tirumala

{{About||the butterfly genus|Tirumala (genus)|the ancient place in Tirupati district called Lower Tirupati|Tirupati}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Tirumala

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| other_name = Adivarahakshetram{{cite web|title=Vaishnava Divya Desha Darshana Kaipidi|year = 2000|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-4_XAAAAMAAJ&q=adivaraha+kshetra|access-date=2019-09-19}}{{cite web|title=Astabandhanam to be held from April 22|website=The Times of India |date=17 February 2019 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amaravati/astabandhanam-to-be-held-from-april-22/articleshow/68030955.cms|access-date=2019-09-19}}
Venkatadri{{cite book|title=Balaji-Venkateswara, Lord of Tirumala-Tirupati: An Introduction|isbn = 9788187111467|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KnXXAAAAMAAJ&q=Venkatadri+tirupati|access-date=2019-09-19|last1 = Krishna|first1 = Nanditha|year = 2000| publisher=Vakils Feffer & Simons }}
Kaliyuga Vaikuntham

| settlement_type =

| image_skyline = File:Tirumala Anand nilayam4653.jpg

| image_alt = A view of the Maha Dvaram and the Ananda Nilayam Garbha Griha of the Sri Venkateshvara Swami Vaari Temple

| image_caption = A view of the Maha Dvaram and the Ananda Nilayam Garbha Griha of the Venkateshvara Temple

| pushpin_map = India Andhra Pradesh

| pushpin_label_position = left

| pushpin_map_alt =

| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Andhra Pradesh, India

| coordinates = {{coord|13.680916|N|79.350600|E|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = {{IND}}

| subdivision_type1 = State

| subdivision_name1 = Andhra Pradesh

| subdivision_type2 = District

| subdivision_name2 = Tirupati

| subdivision_type3 = Mandal

| subdivision_name3 = Tirupati Urban

| established_title =

| established_date =

| founder =

| named_for =

| government_type = Tirupati Municipal Corporation

| governing_body =

| unit_pref = Metric

| area_footnotes = {{cite web|title=District Census Handbook - Chittoor|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/2823_PART_B_DCHB_CHITTOOR.pdf|website=Census of India|access-date=20 November 2015|page=14,226}}

| area_rank =

| area_total_km2 = 32.21

| elevation_footnotes =

| elevation_m = 976

| population_total = 30035

| population_as_of = 2011

| population_rank =

| population_density_km2 = auto

| population_demonym =

| demographics_type1 = Languages

| demographics1_title1 = Official

| demographics1_info1 = Telugu

| timezone1 = IST

| utc_offset1 = +5:30

| postal_code_type = PIN

| postal_code = 517 504

| area_code_type = Telephone code

| area_code = +91–877

| registration_plate = AP-03, AP-39

| website =

| footnotes =

}}

Tirumala is a Hindu religious temple town in Tirupati district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the neighbourhoods of the Tirupati city. The town is a part of Tirupati Urban Development Authority and located in Tirupati (urban) mandal of Tirupati revenue division. The town is strictly vegetarian. It is a hill town where Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is located, a popular shrine of Vishnu. Vishnu is believed to reside here with his full power, as in Vaikuntha, and thus the place is also called 'Bhuloka Vaikuntha'.{{Cite web |date=21 May 2020 |title=Tirupati – Tirumala – Venkateswara the lord of the Kali Yuga |url=https://dakshinavarta.com/2020/05/21/tirupati-tirumala/ |access-date=19 April 2022 |website=Dakshināvarta |language=en-US}}

Etymology

The word Tirumala is of Dravidian origin. The term “Tiru” means sacred or holy, and “Mala” means mountain or hill.{{Cite book |last=Oppert |first=Gustav Salomon |url=http://archive.org/details/cu31924024065470 |title=On the original inhabitants of Bharatavarsa or India |date=1893 |publisher=Westminster : A. Constable & Co.; Leipzig : O. Harrassowitz |others=Cornell University Library}} The prefix "Tiru" (or "Thiru") is a widely recognised Dravidian word and is used in many South Indian place names.{{Cite book |last=Stein |first=Burton |title=Peasant State and Society in Medieval South India |year=1980 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |page=124 |isbn=978-0195643183}}{{Cite book |last=Zvelebil |first=Kamil |title=Companion Studies to the History of Tamil Literature |year=1992 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-9004093652}}

