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Tirupati is a pilgrimage city located in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Tirupati is located at the foothills of Tirumala. The city owes its existence to the sacred temple situated on the Tirumala Hills. Tirumala is the abode of Lord Venkateshwara, one of the Avatars of Lord Vishnu, located atop Seshachala hills often called as "Yaedu Kondalu" (seven hills). Thetemple of Lord Venkateshwara was built by the Tamil king Thondaimaan, and reformed periodically by Cholas and later Telugu Kings. It is the richest and most visited temple (of any faith) in the world.

Tirupati has been a city for many years though recognised as a major municipal Corporation (MCT) only recently. Although the district headquarters is 60 km from the city, major government establishments and operations take place in Tirupati alone. The Tirupati Urban Development Authority further expanded its horizon to about 1380 km² with a total population of about 10 lakhs. Tirupati is one of the fastest growing cities in India with IT, BPO and Health industries coming up. It is a major boom for real estate. Tirupati is also emerging into a major educational, entertainment, tourism and a commercial city. Near the bus stand, stands a statue of the great singer Bharatharatna M.S. Subbulakshmi.

History

The Tirumala hills are the world's second oldest rock mountains. The Sangam literature of Tamil such as Silapadikaram and Satanar'sManimekalai, dated between 500 BC to 300 AD, mentions Tiruvengadam (now named Tirupati) as the northernmost frontier of the Tamil Kingdoms.

It is believed that it was "Aadi Varaha Kshetra" (the ancient site of Varaha) mentioned in Indian literature dating during the Mauryan and Guptaregimes. Lord Venkateswara is referred in Vedas, Tirupati is considered as Kaliyuga Vaikuntha (Heaven on the earth).

Front View of Tirumala Temple

The site was an established center by the 5th century A.D, and the Alvars (Vaishnava saints) belonging to the Bhakti movement in Dravidian land sung in praise of Venketeswara. Its significance in Southern Vaishnava tradition is next only to Srirangam, and the temple rites were formalized by the vaishanvite saintRamanujacharya himself, in the 11th century AD. The temple was richly endowed by the kings of various dynasties thus adding to its current reputation as the richest and most opulent pilgrimage centre in the world. It was supported by Cholas, later by Hoysalas, the Vijayanagaras. Krishna Deva Raya of Vijayanagara led the temple to great popularity by donating gold and other ornaments for the temple and constructing extended shrines. The place of Chandragiri, presently a village near Tirupati, was used as the secondary capital of Vijayanagara kings.

Tirupati survived the Muslim invasions of South India, unlike other temples such as the Meenakshi temple inMadurai and Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam. It is believed that during the invasions the deity of Sriranganatha from Srirangam was brought to Tirupati for safekeeping. To commemorate this event, a hall in Tirupati is still known as the Ranganatha mandapa.

In 1843, with the coming of the East India Company, the administration of the Sri Venkateshwara temple and a number of shrines was entrusted to Seva Dossji of the Hathiramji Mutt at Tirumala as Vicaranakarta for nearly a century until 1933, when the temple was under the administrative charge of the mahants. The Madras legislature passed a special act in 1933 whereby the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) committee was invested with powers of administration and control through a commissioner appointed by the Government of Madras. A Ryot Advisory Council was formed for the management of the estates of the TTD, and was assisted by a Religious Advisory Council with regard to religious matters.

New City

The first establishment of the city was done near Kotturu, today's K.T.Road area. Later it was shifted near the temple of Govindaraja Swamy with the temple as the center of the city. It is today's railway station area. Now the city is expanded to nearby areas. Tirupati city now includes Srinivasamangapuram, Tiruchanoor, Renigunta,Chandragiri, Avilala etc.

Geography

Tirupati is located in southern part of Andhra Pradesh. It has an average elevation of 162 metres (531 feet).

Tirumala

The Tirumala hill is 3,200 ft (980 m) above sea level, and is about 10.33 square miles (26.8 km 2) in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha, thus earning the name, Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.

