TTD Info

Sarva Darshanam

More than 60,000 to 80,000 pilgrims visit the Sri Venkateswara Temple every day, TTD has initiated efficient systems of darshan for the sake of multitude of visiting pilgrims in Tirumala.Sarva Darshan is the free darshan where in the pilgrims wait for their turn to catch the glimpse of Lord in the compartments of Vaikuntham Queue Complex II. Sarvadarsanam means ‘darshan for all’. The timings for Sarvadarsanam are different on different days of the week. Please refer the weekly temple programme for the timings.On normal days, about 18 hours are allotted for Sarvadarsanam and on peak days, it is open for 20 hours. The entrance for this darshan is through the Vaikuntam Queue Complex. The complex is a series of inter-connected halls that leads to the main temple. An efficient queue system ensures that pilgrims move in an orderly fashion through the Queue Complex, towards the main temple. The halls in the Queue Complex are clean, spacious and airy. TTD provides a wide range of facilities in the Queue Complex:

• Annaprasadam is provided for the waiting pilgrims on free of cost.
• Milk, Coffee & Tea are provided for waiting pilgrims on free of cost at every 3 hours interval.
• Free Medical facility is also provided.
• Well maintained toilets , RO filter water are available.
• Closed Circuit Television, through which devotional programmes and music are relayed

There are officers to look after the facilities in the Vaikuntam Queue Complex, regulate the queues and attend to complaints.

Special Entry Darshan (Seeghra Darshan)

• The Special Entry Darshan(Seeghra Darshanam) is introduced on 21-Sep-2009 to provide quick Darshan to the Pilgrims.
• The cost of the Ticket is Rs.300/- per pilgrim with two Laddus free of cost and booking is open round the clock.
• The Advance Booking of Special Entry Darshan is introduced w.e.f. 27.August.2014.
• Pilgrims can book Special Entry Darshan tickets for the current day 3 hours prior to Darshan Slot subject to availability of Quota. Pilgrims can make eHundi Offering while booking Darshan tickets.
• Pilgrims can avail the Advance Booking of Special Entry Darshan through Internet Booking(www.ttdsevaonline.com), e-Darshan Counters and Indian Post Offices.

Divya Darshan

The pilgrims who trek Alipiri and Srivari Mettu footpath routes to reach Tirumala come under this category.-

• TTD has provided many facilities to the pilgrims who are visiting the temple of Lord Venkateswara by trekking Alipiri or Srivari Mettu foot path routes.
• Free bus facility from Railway Station to Alipiri or Srivari Mettu to transport the pilgrims who desire to trek the respective foot path routes as per their choice.
• A free luggage counter has been arranged at Alipiri where in pilgrims can deposit their luggage and get the receipt. After reaching Tirumala they can collect their baggage.
• In Tirumala free accommodation is available for them in PACs (Pilgrim Amenities Complex), free tonsuring, free Darshan and free meals are also available at Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasada Bhavan or at PAC II.

Special Darshan for Physically Disabled & Aged

Senior citizen (65 and above years) / Specially abled persons and the people who attended surgery are allowed for Darshan on free of cost. The tickets are available at “Senior citizen / Specially abled persons Ticket Issue Counter” near VQC-2 (opp to S.V.Museum), Tirumala. Ticket issuing starts from 7AM daily. The pilgrims falling under this category will be allowed in two slots for darshan at 10 am and 3 pm on showing the age ID proofs / relevant medical certificates.

Note:

• The pilgrim who availed the Sr.Citizen/PHs Darshan cannot avail again in next 90 days
• Everyday Token Issue starts between 7AM to 8AM and continuous issue of token till time slot ends (if Quota available). Strictly, counter closes by 3PM

Dress Code

To enhance the spiritual ambience among the devotees thronging to Tirumala to get the darshan of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, TTD has introduced traditional dress code in 2013. Initially it was implemented for the pilgrims who are taking part in Arjitha Sevas and now it has been extended to VIP pilgrims seeking break darshan of Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy, and general pilgrims who go for Rs.300 and Rs.50 darshan.

MEN

For men the dress code is dhoti or pyjamas with upper cloth.

