Tirupati District - 2 | APPSC State Specific Preparation Course - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

Eco Tourism

• Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, spanning across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It serves as a haven for bird enthusiasts, housing a diverse range of avian species such as flamingos, painted storks, egrets, grey pelicans, grey herons, pintails, black-winged stilts, shovelers, and terns. 
• Additionally, it plays a crucial role in attracting North-East Monsoon rain clouds to Tamil Nadu during October. The lake also hosts the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, commonly referred to as the Sriharikota Range.

Penchalokana Waterfalls, Penchalokana

• Penchalakona, situated in a village in Rapur Mandal of Tirupati District, is a well-known tourist destination. The Kandaleru river originates from this place. 
• The village also houses the Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, adding to its appeal for heritage and nature enthusiasts. 
• An annual festival is held at the temple during Vaisakha, marking an important period in the Hindu solar calendar, drawing devotees for Narasimhaswamy Jayanthi.

Talakona Waterfall, Yerravaripalem

• Talakona Waterfall is located near Bakarapeta in the Nallamala Hill Range, about 40 km from Tirupati. 
• The waterfall stands at a height of 270 feet and is currently being developed by the forest department. 
• Close to the waterfall is the Eswara Temple, adding to the spiritual ambiance of the area.

Kailasa Kona Waterfall, Narayanavanam

• Kailasa Kona Waterfall is found near Puttur, merely 8 km away from Narayanavanam. 
• This picturesque waterfall not only attracts locals but also visitors from neighboring Tamil Nadu due to its serene beauty.

Nelapattu, Doravarisatram

• Located in Doravarisatram mandal, Nelapattu hosts a bird sanctuary that celebrates the "Flamingo" festival for three days in February. 
• Various species of migratory birds flock to the lake from October to March, creating a vibrant and diverse avian ecosystem.

Kalyani Dam, Rangampet

• The Kalyani Dam is a gravity dam constructed across the Swarnamukhi river in Tirupati city, situated in Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh, India. 
• This dam serves as a crucial water source for Tirupati city and its surrounding areas. 
• When filled to capacity, the dam can fulfill the water requirements of Tirupati for up to two years, ensuring water security for the region.

Mamanduru Forest: A Trekker's Paradise

• Mamanduru Forest Village serves as a popular destination for trekking enthusiasts.
• Legend has it that the renowned composer Annamacharya traversed this path in pursuit of a glimpse of Lord Balaji.
• The trekking trails from Mamanduru culminate at Tirumala, the sacred abode of Lord Balaji.
• Notably, the forest guest house was originally constructed by Kenneth Anderson, a notable big game hunter, in 1920.
• Mamanduru Forest holds the distinction of being the site of the last documented sighting of the Asiatic Cheetah.
• The region is home to unique wildlife species like the slender loris and the golden gecko, which are exclusive to these hills.
• The Seshachalam hills encompass a remarkable array of flora and fauna within their dense forests that envelop the revered shrine.
• Hidden within the wilderness are secret canyons, perennial springs, cascading waterfalls, ancient towering trees, caves, and prehistoric rock art.
• These hidden gems can only be accessed by trekking along obscure footpaths known solely to local tribes and seasoned trekkers.
• As a testament to its ecological importance, Seshachalam was designated as the first biosphere reserve in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Forest Tourism

Talakona Waterfall

• Talakona Waterfall is situated in Sri Venkateswara National Park in Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh.
• It boasts a majestic 270-foot drop, making it the tallest waterfall in the state.
• Adjacent to the waterfall is the revered Lord Siddheswara Swamy Temple.

Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park

• Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, is renowned as the second largest zoo in the Asian continent. Encompassing an expansive area of 2,212 hectares (equivalent to 5,500 acres), it offers a vast expanse for wildlife enthusiasts to explore. Boasting a diverse range of wildlife, it is particularly notable for its collection of 30 lions, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to observe these majestic creatures up close.
• The zoo is home to an impressive array of species, including 349 species of birds, 138 species of reptiles, and 168 species of mammals. Among its attractions is the popular blunt-tailed macaque house, which showcases rare specimens of this primate species.
• Established on September 29, 1987, Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park is one of the three zoological parks managed by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department. It serves as a hub for wildlife conservation and education, offering visitors a memorable experience while promoting awareness about the importance of biodiversity and habitat preservation.

Sadasiva Kona

• Sadasiva Kona is renowned for its picturesque waterfalls and holds significance as both a religious site and a natural attraction, situated in a remote area along the Puttur-Tirupati route. The location is densely populated with lush trees and vegetation, surrounded by imposing hillocks and mountains that offer a panoramic view of the waterfall. 
• Adjacent to the waterfalls stands the temple of Lord Sadasiva, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and his consort Goddess Kamakshi. Major festivals celebrated at the temple include Maha Shivaratri, Vaikunta Ekadasi, and all Mondays during the Karthika Masam, drawing large numbers of devotees from various parts of the state and Tamil Nadu. The temple was constructed by the king of Karvetinagaram, who revered and supported Lord Sadasiva and Goddess Kamakshi. 
• Additionally, nearby are the Ammavari Kona and Ayyavari Kona waterfalls, with water from these valleys converging to form a sacred pond known as a Pushkarini. This pond is believed to possess miraculous powers capable of curing devotees of their sins and ailments.

Engineering Tourism

Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota

• Situated in Sriharikota, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre is India's primary spaceport, managed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). It serves as the launch base for India's space missions, including the PSLV and GSLV rocket launches.
• The facility offers limited visitor access to key areas such as assembly buildings, launch pads, mission control, and the space museum, showcasing India's advancements in space exploration.

Regional Science Centre, Tirupati

• Located in Tirupati, the Regional Science Centre is a hub for non-formal science education, featuring six permanent exhibition galleries covering various themes like Fun Science, Popular Science, Our Universe, Our Senses, Illusion, and Emerging Technology.
• The outdoor science park at RSCT provides interactive exhibits, a Prehistoric life park, Herbal garden, and animal corner, offering a hands-on learning experience for visitors of all ages.
• Visitors can enjoy science shows, a 3D Theatre, and Taramandal at the centre, enhancing their understanding of scientific concepts in an engaging manner.
• The centre, a part of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), conducts educational programs round the year, catering to diverse age groups and promoting science awareness.

Culture & Heritage

Mallam Subramanya Swamy Temple, Naidupeta

• Mallam Subramanya Swamy Temple located in Naidupeta was originally constructed by King Pandya Bhupathi around 630 A.D. This architectural marvel underwent renovations by Chola rulers in the 10th and 11th centuries. One of the temple's striking features is the Vasantha Mandapam, designed in the shape of a chariot pulled by a pair of horses.
• The temple's Mandapam boasts a rock-cut corridor supported by 100 intricately carved pillars depicting scenes from ancient epics like The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, The Bhagavatham, and The Shiva Purana.
• Legend has it that King Kullothunga Pandya Bhupathi, while hunting in the forest, unknowingly disturbed Subramanya Swamy's penance by ordering his servants to collect bamboo sticks growing over an anthill. This act resulted in the unintentional injury to Subramanya Swamy's hands, prompting the king to construct the temple as an act of repentance, following a divine revelation in his dream. Since then, the tradition of offering the first prayer to Subramanya Swamy before starting the day has been diligently practiced.

