Kapila Theertham Shiva Temple

One of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, atop the Tirumala hills. Millions of devotees offer their hair here in the ritual of tonsure, and the temple's laddu prasadam, made under a Geographical Indication-protected recipe, is among India's most famous temple offerings.

The largest temple in Tirupati town (not on Tirumala hill), dedicated to Lord Govindaraja (Vishnu reclining). The Chola king Kulottunga II is credited with building this magnificent 12th-century temple. The idol of Govindaraja reclining on Adishesha is one of the finest Vishnu sculptures in the Deccan.

The principal shrine of Goddess Padmavathi (Lakshmi), consort of Lord Venkateswara. Almost every pilgrim to Tirupati visits this temple first. The 3rd-century CE idol of the Goddess in golden splendour is extraordinarily beautiful. Managed by TTD.

One of the oldest Shiva temples in India, housing an extraordinarily ancient Shivalinga (estimated 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE) — carved from solid granite with Shiva standing atop the water demon Apasmarapurusha. The lingam's artistry is considered the highest point of early Indian sculpture.