Tirupati Travel Essentials

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"Abode of Lord Venkateswara Swamy"

Tirupati Tourism

Situated in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Tirupati is known for Lord Venkateshwara Temple, one of the most visited pilgrimage centers in the world. It is also one of the world's richest temples known by different names - Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple, and Tirupati Balaji Temple. Tirumala is one of the seven hills in Tirupati, where the main temple is located. The temple is believed to be where Lord Venkateshwara took the form of an idol and is home to the deity Govinda. Tirupati is one of India's oldest cities and is mentioned in many ancient Vedas and Puranas.

Tirupati is the main town, while Tirumala Hills is where Tirupati Balaji Temple is situated. Also called Sri Venkateshvara Swami Vaari Temple, it is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, believed to be a form of Lord Vishnu, who appeared on earth to save mankind from kali yuga. The famous Tirupati Laddoo, given as a prasad at the temple, has the Geographical indication tag, which means it can only be made and sold at the temple. It is hugely loved by the pilgrims and is generally included in the paid darshan tickets or can be bought from the laddoo counters inside the temple complex. Many devotees also tonsure their heads as an offering to Lord Venkateswara Swamy once their wish is fulfilled or to get rid of their sins and ego. It is done free of cost at Kalyanakatta buildings. Another popular ritual at Tirupati Temple is Thulabaram, wherein a devotee sits on one side of the weighing balance scale. In contrast, the other side is filled with materials (like sugar, jaggery, tulsi leaves, banana, gold, and coins) more than the weight of the devotee. This ritual is mostly performed with children and infants.

The non-stop chanting of ‘Om Namo Venkatesaya,’ the mad pilgrim rush, and the 8-feet tall idol of Lord Venkateshwara – everything about the Sri Venkateshwara Temple is majestic. Spread over an area of 26 kilometers and is visited by nearly 50,000 pilgrims daily. The Padmavathi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Padmavati, consort of Lord Venkateswara, is situated at Tiruchanoor in Tirupati town. Many devotees believe they should visit Goddess Padmavati and seek her blessings before visiting Lord Venkateswara Swamy at Tirumala.

There are other temples in Tirupati too that you can visit, including the Sri Kalahasti temple, Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, the Kondandarama Temple, the Parashurameshwara Temple, and the ISKCON temple. Tirupati is home to a unique geological wonder that you shouldn’t miss out on! The Silathoranam is a natural arch formed out of rocks and is located at the Tirumala Hills.

Must Know Before You Travel to Tirupati

Tirupati Balaji Darshan Booking
  • Sarva Darshan Without Ticket: This is a free darshan where the pilgrims can enter the line and have darshan without any tickets
  • Slotted Sarva Darshan: Time slotted sarva darshan is where the pilgrims have darshan of Sri Venkateshwara Swamy without waiting in line and free of cost in a given time slot.
  • Special Entry Darshan (Rs 300 Darshan): This is the most popular and in-demand darshan ticket for Tirupati Balaji Temple. Apart from general darshan, there is also special entry darshan for Parents with Infants, Physically Challenged and Senior Citizens, and NRI Darshan.
  • VIP Break Darshan: This facilitates darshan without pushing or going through huge crowds. One hour is allotted for this category, and the pilgrims are able to complete the darshan in 45-50 minutes. It includes Protocol VIPs, Non-Protocol VIPs, and SRIVANI Trust Donor Scheme.
  • Darshan Under Package Tours: Government Package Tours are available for Tirumala and offered by APTDC, IRCTC, TTDC (From Tricky, Bangalore, Chennai), TSRTC, and Flight packages from Hyderabad.

Read more about types of darshan, ticket costs, and how to book

Last minute ticket booking for Tirupati Balaji Temple:

  • To get early darshan tickets for Tirupati, you can book the VIP break darshan at the counter in the arrival hall of Tirupati airport. This includes INR 10,000 donation to SRIVANI Trust and INR 500 per person for darshan tickets.
  • Another option is to book tour packages provided by government tourism departments - APTDC (Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation), IRCTC, TTDC (From Tricky, Bangalore, Chennai), TSRTC bus tours, and Flight packages from Hyderabad. 

Dress Code: Traditional dress code is compulsory for entering Tirupati temple. For men, it is dhoti or pajamas with upper cloth. For women dress code is a saree or half-saree with a blouse or churidar with pajama and upper cloth.

