Tirupati temple run

 Recently made a trip to Tirupati from Bangalore some musings from that endeavour

Need to book tickets for darshan 3 months in advance. Seva darshan tickets (500 rs) open usually on the 21 of September 10:00 am say for all darshan dates of December (1-31), Senior Citizen tickets (free) open the next day and Special Darshan tickets (300 rs) the day after. Check latest guidelines while booking. Need Aadhar numbers for everyone in the group, children 12 and below are free, but children are not allowed for some Sevas so check before booking. Download the app and register, tickets sell out in a matter of minutes. For Seva only 4 allowed per booking so keep multiple phones ready, for Special Darshan 8 per booking. Have all details in hand beforehand and multiple people on the phones to get desired dates.

For anyone over 60 years, highly recommend taking tickets under senior citizens, it is very well organised without the hassle of crowds, pushing and waiting. The volunteers take very good care of the elderly, would have been very difficult for my parents if we hadn't booked under senior citizens for them. The drop off point for senior citizens is a little inside, you can take car till the very door step. They are supposed to enter at 1 PM, but will be taken for Darshan at 3 PM and will return by 4PM. They are given food and ave comfortable place to rest. 

We booked the Sahasra Deepalankara Seva, live music, god arrives in pallki and is swung in a cradle in front of 1000 lamps, very nice seva. After that the Special Darshan happens. No electronics allowed, there are places to drop and collect phones etc, if you can avoid taking electronics, things will be faster. The security checking at the base of the mountain takes a while so make allowance for that.

If you are only visiting Lord Venkateswara then staying at the top makes things very easy, we stayed at Hotel Pai Viceroy at the bottom as we also wanted to visit other temples, highly recommend this hotel as we had no problems, rooms were clean, service prompt and food was tasty.

If you want to visit Ammavari Padmavati temple you will have to book darshan tickets a month in advance on the same TTD app. 

Other temples to visit

Kanipakam, Lord Ganapathi, outskirts of Tirupati (on the way from Bangalore). Buy online ati sheegra darshan tickets beforehand.

Kalahasti, visit after TTD darshanam, One entrance has gigantic steps (difficult for old people) other side is more friendly and also has wheel chair access. There is wheel chair access for senior citizens. There is so much to see here, make sure to give it some time. There is more to see if you can climb higher up.

Kapila temple, this is near Pai hotel, its a real gem with waterfall, lots of deities and quick darshan. Do not miss this.  

Pudi Kalyana Venkateshwara temple, we couldnt go there but another famous temple.

Vardaraja temple

Govindaraju temple near Railway station, recommend using auto to get there.

Mangapura temple

At TTD Temple top, you can visit

Varahaswamy temple

Japali Hanuman temple, its a small trek but worth it.