[shipnil]

Originally Posted by sindabad.sailor

I would be first time visitor to the Holy Tirpati temple.

Originally Posted by andydude

TTD has recently started online booking of Rs.300 quick darshan tickets, that way your Darshan will be over within 2hrs.

There is no such thing as no rush darshan at Tirumala. It is either heavy rush or very heavy rush.

The advice of visiting on weekday is good place to start. You can book darshan online at ttdsevaonline.com. The Rs. 300 darshan is nothing but the Rs. 50 one at inflated rates.

Earlier, only Rs. 50 one was available online and Rs. 300 one on the spot in Tirumala. Now Rs. 50 is available but only for one timeslot of 5 pm to 6 pm on any day. This can be booked max 60 days in advance. The Rs. 300 one is available at multiple timeslots. Both the darshans will allow you to complete darshan in 2 to 3 hrs. The bookings open 15 days in advance for Rs. 300 one of the planned darshan date.

It will be a good experience if you book everything in advance i.e. 60 days. This will allow you to have accommodation at Tirumala as well.

[nfsfreak]

I had booked Rs 300 tickets online and had the darshan yesterday.

Booked 12 Noon slot, Entered the queue by 11.45 am (but you can enter the queue from 11 am). Completed the darshan and came out by 2 PM. Very convenient

Few important points:
1. The online Rs 300 tickets available in 5 one hour slots (12-1PM, 1-2PM, 2-3PM, 3-4 PM, 4-5 PM) and Rs 50 tickets in 1 slot (5-6PM).
At present, Rs 300 tickets are easily available on all days except Saturdays if you plan 1 week in advance. For Rs 50 tickets , you need to plan at least 45-50 days in advance!!!

2. Wearing traditional dresses for darshan is mandatory for all Sevas booked in advance (online or through counter). Dhoti/Kurtas for men & Saris for Women.
Pants/Jeans/Shorts/Nightpants/Tights/Churidar prohibited. Still men in Pants/Jeans, women in Churidar are allowed for free darshan but not sure when they are going to change the rule.
Verified this information with the Information center.
We (friends & I) were not aware of this. We purchased dhotis at a shop nearby for inflated rates

3. You should carry 2 copies of the ticket. One they'll retain at the counter and the other, for you with 'verified' stamp to use in subsequent checking points.

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by nfsfreak

Wearing traditional dresses for darshan is mandatory for all Sevas booked in advance... Pants/Jeans/Shorts/Nightpants/Tights/Churidar prohibited.

True, but Churidar/ Punjabi dresses are allowed for women. At least that was the scene two weeks ago when I visited. Men must wear Dhoti or Kurta-Payjama. They check it only at the cottage entrance gate. Once inside, there is no checking and your lines will be mixed with all others who are wearing pants and jeans.

To avoid entry denied, please wear traditional Kurta-payjama/ Salwar Kameez. Kids below 10 have no restrictions but must avoid the shorts and skirts!

[ramzsys]

Originally Posted by nfsfreak

3. You should carry 2 copies of the ticket. One they'll retain at the counter and the other, for you with 'verified' stamp to use in subsequent checking points.

The 'verified' stamped entry ticket printout is for getting the free laddu(2 numbers).

[prashkul]

I'll be visiting Tirumala on Sat, 18-Oct for Darshan. Plan is to start from Blr on Fri afternoon as usual, hotel booked at Tirupati for Fri night. All of us in the family have gotten the 50/- ticket except one member. She'll be joining 300/- ticket queue on the same day around Noon.

I have 50/- ticket for 19-Oct 8pm as well, but will not be using it for Darshan since I need to be back in Blore. Planning to use it just for laddus.

[nfsfreak]

Originally Posted by abirnale

True, but Churidar/ Punjabi dresses are allowed for women. At least that was the scene two weeks ago when I visited. Men must wear Dhoti or Kurta-Payjama. They check it only at the cottage entrance gate.

The checking is at the cottage entrance and just before the ticket verification counter. Once you get past that ticket verification counter, you will not be checked and the lines get mixed as you go further.

Regarding the dress code, you are correct.
Below is the extract from the instructions mentioned in the ticket. It helps to read the instructions always. I did not and paid the price (for Dhotis)

"The pilgrims shall invariably present in traditional dress code (Dothi, Pyjama & Kurtha for men and Sarie, chudidhar with
dupatta, half sarie or skirts up to anklet with full jacket for women) while reporting for darshan. No person in shorts / skin
tight cloths will be permitted. Wearing dupatta / upper cloth is a must to women pilgrims".

Just want to confirm that no one allowed with normal pants/jeans though instructions mention about shorts/skin tight cloths.

Originally Posted by ramzsys

The 'verified' stamped entry ticket printout is for getting the free laddu(2 numbers).

. It's for laddus as we handed over that ticket in the laddu counter.

[abirnale]

Originally Posted by prashkul

All of us in the family have gotten the 50/- ticket except one member. She'll be joining 300/- ticket queue on the same day around Noon.

I am afraid, there is no Rs 300 on the spot ticket queue. But instead you should go to a advance booking counter where they issue tickets - either in srinivasa complex or near station and get the ticket. All I am saying is, you must have a valid ticket to enter the Rs 300 queue for darshan. It's only by advance booking.

Originally Posted by prashkul

I have 50/- ticket for 19-Oct 8pm as well, but will not be using it for Darshan since I need to be back in Blore. Planning to use it just for laddus.

