Chittoor

Head Quarters:

Chittoor

Area:

15,152 sq.km

Tropical

Temperature:

Summer: Max 43C, Min 30C. (116.9F - 81.56F Approx.)
Winter: Max 29C, Min 21C. (78.84F - 57F Approx.)

Rainfall:

908.1 mm Seasonal

District Boundaries:

Tamilnadu State in the South and East,

Rivers:

Papaghni, Koundinya, Paleru, Aarani, Swarnamukhi.

Important Places:

Madanapalli, Srikalahasthi, Chittoor, Tirupathi, Renugunta

Sugar, Textile, Alcohol, Automobiles, Railway wagon workshop,
Ceramics, Brass and Copper.

Places to Visit:

Horsely Hills, Chandragiri Hills, Kailasakona waterfalls, Kalyani Dam, Nagari Hills, Madanapalle, Pisatur Araniyar Project, Puttur village, Thalakona waterfalls, Silathoranam, Papanasanam, Kaundinya Sanctuary, Sri Venkateswara Sanctuary and National Park.

Holy Places:

Konakandla Jaina temple, Lepakshi Temple, Puttaparthi Prasanthi Nilayam, Tadipatri Chintala Venkata Ramana Swamy Temple, Temples around Rayadurg, Dharmavaram, Hemavathi, Alur, Atmakur, Bhyravanithippa, Chitrachedu, Penna Ahobilam, Kadiri, Kasapur

Handicrafts:

Tirupati, Srikalahasthi, Tiruchunur, Sri Kanipakam.

Chittoor district was founded in the year 1911. Chittoor was under the rule of Pallavas Cholas, Vijayanagara kings and in the end under the British rule. History reveals that human race belonging to the New Stone age inhabited this region.
The present day Chittoor district is well connected by road, rail and air transport facilities.

The district earns a lot of foreign revenue for the country through the export of Teak, and Red Sandal wood procured from the forest reserves of the region. In addition to these the forests of the region are a source of Honey, Tamarind, and many Ayurvedic plants The drinking water and irrigation needs of the people of this district is fulfilled by Galeru-Nagari-Sujala Sravanthi Project, Aarani Project, Peddheru Reservoir on Peddheru, a tributary of Papaghni, Bugga dam on Kusastathi, Mallimadugu on Racha canal and Kalinga project on Kalinga canal. Electricity is supplied to this district through Thunga Bhadra Hydro Electric Project The Sri Venkateswara, Chandragiri and Koundinya Sanctuaries are set up to protect Tigers and Hyenas that inhabit the forests of this district. The Nutrine sweets and confectionary industry is located in this district. Apart from this there are also some Small Scale Industries established by the unemployed youth of the district. All the degree colleges in this district are affiliated to Sri Venkateswara University.

PLACES TO VISIT

Lord Venkateswara Temple:

The Lord Venkateswara temple situated amidst the Tirumala Hills is a world famous place of worship. A million pilgrims across the globe visit annually, to worship the presiding deity Lord Venkateswara (Balaji). The temple, mentioned in the ancient Indian texts, was patronized by the Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas, the Vijayanagar rulers and the Maharaja of Mysore .The main temple is an excellent example of South Indian temple architecture. The vimana over the sanctum sanctorum and the Dhwajasthambam (flag post) of the temple are covered with gold. The idol of Lord Venkateswara itself is divine to behold and pilgrims are blessed with a sense of complete bliss and satisfaction the moment they see the idol during the darshan.    

Akasa Ganga:

About three kilometers north of the main temple is a stream that is said to flow from the feet of the deity. Akasa Ganga, as it is called, is considered sacred. The water collected from here is used for the rituals in the temple.

Chandragiri Fort:

The forts and Mahals of Chandragiri, a one time capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, are some of the tourist attractions. The Chandragiri fort stands tall with a height of 183m on a hilltop near Chandragiri town. The fort is built by Immadi Narasimha Yadavaraya, during AD 1000 and was later developed by the Vijayanagara Kings. The Southern portion of the fort is enclosed by strong walls, and a trench. The fort’s lower portion has two Mahals built with stone and brick. The 'Raj (Chandragiri) Mahal' the main portion of the fort appears in majestic form.

Kanipakam:

Situated 70 km from Tirupati and 12 km from Chittoor is the town called Kanipakam. Kanipakam is famous for an 11th century Vinayaka temple. The temple is famous for its strange idol, which is said to be growing in its size. Legend says that a 'Kawacham' (rose plate) made for the idol half a century ago has become too small for it now.

Sila Thoranam:

Sila Thoranam, a natural rock formation at Tirumala hills is the only one of its kinds in Asia. The arch like rock formation with a length of 25 feet and a height of 10 feet is said to be formed by weathering and wind erosion. Sila Thoranam is believed to be 1500 million years old. The likes of Sila Thoranam at Tirumala can be found only in two other places of the world one the Rainbow Arch at Utah in the USA and the Cut Through in the UK.

In the history of Chittoor district, Tiruchanur is considered as the center for religious evolution. By the beginning of the Ninth Century, an important Vaishnava settlement at Tiruchanur brought the region under the influence of Vaishnavism. Though Tirumala and Sri Venkateshwara were renowned by this time, the hill continued to be inaccessible and could not attract many pilgrims. The Vaishnavas at Tiruchanur established a Tirumantrasalai and carried on proselytizing activity. They also constructed a Tiruvilankoil and set it up in an image of Sri Venkateshwara as a representative of the original God of the vedangam hill.
Tiruchanur being situated in a plain country, this proxy temple of Sri Venkateshwara attracted large numbers of Pilgrims who came here to pay their homage to the Lord. The Cholas conquered Tondamandalam in which the Tirupati-Tiruchanur area was situated by the end of the ninth century. They were patrons of Shaivism and Shaiva influence reached this erstwhile Vaishnava stronghold of Tiruchanur. A Lord Shiva temple, named after Parasareswara, was constructed in the western part of the village (in the present hamlet Jogi-Mallavaram) and it soon was popular.
The decline of Chola power during the middle of the thirteenth century led to the rise of many local chieftains to independence. Tiruchanur is important for five temples, four of which exist even to this day. These are the Tiruvilankoil, the Krishna temple, The Parasareswara Temple, the Varadaraja temple and the temple of Padmavathi.

How to Reach: The Temple is about 5 km from Tirupati railway station. The Temple is well connected by road and there are frequent buses from Tirupati.