[kavensri]

Originally Posted by srvm

Our slot was actually 2pm. There were people in queue with 5pm and 10pm darshan slot as well. All were permitted freely. We were sitting in Vaikuntam Q-complex hall from 2pm to 4.30pm.

From what I have heard (and experienced as well), they have stopped checking for the time slot before allowing us to enter the queue. This has resulted in people from all the time slots entering the queue in the mornings/afternoons. In fact, one of my relative, who visits this temple almost every month, was telling me that it is adviceable to stand in the queue in the night. Not many people will be there and even the darshan will happen quickly. So, I am planning to try this out when i visit the temple next time.

[BrokenHW]

Tirumala special entry darshan tickets update
Bhaktas please plan your trip accordingly

[BrokenHW]

Originally Posted by kavensri

From what I have heard (and experienced as well), they have stopped checking for the time slot before allowing us to enter the queue.

You are absolutely right about this, Last week i had been to Tirumala. (SED 300 rupees ticket) Entered the queue at 11 and was out at around 430 PM. There was too much of rush and the line was stuck for couple of hours without any movement.
First we were in waiting room no 2(This is a new room outside the old complex), after that in waiting room no 13 and after that in waiting room no 1.Couple of ladies fainted while waiting in queue.
Better to enter the queue complex in late evenings or at night.

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by BrokenHW

Tirumala special entry darshan tickets update
Bhaktas please plan your trip accordingly

Thanks for posting this. I have never been to Tirupati and my mom had expressed a wish to go as she is in Bangalore currently. February was our only window and I had thought it was all sold out as per info other folks told me.

Reading some of the recent posts indicating that entering the queue late evening is a better option, I made a booking for 26th Sunday night at 9pm. I am assuming that the weekend crowd would have reduced by this time? How much of a wait time can I expect- As my mother is 75+ and little concerned about the long queue times.

Also request suggestions/recommendations on where I should book a stay and any other inputs/insights for a first time visitor.

[audioholic]

I think now the rush is really high due to the news that the main temple might get closed for renovation. Better avoid going during these times since the crowd will be really high and will get troublesome.

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

wait time can I expect- As my mother is 75+ and little concerned about the long queue times.

Also request suggestions/recommendations on where I should book a stay and any other inputs/insights for a first time visitor.

I think its better you try to get a senior citizen darshan for your mother and instruct her to finish it and be seated at a certain place where you would later pick her up. There will be volunteers to help if required but she has to do it alone except if done with spouse. The 300 rupee darshan can be a hit or miss with darshan duration and might not be comfortable for her. As for you, I would suggest darshan at a different time, perhaps later in the night while your mother sleeps. You can let her finish senior citizen darshan, have dinner and then join the queue once she is back to the accomodation and it will keep the needs of both balanced.

[BRV]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

I am assuming that the weekend crowd would have reduced by this time? How much of a wait time can I expect- As my mother is 75+ and little concerned about the long queue times.

Also request suggestions/recommendations on where I should book a stay and any other inputs/insights for a first time visitor.

Sometimes weekend rush will swell over to Monday and if there are any VIP visits that will also effect the overall darshan time. On an average Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays crowd will be less compared to Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Typical average time will be around 4-5 hrs

As your Darshan is at 9pm, don't wait till 9, sometime if the weekend crowd is more they will not allow Darshan and will ask you to report next day (there are chances). When we visited a month back on weekend, there were live announcements to not to join the queue for darshan and report next day morning. Please plan accordingly.

Also note the ghat road will be closed from 12 midnight to 3am. If you finish your darshan late you will have to wait till 3 in the morning.

As your Mother is 75, why don't you try for senior citizen darshan which will not have waiting time and they have separate queue. Sometimes they will allow one attendant along with the Senior Citizen otherwise there are volunteers who take care of the senior citizens right from the queue entrance till exit after darshan (volunteers will accompany them) based on the devotee condition like if they need wheelchair / support etc.,. The timings are in the afternoon daily, online tickets can be purchased.

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by audioholic

I think its better you try to get a senior citizen darshan for your mother and instruct her to finish it and be seated at a certain place where you would later pick her up. There will be volunteers to help if required but she has to do it alone except if done with spouse.

Originally Posted by BRV

Sometimes weekend rush will swell over to Monday and if there are any VIP visits that will also effect the overall darshan time. On an average Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays crowd will be less compared to Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Typical average time will be around 4-5 hrs

As your Darshan is at 9pm, don't wait till 9, sometime if the weekend crowd is more they will not allow Darshan and will ask you to report next day (there are chances).
As your Mother is 75, why don't you try for senior citizen darshan which will not have waiting time and they have separate queue. Sometimes they will allow one attendant along with the Senior Citizen otherwise there are volunteers who take care of the senior citizens right from the queue entrance till exit after darshan (volunteers will accompany them) based on the devotee condition like if they need wheelchair / support etc.,. The timings are in the afternoon daily, online tickets can be purchased.

Thanks for the valuable inputs. I was able to book a senior citizen slot at 3PM on Sunday 26th Feb. In addition I do have the 9pm SED booking.

Problem is that my Mom is scared to go alone-Even though as explained volunteers will be there. So she is currently in the mode that she will come with us. So still undecided on the approach to take.

I did go back 5-6 pages and got some info, but just to clarify a few more points.

• I have booked a room at Pai Viceroy which seems fairly close to the Alipiri Gate. Is it advisable to drive up and park at Tirumala or take a taxi/bus from the hotel?
• Where should I target to park to minimize walking or get the option of any free/paid shuttle to the SED/Senior citizen entry point?
• Is it ok to carry small bag with water bottle/medicine etc

[Altrozed]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

Thanks for the valuable inputs. I was able to book a senior citizen slot at 3PM on Sunday 26th Feb. In addition I do have the 9pm SED booking.