Accommodation:

  • Many hotels are located in the main Tirupati town and are available across all budgets.
  • Rooms are also offered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Board. There are more than 100 guest houses and accommodation complexes at Tirumala Hills. These are available only through online booking and are difficult to get due to high demand. 

Top Hotels In Tirupati

More on Tirupati Travel

Online Booking For Tirupati Balaji Darshan

It is also a good idea to book the tickets online for the Tirupati Darshan - Tirumala Tirupati Devasathanams (TTDs), in advance. The tickets cost INR 300, and special options are available for the senior citizens and physically handicapped. The bookings can be done a maximum of 60 days before. Digital photo and any one ID proof (PAN, Aadhar, Passport, Voter ID) is required for booking the tickets online. More information, including the daily schedule and timing of activities, and booking options can be accessed through the official site - http://www.tirumala.org/Home.aspx.

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Tirupati Balaji Darshan

The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is a very popular tourist destination, believed to attract almost 60,000 to 100,000 pilgrims every year and receives in donations a sum of Rs.650 crores annually. Located on the hills of Tirumala in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, it is undeniably one of the most visited pilgrim locations in the world. It is believed that the construction of the temple began in around 300 AD. Built in the Dravidian architecture, most of the ruling dynasties of South India contributed generously to its construction over the years, dedicated to Sri Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. If you wish to visit and be a part of this beautiful homage, you need to plan well in advance.

Tirumala Hills

Surrounded by the Seshachalam Hills of the Eastern Ghats, the Tirumala Hills are rich in flora and fauna and also boasts of the highest waterfall in the state, Talakona. The region reveals a distinctive geological feature like Silathoranam, a natural arch. Tirupati also boasts of a unique zoo, also the second-largest zoo in Asia, which houses a lot of animals including the big cats.

Tirupati Balaji - The Legend

The most popular legend associated with the temple is that it is the abode of Lord Vishnu, who shall guide his devotees to the end of the present Kali-yuga age. The Lord does this for the emancipation of the troubles of mankind, along with the Goddesses Lakshmi and Padmavati. Lakshmi resides on the left side of his chest, and Padmavati on the right. It all started when the sage Bhrigu decided to visit the Trimurtis (Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) during the Kaliyuga age. When he visited Lord Vishnu, the Lord did not give him immediate attention which angered the sage who kicked the Lord on his chest, where Goddess Lakshmi resided. This angered her and she left for meditation to the Tirumala hills. The Lord followed her to appease her in the human form of Srinivasa.Lords Shiva and Brahma accompanied Him in the form of a cow and a calf. Goddess Lakshmi saw them and handed the cow and calf to the ruling Chola king. However, the cow would only provide milk to Srinivasa daily. The cowherd saw this and tried to injure the cow, but Srinivasa intervened and bore the injury. Angered by this, he cursed the Chola king to be born as a demon.Upon hearing the king's plea for mercy, Srinivasa said that the king would get redemption when he would marry his daughter Padmavati with Srinivasa. Thus when the marriage was going to take place, Goddess Lakshmi heard about this and confronted Vishnu. Lore has it that the Lord turned into stone when thus intercepted by both Lakshmi and Padmavati. However, Lords Brahma and Shiva intervened and explained Lord Vishnu's ultimate motive - the Lord's desire to end his people's perpetual troubles during the Kaliyuga by being present on the hills. Hearing this, both the Goddesses also turned into stone deities to be with their Lord.

Restaurants and Local Food in Tirupati

One will find instances of Tamil, Andhra and Hyderabadi cuisines on the town's platter, giving the visitors a flattering number of choices for food. However, Tirupati, being a site of much religious significance, offers only vegetarian food. One can find garnishing and distinct flavors of Peppers, Cinnamon, Chili, Peanuts, Oil, Tamarind and coconut in the preparations here.
The popular items of Tirupati are Sweet Rice, Dosas, Rava Khichdi, Tomato Rice, Lemon Rice as well as sweets like Halwa, Payassam, Sheermal, Ladoo, Kaja and lots more. The town is also known for a number of refreshing beverages such as Badam Milk, Masala Paal, Mango Lassi
View Top Restaurants in Tirupati

Suggested Itinerary for Tirupati

Start off your tour with the darshan of Lord Balaji in the Venkateswara Swamy Temple early morning. It's best to have e-booking done before reaching Tirupati, otherwise, the queues are typically very long and it might take a whole day just to visit this temple. If time and energy permits, you can visit other temples in the nearby region including Kapila Teertham which has a holy waterfall too.

