Nagarjunakonda is a historical Buddhist town (About 1700 years ago), now an island located near Nagarjuna Sagar in Guntur
district/Nalgonda district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is 150 km south east of the capital, Hyderabad. It was formed when a hill
was submerged in the waters of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, constructed in the 1960s. It is one of India's richest Buddhist sites, known in the
ancient times as Sri Parvata. Nagarjunakonda, meaning the hill of Nagarjuna, was named after the Buddhist scholar and savant Acharya
Nagarjuna who lived around the turn of the 2nd century AD..A buddhist museum is situated on the entire island in the Nagarjunasagar dam.
A.R. Saraswathi, in 1926, discovered this glourious place who was a researcher in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Further
excavations carried out by ASI in the valley uncovered ruins of a university, viharas (monasteries), sacrificial altars, royal baths, marble
carvings and sculptures. It is situated in Macherla Mandal of the District Guntur. Road : Located at 150 km from Hyderabad. Buses are
available from Hyderabad to Vijaypuri south. Rail : 20 kms from Macherla. Air : Hyderabad Airport. Museum Opening Hours : 9.00 am to 4.00
pm Closed on
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Nagarjunakonda Island
Konaseema is an oasis of enchanting beauty, peace and tranquillity that is a dream tour destination for all. Its magnificent landscape, artistic
temples, lavish greenery, lustrous coconut grooves and fields and its resilience takes your breath away. Whether you're travelling by train,
boat or bus, a glance at the surrounding countryside is enough to capture the cultural wealth and geographical variety of this paradise on
earth. KONASEEMA is surrounded by other beautiful destinatios like Papi Kondalu (Papi Hills / Papikondalu), Kolleru Lake, Maredumilli
Forest (Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuary), Mangrove (Mada) Forest (Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary). Cherish this beautiful land and relish its
culture... APTDC has a House Boat at Coconut Country Resorts, Dindi (Konaseema) Each House Boat will have 2 bed rooms (A.C.) with
sitout on top and can accommodate 4 Adults + 4 Children. Extra beds will not be arranged. A.C. will work only in nights. Check-in time 10
A.M. Check-out time 9 A.M. For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner boat will be anchored at APTDC Resorts, Dindi. Amalapuram is the only major
town in Konaseema. Rajahmundry, Kakinada and Palakollu are other towns around Konaseema. Rajahmundry is the only airport near to
Konaseema. Other accessible airports are Vijayawada (160 Kms
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Araku is one of the most important tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh. A pleasant hill station famous for its scenic gardens with lush
green nature, valleys, waterfalls and streams. It is situated at a distance of 112 km from Visakhapatnam. The journey to Araku valley on the
Eastern Ghats with thick forest on either sides is itself highly interesting and pleasant. The place is over 3200ft. high with a bracing climate.
The Botanical Garden at Padmapuram, Government Silk Farm with Mulberry gardens are the live examples to know the socio-economic
conditions of the area. Tribal Museum is a big attraction of the Araku. Chaaparai, a picturesque place about 15 km from Araku is another
picnic spot in this region. One must experience the climatic conditions and the natural beauty of this Valley. The natural beauty of this valley
comes alive with the aboriginal tribes who dwell here and who have to this day kept their tradition and culture alive. About 19 tribes inhabit
this area. The Dhimsa dance, an age-old folk dance normally performed during 'Itikala Pongal' is now offered in tourist's packages everyday.
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The world famous Tirumala Temple is located in the hill town of Tirumala in Tirupati, Chittoor District. Tirupati is famous for Sri Venkateswara
Swamy temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara.
It is around 600 km (370 mi) from Hyderabad, 138 km (86 mi) from Chennai and 291 km (181 mi) from Bangalore.
Tiru means 'Holy' or 'Sacred' and mala means hills/mountain in Dravidian languages. Therefore it translates as Holy mountains.
The Tirumala Hill is 853m above sea level and is about 10.33 square miles (27 km2) in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the
seven heads of Adisesha, thus earning the name Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri,
Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri. The temple is on Venkatadri (also known as Venkatachala or Venkata Hill), the seventh peak,
and is also known as the "Temple of Seven Hills". The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Venkateswara, a form of the Hindu god Vishnu.
Venkateswara is known by other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa. The temple lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, a
holy water tank. The temple complex comprises a traditional temple building, with a number of modern queue aand pilgrim lodging sites.
