Silathoranam

Silathoranam is a natural stone arch close to Chakra Theertham in the Tirumala hills of Tirupati district. It measures about 8 metres across and 3 metres high. The rock it is cut from dates to the Precambrian, roughly 2,500 million years ago, and the arch itself is thought to have taken shape around 1,500 million years ago, which gives it value for geology and archaeology.

Several beliefs link the arch to the Venkateswara temple at Tirumala. Some see in its form the serpent hood, conch and discus of Vishnu; others say its height equals that of the temple's main idol. A third story holds that Vishnu took his first step at Srivari Padalu, his second at the arch and his third where his idol now stands.