city, southeastern Andhra Pradesh state, southern India. It lies about 67 miles (108 km) northwest of Chennai (Madras) in the Palkonda Hills. Tirupati is known as the abode of the Hindu (Hinduism) god Venkateshvara, Lord of Seven Hills. About 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Tirupati, at an elevation of 2,500 feet (750 metres), is the sacred hill of Tirumala, which was considered so holy that before 1870 non-Hindus were not permitted to ascend it. At the hill's summit is a temple of great antiquity. This temple, nestled among sacred waterfalls and tanks (reservoirs) and dedicated to Venkateshvara, is a fine example of Dravidian art and is one of the most important pilgrimage centres in India. The temple is now the centre of Sri Venkateswara University (1954). Pop. (2001) 228,202.