The temple is the richest pilgrimage center, after the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, of any faith (at more
than INR 50,000 crore) and the most-visited place of worship in the world. The temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily (30
to 40 million people annually on average), while on special occasions and festivals, like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims
shoots up to 500,000, making it the most-visited holy place in the world.
There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord in Tirumala. According to one legend, the temple has a murti (deity)
of Lord Venkateswara, which it is believed shall remain here for the entire duration of the present Kali Yuga.
Medieval history
Tirumala was under the rule of the Vijayanagara emperors, during which time the temple's assets were accumulated. Coronation ceremonies
of the emperors were also held at Tirupati.
In 1517 Krishnadevaraya, on one of his
many visits to the temple, donated gold and jewels. It enabled the Vimana (inner shrine) and the roofing to be plated with gold. The Maratha
general Raghoji Bhonsle set up a permanent administration for the conduct of worship in the temple. The rulers of Mysore and Gadwal
endowed large gifts to the temple.
The Pallavas of Kanchipuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Tanjore (10th century), and Vijayanagara pradhans (14th and 15th centuries)
were committed devotees of Lord Venkateswara. During the invasion of Srirangam by Malik Kafur in 1310-11 AD, the Ranga Mandapam of
the temple served as the shelter for the presiding deity of Srirangam, Ranganatha Swamy. Later, under the rule of the Vijayanagara
emperors, was when the temple gained most of its current wealth and size, with the donation of diamonds and gold. In 1517 Vijayanagara
ruler Sri Krishna Deva Raya, on one of his many visits to the temple, donated gold and jewels, enabling the Vimana (inner shrine) roofing to
be gilded. Statues of Sri Krishna Deva Raya and his spouse stand in the premises of the temple. After the decline of Vijayanagara Empire,
kings from states such as Mysore and Gadwal worshiped as pilgrims and gave ornaments and valuables to the temple. Maratha general
Raghoji I Bhonsle (died 1755) visited the temple and set up a permanent administration for the conduct of worship in the temple. There is an
idol of Raja Todar Mal who was the revenue minister of Akbar, greeting pilgrims in the premises of the temple.
Modern history
In 1843, with the coming of the Madras Presidency, the administration of the Sri Venkateswara Temple and a number of shrines was
entrusted to Seva Dossji of the Hathiramji Mutt at Tirumala as Vicaranakarta for nearly a century until the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
(TTD) was established as a result of the TTD Act in 1932. After independence Andhra state was created on linguistic grounds, wherein
Tirupati which had and still has a majority of Telugu speaking population was assigned by Govt. of India, integrating it as part of Andhra.
TTD is operated by a Board of Trustees that has increased in size from five (1951) to fifteen (1987) through the adoption of Acts. The daily
operation and management of TTD is the responsibility of an executive officer who is appointed by the government of Andhra Pradesh.
The temple attracts approximately 75,000 pilgrims every day. The annual budget, estimated at Rs 10 billion in 2008, runs charitable trusts
whose funds are derived from the budget and donations from the devotees.
Vimanam
The vimanam is a monumental tower with a golden roof. Its inner temple or vimanam houses the main deity, Lord Sri Venkateswara. The
deity stands directly beneath a gilt dome called the Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana. This exquisitely wrought deity, called the Mulaberam, is
believed to be self-manifested, and no human being is known to have installed it in the shrine. The Lord wears a gold crown with a large
emerald embedded in the front. On special occasions, he is adorned with a diamond crown. The Lord has a thick double tilaka drawn on his
forehead, which screens his eyes. His ears are decorated with golden earrings. His right hand is raised in a fist, which is decorated with a
gem-set chakra; the left fist contains a Shankha (conch shell). The front right hand has its fingers pointing to his feet. His front left hand is
akimbo. His body is dressed with yellow clothing tied with gold string and a gold belt with gold bells. He has a yajnopavita (sacred thread)
flowing down crosswise from his left shoulder. He bears Sri Lakshmi Devi on his right chest and Sri Padmavathi Devi on his left chest. His
feet are covered with gold frames and decked with gold anklets. A curved gold belt encompasses his legs.
The Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana was covered with gilt copper plates and surmounted with a
golden vase in the 13th century, during the reign of the Vijayanagara king Yadava Raya.The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara
is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini.
It is by the Lord’s presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also
called the Lord of the Seven Hills.
