Speckled with temples and holy shrines Tirupati is a religious place. One of the worldwide known temples in Tirupati is the shrine dedicated to Lord Balaji. However, there are more temples in this town. These religious places are equally important as pilgrimages. Tirupati is well connected with important cities and towns by rail and road. Renigunta, 10 km away, is a convenient alighting station for those traveling on the Mumbai-Chennai rail route. Rail link is available from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Chennai, Tiruchi, Mysore, Puri, Delhi and other Indian cities. There are also daily flights from cities like Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Chennai and a host of other cities.
Govindarajaswamy Temple: It is situated at Tirupati, the base of the Sapthagiri hills. Lord Vishnu, in His Ananthasayanam posture, is enshrined here.
Tiruchanur (Alamelu Mangapuram): Here Devi Padmavathi in all Her bridal glory is worshipped. It is customary to worship the Goddess here after darshan of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala. The deities of Lord Krishna and Venkatachalapati are enshrined on the prakaram. Nearby, there is a Siva temple dedicated to Sri Parasareswara. Tiruchanur is about 6 km from Tirupati. Narayanavanam is a temple situated en route to Chennai.
Sri Kalahasti Temple: This ancient pilgrim centre, on the banks of Swarnamukhi river, is revered as one of the Pancha Bhutha Sthalams. It is dedicated to Vayu or the Wind God. Signifying this, a flame of a lamp (deep) keeps flickering in the sanctum. Sri Kalahasti is also considered a Navagraha Ithalam dedicated to Rahu and Kethu.
The hills on either side of the temple are revered as Dakshina Kailasam or Kailasagiri. There are shrines for Lord Kannappeswara and Durgamba. The temple is also known for its architectural grandeur. The deities of Balaganapathy, Annapoorni and Viswanatha are enshrined here.
Ahobala Narsimha Temple : It is an important pilgrim centre on the Nallamalai Hill range and it is dedicated to Lord Narasimha. It is considered sacred because Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Narasimha at this spot to kill Hiranya Kashipu. A unique feature is that all the nine aspects of Lord Narasimha are enshrined on the hills.
Rama Theertham, 8 km away from Lower Ahobalam, is a tank where Goddess Puttalamma (formed in an ant-hill) is worshipped.
Mahanandi : The Nallamalai hill enshrines Lord Shiva as Nandeeswara. Nandi did penance here and became the Lord`s mount. Nine aspects of Nandi are enshrined in the nine temples situated within a radius of about 16 km. These include Padma Nandi, Naga Nandi, Vinayaka Nandi, Garuda Nandi, Soma Nandi and Shiva Nandi. Five natural springs situated around the temple are held sacred. Sri Adi Sankara had worshipped Lord Shiva here.