Geography

File:Spotted deer in Tirumala.jpg

Tirumala is located {{convert|3200|ft|m|sigfig=2|order=flip}} above sea level and covers an area of approximately {{convert|10.33|sqmi|km2|sigfig=3|order=flip}}. Surrounding the hills are seven peaks of the Seshachalam range of Eastern Ghats namely Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri. The temple of Venkateswara{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jun/08ap.htm|title=AP bars propagating other faiths near shrines}} is on the seventh peak (Venkatadri).

At the 12 km (7.5 mi) point on the Tirupati – Tirumala Ghat road, there is a major discontinuity of stratigraphic significance that represents a period of remarkable serenity in the geological history of the Earth. This is referred to as the Eparchaean Unconformity. This unconformity separates the Nagari Quartzite of the Proterozoic from the granite of the Archean, representing a time gap of 800 Mya.{{cite web|title=Geological Survey of India - Monuments of Stratigraphic Significance|url=http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529424&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL|access-date=2015-07-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721161523/http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529424&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL|archive-date=21 July 2011|df=dmy-all}} In 2001, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) declared the Eparchaean Unconformity to be one of the 26 "Geological Monuments of India".

File:Natural stone arch in tirumala.JPG (natural arch) at Tirumala Hills, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh]]

Silathoranam, a natural arch and a distinctive geological wonder, is located in Tirumala Hills at a distance of {{cvt|1|km}} from the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The arch measures {{cvt|8|m}} in width and {{cvt|3|m}} metres in height and is eroded out of quartizite of Cuddapah Supergroup of Middle to Upper Proterozoic (1600 to 570 Mya) by weathering agents such as water and wind.{{cite web|title=Geological Survey of India - Monuments of Stratigraphic Significance|url=http://www.portal.gsi.gov.in/portal/page?_pageid=127,529414&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&linkId=1077|access-date=2015-07-22}}

= Climate =

File:Deer Park near Alipiri Mettu.jpg

Tirumala has a humid subtropical climate designated Cwa, with dry winters under the Köppen climate classification. As the hill shrine is situated amidst the hills, the temperature will go below 10 degrees Centigrade in winter. Summers are not as hot here, especially compared to Tirupati. The southwest monsoon season starts from June, but rains are not heavy. Occasionally, thunderstorms form and downpours may persist for hours. Pertaining to orographic relief, the northeast monsoon remains active over the region for 2 months. It causes flooding. The highest 24-hour rainfall on record was {{cvt|459|mm}} on 23 November 2005, followed by {{cvt|307|mm}} on 9 November 2015.

{{Weather box

| location = Tirumala (1991–2020)