WOMEN

For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or churidar with pyjama and upper cloth.

How To Reach Tirumala

The sacred temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala hills is easily accessible by all modes of transport. After reaching Tirupati, one can easily travel to Tirumala by road or on foot.

BY ROAD

Tirumala has direct bus services from Tirupati with a frequency of a bus in every 2 minutes. It also has direct buses from Chennai, Bengaluru and Vellore. Paid taxis and private bus operators also ply buses from nearby cities such as Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakapatnam and Bangalore to Tirupati.

Automobile Clinic – In case of vehicle breakdowns on the ghat roads, TTD offers service through its automobile clinic levying certain charges on case to case basis. The pilgrims can either report at Toll Gates of Alipiri or GNC in Tirumala or contact 0877-2263636 for immediate help. A mechanic will be sent in a mobile van equipped with spares, to attend to the problem by TTD transport department.

Buses and other transport are banned on ghat road from Tirupati to Tirumala between 12 AM and 3 AM.

BY RAIL

Tirumala does not have its own railway station. The nearest railway station is in Tirupati, which is about 26 km from Tirumala. Tirupati railway station is a major railway station and is well equipped with five platforms and an escalator. It is well connected to major cities across India.

BY AIR

The nearest airport to Tirumala is near Renigunta about 15 km from Tirupati. This domestic airport has direct flights to Hyderabad, Visakapatnam, Chennai, New Delhi and Bangalore and is now being upgraded to an International airport.

ON FOOT

Many devotees climb the hills to Tirumala on foot to fulfil a vow. There are two well-laid stone footpaths leading to Tirumala. These paths are called sopanamargas. The most ancient of the two sopanamargas starts from Alipiri at the foot of the hills. This footpath is 11 km in length and is the commonly used route. The other sopanamarga (Srivari mettu) starts from Chandragiri and is only about 6 km in length.

TTD provides and maintains rest houses, security, canteen, toilets, drinking water, medical help, piped devotional music throughout the footpaths. TTD also provides luggage transfer facility, free of cost for the devotees opting to climb the hills on foot to Tirumala.

Do’s and Don’ts in Tirumala

Suggestions in the form of ‘Dos and Don’ts’ are displayed at various places in Tirupati and Tirumala for the information of multitude of visiting pilgrims to the twin pilgrim centres.

DO’S

• Do’s in Tirumala are as follows:
• Pay obeisance to your Ishta Daivam or Kula Daivam before you start for Tirumala pilgrimage.
• Book your travel and accommodation in Tirumala well in advance.
• Bathe in the Swami Pushkarini and worship Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy in his temple before you go to worship Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy.
• Bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the sanctum shrine of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
• Concentrate on Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy inside the temple.
• Observe absolute silence and chant “Om Namo Sri Venkatesaya”, inside the temple.
• Bathe in the Papavinasanam and Akasha Ganga tirthams in Tirumala.
• Respect ancient customs and usages while at Tirumala.
• Respect and promote religious sentiments among co-pilgrims.
• Deposit your offerings only in the Hundi.
• Wear a tilak in accordance with your religious affiliation.
• Follow the procedures of the temple and wait for your turn for the darshan of the Lord.

DON’TS

Don’ts in Tirumala are as follows:

• Come to Tirumala for any purpose other than worshipping the Lord.
• Carry much jewellery and cash with you.
• Wear footwear in and around the premises of the temple.
• Approach touts for accommodation and darshan.
• Prostrate (sastanga danda pranamam) inside the temple.
• Throw away the prasadam and teertham given to you at the temple.
• Eat non-vegetarian food or consume liquor or other intoxicants and smoke while in Tirumala.
• Wear any head guards such as helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
• Commit any act of violence or harshness in the temple premises.
• Rush in for darshan instead of waiting for your turn in the queue.
• Enter the temple; if according to custom or usage, you are prohibited to enter.
• Wear flowers at Tirumala temple, as all flowers of the sacred Seven Hills are for the Lord only.
• Encourage beggars.
• Spit or be a nuisance inside the temple premises.
• Carry weapons while entering into the temple.