India's Finest Monument - Silathoranam or Natural Arch of Tirumala Hills

Silathoranam is one of the oldest geo-heritage and distinct geological formations in the entire globe located at a distance of just 1 km from Tirumala Temple.It is a beautiful Place located at the devine palace Tirumala  It is very much nearer to Chakra Theertham. Sila means Rock and Thoranam means a garland string of rocks connecting two vertical columns.

Silathoranam

Silathoranam is a natural wonder created by nature with a specially formed natural stone of dissimilar sets of rocks connected with a thin link as arch with 8 m in width and 3 m in height. The age of the Silathoranam arch is around 2.5 million years. People also calls this place as Rock garden

As according to Mythology The arch resembles the Shanka and Chakra in a symbolic way as a symbol of worship in the Hindu religion and this arch is also compared to the devine serpent Adisesha. Silathoranam is also considered as the main source of the idol Lord Venkateshwara. The main deity of Lord Venkateshwara in the Tirumala Temple is of the same height as the arch height.

Another version is that Lord Venkateshwara is supposed to have his first foot at a famous place called Srivari Padalu. Srivari Padalu is located at the highest point of Tirumala hills. The Second step where Lord Venkateshwara have his foot is at the location of the arch. The next step is the where the Lord Venkateshwara swamy idol is now worshipped inside the Tirumala Temple.

TTD runs regular buses to this famous place and other kind of transportation facilities are also available for Devotees to reach this place. The best time to visit Silathoranam is at the Sunrise time ro at Sunset Time  as the appearance is even more striking and beautiful. TTD has beautifully developed a garden around and it deserves the importance