- Tirupathi is believed to be the richest temple in the country with picturesque surroundings. The temple is also a fine example of Dravidian Art & Style. It is also a famous center for wood carving.
- Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanam, or the abode of the Lord Tirupati, is probably Hindu India’s most visited holy place. Situated amidst lush greenery atop a hill surrounded by outcroppings of red rock, the temple which attracts the devout in thousands everyday, is dedicated to Sri Venkateswara - one of the incarnations of Vishnu.
- The temple is the reason that this town gets visitors, usually pilgrims who’ve travelled hundreds of kilometres to ask a wish of the Lord.
- The town of Tirupathi lies a little way away from the sacred hill and has most of the area’s dining and accommodation facilities. The most astounding leg of the journey begins at the bottom of the hill.
- A regular ‘darshan’ takes longer to come by than a ‘special’ one.But everybody has to line up and wait as the queue winds its way up through a
series of enclosures.
- Tirumala is one of the few temples to allow non-Hindus into the sanctum sanctorum. Remember, you have to leave your footwear behind at the stall outside the temple compound.
- Tirumala is one of the few temples to allow non-Hindus into the sanctum sanctorum. Remember, you have to leave your footwear behind at the stall outside the temple compound.
- The temple houses a heavily garlanded idol of Sri Venkateswara before whom one is allowed only a few moments before the next enclosure load of visitors is to be ushered in.In that time you’ll see the stupendously opulent vimana covered in gold and finely sculpted columns.
- The ‘darshan’ is followed by a round of ‘prasad’, food that has been blessed by the deity and must be received with both hands cupped, right palm above the left one.
- Tirupathi, receives a record number of pilgrims everyday, more than any other holy city in the world. These record crowds topple bigger records during the festivals and on weekends.
- The vintage Film City coaches shuttle visitors around the studios on a guided tour. There are several settings in the studios which lead the visitors from streets of the Mauryan Empire or the Mughal Empire or even the American Old West. There's also the famous Hollywood sign displayed on the hills at the studios.
- As some famous directors and producers put it, "The Film City has all facilities at one place with latest technology and advanced equipment." The studio's brochure highlights its dictum as "Make the Magic Happen".
- The magic however happens impulsively without human intrusion as though it is the key ingredient of the entire project.
- Yet, everything in the studio is real, whether it is the 50 studio floors, outdoor locations, high-tech laboratories, state-of-the-art technology and the lush green landscape and scenery.
- Every year, the studios attracts over a million tourists, and the complex creates revenues in billions of rupees (INR) .
- Located at the entrance of the film city are the 3-star hotel, Tara and a 5-star hotel, Sitara for the film production units as well as for tourists.
- Once inside, there is Hawa Mahal, an intricate miniature Golconda Fort, which is on a hilltop from which one can have a Bird's-eye view of the whole studio.
- The Film City provides honeymoon packages and banquet halls for corporate retreats and conventions.
- Some of the places for tourists to visit include: a Japanese garden, the ETV planet (a multi-purpose editing suit), a large pool, artificial waterfalls, intricately carved caves, an airport terminal, hospital set, railway station, churches, mosques and temples, shopping plazas, palace interiors, chateaus, rural complexes, urban dwellings, a winding highway, and model US and European sets.
- Shops include Parade, a prop-shop, where costumes of actors can be ordered and Shangrila, a nursery that sells exotic plants.
- This Film city has also 'Ramoji Film Magic' which shows about the behing-the-scene activities involved in movie making.