Like @nfsfreak mentioned above, the stamp would be required to verify that you took darshan and so free laddus! Not sure if they will give you laddus without stamp, but nevertheless give it a try!

[lambuhere1]

Anyone used Kstdc packaged tours :

Apologies for being off topic.

Due to sudden change in plans, got few days on hand. Wifey is scared of my driving due to a small accident recently. Kids are pestering for travel in diwali holidays.

Within short notice, it is very difficult to do train bookings. Hence was exploring options of taking tour packages from KSTDC.

Two options :

1. Tirupati Darshan

http://karnatakaholidays.net/pilgrim..._tirupati1.htm

2. Shirdi Visit

http://karnatakaholidays.net/pilgrim...ys_shridi.html

Need guidance from you guys.

How is the service of KSTDC in their packages. Have naughty kids with me to handle. Have never used KSTDC till date, hence need your kind guidances.

Will wait for kindest inputs from bhpians before booking the same.

Else, if you have any alternative tour operators whose packages are well serviced, it can also be explored.

Waiting for your inputs

Oh ! 2 naughty kids and holidays are a vicious combination !

[ravib]

Originally Posted by lambuhere1

Anyone used Kstdc packaged tours :

Apologies for being off topic.

Due to sudden change in plans, got few days on hand. Wifey is scared of my driving due to a small accident recently. Kids are pestering for travel in diwali holidays.

Within short notice, it is very difficult to do train bookings. Hence was exploring options of taking tour packages from KSTDC.

Two options :

1. Tirupati Darshan

http://karnatakaholidays.net/pilgrim..._tirupati1.htm

2. Shirdi Visit

http://karnatakaholidays.net/pilgrim...ys_shridi.html

Need guidance from you guys.

How is the service of KSTDC in their packages. Have naughty kids with me to handle. Have never used KSTDC till date, hence need your kind guidances.

Will wait for kindest inputs from bhpians before booking the same.

Else, if you have any alternative tour operators whose packages are well serviced, it can also be explored.

Waiting for your inputs

Oh ! 2 naughty kids and holidays are a vicious combination !

I would recommend you to take AP Toursim option which works neat and clean. They are very professional & have tie up with TTD so you can get quicker darshan.

But, please mind that the entire trip will be back to back & may be taxing without much breaks (which even any other package operator does), so you have to watch out for that, since you mentioned you have 2 naughty kids.

-Ravi

[hillsnrains]

Originally Posted by nfsfreak

Few important points:
1. The online Rs 300 tickets available in 5 one hour slots (12-1PM, 1-2PM, 2-3PM, 3-4 PM, 4-5 PM) and Rs 50 tickets in 1 slot (5-6PM).
At present, Rs 300 tickets are easily available on all days except Saturdays if you plan 1 week in advance. For Rs 50 tickets , you need to plan at least 45-50 days in advance!!!

Hi nfsfreak,
I would like to ammend few points to what you have listed above.
1. Special entry tickets are available only for 2 slots, i.e 12pm -1pm and 1pm - 2pm. Very recently TTD stared issuing tickets for the remaining slots over the counter in Tirumala.

2. No change for the 50/- tickets quota.

3. Those who wish to book 300/- tickets have to be ready with quite a bit of information like photos all the members (<20KB in size), name, age before proceeding with booking.

4. One can book a maximum of 2 tickets, 6 members per each ticket.

5. Kids <10 years does not need a ticket.

Today i have booked a ticket for 6 people successfully

[hillsnrains]

Hi all,

TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam) keep changing/tweaking darshan entry rules for pilgrim's. Pants are not allowed

For everybody's benefit I am posting a part of my booked ticket for 21st November Darshan.

Hope this helps!

Mods please excuse, I could have added this to my previous post but I do not have the final ticket at the time of my previous post.

[hillsnrains]

Yesterday we have completed Tirumala darshan and everything went as planned. Here are few observations which may be helpfull

1. They did not ask for anyone's ID proofs, eventhough we have carried everybody's ID's
2. Dress code is being strictly enforced. All the options posted in my previous post are valid.
3. We went into the que at 10.30 am(reporting time was 11am) and finished darshan by 11.45am
4 For those who wish to book a room in Tirumala need to carry a xerox copy of their ID proof. Nowadays room allotment system is quite good, you can check at the kiosk and choose the room/cottage of your choice provided rooms are available.
5. Those who drive up or down the hill need to be cautios of speed. They are monitoring the start and reach time. They are warning if you reach too early. Approx. time of travel in the ghat road is ~40minutes.

[ns94]

Hi all,
Is there any special entrance / darshan for physically challenged persons? Do they allow an attendant along with the person using a wheelchair? Please enlighten me on the timings and procedures to be followed

[andydude]

Originally Posted by ns94

Hi all,

Is there any special entrance / darshan for physically challenged persons? Do they allow an attendant along with the person using a wheelchair? Please enlighten me on the timings and procedures to be followed

Hi, yes there is an enclosure right in front of main entry where you can queue up. there are 4-5 slots in a day when they allow direct entry for seniors and physically challenged(I don't recollect the timings). They allow one attendant to accompany a senior citizen/physically challenged devotee.

[hillsnrains]

Originally Posted by ns94

Hi all,
Is there any special entrance / darshan for physically challenged persons? Do they allow an attendant along with the person using a wheelchair? Please enlighten me on the timings and procedures to be followed

Yes there is special provision for physically challenged people as andydude mentioned. There are two slots per day 10.00AM and 3.00PM. One attendant is also allowed.

For people aged >65 are also allowed in the above mentioned slot.