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Venkateswara Temple Map of India and surrounding countries with the city of Tirupati marked in southern India. International borders, neighboring countries, and major bodies of water such as the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean are labeled. An inset globe highlights the region's location within Asia. Ananda Nilayam Darshan lines Venkateswara Temple
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Venkateswara Temple
Venkateswara Temple Lines for darshan—seeing and being seen by the deity—can be excessively long at the Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, near Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Tirupati

India
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•History

News •

TDP candidate wins Tirupati Mayoral seat • Nov. 4, 2026, 8:09 AM ET (The Hindu)
TDP wins Mayor posts in Tirupati, Kadapa and Nellore by big margins • Nov. 4, 2026, 4:26 AM ET (The Hindu)
TDP sweeps four Municipal Corporations across Rayalaseema • Nov. 4, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (The Hindu)
Tirupati NCC cadets excel at Telangana State Equestrian Championship • Oct. 21, 2026, 8:59 AM ET (The Hindu)
Horse racing: ‘World class’ Jamie Spencer riding at Santa Anita, Del Mar • Oct. 15, 2026, 4:19 PM ET (The Orange County Register)
Map of India and surrounding countries with the city of Tirupati marked in southern India. International borders, neighboring countries, and major bodies of water such as the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean are labeled. An inset globe highlights the region's location within Asia.
Tirupati, India

Tirupati, city, southeastern Andhra Pradesh state, southern India. It lies in the Palkonda Hills, about 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Chandragiri and 67 miles (108 km) northwest of Chennai in Tamil Nadu state.

Ananda Nilayam
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Ananda NilayamThe gold-plated dome above the central shrine of the Venkateswara Temple is called Ananda Nilayam (“Abode of Happiness”).
Darshan lines
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Darshan linesDevotees at the Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala waiting, sometimes for many hours, in long lines to get a glimpse of the god.
Venkateswara Temple
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Venkateswara TempleStanding on Venkata hill in Tirumala above Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India, the Venkateswara Temple is the most visited and wealthiest Hindu temple. Behind its white gopuram (entrance gate) is the gold-plated dome above the central shrine in which the image of the god Venkateswara (a form of Vishnu) is found.

Tirupati is known as the abode of the Hindu god Venkateswara, “Lord of Venkata Hill,” a local form of the god Vishnu. Venkata Hill in the town of Tirumala is situated about 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Tirupati in Sri Venkateswara Sanctuary and National Park. The hill is considered so holy that before 1870 non-Hindus were not permitted to ascend it. At the hill’s summit, at an elevation of 2,800 feet (850 meters), is the Venkateswara Temple, a Hindu temple of great antiquity and popularity. Nestled among sacred waterfalls and tanks (reservoirs) and dedicated to Venkateswara, the temple is a notable example of Dravidian temple architecture and is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in India. Average daily visitors to the temple number 60,000 to 80,000, approaching 25 million visitors annually. The temple’s estimated value, largely accrued through donations from pilgrims, in 2024 was about $30 billion, or more than 2.5 lakh crore rupees. Pop. (2001) 228,202; (2011) 287,482.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Charles Preston.
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