Padmavathi Devi Temple

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.

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.

A Shiva temple at the base of the Tirumala Hills where a natural waterfall (the only waterfall on the Tirumala range) cascades into a sacred tank. Sage Kapila is said to have worshipped Shiva here. Many Tirupati pilgrims bathe here before ascending Tirumala.

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.