Trek to Japali Anajaney Swamy temple at Tirupati

There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror.

- Orson Welles

Tirumala is encircled by a number of sacred water bodies (theerthams). All those theerthams are known for its holiness. Among them, Japali theertham is the most widely known holy theertham which is being visited by most pilgrims. The prime attraction here is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman (Anjaneya swamy).

Japali Anjaneya swamy temple

The Anjaneya swamy temple at Japali Theertham, is one of the least known and most worthy places of visit in Tirumala. Japali Aanjaneeya swamy temple, which is located in Tirumala 7 kms from Sree Venkateswara swamy (Lord Balaji) temple. The spot is on the way to Akasa Ganga from Tirumala. From road we have to walk nearly 1 km inside the forest.

ETYMOLOGY:

It is said that Lord Rama with his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana stayed here along with Lord Hanuman. There is a perennial pond, called as "Rama Kund", in the temple premises that was said to be the source of drinking water, during their stay here. There is a water source flowing to this place and it is not known where the water comes from.

STORY BEHIND THE NAME OF JAPALI:

Sage Jabali performed penance at Sri Hanuman’s birthplace atop Tirumala and Sri Hanuman revealed himself at the spot. So it is known as Japali Hanuman Kshetra.

Pond in front of temple

Pilgrims visiting Tirumala will never fail to take a bath in this Japali Teertham, as it believed that all their sins and evils will be washed out when they dip in the teertham.

Indian giant squirrel or Malabar giant squirrel, you can see near the temple

VISITING PLACES:

Japali is located on the way to Papavinasanam from Tirumala.So you can cover

• Venugopala Swamy temple,
• Akasha Ganga,
• Papavinasanam and
• Japali

Suneel Gudipati

HOW TO REACH?

• APSRTC runs a daily 'Travel as you like' bus service from Tirumala to Papavinasanam, covering important places on the way like Venugopala Swamy temple, Akasha Ganga and Japali.
• Fare: Rs. 10.00 per head(Rs.20.00 for up&down)
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes, from 05:00 hrs to 19:45 hrs.  
• You can also reach Japali by your own vehicle or local taxi, but you need to walk 1 km inside the forest.

MY ITINERARY:

• Though it is not very popular, it is one of the worthy temples to visit on the way to Tirumala.
• I was visiting it after exactly 10 years! May 2000 was the time when I had been there earlier with my friends Satish Reddy Orugunta, Sreenivas Madduluri,Divi Sreenu, Mahendra and Sreedhar.
• There are now well built steps leading to the place which were not there in 2000. I have fond memories of that visit as it was the last trip with my friends.
• This time I went with my family. We book taxi (Omini van) to Japali from Koustabam Guest House, Tirumala for Rs. 450/-.
• Trek to Japali is really a memorable experience. The temple is situated amidst lush green tall thick trees covering it like an umbrella.