including the temple decoration items are checked through the machine. Inside Balaji temple there is a stone called Parimalappu. It is said that whatever you write on this stone it is fulfilled. If you wish to buy famous Tirupati laddus buy at Rs.50/- each. One laddu is free for each ticket. If you are not carrying own bag you can buy butter paper bag (different prices for different size at Rs.7, Rs. 9 and Rs.11/-). Better to have exact change while buying bags.

Shopping in Tirupati

In Tirupati the main wish of the visitors is to buy famous Tirupati laddus from Balaji temple. Apart from this south Indian silk sarees, sandalwood, wood carved items and cosmetic products, incense sticks etc. can be bought from the shops.

Explore South Indian Food

While visiting any place I try to eat local as much as possible. Eating local food not only saves money but also lets you know food culture of that particular place. Tirupati is very near to Tamil Nadu. Hence you will get to eat both Tamil and Andhra food. During my stay I ate typical south Indian meal (consisting of rice, two types of curry,  two types of rasam, sambar, curd, pickle and sometimes one piece of roti) during day time. Idly, dosa, parotha for breakfast. I am fond of pongal (special south Indian khichdi), tomato rice (in tamil takkali sadam) and lemon rice. So whenever I visit southern part of India I do not miss a chance to eat these rice based dishes. Churned curd or buttermilk locally known as “moru” (tamil) or “majjiga” (telegu) mixed with curry leaves, coriander leaves, onion, chilli, salt etc. is a famous beverage which is very good for health in hot climate.