Natural Arch, Tirumala hills, National Geological Heritage Monument in Tirumala hills, India
The Natural Arch in the Tirumala hills is a rock formation spanning about 8 meters wide and 3 meters high. It is composed of quartzites from the Cuddapah Supergroup and displays the layered geology typical of this area.
Geologists discovered this formation in the 1980s while investigating geological faults in the Tirumala hills. The arch reveals an important unconformity showing the gap between different rock layers that formed at different times.
Local people call this formation Silathoranam, a Telugu word meaning rock arch that reflects the region's linguistic traditions. The name has become part of how the community identifies and speaks about this natural landmark.
The site is most easily reached from Tirupati railway station with regular bus services running to the area. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as the terrain is rocky and the area is exposed to sun.
The formation displays an Eparchaean Unconformity, a rare geological boundary revealing millions of years of missing time between different rock types. Visitors can observe this stark contrast directly in the rock layers visible at the arch.
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