The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar
hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara.
The benefits acquired by a piligrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri
Venkateswara is described as the great bestower of boons. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at
Tirumala.
The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the principles of equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice.
Bangaru Vakili
From the Tirumamani Mandapam, one can enter the Bangaru Vakili (Golden Corridor in Telugu) to reach the inner sanctum sanctorum.
There are two tall copper images of the dwarapalakas Jaya and Vijaya on either side of the door. The thick wooden door is covered with gilt
plates depicting the dasavataram of Sri Maha Vishnu.
The doorway is directly in line with the Padi Kavali and the Vendi Vakili(Silver Corridor in Telugu). It admits pilgrims to the Snapana
Mandapam.
Suprabhatam is sung in front of this door.
Garbha Griha
The Garbha Griha or sanctum is where the idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara is placed. The idol stands majestically in the Garbha Griha, directly
beneath a gilt-dome called the "Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana".
This idol, called the Mulaberam, is believed to be self-manifested. As there is no known sculptor possessing the capability to sculpt idols of
god so proportionately. Further, no human being is known to have installed it in the shrine.
The idol of the Lord wears a gold crown (Kiritam), which has a large emerald embedded on its front. On special occasions, it is replaced with
a diamond kiritam. On the forehead of the idol, two thick patchs of tilak drawn with refined camphor, almost covers the eyes of the idol. In
between the two white patches is a Kasturitilakam.
Golden makara kundalas hang to the ears of the idol. The palm of its raised right hand is embedded with a gem-set Sudershana Chakra, and
the left palm with the Holy Cone. The slightly outstretched front right hand, has its fingers pointing toward the feet, as if Lord is the only
recourse to his devotees to dissolve in him and enjoy eternal bliss. The akimbo of the front left hand implies lord's protection to devotees, and
to show that the Samsara Sagara (Ocean of Life) is never deeper than to hip's height, if they seek his refuge.
The body of the Idol is spun with a Gold-stringed-Pitambaram, with a belt of golden-bells. The idol is decorated with precious ornaments. It
has a Umbilical Chord flowing down, cross from the left shoulder. It bears Goddess Lakshmi on the right chest and Sri Padmavathi Devi on
the left. Nagaabharanam ornaments are on both of the idol's shoulders.The lotus feet are covered with gold frames and decked with clinging
gold anklets. A strong curved belt of gold encompasses the legs. During Abhishekam, we can have darshan of Goddess Lakshmi.
The Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana was covered with gilt copper plates and covered with a golden vase, in the thirteenth century, during the
reign of the Vijayanagara king, Yadava Raya.
Pilgrims are not allowed to enter the Garbha Gruha (beyond Kulasekhara padi (path)).
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Talakona waterfall is in Sri Venkateswara National Park, Chittoor District. With a 270 feet (82 m)-fall, Talakona is the highest waterfall in the
Andhra pradesh state. Talakona is also known for the Lord Siddeswara Swamy Temple, which is located close to the waterfall.
It is a resort well endowed with waterfalls, dense forests and wildlife. Mostly famous for its waterfalls, Talakona has the most wholesome and
serene atmosphere. This area was declared as biosphere reserve during 1989-90 due to the presence of rich variety of flora and fauna. The
Talakona forests host certain rare and endangered species of animals like Slender Loris, Indian Giant Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Golden Gecko,
Panther, Porcupine, Chital and Sambar. Endemic species like Red Sander, Cycas beddomeii and Enteda like giant plants are also found in
this region. The forest is mostly covered with sandalwood trees with some valuable medicinal plants.
There is a 240 meter long canopy rope walk, about 35 to 40 feet height, giving a thrilling experience to the visitors while walking. There are
mighty trees around with birds and monkeys accompanying during the canopy walk. There are number of trek routes in different categories
giving an option to choose a route that fits best.There is a Siva temple which is flooded with devotees during Shivarathri festival. There are
also deep caves scattered over the mountains where it is believed that sages meditate eternally.
Talakona is located in NERABAILU Village in Yerravaripalem Mandal of Chittoor District. It is located 36 kilometres from Piler,49 kilometres
from tirupati, 220 kilometres from Chennai, and 105 kilometres from Chittoor and 250 kilometres from Bangalore.
Regional Tourist Information Bureau, Near TTD 3rd Choultry, Tirupati - 0877-2243306