| metric first = Y

| single line = Y

| Jan record high C = 31.1

| Feb record high C = 33.4

| Mar record high C = 35.8

| Apr record high C = 37.0

| May record high C = 37.6

| Jun record high C = 36.8

| Jul record high C = 34.0

| Aug record high C = 34.0

| Sep record high C = 35.4

| Oct record high C = 30.4

| Nov record high C = 29.8

| Dec record high C = 27.4

| year record high C = 37.6

| Jan high C = 24.0

| Feb high C = 27.0

| Mar high C = 30.6

| Apr high C = 32.3

| May high C = 33.3

| Jun high C = 30.6

| Jul high C = 29.0

| Aug high C = 28.0

| Sep high C = 28.2

| Oct high C = 26.4

| Nov high C = 24.3

| Dec high C = 22.9

| year high C = 28.2

| Jan low C = 14.0

| Feb low C = 15.0

| Mar low C = 17.1

| Apr low C = 20.5

| May low C = 22.1

| Jun low C = 21.7

| Jul low C = 20.9

| Aug low C = 20.7

| Sep low C = 20.1

| Oct low C = 18.9

| Nov low C = 17.4

| Dec low C = 15.6

| year low C = 18.6

| Jan record low C = 7.3

| Feb record low C = 8.0

| Mar record low C = 8.6

| Apr record low C = 15.0

| May record low C = 15.8

| Jun record low C = 13.6

| Jul record low C = 15.2

| Aug record low C = 13.0

| Sep record low C = 17.2

| Oct record low C = 12.4

| Nov record low C = 11.6

| Dec record low C = 7.5

| year record low C =

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 5.3

| Feb rain mm = 5.6

| Mar rain mm = 7.2

| Apr rain mm = 16.7

| May rain mm = 64.9

| Jun rain mm = 95.4

| Jul rain mm = 107.4

| Aug rain mm = 157.3

| Sep rain mm = 112.2

| Oct rain mm = 216.9

| Nov rain mm = 292.9

| Dec rain mm = 147.8

| year rain mm = 1229.8

| Jan rain days = 0.3

| Feb rain days = 0.3

| Mar rain days = 0.5

| Apr rain days = 1.3

| May rain days = 3.2

| Jun rain days = 5.6

| Jul rain days = 7.0

| Aug rain days = 7.7

| Sep rain days = 6.9

| Oct rain days = 9.9

| Nov rain days = 10.3

| Dec rain days = 4.7

| year rain days = 57.7

|time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 76

| Feb humidity = 65

| Mar humidity = 55

| Apr humidity = 61

| May humidity = 59

| Jun humidity = 67

| Jul humidity = 69

| Aug humidity = 71

| Sep humidity = 72

| Oct humidity = 80

| Nov humidity = 84

| Dec humidity = 84

|year humidity = 70

|source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| access-date = April 8, 2024

}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| title = Station: Tirmalai (Tirumala) Climatological Table 1981–2010

| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = January 2015

| pages = 743–744

| access-date = 19 February 2020}}

}}

Legend

In ancient literature, Tirupati is mentioned as Adi Varaha Kshetra. The Puranas associate the site with Varaha, one of the Dashavatara of Vishnu. In the Varaha Purana, Venkatadri is believed to be a part of Mount Meru, which was brought on to the earth from Vishnu's abode Vaikuntham by his mount Garuda. The seven peaks represent the seven heads of Adishesha or Seven doors of Vaikuntha.{{cite web |url=http://www.srivaishnava.org/ddesam/ddesam.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-07-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719231824/http://www.srivaishnava.org/ddesam/ddesam.htm |archive-date=19 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}

Demographics

{{As of|2001}} India census,{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}} Tirumala had a population of 7,741. Males constitute 52 percent of the population and females 48 percent. Tirumala had an average literacy rate of 72.8 percent, higher than the national average of 59.5 percent. The male literacy rate was 57.1 percent and the female rate was 42.9 percent. In Tirumala, 11 percent of the population was under six years of age.

Telugu is the major language. Hinduism is the only religion in Tirumala.{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/DigitalLibrary/MFTableSeries.aspx|title=WELCOME TO CENSUS OF INDIA : Census India Library|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=2016-03-10}}

Culture

File:Ganga temple, Papavinasanam.jpg

File:MuseuminTirumala.JPG

The town of Tirumala is strictly vegetarian. Consumption of non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and tobacco products is strictly prohibited in Tirumala, and smuggling any of these is considered a serious offence.{{cite news

| last = Raghavan

| first = Sandeep

| title = Scribe smuggling liquor and non-veg food to Tirumala nabbed by TTD vigilance

| newspaper = The Times of India

| location = Tirupati

| pages =

| language =

| publisher = The Times Group

| date = 13 May 2020

| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/scribe-smuggling-liquor-and-non-veg-to-tirumala-nabbed-by-ttd-vigilance/articleshow/75719244.cms

| access-date = 24 November 2021}} Dhotis and Sarees are the traditional popular attire. The practices of tonsure and using tilaka are popular among devotees of Venkateswara.

