When I was considering a trip to Tirupati, I found it difficult to figure out all the details for a good darshan. I spoke to a fellow sadhaka who has visited Tirupati umpteen number of times and explored the various darshan types and activities. He has given me a great primer for planning my Tirupati trip. Here, I am sharing the same with you 😊

Official TTD Website or App for Official Tirupati Darshan Pass

There are many unofficial ones in the market, don’t fall for those. This is the official app to download: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ttdapp&pcampaignid=web_share

You can also do it via this official website: https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in/home/dashboard

Book the 300 INR darshan ticket. Keep your aadhar card ready while booking. Usually, the darshan opens 3 months in advance, and then fills up real quick. So, keep in mind which dates you prefer and when the booking window opens, book right away!

Take a hard copy of this ticket with you. They will stamp it when you take darshan.

Don’t throw the stamped ticket away. Because with that stamped copy, you can get free Tirupati Laddoo prasad.

Tirupati or Tirumala? Are they the same?

Tirupati is a district of Andhra Pradesh. The headquarters of this district is the town also called Tirupati.

Here on the map, you can see, there are hills all around Tirupati town. A range of these hills is called Tirumala. This range is known for 7 peaks that is why it is also called Saptagiri (7 hills) or Seshachalam (due to some legend which associates this place to Naga deity Sesha). The most famous hill of Tirumala is the one with Balaji temple.

Thus, Tirupati and Tirumala are not the same.

As a pilgrim one is looking to visit Tirupati town, from there we can head to Tirumala Balaji temple and take darshan.

Tirumala Balaji Temple

Map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uHD5yukQMpgUWphV8

Tirupati Amman Temple & Vardaraja Perumal Temple

Two major temples in Tirupati town. The sadhaka friend recommends taking darshan of both these temples.

Map location:

Amman temple: https://maps.app.goo.gl/J2cnfPjP3xCZK92CA

Vardraja Perumal temple: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CK54NQyhKhqZABHKA

No need for a darshan pass for either of these temples. We can stand in the common line and take darshan.

Tirupati Agents & Touts Giving Last-minute Darshan Passes

Don’t fall for these agents or touts who may accost you in Tirupati. Chances of getting a last-minute darshan pass which is genuine is highly unlikely. Mostly they are out to fleece you. The Tirupati management board is very organized, and they will not allow any kind of shortchanging or line cutting through unofficial means. So, going via the official channel is the best way.

Stay in Tirumala or Tirupati?

Tirupati has a plethora of stay options. Getting a good hotel for a reasonable price should be very much possible. Food and all other major pilgrimage town facilities would be available.

Tirumala also has a lot of stay options, however, it is run by the TTD and has a few rules. They do not allow solo travellers like myself. Secondly, they allow only 24 hours stay. So, you basically can go, take darshan and then scoot. Other rules as follows:

Tirupati seems a better place to stay for 2 days to experience the vibes of this temple town. Plus, do some more explorations.

Though, I also like the idea of taking a 24 hour stay in Tirumala for the Bajaji darshan day. Anyway, taking darshan of Balaji would be a 3-4 hour affair with a paid pass. And if we decide to hike to the temple – it would be another 3 or so hours. So, getting a room in Tirumala only for that one day should be a good option.

Will update more soon!