Best Time to Visit Tirupati

Tirupati Photos

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Temple - Early Morning View
Early Morning View of the Most Famous Venkateshwara Temple, Tirupati
Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

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FAQs on Tirupati

What are the places near Tirupati?

The top places near to Tirupati are Srikalahasti which is 33 km from Tirupati, Chittoor which is located 57 km from Tirupati, Pondicherry which is located 195 km from Tirupati, Chennai which is located 109 km from Tirupati, Mahabalipuram which is located 139 km from Tirupati

What are the things to do in Tirupati?

The top things to do in Tirupati are Sri Venkateswara Temple, Akasaganga Teertham, Silathoranam, Swami Pushkarini Lake, City Shopping, Vedadri Narasimha Swamy Temple. You can see all the places to visit in Tirupati here

How much does a package cost for Tirupati?

The packages for Tirupati start at INR 1275 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

What is the best way to reach Tirupati?

Tirupati is well connected to major cities of the country by road, rail and air. The Tirupati airport is just 15 km away from the main city while the railway station is closer. Tirupati is also linked to other cities via a network of well-connected roads.Chennai is the major nearest connecting railway junction. Luxury and standard buses connecting Tirupati to nearby hotspots are frequent and comfortable.
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What is the local food in Tirupati?

One will find instances of Tamil, Andhra and Hyderabadi cuisines on the town's platter, giving the visitors a flattering number of choices for food. However, Tirupati, being a site of much religious significance, offers only vegetarian food. One can find garnishing and distinct flavors of Peppers, Cinnamon, Chili, Peanuts, Oil, Tamarind and coconut in the preparations here.
The popular items of Tirupati are Sweet Rice, Dosas, Rava Khichdi, Tomato Rice, Lemon Rice as well as sweets like Halwa, Payassam, Sheermal, Ladoo, Kaja and lots more. The town is also known for a number of refreshing beverages such as Badam Milk, Masala Paal, Mango Lassi
Read More

What is the best time to visit Tirupati?

Tirupati is crowded throughout the year; however, the best time to visit Tirupati is from September to February when the climate is relatively balmy with intermittent showers. The summers with its sweltering weather and humidity make Tirupati less ideal to visit. Winter months are ideal for sightseeing and also visiting the shrine, and the weather is pleasant. The town gets crowded by September which is the onset of Brahmotsavam, one of the auspicious festival of Tirupati. For temple hopping, the best season is again winter owing to festivals like Navratri and Dussehra falling in October. Avoid visiting Tirupati during April and May as the temperature is torrid and unbearable.
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Who should visit Tirupati?

Tirupati is a heritage city of immense religious importance. This attracts pilgrims from all corners of the country.

What is not so good about Tirupati?

Hot and humid climate, water crunch in few sectors of the city. Very crowded, especially during the festive seasons. Very difficult to get darshan or getting inside the temple without online booking or VIP access.

What is famous about Tirupati?

Highly revered site for pilgrims. Safe and well connected to major cities in South India.

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Popular Questions And Answers on Tirupati

Q. How can one go about the Tirupati Yatra? What is the best time?

RoopKumar Chowdary

5 years ago
It is best to go in bus to tirupati yatra.. sunday is the best time.

Q. How many days required to visit Tirupati?

Srujan Chowdary

5 years ago
Just 2 days required to cover all the places in Tirupati and Tirumala.
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Tirupati Reviews

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tripnetra tpt

5 years ago
Tirupati Is a piligrim city, It's located Famous Temple" Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy Temple" I saw temple Very Beautiful, peaceful. People Trusted Powerful god is Tirumala Venketeswara Swamy. Tirupat (Read More)i Nears So many Temples, Padmavati Ammavari Temple, Kapil Theerdham, For More info Visit: "Link Hidden"

manikesh srivastav

5 years ago
Tirupati journey through forest awesome. All time crowd. Best stay tirupati temple guest House

Praveen Kumar

5 years ago
Always over crowded by pilgrims, must see place for all Hindus, be prepare to long waiting for darshan,
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