Tirumala Tirupati – Darshan Ticket | Interesting Facts

The famous Tirumala Tirupati Balaji is located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh near Tirumala. This temple is surrounded by 7 hills, that’s why these hills are named ” SAPTHAGIRI”. Every month many pilgrims visit Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Devasthanam for darshan. Here, pilgrims came to worship Lord Vishnu as Tirupati Balaji – Shri Venkateswara Swamy and Goddess Lakshmi as Shri Padmavati Amavari. There are many mediums to visit Tirupati via Bus, Train, and Airport. Buses only run from the nearest state and cities, Airport near Tirupati is named Renigunta Airport (also known as Tirupati Airport), and the train route to Tirupati is from across India. The railway station near Tirupati Balaji is TIRUPATI.

Story Behind TirumalaTirupati Balaji Devasthanam

There was a Vedic story behind the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Devasthanam. Once upon a time, some saints want to do “Yag – a spiritual homa” for some important reason. They thought there were 3 gods named Brahma, Shiv, and Vishnu. Among them who is uppermost so that we do homa on the name of him. A saint name “RISHI BRIGU” went to every god one by one for the test, but everyone threw Rishi Brigu when he visited Lord Vishnu with the anger of Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, Vishnu was sleeping. Rishni Brigu tried to wake him up, but Vishnu hasn’t awake so Rishi Brigu push Lord Vishnu’s chest with his leg to wake him up.

Suddenly, Lord Vishnu was awakened by such a hard push and realized that Rishi Brigu is so angry. So, he said sorry to Rishi Brigu, and Rishi Brigu’s feet got hurt by pushing Lord Vishnu’s chest. But, Goddess Lakshmi who is sitting beside Lord Vishnu got angry because according to her Lord Vishnu is a great lord and how can he say sorry to some simple saint despite of his harsh behavior? So, she went away from Vishnu and get hide somewhere. Lord Vishnu find Goddess Lakshmi everywhere but he wasn’t able to find her. So, he goes on a long fast inside an ant hole near some village.

Then, Lord Shiv and Lord Brahma got tensioned and met with Goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi becomes a cow and pours her whole milk inside that ant hole so that Lord Vishnu gets fed. One day these cow caretakers saw this scene and threw a saw toward that cow in anger. Lord Vishnu came out to save that cow, that’s why that saw hit on the head of Lord Vishnu. So, Lord Vishnu threw that saw back to the caretaker and he died on the spot. The King of that village came in front of Lord Vishnu and said sorry to him but Vishnu gave him a curse that he would become a demon. After, so much regret Lord Vishnu said, when he took birth again next time, then he will give thrown to him then this curse will be broken.

So, Lord Vishnu took rebirth as Srinivas, and that king’s birth was as King Akasha. King Akasha marries his daughter Padmavati (birth as Goddess Lakshmi) to Srinivas on the recommendation of his ancestral priest. At that time, Lakshmi was not with Lord Vishnu so he don’t have much money to marry Padmavati. So, Lord Vishnu took a loan from Lord Kuber and promised that he will pay his loan amount by the end of KALYUG. So, Tirupati Balaji is poor due to this loan amount on his head. This is the reason why pilgrims give so many offerings at Tirupati Balaji Temple so that Lord Vishnu can replay his loan amount to Lord Kuber.

Darshan Ticket Collection Process

Pilgrims need to collect tokens first to darshan . The first process is to collect Tirupati Balaji darshan token online or offline.

(1) Special Darshan

(2) Sarvdarshan

(3) VIP Darshan

(4) Handicapped and Senior Citizen Darshan

(5) Divya Darshan

(1) Special Darshan

Special Darshan is a paid method to collect the darshan token. The special darshan token fare is Rs. 300 per person. Pilgrims could take this token through the official website of Tirupati Balaji only. Every new month token window will open in the last week of the previous month and it’ll be occupied or closed within a few minutes, this process is something like a tatkal ticket of any train reservation. So, you guys have to check regularly on the official website. Special darshan pilgrims took approx. 3 hours in queue for darshan in the temple with 2 free special laddoos.

(2) Sarvadarshan

Sarvadarshan is free token for pilgrims to darshan. Pilgrims could took token from Darshanam Building near Tirupati Balaji railway station. Sarvadarshan pilgrims took approx. 5 hours in queue for darshan in the temple with 1 free special laddoo.

(3) VIP Break Darshan

VIP Break darshan is a paid method to collect the darshan token. The VIP darshan token fare is Rs. 500 per person. VIP darshan is categorized into 3 levels i.e. L1, L2, and L3. VIP darshan pilgrims took approx. 1 hour in the queue for darshan in the temple with 1 free special laddoo.

The L1 category is for Prime Ministers, Ministers, Chief Ministers, Presidents, Judges, Civil Servants, and Top Political Groups/Leaders. It is now mandated that Chairman / TTD Board member / TTD EO should accompany the L1 VIP.

The L2 category is for TTD employees, recommendation letters from L1 category persons or TTD employees.

