Famous Temples in India

SRI GOVINDARAJA SWAMY TEMPLE

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

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God

The main deity of this temple Sri Govindaraja Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Govindaraja Swamy faces East direction. The Lord is seen reclining on his serpent bed with Sridevi and Bhudevi, four-faced brahma appearing on the lotus rising from the navel, bearing the divine weapons Shanka, Chakra and others in his four arms.

Goddess

Goddess Andal (Godadevi) is seated on a lotus in her Four-armed form, holding a lotus in each of her upper hands, while her other two hands are in poses of 'Abhaya', fearlessness and 'Varada', benediction.

Interesting Facts

  • Govindaraja Swami temple also has two main shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna, the shrine to the North is Sri Govindaraja while the shrine to the South is Sri Parthasarathi.
  • The idols of Rukmini and Satyabhama are also here. The original temple had Sri Parthasarathi on the main Altar, Sri Ramanuja added the Sri Govindaraja deity around 1130 AD.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit Tirupati is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to February.

Weather

Highest - March to July (42 °C during day and 20 °C during night)Average - May (40 °C during day and 20 °C during night)Lowest - November to February (27 °C during day and 18 °C during night)Monsoon season - August to November

Dress Code

  • For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
  • For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
  • Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.

Do's & Dont's

  • Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.
  • Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
  • Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and gpitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name Distance Contact Number
A.P.S.R.T.C. BUS STAND, Tirupati
1 KM 0877-2289907
Tirupati Railway Station
300 MTRS 0877-2225810
Tirupati International Airport
16 KM 0877-227 5354

Architecture

Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple is facing East direction, with Dravidian Style of Architecture. In this temple Lord Vishnu is incarnated as Sri Govindaraja Swami. The Lord is seen as reclining on his serpent bed with his head towards the south and feet to the north. In 14th - 15th century, a gopuram of Seven stories was built by Vijayanagara kings with 11 Kalasas. Adding on to the beauty of Gopuram is the handwork recreating various scenes of hindu epics like Ramayana, Bhagavata along with instances from the life of Sri Venkateswara Swamy.

Govindaraja Swamy temple is built with Gray Green Granite stone., the inner walls of the temple are carved with the holy verses in Sanskrit and Dravidian language. A large number of inscriptions found in this temple and in the Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala help us to trace its history. The earliest of the records belong to the year 1235 A.D when the Chola King, Raja Raja III was ruling the place. In the year 1239 A.D. the queen of Viranarasinga of Yadavaraya made a gift for decoration of the chariot and carrying necessary repairs. The temple came in for greater importance in 1506 A.D. during the rule of Saluva dynasty of Vijayanagar and from then onwards different rulers in a different way developed the temple. The sprawling tank with beautifully well laid steps on four sides and artistically built stone mandapam in the middle of the tank.

Religious Significance

Legend goes back to the time of Islamic reign in South India. When the Southern parts of India, witnessed muslim invasion, to maintain its safety, statue of Lord Govindaraja Swamy, deity of Chidambaram was brought to Tirupati, which was later brought back once the situation returned to its normalcy. However, revered Saint Sri Ramanujacharya had a dream where Lord Govindaraja Swamy informed him about his wishes to reside in Tirupati. Owing to this when he visited the place he saw in his dream, he found the statue of Lord Govindaraja Swamy there. It was then, he advised the king to build a temple in the same place.

History

Temple was consecrated in 1130 AD by Vaishnavaite saint Sri Ramanujacharya. In the year 1239 A.D the queen of Viranarasinga of Yadavarayas made a gift for decoration of the chariot and carrying necessary repairs.

Temple Timings

Day Timings
All Days 05:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Darshanam Details

Darshanam Price Estimated Time Entrance From
Special Entrance 10.00 1 Hr
Quick Darshan 20.00 30 mins

Sevas

Suprabatham
All Days
05:00 - 05:30
1
Adults
30 Mins
10.00/ Person
Thomala Seva
All Days
06:30 - 07:30
1
Adults
1 Hr 30 Mins
10.00/ Person
Ekantha seva
All Days
20:30 - 21:00
1
Adults
30 Mins
10.00/ Person

Pooja

Archananthara Darshanam
All Days
05:00 - 05:30
1
Adults
30 Mins
10.00/ Person

Tours










Airports

Airport Name Distance
Shamshabad 40 KM
Lorem Ipsum 12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name Distance
Secunderabad 10 KM
Nampally 12 KM
Begumpet 6 KM
Lingampally 20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name Distance
MGBS 35 KM
CBS 28 KM
kukatpally 20 KM
Lingampally 30 KM
Uppal 35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Private Transport 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757
Private Transport1 8 KM 9546858757

Local Transports

Transport Name Distance Contact Number
Local Transport 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757
Local Transport1 5 KM 9546858757

Nearest Temples

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SRI PADMAVATHI DEVI TEMPLE
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Godessess Padmavati emerged in Lotus here

Distance: 6 KM
SRI KALYANA VENKATESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE
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Distance: 12 KM
PRASANNA VENKATESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE
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Lord Venkateswara lived here along with Sri Padmavathi after marriage on request of sage Siddeshwara

Distance: 20 KM
SRI VENKATESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE
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SRI PARASURAMESWARA TEMPLE
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SRI KALAHASTHEESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE
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SRI VEDANARAYANA SWAMY TEMPLE
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Distance: 61 KM

Nearest Attractions

Boating SHILPARAMAM BOATING AREA
  Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

A joyful Boat ride in the Art and Artifactual hub, The Shilparamam

Distance:4 KM
Wildlife SRI VENKATESWARA NATIONAL PARK
  Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

One of the biosphere reserves of India in admist of Seshachalam hill ranges

Distance:9 KM
Museum SRI VENKETESWARA MUSEUM
  Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

Religious artifacts of Puja utensils, Time-honored art

Distance:24 KM
Natural Attractions SILATHORANAM
  Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

Natural stone formation

Distance:25 KM
Spiritual Monuments AKASAGANGA
  Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

Akasa Ganga water is used for daily Abhishek at main Sri Venkateswara temple

Distance:26.4 KM
Waterfalls TALAKONA
  Talakona, Bakrapeta, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

Talakona Waterfalls is one of the highest waterfalls in A.P.

Distance:61 KM
Trekking NAGALAPURAM TREKKING
  Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

Mystical Trek along with tier wise Water pools alongside the Trek

Distance:63 KM

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SRI GOVINDARAJA SWAMY TEMPLE

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

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