Chittoor

The beautiful city of Chittoor is among the top tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh. The region is mainly known for its religious, devotional and architectural aspects. Apart from these, Chittoor is also blessed with a scenic touch of nature. It is referred to as a gateway to towering hills, cascading waterfalls and miles of lush greenery. It acts as the district, divisional and mandal headquarters for Chittoor district, Chittoor Revenue Division and Chittoor Mandal, respectively. It is also one of the largest cities by area in Andhra Pradesh, housing a sizable population. 

Tourists visit Chittoor to witness and learn more about the incredible Chittoor history, tradition and culture. From gorgeous temples to prominent historical landmarks, sightseeing in Chittoor offers a unique tourism experience to visitors. The city is also one of the best places in the state where individuals can try authentic regional cuisine, thanks to its massive range of luxurious restaurants serving local dishes. In addition, the availability of famous marketplaces and regional speciality products add to the whole Chittoor tourism aspect. Spending a few days in Chittoor with friends and family can offer individuals a proper break from their busy, day-to-day life.  

Chittoor Location

Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh is located in the southernmost region, on the banks of River Neva. It is a part of the Chittoor district within the Rayalaseema region of the state. The famous Soft Town Chittoor is around 5 kilometres from the main city centre. The nearest major Andhra Pradesh city to Chittoor is Tirupati, about 70 kilometres away. Apart from this, the Chittoor to Vijayawada distance is about 480 kilometres, and Kurnool to Chittoor distance is nearly 365 kilometres. Also, the distance from Tamil Nadu’s Vellore to Chittoor is only 36 kilometres. The Chittoor to Hyderabad distance is about 580 kilometres by road and can take over 10 hours to complete. 

Language spoken in Chittoor

Locals in Chittoor and its surrounding area mainly converse in the state's official language, which is Telugu. Alongside English, it is also the primary official language of the entire district. Tourists may also come across people speaking in Urdu in some parts during their visit. In certain border areas of the Chittoor district, like Kuppam, a lot of people use Tamil as their primary language. If you are fluent in Telugu, you shouldn’t have any issues while talking with the locals. However, it is always better to hire a local guide who can accompany you on your Chittoor trip. 

Known for

A lot of factors contribute towards the rising popularity of Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh as a tourist destination. Here are some prime examples:

Mangoes- Chittoor is commonly known for its large-scale mango exports to different parts of India from its market yards. It is said that over 58 different varieties of mangoes are sold here during each mango season. It attracts thousands of visitors who come to shop for these delicious, premium-quality mangoes. There are over 2 lakh hectares of mango orchards across the entire district. 

Religious shrines- Chittoor is famous among tourists for spiritual tours, thanks to the numerous religious shrines and landmarks across the region. A large number of tourists come to pay their respects and spend some peaceful time at these Chittoor locations. Chittoor tourist places for spiritual tours include Ardhagiri Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple, Sathosahed Dargah, Varasiddi Vinayaka Swamy Temple, Madina Masjid, Sri Balaji Venkateswara Swamy Temple, etc. 

Rich history- The historical landmarks and rich Chittoor history are some other crucial factors behind the growth of tourism in Chittoor. It has seen the reign of various rulers, including Komandu Kurumbu Prabhu, Cholas, Ballal, Vijayanagar, Bahmani, Mughals and even the British.

Natural landmarks- Chittoor works as a gateway to a memorable vacation amidst the beautiful and serene nature. Famous sites like the Sri Venkateswara National Park, Nagalapuram, Kailasakona Waterfalls, Horsley Hills, etc., are all located a few kilometres away from the Chittoor city centre.

Type of place

Chittoor is a beautiful city nestled in the southern region of Andhra Pradesh, on the banks of the Neva River. In terms of tourism, it is mainly referred to as a religious hub with numerous temples, mosques and churches in the region. It is a perfect holiday destination in the state where individuals can enjoy a slow-paced vacation away from their daily, busy lifestyle. In addition, the city lies close to a number of prominent natural tourist attractions, making it a major centre for tourism in Andhra Pradesh. Other than that, the fruit orchards, luxurious restaurants and famous marketplaces in the region also add to its popularity, making it a versatile holiday destination.

How to get to Chittoor?

