Thiruvenkadam
Thiruvenkadam is a Hindu temple where the presiding deities are Padmavati and Srinivasa Perumal, located in Tirupati, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. It is temple #106 in the traditional order of the 108 Divya Desams — the 108 Vishnu shrines praised in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham of the Alvar saints.
This is Tirumala Tirupati, home of Lord Venkateswara and among the most visited pilgrimage destinations on earth. The hill shrine crowns the seven peaks of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh, and darshan here is the culmination of a lifetime wish for many devotees.
About Thiruvenkadam
The Venkateswara Swami Temple—also known as Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple and Tirupati Balaji Temple—is a Hindu temple located in the hills of Tirumala, within Tirupati Urban Mandal, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared on earth to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. Hence the site is also called Kaliyuga Vaikuntha and the deity is known as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam. Venkateswara is additionally known as Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa.
Legend
The Tirumala hills, also known as Sheshachalam, are traditionally believed to represent the body of the cosmic serpent Ananta, also called Shesha, with their seven peaks symbolizing the serpent's seven heads upon which Vishnu is said to rest.
Three interconnected legends from the Puranas are traditionally cited to explain the presence of Venkateswara at this site.
History
The temple is mentioned in Cilappatikaram, one of the Five Great Epics of Tamil literature. In the narrative, when Kovalan meets a Brahmin, who asks him where he has come from and why he has arrived there, to which the Brahmin replies, "I came to satisfy my heart's desire, to see with my own eyes the glory of Vishnu, whom many worship with prayer as He reposes with Lakshmi in His chest, on the couch of the thousand hooded Serpent, in the temple in island jutting out on the widening waves of the Kaveri, even as the blue clouds repose supine on the slopes of the lofty golden mountain (Meru)."…
The first recorded endowment was made by Pallava queen Samavai in the year 966 CE. She donated many jewels and two parcels of land (one 10 acres and other 13 acres) and ordered use of the revenues generated from that land for the celebration of major festivals in the temple. The Pallava dynasty (9th century), the Chola dynasty (10th century), Reddi Kingdom (12th and 13th centuries) and Vijayanagara pradhans (14th and 15th centuries) were committed devotees of Venkateswara. The temple gained most of its current wealth and size under the Vijayanagara Empire, present-day Karnataka state, with the donation of diamonds and gold.
Architecture and layout
The Maha Dwaram is the main entrance to the temple and is also known as 'Padikavali', 'Simhadvaram,' or 'Outer Gopuram'. It provides access from outside the temple to the Sampangi Pradakshinam, and is separated from it by an outer compound wall (Maha Prakaram). The tower stands at the height of 50 ft (15 m). On either side of the entrance stand two panchaloha statues of Sankanidhi and Padmanidhi, who are traditionally regarded as the guardians of the Navanidhi, the nine treasures of Venkateswara.
Venḍi Vākili, which means "silver entrance" in Telugu, is the second entrance of the temple. It leads to the Vimana Pradakshinam and is also known as 'Nadimipadikavali'. The name of this entrance comes from the silver plating on the doors. An inner compound wall separates the Sampangi Pradakshinam and Vimana Pradakshinam. A three storied gopuram was built over this entrance with seven kalisams during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
Background adapted from Wikipedia, “Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Edited for length; verify details locally.
Plan your visit
How to reach
Thiruvenkadam is roughly 125 km from Chennai, about 3.5 h by road. The nearest airport is Tirupati (TIR), about 27 km away. Open directions in Google Maps →
Timings: like most Tamil Nadu temples, expect an early-morning opening around 6 am, a midday closure from roughly noon to 4 pm, and evening darshan until about 8–9 pm. Festival days change everything, so confirm locally.
Today at a glance
Chennai time (IST), from our own panchangam. Nalla Neram is the good window; avoid Rahu Kalam and Yamagandam for starting a journey or a ritual.
Festival days to plan around
This temple's own festivals: Srivari Brahmotsavam, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Ratha Saptami.
- Vaikunta Ekadasi — December–January
- Krishna Jayanthi — August–September
- Sri Rama Navami — March–April
- Purattasi Saturdays — September–October
Exact dates move with the lunar calendar every year; the festival calendar lists them to 2031, and the daily panchangam shows the tithi and nakshatra for any date.
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Quick facts
| Deity | Padmavati and Srinivasa Perumal |
| Town | Tirupati |
| District | Chittoor district |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Sacred lists | 108 Divya Desams |
| Divya Desam # | 106 |
Visiting
Most temples in Tamil Nadu open early morning and again in the evening, closing through the midday hours — plan darshan before noon or after 4pm and confirm timings locally, since festival days change everything. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), leave footwear at the stands provided, and note that some sanctums admit Hindus only while towers and outer courtyards welcome everyone. Photography rules vary; ask before shooting inside.
Timing a visit? Check today’s panchangam for auspicious windows and festival days, and use our free itinerary builder to slot temples, food and rest into your day.
Temples near Tirupati
More Divya Desam temples
Frequently asked
How far is Thiruvenkadam from Chennai?
About 125 km, or about 3.5 h by road. The nearest airport is Tirupati (TIR), roughly 27 km from the temple.
What are the timings at Thiruvenkadam?
Most Tamil Nadu temples open around 6 am, close from about noon to 4 pm, and reopen until 8–9 pm. Festival days follow a different schedule, so confirm locally before you travel.
What should I wear?
Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Footwear is left outside at the stands provided. Some inner sanctums admit Hindus only, while towers and outer courtyards welcome everyone.
When is the best time to visit Thiruvenkadam?
The temple is busiest and most atmospheric on its festival days: Vaikunta Ekadasi, Krishna Jayanthi, Sri Rama Navami. For a quiet darshan, come on a weekday morning outside festival season. Check the daily panchangam for Rahu Kalam before setting out.