Arriving at Tirupati

The temple of Lord Venkateswara on Tirumala is the richest tempIe in the world. This is located near the holy town of Tirupati in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh State, South India, between 13⁰ and 14⁰ North Latitude and 17⁰ East Longitude.

The temple is located atop one of a range of seven hills viz., Seshadri, Garudadri, Venkatadri, Narayanadri, Vrishabhadri, Vrishadri and Anjanadri. The temple town of Tirupati is well connected to all parts of India by Rail, Road and Air. All Railway Stations in India issue tickets to Tirumala i.e. up to the Hill Temple. There are two ghat roads to Tirumala, one laid in 1944 and the other in 1973. There has been one way traffic since then. Vehicles ply a minimum of 21 hours a day. During Brahmotsavam, the Annual Festival, they ply all the 24 hours. A pilgrim must have three full days on hand to cover all the places of interest in and around Tirumala-Tirupati. The plan detailed below may be adopted during the trip.

Day One: Arriving at Tirupati; Reaching Tirumala; Tonsuring of head (voluntary); Taking Bath; Visiting Varahaswamy Temple; Darshan of Sri Venkateswara.

Day Two: Visiting Places of Interest in and around Tirumala Returning downhill to Tirupati; Visiting Temples in Tirupati.

Day Three: Visiting Temples of Importance around Tirupati (Tiruchanoor; Sri Kalahasti etc.); Returning home. With private conveyance the trip can be completed in about two days. The Tourism Development Corporations of Andhra Pradesh Karnataka and Tamil Nadu operate one-day conducted tours Tirumala from Chennai and Bangalore. These tours are a package consisting of Breakfast, Lunch, Special Darshan Ticket and a trip to Sri Padmavati Devi Temple in Tiruchanoor. A.C. and Non-A.C. buses are available. Private bus operators also provide similar facility.

In praise of Lord Venkateswara
 

"He is the Lord who once measured the worlds. He is the Holiest. He went to the Holy Hill of Venkata, He dwells there. If that one Hill is worshipped, all our sins will completely vanish.

Before your life is shortened by one day, before your muscles get loosened, before you are cut down by old age, hurry to the foot of the Holy Venkata...