L3 category is for MP, MLA, Board Members and Local Leaders, Big Influential persons, recommendation letters from L1, and L3 category persons or TTD employees.

Please let us know the booking process of VIP Darshan:

(1) Took the recommendation letter from L1, L2, or L3 category person and submit it to the JEO office at Tirumala, one day before the darshan.

(2) They took the phone number and finger print of the pilgrims.

(3) If recommendation letter will be approved, then confirmation message will sent over the mobile number.

(4) Then, pilgrims have to collect VIP Darshan token from MBC 34 at Tirupati by paying Rs.500 per person.

(4) Handicapped and Senior Citizen Darshan

For senior citizens and physically handicapped darshan timings are 10 am, 3 pm, and 9 pm. Senior citizens aged>65 will be eligible for this category. They have to report 2 hours before at Mahadwaram Entrance (Opp to Temple) with valid ID proof. If the husband’s age is 65 and the wife’s age is <65 then they can accompany him. Handicapped and Senior Citizens darshan pilgrims took approx. 1 hours in queue for darshan in the temple with 1 free special laddoo.

(5) Divya Darshan (Only for pedestrians)

This darshan is for pedestrians through hilly areas of Tirumala Parvat. There were 2 pathways through which pedestrians trek to Tirumala parvat and reach the temple. Divya darshan queue is different from all other queues. There are two best ways for a pedestrian to reach Tirumala. There was no fare for the Divya Darshan token.

1.  Alipiri (above 9KM).
2. Srivari Mettu (above 2KM).

Hotel in Tirupati Balaji

There were many hotels near Railway Station Tirupati where pilgrims took lodging and got accommodation. The prices of the hotel are cheap and it will come under budget for any people. Pilgrims can book hotels before visiting Tirupati online to get special offers, packages, discounts, and savings on hotel prices. Please find below some of the good Hotel list:

• Hotel Pearl Suites, Tirupati
• Hotel Park Krishna
• Manasa Inn
• Minerva Grand Tirupati
• Springs Hotel
• MG Iris Hotel
• PVK Residency
• Hotel Bliss’
• Hotel Lorven Tirupati

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Devasthanam Darshan

SapthGiri Check Point

We left for Tirupati from Tirumala by 11:30 pm, because the Sapthagiri Check Point(passing gate) will not allow any vehicle to cross from 12 am to 3 am. So, we passed Sapthagiri Check Point by 11:45 pm. Here, the forest department officer threw all the plastic bottles in the dustbin, because plastic is not allowed in Tirupati.

The forest area and hilly view while going to Tirupati from Tirumala is so mesmerizing. But, couldn’t able to take clear photos due to the night view. But, I clicked some pics while returning just for you guys, so that you will also experience the view while reading the blog.

Sarvdarshan Queue

We reached Tirupati temple by 12:15 am, and my car dropped me at the place where the Savdarshan queue begins. We sit in a hall for 2 hours, and approximately at 2 am they opened the hall and the line started towards the temple gate. In the passway, there was a locker room where you guys can put your mobiles and other needy things.

You guys should keep all the things in the locker room, and you will get those in the locker room near the temple exit gate. Further, there was a checking gate where they check what you are taking with you inside the temple. If they found anything, they will instruct you to go back and put them in the locker room.

Famous Tirupati Laddoo

We moved further and then, at 5 am, we do the darshan of Great Lord Tirupati Balaji. Then, we moved further to the Tirupati famous laddoo counter and got 1 free laddoo. If you want to buy more laddoos, then it cost Rs. 50 per laddoo. You guys also do aarti from the balcony just made in front of the temple. This laddoo is made from ingredients that came from a village that is 23 km far from the temple. This village is famous as his home when he was born as Srinivas and married to Padmavati. So, all flowers and other ingredients came from this village to offer in front of Tirupati Balaji.

Interesting facts about Tirupati Balaji

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Devasthanam is famous in India due to below interesting facts about him:

• Tirupati Balaji’s hair is original and always felt like its combed regularly.
• When you visit to temple, pilgrims will listen the sound of sea waves near to his idol.
• There were many air Conditioners inside Temple, and despite that Balaji’s face was sweating all time.
• People say that any businessman who give some profit percentage from his business, then his business will grow so gradually. Its that so, because according to some vedic story Tirupati Balaji has to pay loan to Lord Kuber.
• A Lamp is placed near Tirupati Balaji idol, it is lighting from past 1000 years withour ghee or oil.
• Tirupati Balaji Body Temperature is 110 degree Fahrenheit, that’s why his face is always sweating, which is always cleaning time to time by priest of Temple.

Shopping near Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Devasthanam

There was a small market near Tirupati Balaji Temple, from where you can buy different spiritual items, bangles, toys, and many more. Many food stall were opened too where you guys can eat idli, dosa, vada, and much more South Indian tiffin item.

There was some scenic place to see near the temple, by booking a cab with ranges between Rs. 1000-1500 per cab booking. So, you guys also enjoy those scenic places with your family and can create more beautiful memories on Tirumala Tirupati Trip. If you want some info about top famous tourist places to visit near Tirupati Balaji, then follow the link.

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