For a detailed list of inclusions, exclusions, and important policies related to this tour package, please:

•  Contact us directly for the latest tour inclusions and package details.
•  Check our seasonal offers for special travel deals and updated terms.

Rates, availability, and specific services may vary. Customizations are available upon request.

Select your preferred stay (subject to availability):

• Standard | Deluxe | Super Deluxe
• 3-Star | 4-Star | 5-Star (or similar category)

•  Exact hotel names, amenities, and photos will be shared based on your selection.
•  Upgrades available on request (luxury/resort properties).

Contact us to:

• ✔ Get specific hotel details with images for your chosen hotel categories
• ✔ Compare categories & pricing
• ✔ Request special accommodation options

Note: Rates vary by season and room type. Early bookings are recommended for the best hotel stay options.

Tour prices vary based on:

• Hotel category (Standard/Deluxe/3-Star/4-Star/5-Star)
• Season and availability
• Group size and customization

Contact us for:

• Exact pricing based on your preferred tour packages
• Current seasonal travel discounts
• Special offers for groups/families

Note: All tour prices are subject to change, and GST will be applied as per government regulations.

History of Tirupati

Tirupati, located in Andhra Pradesh, India, is a sacred city renowned for the Sri Venkateswara Temple on Tirumala Hills, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Known as the “Spiritual Capital of Andhra Pradesh,” Tirupati’s history intertwines mythology, ancient dynasties, and modern administration, making it one of the world’s most visited pilgrimage sites.

• Mythological Origins: Hindu scriptures describe Tirumala as the earthly abode of Lord Vishnu in the Kali Yuga. Legend states that Lord Venkateswara manifested on Venkatadri, one of the seven peaks of the Seshachalam Hills, to guide devotees toward salvation. The hills are believed to represent the seven heads of Adisesha, the serpent deity. Another tale recounts Vishnu borrowing money from Kubera, the god of wealth, for his marriage to Padmavati, with devotees’ donations helping repay this divine debt.
• Ancient Beginnings: Archaeological evidence suggests settlements in the region as early as the 3rd century BCE. The temple’s earliest references appear in 9th-century Tamil Sangam literature, indicating its prominence. The Pallava dynasty (6th–9th centuries) laid the foundation, with Queen Samavai donating jewels and land in 966 CE. King Thondaiman, a Tamil ruler, is credited with constructing the initial temple structure around the 1st century BCE or CE.
• Dynastic Patronage: The temple flourished under the Chola (9th–13th centuries), Pandya, and Vijayanagara (14th–16th centuries) dynasties. Chola kings, like Rajaraja I, and Vijayanagara rulers, notably Krishnadevaraya, donated gold, jewels, and land, enhancing its grandeur. The temple bears over 1,180 inscriptions in Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu, including 3000 copper plates with Telugu Sankirtanas by Annamacharya.
• Challenges and Resilience: During the 14th–16th centuries, Muslim invasions by the Delhi and Bahmani Sultanates plundered the temple’s wealth, but local rulers protected its treasures and rituals. In the 18th century, Maratha rulers, including Chhatrapati Shivaji’s descendants, restored its glory with significant donations.
• Modern Administration: In 1932, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) was established under the TTD Act to manage the temple, formalized in 1933 after Maratha General Raghoji I Bhonsale proposed a permanent body in the 18th century. Since 1966, the Andhra Pradesh government has overseen TTD, with the temple’s revenue supporting charitable activities. TTD manages facilities, rituals, and philanthropy, including education and healthcare.
• Cultural Significance: Tirupati is a hub of Dravidian architecture, with the temple’s towering gopuram and intricate carvings. It hosts the annual Brahmotsavam festival, attracting millions. The city also gained prominence through events like the 2006 Tirupati Utsavam, the 2012 World Telugu Conference, and the 2017 Indian Science Congress.

Tirupati’s history reflects a blend of divine legends, royal patronage, and resilient devotion, cementing its status as a global spiritual landmark.

Darshan at Tirupati

Darshan, meaning a glimpse of the deity, is central to the Tirupati pilgrimage, believed to bestow blessings, fulfill wishes, and cleanse sins. The Sri Venkateswara Temple attracts 87,000 devotees daily, offering various darshan options managed by TTD to accommodate the massive influx.

• • • Sarva Darshan: Free darshan without tickets, available from 8:30 AM to 11:30 PM (7:00 AM during Brahmotsavam). Waiting times range from 30 minutes to 18 hours due to crowds.
    • Special Entry Darshan (Seeghra Darshan): A paid option (₹300 per person) for quicker access, with a separate queue. Tickets can be booked online via TTD’s official portal or at designated counters.
  • VIP Darshan: Reserved for VVIPs, dignitaries, and Srivani Trust donors (₹10,000 donation plus ₹500 ticket). Offers near-instant access.
  • Package Darshan: Included in travel tour packages, combining darshan with accommodation and transport.
  • Divya Darshan: Free darshan for pilgrims trekking the Alipiri Mettu (11 km, 3550 steps) or Srivari Mettu (6 km) footpaths. Biometric tokens are issued on a first-come, first-served basis for specific time slots.
  • Break Darshan: For donors (VVD or USSES seva holders), allowing up to six members with prior intimation to TTD’s Arjitham Office. Requires passbook and photo ID.Types of Darshan:
• Darshan Rituals and Practices: Devotees typically visit the Bhuvaraha Swamy Temple near Swami Pushkarini before the main temple, as per tradition. Common practices include tonsuring hair (mokku) as an offering, with over a ton collected daily, and donating to the hundi. The temple’s famous Tirupati Laddu, a GI-tagged prasadam, is distributed (350,000 daily), with varieties like Proktham (160–175 gm, ₹50) and Kalyanotsavam (700 gm, ₹250).
• Sevas and Rituals: Daily sevas include Suprabhatham (3:00 AM, awakening the deity), Thomala Seva (adorning with garlands), Archana, and Kalyanotsavam (divine marriage ritual). Weekly sevas like Vishesha Pooja (Monday) and Abhishekam (Friday) are popular. The annual Brahmotsavam features grand processions.
• Facilities for Devotees: TTD manages two Vaikuntam Queue Complexes (1983, 2000) for orderly darshan, with waiting rooms. Free Annaprasadam meals, accommodation halls, and cloakrooms are provided. Special arrangements exist for senior citizens and physically challenged devotees.
• Booking and Accessibility: Online booking via tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in is recommended to avoid long waits. The temple is open 24/7, with breaks during rituals. Tirupati is accessible via Tirupati Airport, railway station (22 km from the temple), and well-connected roads from Chennai (150 km) and Bengaluru (250 km).

Darshan at Tirupati is a profound spiritual experience, blending devotion, tradition, and efficient management to ensure accessibility for millions seeking Lord Venkateswara’s blessings.