Reputed to be one of the oldest and most venerated holy shrines of the Hindus. Tirupati is the abode of Lord Venkateshwara (Balaji). The main temple is ensconced in the seven hills - Tirumala (13 Km/8 mile) and the town at the foothill is known as Tirupati. Every day thousands of pilgrims descend on Tirupati spilling out of buses, cars, taxis and trains. They are all in their way up to the temple of the Lord Venkateswara. It is a pleasent drive from Tirupati up to Tirumala and as the road winds its way up the forested slopes there are splendid views of Tirupati and the plains. In earlier times people climbed to the temple on foot, many do so even today making the trek a part of their pilgrimage.

LORD VENKATESWARA TEMPLE : It is an ancient temple, that has witnessed the rise and fall of powerful dynasties. The Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas all patrons of the shrine and they endowed it with jewels and wealth. Later in the 16th century the great Vijayanagar kings enriched & embellished the temple and gave it a new lease of life. The temple is perfect example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture. Within the three prakarams or enclosures of the temple complex is the main shrine with its exquisitely worked and glided vimang above it. Within the sanctum is the majestic "Swayambhu" or naturally formed image of the Lord Venkateswara. He is seen standing on a lotus with his symbols, the shankh (conch) and the chakra (discus) in his hands and on the chest are the image of the goddesses Lakshmi & Padmavati. The figure is laden with jewels.