Tirupati, the abode of Lord Balaji, has become the most visited spot in the country for the third year in a row. Andhra Pradesh also came on top in the domestic tourism circuit by getting the highest number of visitors from within the country.
Tirupati is attracting more tourists from within the country and outside than the elegant Taj Mahal or the verdant Kovalam beach. Of course, pilgrims who seek the blessings of the Lord constitute the majority of the visitors.
In recent times, foreigners are also coming in droves, both to worship and also to find out what it is about the temple which gains it more donations that even the Vatican.
Tourists from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France and Sri Lanka regularly visit Tirupati. Sources said that about 5.9 per cent of foreign tourists coming to the country choose to visit Tirupati.
"Pilgrimage is a high priority for domestic tourists while spirituality is again gaining ground in western countries," said Mr Ramanachari, executive officer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams. "Tirupati is an obvious destination."
For instance, more than 1.5 crore people attended the recent 10-day Brahmotsavam celebrations at the holy hill. Tourism department officials are busy with plans to further boost temple tourism around Tirupati.
Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati has sandalwood stocks to last till 2010 and half a dozen civet cats to provide perfumes for the daily rituals. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has decided to raise sandalwood trees in its own forest to ensure that the Lord never runs out of them. 
The TTD has six civet cats in its zoo to supply musk. This mammal is found mostly in East Indies and Africa. The musk of the civet cat is used as a stabilising agent in perfumes. Although civets were at one time killed for their musk, they are now "recycled" for the purpose.