Tirupati Balaji Darshan on Aug 13 2009

vvv

I realize the time I have chosen is not apt as Janmashtami is on that date. I will be reaching Chennai on 12 Aug around 12 in the afternoon. Can I get darshan on 12th evening itself? I will be traveling alone and going there alone for the first time. Which tourist operators are good from Chennai? I don't know much about Chennai too, though I can speak Tamil, but not as fluent as a native. I need to be back in Chennai by 5pm as I have a return train at 8pm

I checked http://www.ttdconline.com/tourdetails.aspx?tourid=6 which conducts Tirupathi tour, but one needs to book 15 days in advance. I checked the AP government tourism site, but that does not seem to offer any trips starting from Chennai.

I hear after getting the pass for 200rs one needs to stand 10-12 hours during this period, if not more. Can someone please confirm?

Can someone please advise?

Thanks a lot.

rajered

By which train are you travelling?

Does your train stops at Renigunta?

vvv

I will be coming to Chennai by flight. I realize Renigunta is just 4 hours from Chennai and I can get loads of train and buses from Chennai, but the issue is I am a complete newcomer to Chennai so am nervous. I was advised to go with a tourist service so that I can hopefully get darshan in time without getting bilked anywhere.

rajered

Take a pre-paid taxi from the airport to Coyambedu bus stand and the take a bus to Tirupati.
You would have TNSTC, SETC, APSRTC buses from there.

From Tirupati another bus to Tirumala. The bus from Chennai would take you to Sapthagiri Bus Station. There are frequent APSRTC buses from Tirupati Tirumala.

At Tirumala you can get your darshan token from the counter near Rambagicha Guest House or at the Vaikuntam Queue Complex. The time of the Darshan would be indicated on the tokens. You would have to enter the Vaikuntam Queue Complex at the time indicated on the token. Once you are inside you can have the darshan in around two hours. Note: Only one token per person is issued.

The Rs 200/- pass if normally for the first darshan of the day and around 250 devotees are permitted every day. It would be very difficult to get this for the next day. If you have already arranged for it then no problem.

vvv

Thanks for the detailed reply.

How much would that cost approximately? In which area is the Coyambedu bus stand? Is there a less expensive way like train or bus and can a newcomer find it?

Ok, so I hope to reach Chennnai around 12 pm on 12th Aug and reach Tirupathi by 6pm, if everything goes well. Can I get darshan on that day(Aug 12) itself, if there is any other pass for 50 or 100rs, or is it too late for that day?

If that does not work, I need to stay overnight in Tirupathi. I have not done any booking and hear TTD issues rooms only for families. So, I need to get a private room for the night, wake up at 3am on 13th Aug and stand in the queue for 200/-, though I doubt I can get it if only 250 people are allowed as that day is Janmashtami. Any other ideas than what I am thinking?

Thanks again for your response and time.

rajered

There is a bus stop outside the Airport and there are buses to Coyambdu bus station.

There are other services also. Check this link for the different services http://www.etirupati.com/services.htm

You can go for the free, Rs 40/- or Rs 50/- darshan. The timings are from 07:30 - 19:00 hrs. You can also try the Ekanta Seva. The Ekanta Seva tickets are issued at the Vijay bank on first cum first serve basis. There is no advance reservation for this.

For free accommodation you can contact the Central Reception Office, near the bus stand in Tirumala. There are also dormitory halls provided by TTD.

Rs 200/- tickets are booked a day early.

vvv

Thanks for the reply.

How much is the distance between the airport and Coyambdu bus station? About, how much time would it take by bus/prepaid taxi?

Are they also booked by getting a DD from Vijaya bank located at Tirupathi or can I get from somewhere else also?

Any way I can get the darshan token from Mumbai or can I get it only from Tirupathi? I was thinking if I get it earlier I may have to stand less in the queue.

What else I need to be aware of?

Thanks for your time and responses.

gaurav1441

AP tourism does have many tours to Balaji. You may even consider IRCTC packages for Tirupati they would be a lot more convenient as you would not have to stand in several queues.

IRCTC: http://www.railtourismindia.com/cgi-... Tourpackages

APTDC: http://www.tourisminap.com/tourpack/chennai.php

n kumar

Hi vvv,
Are you saying that you will be reaching chennai around 12pm and want to come back by 5 pm on the same day ? If it is the same day i think it is impossible.

vvv

Thanks, but those packages need to be booked about 15 days in advance and I plan to visit on Aug 12.

vvv

Hi n_kumar,

No, I will be reaching Chennai on 12pm on Aug 12 and want to come back from Tirupathi by 5 pm on 13th Aug. I realize it cannot be done on same day.

prabu29

Hi VVV,
check out with AP tourism office in mount road (Near kalaivanmar arangam). They operate daily VOLVO buses from chennai to thirumala which includes travel, lodging, dharsahan in all one day. I took that service one year back.

__________________
PRABU

gaurav1441

There is no such Pre condition. If you are in Mumbai you can find a travel operator associated with APTDC and book these depending upon avialability of seats.

gaurav1441

There is no such Pre condition of booking 15 days earlier. Even if you are trying to book with Tamil nadu tourism 15 days is only for Online booking. You can pay the same day and travel offline subject to avialability of seats. If you are in Mumbai you can find a travel operator associated with APTDC or TTDC and book these depending upon avialability of seats.

vvv

Thanks. I was thinking as the online booking does not have any seats the offline also would not just as if no seats are in IRCTC online you also cannot get at the ticket counter. I did not know that would be different.