Due to the geographical location of Chittoor, individuals can browse through a variety of transport options when planning their visit to the city. Here are some viable travel options to get to Chittoor:

By air

One of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel to Chittoor is by flight. Even though the city doesn’t have its own airport service, the nearby Tirupati Airport has made air travel possible in the region. The Tirupati Airport is around 16 km from the Tirupati city centre and features frequent flights from and to Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, etc. Individuals can easily schedule their flights to Tirupati Airport from major Indian cities. The distance from the airport to Chittoor City is around 85 kilometres, which can be covered by taxi or bus. 

By rail

Tourists planning their visit to Chittoor Andhra Pradesh by train can do so, thanks to the Chittoor Railway Station. It is the main railway hub of the city, falling under the Chennai-Hyderabad line. Hundreds of daily trains pass through the Chittoor Railway Station, connecting it to other major cities in the state as well as the country. The railway station is located at the heart of Chittoor City, and visitors can easily avail of the private cab service outside and get to their desired location from there on.

By road

In terms of road accessibility, Chittoor has a well-established network that connects it to Pune, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and other major Indian cities. There are also interstate and intrastate bus services available that tourists can use to reach the city from most corners of the state and the country. Tons of tourists also prefer to drive to Chittoor from Vijayawada, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Vijayawada to Chittoor distance by car is around 480 kilometres, while Hyderabad to Chittoor distance by car is approximately 580 kilometres. 

Interesting facts about Chittoor

Here are some interesting and lesser-known facts about Chittoor that make it a unique vacation spot in Andhra Pradesh;

• Chittoor is popularly referred to as “The Mango City” due to its massive export of mangoes to other regions of India and the world. The city and its surrounding region account for over 2 lakh hectares of mango orchards and sell around 58 varieties of high-quality mangoes each season.
• Chittoor is the headquarters of the district of Chittoor, which was established in the year 1911. It has completed over 100 years of its existence.
• The closest major city to Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor is Vellore, a city in Tamil Nadu. It is about 36 kilometres by road from Chittoor, acting as a popular route for tourists travelling from that region of Tamil Nadu. 
• The Tirupati Airport, located at a distance of 85 kilometres from Chittoor, is the nearest airport to the city.
• A lot of India’s famous poets, freedom fighters, artists, scholars, politicians, etc., belong to the Chittoor district. Some examples include P. Anandacharyulu, Jiddu Krishnamurthy, Sir C.R. Reddy, etc. 

Why is Chittoor recommended?

Chittoor is a perfect destination to visit Andhra Pradesh for history buffs. The rich past of the region and nearby historical landmarks helps to illustrate a vivid picture of the bygone era. It is also among the best places in the state for spiritual tours. The city and its surrounding region are home to numerous prominent religious shrines that tourists can visit to pay their respects and achieve spiritual enlightenment. Famous religious places to visit in Chittoor include Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple, Sathosahed Dargah, Varasiddi Vinayaka Swamy Temple, Madina Masjid, Sri Balaji Venkateswara Swamy Temple, etc.

Chittoor is also a great holiday destination for tourists who want to spend time amidst the beauty and tranquillity of nature. The city and its surrounding region are known for its greenery and mesmerising scenic landscapes. Chittoor also lies in close proximity to major natural landmarks in Andhra Pradesh, such as Sri Venkateswara National Park, Nagalapuram, Kailasakona Waterfalls, Tada Falls, and so on. Besides these, some of the most popular near Chittoor tourist places for nature lovers include Horsley Hills and Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary. Hence, individuals planning their trip to any of these destinations can easily include Chittoor in their travel itinerary. 

In addition, shopping for export-quality mangoes and regional speciality products is among the most popular things to do in Chittoor. The availability of prominent restaurants in the city has made trying out delicious Andhra Pradesh cuisine a possibility for visitors. Some examples of must-try foods in Chittoor include Chicken Biryani, Pulihora, Chepa Pulusu, varieties of mango pickles, etc.  

Operating hours

Chittoor accepts tourists throughout the year, making it an ideal destination for solo and group trips in Andhra Pradesh. However, it is better to schedule a trip to the city after considering the operating hours and the best time to visit the various tourist attractions in the region. Generally, the best time to visit Chittoor is between the months of September and February. 

Chart for Chittoor