Tirumala is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Hindus. It is therefore not surprising that more than 50,000 pilgrims visit the temple everyday. Here we try to help you plan your trip Tirupati - We have provided detailed road maps, practical information on darshan and accommodation options both at Tirumala and at Tirupati. it has now become popular to undertake Tirupati Pligrrimage part of a conducted tour. The advantage with such "darshan" is that the tour operator organizes everything including darshan, food and travel.

Tirupati darshan: :

Tirumala Tirupati Devastnam Board (TTD) has managed the rush to the temple in a modern and efficient manner. Balaji darshan begins at 1 AM and continues till 1 PM. The crowd is high on holidays, weekends and during special functions. Though there are free darshans, it is advisable to go in for special darshan which cost Rs. 40 and Rs. 50. The special darshan considerable reduces the waiting time. One has to take the Sudarsanam token from the TTD office. The token is a wristband which mentions the time of Darshan. Please click here for online darshan booking for locations from where you can get Sudarsanam token at Tirupati.

You can even book from the select TTD offices from round the country. List of TTD offices in India is available here. Telephone numbers of TTD offices in Mumbai : 022-22187171; Delhi –24112349; Chennai –24343535; Bangalore-23315361. 
Sevas: Sevas can be booked online from the TTD eSeva site.Many of the sevas entail Balaji darshan too. 

From 0ctober 21st 2009, TTD has introduced "Sheegra Darshan" ticket at Rs. 300. These tickets are available at Vaikuntam complex I at Tirumala. There are no advance reservation for the Sheegra Darshan tickets. each Sheegra darshan ticket entails for two Tirupati Ladoos.

Tirumala Accommodation :

1. Tirumala - Tirupati Devasthnam Trust (Temple mamangement) have various comfortable guest houses in Tirumala . One can check room availability and make online booking from the TTD site
2. Various religious Mutts offer accommodation in Tirumala.  Please bear in mind that each of these Mutts have their own policy
3. It might make more sense to stay at Tirupati where there are plenty of options - Star Hotels, Budget Hotels and other accommodation options - Tirupati Accommodation

Other Temples around Tirupati:

There are many important temples around Tirupati -Venugopalaswami Temple, Vedanarayanaswami Temple, Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple and Padmavati Temple are the most important ones. TTD runs a packaged tour, details of which are available here.

Climbing Tirumala Hills:

One can Choose to climb Tirumala hills from Tirupati as do lakhs of devotees every year. It is a memorable climb. There are lot of rest points where you can refresh with Snacks/ Cool drinks. There are many small parks and animal enclosures along the way. It takes around three hours to reach Tirumala temple.

 Have a wonderful darshan of Lord Srinivasa at Tirumala

(Contribution by Vasanthi Sridar)