= Festivals =

File:Lord Venkateswara on Gaja Vahanam..JPG

Srivari Brahmotsavams is the most important festival in Tirumala that is celebrated every year during September/October and receives lakhs of devotees over a short span of a nine days.{{cite news |title= Annual Brahmotsavam starts at Tirupati-Tirumala, 1,400 CCTV cameras to keep eye on crowds|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/annual-brahmotsavam-commences-at-tirupati-tirumala-1400-cctv-cameras-for-crowd-control-6044441/|newspaper=Indian Express}}{{cite news |title=Over 7 lakh Devotees Take Part In Tirumala Brahmotsavam On Concluding Day|url=https://english.sakshi.com/andhrapradesh/2019/10/09/over-7-lakh-devotees-take-part-in-tirumala-brahmotsavam-on-concluding-day|newspaper=Sakshi Post}} The city celebrates all major Hindu festivals including Sankranti,{{cite news |title=Sankranti festival: Devotees rush at Tirumala temple|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Latest-News/2019-01-16/Sankranti-festival-Devotees-rush-at-Tirumala-temple/476168|newspaper=The Hans India}} Ugadi{{cite news |title=Ugadi celebrated at Tirumala temple|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/070419/ugadi-celebrated-at-tirumala-temple.html|newspaper=Deccan Chronicle}} and so forth. Vaikuntha Ekadashi, the day on which it is believed that Vaikuntha Dvarams will be opened, is celebrated in Tirumala.{{cite news |title=Pilgrims throng Tirumala |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/450956/15-lakh-converge-tirumala-vaikuntha.html|newspaper=Deccan Herald|access-date=21 June 2015}} Rathasapthami is another festival, celebrated during February, when Venkateswara processional deity, (Malayappa) is taken in a procession around the temple on seven different vahanas from early morning to late night.{{cite news |title=Pilgrims throng Tirumala |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/lakhs-of-devotees-throng-tirumala/article4425516.ece|newspaper=The Hindu}}{{cite news |title=Gear up for Rathasapthami: TTD EO to staff|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2018-12-21/Gear-up-for-Rathasapthami-TTD-EO-to-staff/462214|newspaper=The Hans India}}

= Cuisine =

Tirupati is known for the Tirupati laddu. It is the prasadam at the Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala. Only the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams manufactures and sells this product.{{cite news |title=Only TTD entitled to make or sell 'Tirupati laddu': High Court|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/only-ttd-entitled-to-make-or-sell-tirupati-laddu-high-court/article5743809.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=23 June 2015}}{{cite news|title=Now, Geographical Indication rights for 'Tirupati laddu'|newspaper=Business Standard India |date=28 February 2014 |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/now-geographical-indication-rights-for-tirupati-laddu-114022800969_1.html|publisher=Business Standard|access-date=23 June 2015}} Consumption of non-vegetarian food, alcohol, smoking and chewing tobacco are strictly banned, and those who disregard the law are arrested.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-10 |title=Two held for eating non-veg in Tirumala |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amaravati/two-held-for-eating-non-veg-in-tirumala/articleshow/97787431.cms |access-date=2025-05-10 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

= Arts, crafts and architecture =

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams established Sri Venkateswara Museum, one at Tirumala and the other at Tirupati. It has a wonderful collection of Tirupati temple architecture and historical artefacts, such as ancient weaponry, pooja items and idols. It has a comprehensive photo gallery that gives a unique insight into the Tirupati region's culture and traditions. It also boasts a meditation centre.{{cite web|title=Heritage in Tirupati-SV Museum|url=http://www.aptdc.gov.in/heritage-in-tirupati.html|publisher=Andhra Pradesh Tourism board|access-date=23 June 2015|archive-date=23 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623191332/http://www.aptdc.gov.in/heritage-in-tirupati.html|url-status=dead}}