Climate

In summer, temperatures may go up to 42 to 45 degrees Celsius (107.6 F to 113 F), and in winter the minimum temperatures will be between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius ( 50 F to 64.4 F). Usually summer lasts from March to June, with the advent of rainy season in July, followed by winter which lasts till the end of February. It has an extreme type of climate. Rainy Season remains pleasant.

Economy

Being a pilgrimage centre, the floating population appears to be the main source of economy but is not. Of late, Tirupati is becoming the education hub for the nearby areas because of the presence of educational institutions and universities offering almost all fields of studies at all levels. Trade and industry are burgeoning and business is flourishing. Revenues generated by travel sector is also high.

Government

Tirupati is a major municipal corporation in Andhra Pradesh state. It contributes a member in central parliament and a member in state legislature in Indian politics. Chinta Mohan is the current MP and Venkatramana is the MLA from the ruling party Congress (INC). Chandragiri is a suburb accounting to one more seat for the state assembly. TUDA (Tirupati Urban Development Authority) was established long back to develop the city. It is involved in the construction of second fly-over in the city and extending all two lane roads to four lane. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) also contributes a maximum of funds for the development of the city. Major roads like the traffic-loaded Tirumala bypass and the rail underpass near the railway station was taken up by TTD along with TUDA.The eco-city project selected Tirupati for its Green and Clean campaign.

City Life

Tirupati is mainly a tourist and piligrim spot. Traffic is peak 24 hours near Bus stand and railway stations. Otherwise the residential localities are very calm and quiet. Tirupati has many multi cuisine restaurants and eateries.It is house for many multi brand showrooms , malls and automobile showrooms. It is generally very cultural, but a busy city.The city has many places of attraction. In the evening, Municipal music gardens, also known as Centenary Park is filled with the youth. It has many musical fountains to attract children. The second hot spot in the city is the exhibition grounds near the bus-stand. The Central Park shopping mall and Arcades nearby have huge shops to cater the public with their requirements like jewellery, gifts, clothes, cosmetics, super marts, gadget showrooms and many more. Pasuparthy's Super Market, Sarayu Hyper Mart and TMC on the Tirumala bypass road (Near Krishna Dev Raya Junction Signal) are other shopping malls. A shopping mall has recently been inaugurated at NTR Square near Town Club. The multiplex in T.P area and the group theatres near the bus stand are worth visiting. One can also pay a visit to the famous Hastha-kala-ramam, formerly known as Urban Haat, near STPI on Tiruchanur Express road. The major center of attraction for the children and youth is Grand Water World by near Karakambadi, some 13 km from the city centre. Not to mention about the other places like Mahati auditorium, Annamacharya Kalamandapam which host the culture and traditional aspects of the city. The traffic is moderate to very high in peak hours. Traffic is managed by well maintained traffic signals at every important junction. The roads are wide and good parking facility and lane systems have been provided. You find young guys and girls in modern dresses and elder residents in traditional dress. A walk in the evenings near K.T. road and ISCKON is a pleasant surprise for you. Shopping and commercial localities on Prakasham Road, Big Bazaar, Chinna Bazaar Street, T.K Street, Kola Street, M.G Road, G. Car Street, Tilak Road, V.V Mahal Road, K.T Road and also Tirumala Bypass Road and Tiruchanur Express Road, a few parts of Maruthi Nagar in Tirupati-West. The Reliance have started a big hypermarket Reliance Mart which is the third Reliance Hypermarket in India and the first Reliance Hypermarket in South India.

SV Zoological Park and Regional Science Center

Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park is the second of its kind in the Andhra Pradesh. It has many species of animals and plants which are being conserved. Nearly 10 to 15 tigers are present in this zoo. Regional Science Center, unique of its kind and a must visit for students and teachers, is also present nearby(< 1 km from Alipiri).