Natural Arch, Tirumala hills

Natural Arch, Tirumala hills, a notified National Geo-heritage Monument,[1][2][3] is a distinctive geological feature 1 km (0.6 mi) north of the Tirumala hills temple, near the Chakra Teertham in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The arch is also called Silathoranam (శిలాతోరణం) in the local language (Telugu language: sila means ‘rock’ and thoranam means a garland strung over a threshold, connecting two vertical columns or an ‘arch’ as in this case). The arch measures 8 m (26.2 ft) in width and 3 m (9.8 ft) in height, and is naturally formed in the quartzites of Cuddapah Supergroup of Middle to Upper Proterozoic (1600 to 570 Ma) due to natural erosive forces.[4][5][6]

Tirumala Natural Geological Arch is a National Geological Monuments of India.

Legend

Mythology related to the arch, linked to the famous Tirumala hills temple of Lord Venkateswara, has three versions.

According to one version, the arch resembles the hood of a serpent, a conch (Sanskrit: Shank) and a discus (Sanskrit: chakra) – all symbols of worship in Hindu religion – and considered to be the source of the Idol of Lord Venkateswara or Lord Balaji at the Tirumala hill temple.[6]

The second version is that the main deity in the Tirumala temple is of the same height as the height of the arch.[7]

The third version is that Lord Vishnu, known as Balaji or Venkateswara (the central deity of Srivaishnava tradition) at the Tirumala temple town, is supposed to have put his first foot down at a place called Padalu or Sreevaripadalu (శ్రీ వారి పాదాలు)(Telugu language: Divine foot prints) which is the highest point of Tirumala hills, the second step at the location of the arch. Thereafter, the next step is stated to have been placed where his idol is now worshipped in the temple at Tirumala.[8][9]

History
Another view of the Natural arch

In the 1980s, during excavations for a geological fault in the Tirumala hills, geologists found this rare geological formation of the rock arch which has two dissimilar sets of rocks with a connecting thin link. The assessed geological age of the rock arch is 2.5 million years. Formation of the arch is attributed to intensified weathering and erosion of stream action that has withstood the torque of nature.[10] This is a rare geological fault which is technically called in the geological idiom as ‘Eparchaean Unconformity’.[11]

Geology

The natural geological arch has two distinct physiographical regions – southwest upland and northeast lowland. The Tirupati hills, at the foot of a picturesque range of hills, are known by several names such as 'Seshachala', 'Venkatachala' and 'Balaji'. The geological formations are categorized under four heads namely, the (1) Archeans (the gneisses), (2) the Eparchean unconformity (Quartzose sandstones Overlying the granite with a distinct unconformity), (3) Puranas (formation of Cuddapah group well developed in the valley) and (4) Quaternary deposits. The Tirumala hills essentially of precambrian period are composed of sedimentary rocks – quartzites and intercalated shales, which are given the geological, stratigraphical nomenclature of Nagari quartzites.[12][13]

The hill ranges of the Tirumala rise to a height of 900 m (3,000 ft) (at Tirumala) from the average height of 150 m (490 ft) in the plains at Tirupati. The steep scarp of the hill ranges depicts unconformity in its topographic, structural and denudational features, which is the Eparchian Unconformity.[14]

The sedimentary thickness of the Cudappa basin is of the order of 12 km (7.5 mi) with volcanic sequences in the form of sills and dykes. A prominent Eparchaean Unconformity of the formation resting on the Archaean peninsular gneissic complex is noted. Rocks of Cuddapah Supergroup including Kurnool Group are the prominent feature of the basin.[15]

Specifically, the arch's origin is attributed to two schools of thought namely, a) it could be the effect of a wave action from oceanic transgression or intensified climatic settings and corrosion and b) it may have been naturally carved out of quartzite.[16]

Visitor information
Map of Thirumala – the arch is close to Varahaswamy temple in B1 block in the map and is one kilometre from north of the main shrine of Lord Venkateshwara

The best time to visit the arch is between 6 A.M. and 8 A.M., fog permitting. There is a well maintained garden in front of the arch should visitors wish to rest or wait until fog clears. Sunset is also a good time to visit, as the arch looks even more striking and mystifying in the light of the setting sun. Seen in the light of a full moon the arch is said to be "ethereally beautiful."[6]

Access
Further information: Tirumala-Tirupati

The location of the arch is well connected by road, rail and air routes. The nearest railhead to Tirumala hills is Tirupati. From Tirupati railway station the approach to the Tirumal temple is only by road, a distance of 19 km (11.8 mi).[17] The nearest airport is located at Renigunta, about 15 km (9.3 mi) away from Tirupati, which connects to Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore airports. Regular bus services (both private and Govt. transport services operate) are operated by all the states bordering Andhra Pradesh.[18] The approach road from the temple is wide and is an avenue of trees. Private vehicles are allowed to the location. A 20-minute walk from the Varahaswamy temple in Tirumala (see map pictured) would be a pleasant experience.[6]

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See also

References
  1. "National Geological Monument, from Geological Survey of India website". Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  2. Geo-Heritage Sites, Minister of Mines Press release, 09-March-2016
  3. national geo-heritage of India, INTACH
  4. "Geological Monuments of India". Geological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2009.
  5. "Natural Arch in Tirumala Hills". Geological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2009.
  6. "Carved by time". Chennai, India: Hindu. 6 May 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2009.
  7. "Last decade of Endocrinology in India". Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  8. "Places of Tourist interest". Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park, Govt of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  9. "Silatoranam & a small bird zoo – Kalyan". Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  10. "Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple". Retrieved 27 January 2009.
  11. T. Sadavisam on behalf of Bharathan Publications. 1979.
  12. Early hunter - Gatherers adaptations in the Tirupati valley by Jacob S. Java Raj, pages 5–12, 112. Sri Venkateswara University T1rupati. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  13. N. Ramesan (1981). The Tirumala Temple. Tirumala Tirupati Davasthanams.
  14. "Eparchian Unconformity at Tirumalai – A Study by K.V.Suraynarayana" (PDF). Venkateshwara University, Tirupati. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  15. "General information, Southern Region, Broad Geological features". Department of Atomic energy Atomic Minerals directorate for exploration and research GOI. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  16. "Tirupati Attractions". Archived from the original on 18 December 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  17. "Silathoranam". Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
  18. "must see India". Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2009.
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