Fact File Area - 10.33 sq. miles  Population - 1,91,000  Altitude - 152 metres above sea level  Languages - Telugu, English  Best time to visit - September to February  STD Code - 08574

Introduction Lying at the bottom of the Tirumalai Hills in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is one of the most ancient and sacred pilgrimage spots in India. The town is at a distance of about 137 km from Chennai, 258 km from Bangalore, and 562 km from Hyderabad. The main attraction here is the world famous Sri Venkateswara temple which is believed to receive more pilgrims than even Jerusalem and Mecca. All the great dynasties of the southern peninsula, including the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar, were believed to have been the devotees of this shrine. Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple. Even today, these statues can be seen there. The shrine at present is under the administration of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Committee which is managed by a Board of Trustees. Summers at Tirupati are generally hot and humid with the temperature reaching as high as 40°C. Winters are warm and pleasant and are the best time to visit Tirupati.  Sightseeing One of the major attractions in Tirupati is the world famous Sri Venkateswara Temple. As a large number of devotees visit this temple everyday, be prepared to wait for almost twenty hours before you can get the darshan of the deity. The other shrines that you can visit while on a trip to Tirupati are Sri Govindrajaswamy Temple, Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple, and Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple. You can also visit Tiruchanur, where the temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi is situated. Excursions Besides continuing the religious trail, excursions around Tirupati take you to some beautiful picnic spots. You can take a trip to Chandragiri to see the famous Chandragiri Fort, or visit Kalyani Dam, Horsley hills or Kailasakona Waterfalls to enjoy the natural beauty. Some other well-known temples which you can see around Tirupati are Sri Kalahasthi, Agastyaswamy Temple, Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple, and a shrine dedicated to Kalyana Venkateswara at Narayanavanam.