Problem is that my Mom is scared to go alone-Even though as explained volunteers will be there. So she is currently in the mode that she will come with us. So still undecided on the approach to take.

I did go back 5-6 pages and got some info, but just to clarify a few more points.

• I have booked a room at Pai Viceroy which seems fairly close to the Alipiri Gate. Is it advisable to drive up and park at Tirumala or take a taxi/bus from the hotel?
• Where should I target to park to minimize walking or get the option of any free/paid shuttle to the SED/Senior citizen entry point?
• Is it ok to carry small bag with water bottle/medicine etc

1. If she is comfortable to take RTC bus, that's the best unless she wants to enjoy the drive in a car.
Being sunday, parking closer to the Vaikuntam Queue complex will be bit rush also. Alternatively, drive to the uphill and park. You can get jeeps and autos ferrying around .
2. Ring road has parking, go a bit early and you can park in gaps between ATC guests houses near to Vaikuntam Queue.

3. Yea, you can take water, packed food(biscuits kind), medicine etc.

[BRV]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

I have booked a room at Pai Viceroy which seems fairly close to the Alipiri Gate. Is it advisable to drive up and park at Tirumala or take a taxi/bus from the hotel?
Where should I target to park to minimize walking or get the option of any free/paid shuttle to the SED/Senior citizen entry point?

1. Lot of buses available from Tirupati - Tirumala. Now RTC has introduced AC Electric buses from Tirupati to Tirumala and you can reserve the tickets in advance as well through reservation counters or online. They are called GREEN SAPTAGIRI(2+2 AC EV) available at 1600 and 1700 hrs.

2. If your Mother changes her mind and plan to go through Senior Citizens darshan and if you plan to go by car, park your car near Ram Bageecha guest house / CRO car parking and take the electric buggy from the Ram Bageecha guest house to temple (near to temple). From there Senior citizens queue entry is near

As suggested by Altrozed, you can park in any of the parking places available and take a taxi / jeeps to the entry point of the queue. Free buses are available every 5-10 min sometimes they might be crowded

Note: Single use plastic is banned in Tirumala including water bottles (Bisleri / kinley kind). Please carry multi use plastic bottles or glass bottles.

FYI - Last Tuesday my friend finished his Darshan in 2 hours in the evening. His slot was at 6pm however, he entered the queue around 4 and finished darshan in 2 hours

[ravib]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

• I have booked a room at Pai Viceroy which seems fairly close to the Alipiri Gate. Is it advisable to drive up and park at Tirumala or take a taxi/bus from the hotel?
• Where should I target to park to minimize walking or get the option of any free/paid shuttle to the SED/Senior citizen entry point?
• Is it ok to carry small bag with water bottle/medicine etc

HI Rajeev,

1) You can very well drive up to Tirumala in your own car and keep the electronic items/phones/smart watches safely. Thus you don't have to end up spending time in depositing/recollecting these items in big queues. There are lot of safe parking available in Tirumala. So no worries.

2) You can park near Ahobila Mutt (https://goo.gl/maps/2jhVLJMnWm6p8YHx9) which will minimize walking after finishing up the darshan when you are exhausted. I suggest you drop aged people, family and kids at ATS circle (https://goo.gl/maps/w2jRyb9AFDvZU2Ei8) seegradarshan entry queue point, let them wait there, you can go to Ahobila mutt parking area, park the car there, keep all things and walk back to join the queue.

3) Yes, its okay to carry small back bag with water (no plastic water bottles allowed), medicine and few biscuits etc. Don't carry any electronics , smart watches, mobiles, umbrella etc.

And hope you are aware of the dress code to enter the temple. Only traditional dress is allowed , for Men its shirt and dhoti and for women it is sari/chudi/salwar with duppatta. Modern dresses or revealing dress are not allowed.

Have a great darshan.

-Ravi

[BrokenHW]

Tirumala special entry darshan tickets update for the month of March 2023

[dass]

When is the accommodation for the month of March expected to be open? Unable to find this info anywhere on the list. I have a booking for my parents on the 16th, so wanting to book their accommodation in srinivasam complex.

[Rajeevraj]

Thanks very much for the inputs- Altrozed, BrokenHW, ravib. Had a few additional questions.

My sister in law who had initially not planned to come, now was checking if there was any way she can come. I assume not as she does not have a booking. Assume there is no alternate way? No spot/special ticket that can be booked? If my mom goes in the senior citizen queue, can my sister in law use the SED ticket I have for my mom?

If she joins us, will they allow up the road to Tirumala or tickets will be checked and she will be blocked at the checkpoint at the bottom itself.

Again, I assume not, but asking to be sure. Is there any 'praying from outside' point from where the lord is visible even if it is from a long distance? For example in Guruvayoor, I can enter the outer temple compound and see into the main sanctum.

[smileline]

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

Thanks very much for the inputs- Altrozed, BrokenHW, ravib. Had a few additional questions.

My sister in law who had initially not planned to come, now was checking if there was any way she can come. I assume not as she does not have a booking. Assume there is no alternate way? No spot/special ticket that can be booked? If my mom goes in the senior citizen queue, can my sister in law use the SED ticket I have for my mom?

Hi as the SED is linked to the Aadhar/Voter ID, she will not be able to replace in lieu of your Mom.

[redcruiser]

Guys I have booked Seeghra darshan ticket tonight at 3am (SAT -3am)
I have just got Aadhar xerox and I haven't got the original IDs. Will that be an issue?
Can I take my original DL as a backup ID proof?