Srivaikuntam is the first of the Nava Tirupati Temples to be seen in one day. The main deity is seen in a standing posture. The Navatirupati temples represent the nine planets and Srivaikuntam is that of Surya, the Sun God. Though the sanctum sanctorum is deep inside the rays of the sun fall on the lord’s face for two days in a year, once in Chithirai (April-May) and once in Aippasi (October – November). The east-facing temple is entered through a Mandapam with a shrine for Surya and a 110 feet tall, 9 tiered Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram has some wonderful carvings all around and notable ones include the horse (with Manmada riding it) and elephant (with Rati seated on it) created with images of women, Vaikunta Natha with consorts seated under Adisesha, Ulagalantha Perumal, a Hunter with his wife removing a thorn from his feet, Venugopala and several others. This leads into the outer Prakaram. Straight ahead is a mandapam with the Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam. To the left is the Vasantha Mandapam. Behind the Vasantha Mandapam is the office premises. To the south of the outer Prakaram as we circumambulate are a Mandapam and the old Granary. Further down is a well. The west side of the Prakaram is devoid of shrines. The north side has a well and another Mandapam where on the top panel are beautiful carvings of monkeys in erotic postures. In the north east is the large Thiruvenkatamudayan Mandapam with Anjaneya and Thiruvenkadanadan. This Mandapam has some of the finest carvings on pillars including Yaalis, Elephants, Lions, Veerabadhra, Rama with Hanuman, and Sita on two sides of a single pillar, Rama with Hanuman and Sugriva, and other carvings. The inner Prakaram is entered through a smaller 5 tiered Gopuram. Garuda faces the lord from his mandapam. As you circumambulate is Lakshmi Narasimha. In the southwest corner of the Prakaram are a well, Goddess Vaikuntanayaki Shrine, and a Mandapam. In the northwest corner is the shrine of Goddess Soranathanayaki. In the northwest corner is a mandapam and the shrine of Manavala Mamuni. As you cross Garuda in front and enter go to enter the innermost Prakaram a shrine for Lord Krishna is seen on the right. Inside the Inner most Prakaram is a Mahamandapam, Ardha Mandapam and the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Vaikuntanathan in a standing posture. Santana Garuda, made of Sandalwood, is in front facing him. Two beautiful Dwarapalakas are seen on either side of the door to the Sanctum Sanctorum. This Prakaram is for circumambulation and no other deities or shrines are present. There are several Vahanas here, some ancient, some metal-plated, and a Temple Car with exquisite carvings. The Tamiraparani River flows right behind the Srivaikuntam temple, taking a turn from north to south.