Tirupati
Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh (AP), India
Tirupati is a significant city located in the southeastern part of Andhra Pradesh, India, nestled in the Palkonda Hills of the Eastern Ghats. It serves as the second-largest city in the Rayalaseema region with a population of over 2.8 lakh according to the 2011 census.
Tirupati is famous worldwide as a major pilgrimage destination owing to the presence of the sacred Sri Venkateswara Temple on the nearby Tirumala Hills. This temple is the richest Vaishnavite shrine dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu), attracting millions of devotees annually.
The city itself is surrounded by picturesque hills and natural wonders, including the Eparchaean Unconformity geological monument and the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, the largest zoo in Asia. Besides the prominent Tirumala temple, Tirupati hosts several other important temples like Padmavathi Temple, Govindaraja Temple, and Kapileswara Temple. The city is enriched with history linked to various dynasties such as the Pallavas, Cholas, and Vijayanagara Empire who contributed to the development of its spiritual and architectural heritage.
