A must-visit temple for everyone going to Tirumala, this 17th-century temple is located in the Chittoor district on Peruru Banda—the Vakulamatha Temple. Considered the mother who raised and nurtured Lord Venkateswara, believed to be the Kaliyuga incarnation of Vishnu, Vakulamatha is said to be an incarnation of Yashoda. This 17th-century Vakulamatha Temple is a sacred pilgrimage site that devotees visiting Tirupati must see. It is believed that due to a boon granted by Lord Krishna to Mother Yashoda in the Dwapara Yuga, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Srinivasa in the Kaliyuga and had his marriage performed by Vakulamatha.
Locals say that this temple was constructed 500 years ago during the time of Sri Krishnadevaraya, and the hill spans 50 acres. It is said that the Parimala Pushkarini and Narada Theertham were once located here. This temple used to serve as a junction for devotees visiting Tirumala, where they would rest, eat, and sleep before climbing the hill. During that time, the temple radiated spiritual glory, but it was damaged during Hyder Ali’s invasion. He issued an order to completely destroy many temples in Tirupati. Although several temples were demolished, the Vakulamatha Temple did not collapse entirely.
However, its idol was destroyed. For centuries afterward, the temple did not receive offerings like lamps, incense, or naivedyam. Many claimed the temple did not belong to Vakulamatha, but now it is gradually regaining its past glory. The Vakulamatha Temple is located on the Tirupati-Bengaluru highway.
TTD Kalyana Vedika 2025 : Booking,Instructions & Gifts
What are the sevas and Timings of the Vakulamatha Temple Tirupathi
| Sl. No. | Seva Name | Seva Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suprabatham | 05:30 AM – 06:00 AM |
| 2 | 1st bell, Naivedhana, kainkaryams | 06:00 AM – 06:45 AM |
| 3 | Sarva dharshanam | 06:45 AM – 11:30 AM |
| 4 | IInd bell | 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
| 5 | Temple close (break) | 12:00 PM – 04:30 PM |
| 6 | Sarva darshanam | 04:30 PM – 06:00 PM |
| 7 | Night bell | 06:00 PM – 06:30 PM |
| 8 | Sarva Darshanam | 06:30 PM – 08:30 PM |
| 9 | Temple Close | 08:30 PM – INVALID DATE |
How to Reach Vakulamatha Temple, Tirupati
Vakulamatha Temple is in Andhra Pradesh beside Tirupati. It is situated at Peruru Banda hill, on Tirupati-Bengaluru highway. The direction to the temple is the following:
By Road
By road, the temple is well accessible since it lies along the Tirupati-Bengaluru highway.
When you are in Tirupati, you could use taxi, auto-rickshaw or your personal vehicle.
The temple is located at a distance of 15-20 km towards Tirupati city center.- The travelling time by road is approximately 30-40 minutes.
In case you are travelling via Bengaluru, the temple lies en route to Tirupati- . It is approximately 230Kms away Bangalore and requires a drive of approximately 4-5 hours by road or by bus.
By Bus
There are numerous buses that travel between Tirupati and Bengaluru and they pass by the temple.
There is an APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) bus available at Tirupati Bus Stand.
Tell the bus driver to drop you at Peruru Banda, close to Vakulamatha Temple.
The temple is within walking distance or a short auto-rickshaw journey, from the bus stop.
By Train
The closest train station is Tirupati Railway Station.
The temple is located 15-20 km away (by rail) out of the railway station.
One can hire a taxi, auto-rickshaw or a local bus to reach the temple form the station. The process will last approximately 30-40 minutes.
By Air
The closest airport is Tirupati Airport (also known as Renigunta Airport).
The temple is approximately 30 km away.
You can get a taxi or an auto-rickshaw at the airport to the temple. It will approximately last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
places to visit near Sri Vakulamatha Temple in Tirupati.
Tirumala, Sri Venkateswara Temple
Distance: approximately 10 km away Vakulamatha Temple.- It is the most renowned temple in Tirupati and it is located on the seventh Hill of Tirumala Hills.
- It is devoted to Lord Venkateswara who is assumed to be a re-embodiment of Lord Vishnu. Lots o=f pilgrims come there every day to get blessings.
- The beautifulDravidian style architecture of the temple has a gold dome.
- The best time to visit is in the early morning or late in the evening when there is no crowd. Here also you can have the free Annaprasadam (meals).
