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South India Temple Tour

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Duration : 07 Nights / 08 DaysDestinations Covered : Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Thiruchirapalli - Madurai - Chennai Day 01 : Chennai Today upon arrival you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight in Chennai. Day 02 : Chennai Today you will make a Sightseeing Tour of Chennai visiting the Fort St. George, St. Thomas Mount, San Thome Cathedral, Kapaleeswar Temple and the National Art Gallery. Overnight in Chennai. Day 03 : Chennai - Kanchipuram - MahabalipuramToday you will make a drive Chennai to Kanchipuram, which is 76 kms. & 2 hrs. drive. Sightseeing tour of Kanchipuram visiting the Kailasanthar Temple, Ekambareshwarar Temple, The Vardarajanperumal Temple and the Sakiswarar Temple. Afternoon drive to Mahabalipuram, which is 65 kms. and approx. 1½ hrs. drive. Transfer to hotel .Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram. Book This South India Temple Tour Day 04 : Mahabalipuram - PondicherryToday you will make a Sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram which inc...

Golden temple A view of the Sri Lakshmi Narayani Temple near Thirupati

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Located some 200 km form Bangalore and about half that distance from Chennai, Vellore is a lesser known place. For many its just a transit bus stop from Bangalore to Chennai. But with a masssive Rs. 300 crore Golden Temple in Sripuram, all that has changed. The temple build in true Deccan architecture style is a massive depiction of Indian craftsmanship. The temple welcomes you with the National Flag of India fluttering at the entrance, infusing an invariable sense of national pride. Enter the temple and you have to walk a Star shaped path to reach the main idol. The path has quotes from Vedas written all through, punctuated by some great sculptures, beautiful gardens, fountains and scenic hills in the backdrop. The star shape long path to reach the idol is strategically constructed. By the time you reach the main idol, even if you have read half of the quotes in the way, you are unknowingly closer to almighty and the darshan becomes more fulfilling and enriching experience.

Educational activities in Tirupati

Educational activities in Tirupati In 1876, when all activities of the temple were under the control of the Mahant of Hathiramjee Mutt, an educational institution called the Hindu High School was founded in Vellore. Another Hindu high school was established in Tirupati in 1886. Now a day, TTD runs separate degree colleges, junior colleges and high schools for boys and girls in the Tirupati Town as well as around the Town. TTD also run one college in New Delhi. The list of the Colleges and schools which is run by the TTD is given below. Professional Colleges at Tirupati SPM Polytechnic, TirupatiSV Yoga Institute, Tirupati SV College of Music and Dance, Tirupati SV Ayurvedic College, Tirupati Oriental Colleges at Tirupati SV Oriental College, Tirupati SVVVS College, Secunderabad Degree Colleges SV College, New Delhi SV Arts college, Tirupati SPW College, Tirupati Sri Govindaraja Swami Arts College, Tirupati Junior Colleges SV Junior College, Tirupati SPW Junior College, Tirupati High Sch...

Sri Kalahasti

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Other Temple and Holy place of Tirumala and Tirupati Sri Kalahasti Sri Kalahasti This famous Saivite temple in Kalahasti, 38 km from Tirupati, is one of the Panchabhoota Kshetras. Located on the banks of river Swarnamukhi, Sri Kalahasti Temple is one of the most ancient temples in South India. Lord Siva is worshipped here in the form of Vayu Linga (one of the elements air). The legend says that Sri (spider), Kala (cobra) and Hasti (elephant) worshipped Lord Siva here and attained Moksha. Hence this place is known as Srikalahasti. Kannappa Nayanar (a tribal hunter) attained salvation in this place by offering his eyes to this Lord. Kannappa Temple is on a hillock adjacent to the temple from where we can view the temple town of Sri Kalahasti. Sri Gnana Prasoonambika is the consort of the Lord and abhishekams are also performed for her as for Sri Kalahasteeswara. Patala Ganapati is a small underground temple located in the same complex. Pilgrims should make it a point to visit this inter...

Sri Padmavathi Temple at Tiruchanoor

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Other Temple and Holy place of Tirumala and Tirupati Sri Padmavathi Temple at Tiruchanoor Sri Padmavathi Temple at Tiruchanoor No visit to Tirupati is complete without a visit to Alamelumangapuram, located about 4kms from Tirupathi. Sri Padmavathi is the divine consort of Lord Venkateswara. 'Kalyanotsavam' is performed here as in Tirumala between 10.30 a.m. and 12 noon every day. Five members are allowed (Rs. 500/-). Special darshan (Rs. 5/-) is advisable. Darshan starts from 6.30 a.m. on Weekdays and from 8.00 a.m. on Fridays. Tiruchanoor (also known as Alarmelu Mangapuram) is 4 km from Tirupati. Buses ply throughout the day.

The Great Geological Arch

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Other Temple and Holy place of Tirumala and Tirupati The Great Geological Arch The Great Geological Arch (Shila Thoranam) This is one of the three archives discovered in whole world. A very rare phenomenon of two different sets of rocks connected together in the form of a thin link was found. This formation is known to exist elsewhere only at the 4 fingers of Texas and somewhere in Australia. Pilgrims must make it a point to visit this wonder of the world during their Tirumala trip. No buses are available. Private vehicles are allowed. It is 2km from main temple

The Papa Vinashanam

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Other Temple and Holy place of Tirumala and Tirupati The Papa Vinashanam The Papa Vinashanam (cleanser of Sins) About 5 Kms north of the Tirumala temple is a deep bowl formed by the surrounding hills that created a reservoir ages ago and many a mountain stream emptied into it. This came to be known as the Papavinashanam (The Cleanser of sins). Its waters were initially used for worshipping purposes but abandoned later because of the distance from the temple. It is still used though,for special occasions. To conserve water forever increasing number of pilgrims and therefore, the temple township, a dam was constructed across but the pilgrims, thus preserving the tradition, provided a bypass for bathing. It is believed that the holy waters of this place dissolve the sins of the devotees. Hence this place is known as Papavinashanam. A dam constructed here regulates the water flow.