Silathoranam (Natural Arch)

A natural arch on the hill

Silathoranam means "stone arch". It is a natural rock arch in the Tirumala hills, about 1 km from the Venkateswara temple. The arch is about 8 metres wide and 3 metres high. It was carved by water and wind from quartzite of the Cuddapah rocks, which are well over a billion years old. The Geological Survey of India lists it as a National Geological Monument.

What people see in it

Pilgrims see sacred shapes in the rock. The most common reading is the hood of a serpent, linked to Adisesha, the serpent on whom Vishnu rests. Some also point out the shapes of a conch and a discus. For many visitors it is a stop on the way back from darshan rather than a trip of its own.

The garden

The arch stands inside a small, fenced rock garden. It is open during daytime hours, and paths lead round the arch so you can see it from both sides. Chakra Theertham, a small sacred tank, is close by.

Getting there

Take the free Tirumala bus and get off near the Sri Venkateswara Museum, then walk. The walk is short and on paved roads. You can also come by taxi or jeep. The visit takes 20 to 30 minutes.

For photographs

Unlike the temple, you can carry a phone and photograph freely here. Early morning and late afternoon light bring out the texture and colour of the rock. A person standing under the arch gives a sense of scale.