2. Tiruchanur Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
It is approximately 10 km away Vakulamatha Temple.
This temple is devoted to the wife of lord venkateswara Goddess Padmavathi.- It is at Tiruchanur, which is nearby Tirupati. Lots of worshipers come to pray in order to find love and happiness.
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) runs the temple.
A special experience can be had during the festivals such as Navarathri.
3. Kapila Theertham
It is approximately 8 km distant Vakulamatha Temple.
Information: It is a holy temple of Shiva situated on the base of Tirumala Hills.- It also possesses a waterfall named Kapila Theertham in which people perform a sacred dip to cleanse sins.
- The temple derives its name after the sage Kapila who used this place as a meditation spot. At the entrance is a large stone image of Nandi (the bull of Shiva).
Come during the Maha Shivratri to witness special rituals.
4. Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple
Distance: Roughly 5 km away Vakulamatha Temple.
Location: This temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, otherwise known as Govindaraja, the older brother of Lord Venkateswara is located in the heart of Tirupati close to the railway station.- Saint Ramanujacharya constructed it in 1130 AD. The architecture of the temple is beautiful Dravidian.
Timings: 5:00 AM- 12.30 PM; 1:15 PM- 4:45 PM; 6:00 PM- 9:30 PM. - There is no entry fee, however, 5 or 20 rupees can be paid to get faster darshan.
Srikalahasti Temple
Distance: approximately 37 km away Vakulamatha Temple.
Facts: This is an old Shiva temple located on the banks of Swarnamukhi river. It is considered as one among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, representing the element of air (Vayu).- Rahu Ketu pooja is famous in the temple and it is useful in providing astrological remedies.
Hint: It is a 45 minutes drive away from Peruru. There is a bus and taxi service available at Tirupati.
6. Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Appalayagunta
Distance: It is approximately 20 km away Vakulamatha Temple.
Details: This temple is in honor of Lord Venkateswara who is referred to as Prasanna Venkateswara here.- In addition to other temples, the right hand of the god is in blessing gesture (Abhaya posture).
- It is a serene location, which has been under the management of TTD since 1988.
Tips: Nice to visit when one wants to avoid the main Tirumala devotee scenes.
7. TTD Gardens
Distance: approximately 10 km of Vakulamatha Temple (near Tirumala).
Specifications: These gardens spread over 460 acres of land and temples in Tirupati are supplied with flowers.- There are ponds, nurseries and you can find colored flowers such as crotons and hibiscus. It is a good families picnic place.
Hint: Take advantage of the vegetation and capture images of the beautiful sceneries.
8. Swami Pushkarini Lake
Distance: Roughly 10 km (Vakulamatha Temple (within the premises of Sri Venkateswara Temple).
Facts: This is a sacred lake and it is believed that Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi had taken a bath in this lake.- It is here that devotees take a dip prior to visiting the main temple.
- This lake is close to the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala.
Trick: Go there in the morning hours when it is quiet.
How to Travel Between These Places
- Auto/Taxi: Autos and taxis are readily available in Tirupati. It might take ₹500- 1000 round trip depending on the distance to these places.
APSRTC buses are available that operate between Tirumala and Tirupati and the surrounding regions. A bus fare is ₹20- 50.
On Foot: In case you are sightseeing in Tirumala such as Swami Pushkarini or Sri Varahaswami Temple, you can walk along the places as they are near to each other.
Seva Donation to the Temple
| Sl. No | Seva Name | Donation Amount | Description | Privileges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pushpa Viralam | ₹3000 | Donation towards flowers used for deity and Utsava deities on a particular day. | Honored with one Upper Cloth, Good Darshan & Annaprasadam |
| 2 | Nithya Annaprasada Seva | ₹2000 | Donation towards daily food (Annaprasadam) served to pilgrims. | Honored with one Upper Cloth, Good Darshan & Annaprasadam |
| 3 | Abhisheka Anna Prasada Seva (Friday) | ₹2000 | Donation towards Naivedyam offered to deity on Friday. | Honored with one Upper Cloth, Good Darshan & Annaprasadam |
| 4 | Ksheerabhishekam Seva (Friday) | ₹2000 | Donation for milk, curd, and other items used in Abhishekam on Friday. | Honored with one Upper Cloth, Good Darshan & Annaprasada |