Tirumala is located 3,200 feet (980 m) above sea level and covers an area of approximately 10.33 square miles (26.8 km2). Surrounding the hills are seven peaks of Seshachalam range, Eastern Ghats namely Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. The temple of Sri Venkateswara[2] is on the seventh peak (Venkatadri).
At 21 km point on the Tirupati – Tirumala Ghat road, there is a major discontinuity of stratigraphic significance that represents a period of remarkable serenity in the geological history of the Earth. This is referred to as Eparchaean Unconformity. This Unconformity separates the Proterozoic Nagari Quartazite and Archean granite representing a time gap of 800 Ma.[3] In 2001, the Geological Survey of India(GSI) declared the Eparchaean Unconfirmity to be one of the 26 "Geological Monuments of India".
Silathoranam, a Natural arch and a distinctive geological wonder is located in Tirumala Hills at a distance of 1 km from Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The Arch measures 8 metres in width and 3 metres in height and is eroded out of quartizite of Cuddapah Supergroup of Middle to Upper Proterozoic(1600 to 570 Ma) by weathering agents such as water and wind.[4]
Climate[edit]
Tirumala has a tropical wet and Dry climate designated Aw under the Köppen climate classification. As the hill shrine is situated amidst the hills, the temperature will go below 10 degrees in winter. Compared to Tirupati, summer won't be much here. The South-west Monsoon season starts from June, but rains won't be heavier. Occasionally, Thunderstorm forms and pours for hours. With the retreat of Southwest Monsoon in late October, North-east Monsoon brings heavy rains which cause flooding. It lasts for 2 months. Highest rainfall was recorded in 1996, with 2056 mm, 2028 mm in 2005, followed by 1829 mm in 2015 and 1708 mm in 2007. 459 mm on November 23rd, 2005 was the highest 24-hour rainfall on records, followed by 307 mm on November 9th, 2015.