Kalyana Venkateswara Temple, Narayanavanam

• Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru, the daughter of Akasha Raju, were united in marriage in Narayanavaram. To commemorate this auspicious occasion, Padmavathi's brother erected two temples—one here and another in Tirumala. 
• This temple complex is one of the rare ones where both Lord Venkateswara Swamy and Padmavathi Devi are worshipped together. In addition to the main shrine, there are four smaller shrines dedicated to Sri Padmavathi, Andal, Sri Prayaga Madhava Swami, and Sri Varadaraja Swami. 
• At the entrance, facing the sanctum, is the Garudalwar Sannidhi. Furthermore, there are five additional temples adjacent to the main one, dedicated to Sri Parasareswara Swami, Sri Veerabadhra Swami, Sri Sakthi Vinayaka Swami, Sri Agatheeswara Swami, and Sri Avanakshamma.

Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru Temple

• Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru, daughter of Akasha Raju, were married in Narayanavaram.
• Padmavathi's brother constructed two temples to commemorate the occasion, one in Narayanavaram and another in Tirumala.
• This temple is unique as it houses shrines of Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Padmavathi Devi in the same complex.
• The temple also includes shrines of Sri Padmavathi, Andal, Sri Prayaga Madhava Swami, and Sri Varadaraja Swami, among others.
• Adjacent to the main sanctum, there is a small Garudalwar Sannidhi.
• Five additional temples are dedicated to various deities like Sri Parasareswara Swami, Sri Veerabadhra Swami, Sri Sakthi Vinayaka Swami, Sri Agatheeswara Swami, and Sri Avanakshamma.

Kodandaramesvara Swamy Temple (Adityeswara Temple), Bokkasampalem

• Kodandaramesvara Swamy Temple is located in Bokkasampalem, just 2 km away from Tondamanadu in Sri Kalahasti Mandal.
• The temple, dedicated to Siva under the name Kodandaramesvara alias Adityesvara, is believed to be a pallipadai constructed in honor of Chola king Aditya I by his son Parantaka I around A.D. 940-41.
• The shrine for Devi was likely built in the 12th century A.D.

Sri Perumallaswamy Temple (Prasanna Venkateswaraswamy), Tondamanadu

• The Sri Perumallaswamy Temple in Tondamanadu has historical roots dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries AD.
• Its Vimana design resembles that of the Anandanilaya Vimana of Tirumala.
• Royal figures from Chola, Pallava, Vijayanagara dynasties, and other rulers conducted rituals here for their prosperity.
• In 2008, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams took control of the temple, leading to extensive renovations and reconstruction, culminating in the kumbabhishekam in 2016 and Pavitrotsavams in August 2017.

Sri Valleswaraswamy Temple, Ramagiri

• Ramagiri Vaaleeswarar Swamy temple was constructed by a Pallava king in the 9th century A.D.
• Adjacent to the temple, there is a pond known for its pure water source, originating from a Nandi idol.
• The water flows continuously through a unique system involving the Nandi idol and a small Shiva Linga idol.
• The temple's pond, called Nandi Theertham, is significant for the local villagers due to the continuous water flow.

Pallikondeswara Temple, Surutupalle

• The Pallikondeswara Temple, also known as Pradosha Kshetram, is situated in Surutupalle village.
• The main deity, Pallikondeswara, is depicted in a reclining posture with his consort Parvati, a unique feature among Shiva temples.
• Various festivals like Brahmotsavam, Thiruvadhirai, and Annabhishekam are celebrated at this temple.

Megalithic Burials, Venkatapuram village

• Venkatapuram village is home to significant Megalithic Burials, reflecting ancient burial practices.
• These burials provide insights into the cultural and historical aspects of the region.
• Many perceive Venkatapuram as an empty area near Tirupati, yet it holds significant archaeological value.
• The site in Venkatapuram, dating back to 500-300 B.C., offers insights into prehistoric human civilization.
• Various burial practices were observed, such as cairn packing and anthropomorphic drawings.
• The burial site in Venkatapuram features a unique 'stone circle' formation using boulders.
• Around 300 megalithic burial sites have been discovered in Chittoor district, with six identified in Venkatapuram.
• Of the original six burials, only five remain today, with one replaced by a modern mobile tower.