Landmarks

File:Arjuna's chariot in Geethopadesam park, Tirumala (May 2019) 2.jpg

Venkateswara Temple is an abode of Venkateswara situated in Tirumala. It is also known as Tirumala Temple.{{cite web| url=http://www.tirumala.org/maintemple_about.htm| title=Tirumala Temple| access-date=13 September 2007| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011032254/http://tirumala.org/maintemple_about.htm| archive-date=11 October 2007| df=dmy-all}} Natural Arch is located north of the temple, which measures {{convert|8|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|3|m|ft|abbr=on}} high and was naturally formed from the quartz. Srivari Padamulu (the footprints of Lord) are believed to be the footprints of Venkateswara formed when he first stood on Tirumala Hills.{{cite news|title=Scratch-proof glass case to cover Srivari Padalu on Tirumala|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Scratch-proof-glass-case-to-cover-Srivari-Padalu-on-Tirumala/2013/09/18/article1789859.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920073408/http://newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Scratch-proof-glass-case-to-cover-Srivari-Padalu-on-Tirumala/2013/09/18/article1789859.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 September 2013|access-date=25 March 2016|work=The New Indian Express|date=18 September 2013|location=Tirumala}} Papavinasanam is a waterfall flowing from a tributary of the Swarnamukhi River. It also has a temple where seven lion-headed channels open from a height for deities to bathe below them. A temple dedicated to goddess Ganga is located near the enclosure. Akaasa Ganga is another natural waterfall in Tirumala.{{cite news|title=Cascading waterfalls enliven Tirumala|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/151111/nation-current-affairs/article/cascading-waterfalls-enliven-tirumala|access-date=25 March 2016|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=11 November 2015|location=Tirupati}}

Transport

File:Srivari Padalu steps (May 2019) 1.jpg

;Foot Steps

There are two paths to travel on foot from Tirupati to Tirumala. These paths are called Sopanamargas. Devotees ritually take this path to reach Tirumala on foot from Tirupati. Both the paths are completely roofed and passes through seven hills which are part of Seshachalam Hills.{{cite web|title=Tirupati to Tirumala on Foot|url=http://www.tirumala.org/TirumalatoTirupathiOnFoot.aspx|publisher=Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams|access-date=2015-06-06|archive-date=13 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613181602/http://www.tirumala.org/TirumalatoTirupathiOnFoot.aspx|url-status=dead}}

Alipiri Mettu{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2018/oct/06/ttd-cuts-down-on-darshan-tokens-till-october-21-1881728.html|title=TTD cuts down on darshan tokens till October 21|website=The New Indian Express|date=6 October 2018 |access-date=2019-06-01}} – The first and Ancient path starts from Alipiri and consists of a total 3550 Steps which makes a distance of 11 km. At Alipiri there is a temple dedicated to Venkateswara called Padalamandapam. There are Four Gopurams(Temple Towers) on the way.
Srivari Mettu – It originates at Srinivasa Mangapuram, about {{convert|15|km}} from Tirupati. It is {{convert|2.1|km}} long. This trail has 2388 steps and is shorter than Alipiri Metlu path.

;Road

Tirumala can be accessed by road from Alipiri. The distance is {{convert|23|km}}. There are two roads from Alipiri to Tirumala, one each dedicated to up and down traffic. The state government-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) operates frequent Saptagiri and Saptagiri Express buses from Tirupati and Alipiri and also from nearby places. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) runs free buses for transit within Tirumala.

;Rail

The nearest railway station is at Tirupati, about {{convert|26|km}} from Tirumala. Tirupati Main railway station is one of the major railway station in the South Central Railway zone of the Indian Railways, providing rail connectivity to major parts of India. It is under the jurisdiction of Guntakal railway division.{{cite web|title=Tirupati Main|url=http://indiarailinfo.com/departures/tirupati-main-tpty/837|website=Indiarailinfo|access-date=1 June 2015}} {{rws|Renigunta Junction}} is another important railway station which lies on the Chennai – Mumbai rail corridor is {{convert|38|km}} away from Tirumala.

;Airport

The nearest airport is Tirupati Airport, about {{convert|40|km}} from Tirumala. It is a domestic and International airport with direct flights to Visakhapatnam and New Delhi. The nearest major airport is the Chennai International Airport, located about {{convert|162|km}} from Tirumala.