Temples in Tirupati City

Every trip to Tirumala Tirupati has to begin with a darshan to Goddess Alamelumanga at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanur, near Tirupati city. Goddess Padmavathi is the incarnation of goddess Lakshmi and is the consort of Lord Venkateswara.

Devotees throng the Sri Padmavathi Temple, Tiruchanur, Tirupati – It is summer and the ground is radiating heat, thankfully now there are sheet roof to give shade

Before going for the darshan of Goddess Padmavathi Temple - திருச்சானூர் பத்மாவதி தாயார் கோவில் — Before going for the darshan of Goddess Padmavathi Temple – திருச்சானூர் ஸ்ரீ பத்மாவதி தாயார் கோவில்

It is considered auspicious and lucky to buy bindi (குங்குமம், மஞ்சள்), sacred threads and even toys from temple streets - here too it is common — It is considered auspicious and lucky to buy bindi (குங்குமம், மஞ்சள்), sacred threads and even toys from temple streets – here too it is common

Shops even sell copper vessels and bronze utensils

Beautifully hand threaded flower garlands, waiting to be offered to the Goddess

If you leave Tiruchanur and go to the city of Tirupati, near the railway station there are two more well-known Vishnu temples.

The first is the Sri Govindaraja Temple, Tirupati (ஸ்ரீ கோவிந்தராஜ சுவாமி கோயில், திருப்பதி), which was built during the 12th Century and dedicated to Lord Vishnu, in reclining posture along with Goddesses Sridevi and Bhudevi.

Devotees waiting outside the temple in the shade after having the darshan

Right opposite to the above, is Sri Kodandaramaswamy Temple, Tirupati (திருப்பதி ஸ்ரீ கோதண்டராமர் கோயில்) which was built in the 10th century and dedicated to Lord Rama along with Goddess Sita and Lord Lakshmana.