Tirupati

Tirupati is also home to many educational institutions and universities. For the year 2012-13, India's Ministry of Tourism named Tirupati as the "Best Heritage City".

Tirupati has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under Smart Cities Mission by Government of India.

Etymology

As per the book Symposium written by Dr.Jagannatha Rao, it was assumed that Tirupati might have been Tripathi. Tri is a Sanskrit word referring to Lord of Tripathy of the sacred hill. In Dravidian translation, Tiru means sacred and also referred to as Goddess Lakshmi and Pathi means Husband. So, it is known as the sacred abode of Vishnu. As per the Malayalam manuscripts of 1802, it was referred as Tripati and Teeropaty. Tirupati is sometimes referred to as Lower Tirupati, and nearby Tirumala as Upper Tirupati.

History

Ancient History

Tirumala (Upper Tirupati)

According to Varaha Purana, during Treta Yugam, Lord Sri Rama resided here along with Sita Devi and Lakshmana on his return from Lankapuri.

The town was an established centre of Vaishnavism around the 5th century A.D. during which it was praised by Alvars. The temple rites were formalised by the Vaishnavite saint Ramanujacharya in the 11th century AD. Tirupati survived the Muslim and British invasions. During the Muslim invasion of South India, the deity of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam was brought to Tirupati for safekeeping.

The temple was built Chola Kingdom and Pallava Kingdom and upgraded in parts by various kingdoms. The inscriptions in the temple were found in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages of which majority are in Tamil followed by Telugu, Kannada and Sanskrit which specify the contributions of the Pallava Kingdom around the 9th century AD, Chola Kingdom around the 10th century AD and the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century AD. During the 15th century, Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya sung many songs in praise of the holy town in Telugu. He compared it to be divine, including the rocks, streams, trees, animals, and adds that it is heaven on the earth. One example of such a song is:

kaTTedura vaikunTamu kANAchaina konDa
teTTalAya mahimalE tirumala konDa ||
vEdamulE Silalai velasinadi konDa
yEdesa puNya rAsulE yErulainadi konDa
gAdili brahmAdi lOkamula konalu konDa
Sree dEvuDunDETi SEshAdri konDa ||

Tirupati (Lower Tirupati)

There was no human settlement at Lower Tirupati until 1500 year. With the growing importance of Upper Tirupati a village is formed at the present day Kapilatheertham Road area and was named as "kotturu" . It was later shifted to the vicinity of Govindarajaswamy Temple which was consecrated around the year 1130 CE. Later the village was grown into its present-day form around Govindaraja Swamy Temple which is now the heart of the city. Now, it has gained a lot of popularity as a tourism place.

Modern History

In 1932, Tirumala Venkateswara Temple was handed over to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams by the TTD Act of 1932. In 2006, Tirupati Urban Development Authority(TUDA) and TTD together conducted "Tirupati Utsavam" which focused on the history of development of Tirupati town, kings who visited Tirumala and their contribution for development of the temple. The fourth World Telugu Conference, a conference for furtherance of Telugu language, was conducted at Tirupati during December, 2012 for three days.

Environment

Geography

Tirupati is located at 13°39′N 79°25′E / 13.65°N 79.42°E / 13.65; 79.42 in the Chittoor District of South Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. It lies at the foot of Seshachalam Hills of Eastern Ghats which were formed during Precambrian era.One of its suburbTirumala which is the home to Sri Venkateswara Temple is also located within the hills. Tirupati Urban agglomeration includes Tirupati(City) and its suburbs Tirumala, Tiruchanur, Chandragiri, Renigunta. Tirupati is surrounded by Srikalahasti towards east, Puttur towards South, Poothalapattu towards west and Seshachalam hills towards North.

Geology

At 12 km 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 Eparchaean Unconformity. This Unconformity separates the Proterozoic Nagari Quartazite and Archean granite representing a time gap of 800 Ma. In 2001, the Geological Survey of India(GSI) declared the Eparchaean Unconfirmity to be one of the 26 "Geological Monuments of India".

Silathoranam, a Natural arch and a distinctive geological wonder is located in Tirumala Hills at a distance of 1 km from Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The Arch measures 8 metres in width and 3 metres in height and is curved out of quartizite of Cuddapah Supergroup of Middle to Upper Proterozoic(1600 to 570 Ma) by weathering agents like water and wind.

Flora and Fauna

Sri Venkateswara National Park

Sri Venkateswara National Park is a national park and biosphere reserve which is part of Seshachalam Hills. The total area of the park is 353 km2. The park is home for about 1,500 vascular plant species belonging to 174 families. Some of the rare and endemic plant species like red sanders, Shorea talura, Shorea thumburggaia, Terminalia pallida, sandalwood, Syzygium alternifolium, Psilotum nudum occur in this region. Cycas beddomei is a species of cycad in the genus Cycas is found only in the Tirumala Hills.About 178 species of birds from this national park have been identified which includes the globally threatened yellow-throated bulbul, grey-fronted green pigeon, critically endangered Oriental white-backed vulture, large hawk-cuckoo, blue-faced malkoha, yellow-browed bulbul, Indian scimitar-babbler and Loten's sunbird. Among predators the leopard is quite common, along with the wild dog. Among reptiles, the most interesting species is the gliding lizard, found in some deep forested valleys. Another important reptile of this national park is the golden gecko.

Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park

Established in 1987, Tirupati Zoo or Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park is a zoo located at Tirupati and is Asia's Second largest Zoo with an area of 5500 acres. It is built on the concept of Hindhu Mythology. It exhibits only animals that are mentioned in our ancient epics like Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Panchatantra. The enclosures are also named based on Indian Mythology. It hosts wide range of animals, Reptiles and Birds like Deers, Monkeys, Lions, Tigers, Bears, Elephants, Peafowl, Grey pelican, Marsh crocodile, Starred tortoise etc.

Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshana shala

It is home for Cattle received as a donation(Godanam). It was established in the year 1956 by TTD and later renamed to S.V. Gosamrakshana Shala during 2004. It is located at Chandragiri Road, Tirupati. It is maintained by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams based on the funds received under Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshana Shala Trust. Activities of the Trust includes providing good environment, management, feeding to the Cattle. The milk and its products produced here are being used by TTD for daily rituals at Sri Venkateswara Temple and other TTD Temples.

Culture

Festivals

The city celebrates all major Hindu festivals which includes, Sankranti, Ugadi, Krishna Janmashtami, Maha Shivaratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Rama Navami, Kartik Poornima etc. Srivari Brahmotsavam is a nine-day event, celebrated during the months of September–October, the temple of Tirumala witness lakhs of devotees. During this festival, the processional deity Malayappa of Venkateswara Temple, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, is taken in a procession in four mada streets around the temple on different Vahanams. Tirupati also celebrates a carnival named as Tirupati Ganga Jatara, held during second week of May every year. This is a week long festival where Goddess Gangamma (Grama Devatha) is worshiped. The tank behind the temple of Padmavathi Temple, Tiruchanur has Padma Pushkarini, where Chakra Snanam will be held on last day of Annual Padmavathi Brahmotsavams (Panchami Teertham). It will witness lakhs of Devotees taking a dip in the holy waters. Vaikunta Ekadasi, the day on which it is believed that Vaikunta Dwarams will be opened and the most important Vasihnavite festival, is celebrated in Tirumala and Tirupati with grandeur. Rathasapthami is another festival, celebrated during February, when Lord Venkateswara's processional deity, (Malayappa) is taken in a procession around the temple on seven different vahanas from early morning to late night. Sri Krishna janmastami also known as Gokulashtami is celebrated with great fervor at Tirupati. The Lotus Temple belonging to International Society for Krishna Consciousness(ISKCON) will be illuminated with lamps and paintings displaying themes from Srimad Bhagavatham. The celebrations include offering prayers to Sri Krishna, Utlotsavam, Annamayya Kirtana alapana, Geetha Parayanam etc. On this day 'Gokulashtami Asthanam' will be held at Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. TTD will also celebrate the janmastami at Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshana Shala where prayers will be offered to cows, horses and elephants. The Maha Shivaratri and Kartik Poornima are the most auspicious occasions celebrated in Kapila Theertham.

Cuisine

Tirupati is known for world-famous Tirupati Laddu. It is the prasadam at Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala. Tirupati Laddu had got Geographical indication tag which entitles only Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to make or sell it.

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. In 1988-89 Archaeological Survey of India had established an Archaeological Museum in the Chandragiri fort at Chandragiri. It exhibits rich collection of stone and metal sculptures of Hindu gods and other cultural vestiges retrieved from other historical places like Gudimallam, Gandikota and Yaganti. It also includes galleries for medieval weaponry swords and daggers, coins and paper documents.

Transport

Roadways

The city is well connected to major cities through national and state highways. The National highways passing through Tirupati are, National Highway 71 which connects Madanapalle and Nayudupeta, National Highway 140 connecting Tirupati with Puthalapattu.

Constructed one in 1944 and the other in 1974, there are two all-weather, asphalt Ghat Roads between Tirupati and Tirumala. There is a total of 294.47 km of Roads within the Tirupati Municipal Corporation Limits.

Public transport

APSRTC is the state owned transport service, which operates buses to various destinations from Tirupati bus station complex. The bus station has comprises three mini bus stations to various destinations, such as Srinivasa bus station for west-bound destinations, Sri Hari bus station for east bound destinations and Yedukondalu bus station is utilised for bus services to Tirumala. Balaji Link bus station at Alipiri is also used for bus services to Tirumala. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams runs free buses from railway station and Central bus stand to Alipiri for pilgrims. The buses to Tirumala are known as Sapthagiri Express.

Tirupati is in close proximity with the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Hence, buses from KSRTC, TNSTC and SETC also operates their services. There are also private transport which operate in the city.

Tirumala foot steps

There are two footpaths from Tirupati to Tirumala. These paths are called Sopanamargas and are mostly used by pilgrims. The first (and oldest) path starts from Alipiri and has 3550 steps, totalling 11 km. At Alipiri there is a temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara called Padalamandapam. There are four Gopurams (temple towers) along the way. The other path, called Sri Vari Mettu starts from Srinivasa Mangapuram and is 6 km long. Both paths are completely roofed and pass through seven hills (part of Seshachalam Hills).

Railways

Tirupati Main is under the jurisdiction of Guntakal railway division of South Central Railway zone. It is also connected to Chennai Suburban Railway's North Line. Renigunta Junction which lies on the Chennai - Mumbai rail corridor is 15 km away from Tirupati main station. Other stations in the city include Chandragiri, Tirupati West Halt, Tiruchanur.

Airways

Tirupati Airport is located 15 km from the city centre and has regular flights to Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. The closest international airport is Chennai International Airport which is 130 km (81 mi) from Tirupati. Tirupati Airport is being upgraded to international airport. The new Terminal was inaugurated on 22 October 2015 by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.