One of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spots in India, Tirupati owes its fame to the temple of Lord Venkateshwara located on the seventh hills of Tirumala. The temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and is believed to have miraculous powers for granting boons. Not just the temple, the hills of the region also offer splendid views as you undertake the journey up the forested slopes. Whether a wish to be fulfilled or simply a visit to the temple town, Tirupati is a must-include on every spiritual traveler’s itinerary.

• Sri Venkateswara Temple: Located on the seventh hill of Tirumala, Sri Venkateshwara Temple is thronged by thousands of pilgrims every day. Fondly known as ‘Balaji’, the idol of Sri Venkateshwara is believed to have miraculous wish-granting powers. This 12th century temple is marked by a gold-plated spire, which is illuminated with the first rays of the sun. The idol within, supposed to be in the form of Vishnu, stands tall with four arms, one holding a conch, the second a discus, the third raised in blessing and the fourth resting on the hip. However, the inner shrines are open only to Hindu devotees.

• Sri Kapeeleswaraswami Temple: Situated at the foot of the Tirumala Hill Sri Kapeeleswaraswami Temple is the only temple among Vaishnava Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has a picturesque setting and there is a sacred waterfall called Kapila Teertham or Alwar Teertham located here.

• Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple: Constructed during the tenth century AD, Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple is situated in the heart of Tirupati town. The temple houses Rama, Sita and Lakshmana as the presiding deities. Legend has it that this temple commemorates the visit of Lord Rama to Tirupati. The temple of Anjaneyaswami, which is directly opposite, is a sub-shrine of this temple. Both these temples celebrate the festivals of Ugadi, Ramnavami and Brahmotsavam with great pomp.

• Tiruchanur: Also known as Alamelumangapuram, Tiruchanur is situated about 5 km away. Here is the temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi or Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Sri Venkateswara. It is said that a visit to Tirumalai is complete only after visiting this temple. The sub-temples in its premises are Sri Krishnaswamy Temple, Sri Sundara Rajaswamivari Temple, and Sri Suryanarayana Swamivari Temple.

• Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple: About 12 km to the west of Tirupati is Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami temple, where it is believed that Lord Venkateswara stayed after his marriage to Sri Padmavathi Devi before proceeding to Tirumala.

• Agastyaswamy Temple: This temple is noted for the three beautifully sculptured entrances that enhance the beauty of the hall within. The temple also has a separate shrinededicated to Goddess Parvati. Just across the shrine is a mandap, which has statues of Balaji, Ayyappa and Ganapati. A small shrine dedicated to Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya is also located near the tank.

• Horsley Hills: This hill station, located about 1,256 metres above sea level is named after the former collector of Chittoor. The valleys here are replete with teak, mango, sandalwood and eucalyptus plantations.

• Kailasakona Waterfalls: Situated in the Nagary Valley, this beautiful waterfall is extremely rich in minerals and is believed to possess curative powers.

• Nagalapuram: Located about 65 kms south-east of Tirupati, the main attraction of this town is Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple. The temple is a fine example of the Vijayanagar style of architecture. The main temple houses an image of Vishnu in his Matsya (fish) incarnation accompanied by Sri Devi and Bhu Devi on either side. A striking feature of this temple is visible in March, when the rays of the sun pass through the gopuram and illuminate the idol for three days.

When in Tirupati, choose from a varied selection of cuisines; however its amazing fare of South Indian vegetarian dishes is a must try. Visit the restaurant at Hotel Sindhuri Park, situated opposite Govindaraja Swamy Temple. Definitely a place to indulge in some South Indian vegetarian delights. Head out to the Pulse Multi Cuisine Restaurant, located on K.T. Road, a restaurant that serves a good selection of Continental and multi cuisine dishes. For a quick bite the Palace Café is a must visit, located on Car Street. Do try out the mouth watering laddoos which are well known in Tirupati. Considered to be the favorite dish of Lord Venkateshwara, these are offered in various temples.

Not much of shopping around here, though you can try picking up some religious items. Head out to the numerous markets in the area, namely Pasuparthy Super market and Suresh Super Bazar for handicrafts like woodcarving and kalamkari crafted by extremely well trained and talented artists. Special whitewood toys and traditional Tanjore style gold leaf paintings which are done at Madanapalli town are also popular and available in many of the outlets in Tirupati. The paintings portray exquisite mythological themes as motifs. Numerous stalls also line the entrance of the Sri Venkateshwara temple selling paraphernalia required for various temple rituals. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam markets cassettes and CD’s in video and audio format of the Vedas, and Sankirtanas. It also owns a large publication house that publishes books & periodicals on Hindu religious treatises.