GENERAL FACILITIES AT TIRUMALA

Facilities to pilgrims walking up the hills:

v T.T.D. provides Free Bus facility from Tirupati Railway Station to Alipiri via R.T.C. Central Bus Station, Kapilatheertham from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.
v Free bus from Railway Station to RTC central Bus station.
v Free Transportation of luggage from Alipiri tollgate to Tirumala.
v Availability of drinking water all along the footpath.
v Pilgrim Amenities Complex with all facilities.
v Availability of toilets.
v Provision of sunshade at important points for taking rest.
v Patrolling by Security Guards, Gurkhas and the police all along round the clock to prevent unwary pilgrims from being cheated or robbed by unscrupulous elements.
v Relay of religious programmes through local broadcasting system.
v Sale of cool drinks, mineral water etc. at nominal rates.
v Bhudevi Bhavan - Pilgrims Amenities Complex at Alipiri Bus Station with Dormitories, Bathrooms, Lockers etc.

Transport from Tirupathi to Tirumala and Vice Versa

Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation runs nearly 250 buses daily making approximately 800 trips to carry pilgrims from Tirupathi to Tirumala and vice versa. There are also long distance direct buses from various parts of the state and neighbouring state to Tirumala and back via Gudur, Sri Kalahasthi, Piler Nellore, Bangalore, Chennai, Kanchi etc. The Authorities to avoid long queue also issue return tickets, which are valid for three days. There are plenty of jeeps, taxis, private cars and vans operated from Tirupati and Tirumala touching approximately 1,000 in Number. The vehicle owners have to pay the tollgate charges and collect token at the Alipiri toll gate.

By Road

Pilgrims traveling to Tirumala by road can utilize the facility of radiator water, auto clinic with spare parts & mechanics. The car drivers of taxis must wear uniform and pilgrims are prohibited from smoking and drinking and are not allowed to carry such items while going to Tirumala. The vehicles are subject to thorough checking by the authorities. For auto clinic contact tollgate at Alipiri or Tirumala tollgate.

Distance from Tirupati Station to Various temples:

By Air

Airport is 15 kms away from Tirupati. Only Indian Airlines operate flights from Hyderabad to Tirupati and back thrice a week.
Timings: 
1030 Dep Hyderabad
1125 Arr Tirupati
1210 Dep Tirupati
1305 Arr Hyderabad
Flights operated on Thursday, Friday and Sunday
Transfers from Airport to Tirupati - APSRTC coaches are available
Prepaid taxi counters are also available at the airport.
Indian Airlines 
Reservation & Enquiry -2225349
Station Manager - 2225878

Broadcasting Systems

TTD has arranged broadcasting systems throughout Tirumala and also covering footpath. The mantras recited during the daily rituals, devotional music, harikathas are broadcasted from suprabhatam till the closure of the temple doors after ekantaseva.

Pilgrims amenities complex (Near Central Reception Office)

The Complex is provided with lockers, tonsuring centre, bathrooms and toilets facilitates free dormitory accommodation to nearly 4000 pilgrims.

Free Bus Facilities

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is running free bus with a frequency of 10 to 20 minutes at Tirumala covering all cottage areas, hotels, canteen, queue complex and bus station from central reservation office.

Kalyana Katta (Tonsure Centre)

Another unique custom of Tirumala is the tonsure ceremony. Pilgrims to Tirumala usually offer the hair on their head to the Lord as a devotional offering. Persons in need of the assistance of the Lord usually take a vow and when they visit the temple offer their hair at the Kalyanakatta - special hall erected for this purpose. A bath in the Pushkarini follows the tonsure ceremony; the pilgrims then enter the temple and worship the Lord.

It is believed that hair offering establishes a bond between the man and the deity to whom it is offered. As one enters Tirumala one would invariably find a cluster of cottages and choultries built for accommodation of the pilgrims. Just beyond these is the Kalyanakatta. Men, Women and children join the line to get their heads tonsured. A nominal fee is collected for the tonsuring and it is possible that the revenue aspect of this black gold to TTD is commendable. Which goes for its philanthropic activities. Cottages like ATC have a facility from 6am to 6pm where in the pilgrims can avoid the serpentine Queues of Kalyanakatta. It has appointed sufficient barbers to attend. About 15,000 pilgrims have their heads tonsured per day. This complex is maintained well.

Incidentally this custom also has brought in a couple of Guinness World Records for this temple as the largest ever-human hair collected via tonsuring of heads and largest revenue earner by sale of human hair.

Facilities to pilgrims in the queue halls

v Hygienic, airy, large queue halls provided with ceiling fans.
v Catering inside the halls by T.T.D. Canteen.
v Sale of food packets at reasonable prices.
v First Aid.
v Toilet, bathrooms even in the queue halls.
v Relay of devotional programmes and music through closed circuit T.V.
v Cloakroom facilities at Pilgrim Amenities Complex and near Vaikuntam Queue Complex (VQC).
v Free shoe-keeping centres near VQC and Kalyanakatta
v An officer posted at the entrance of the temple (Mahadwaram) to prevent malpractices.
v An officer to look after the comforts and facilities of the pilgrims in the VQC.

Free meals - Nityannadanam scheme

The wholesome free meals will be provided to the devotees in the T.T.D. Canteen Complex from 9-00 a.m. to 11-00 p.m. continuously on production of free meals coupons distributed inside Temple after worshipping the Lord. Nithayaannadanam is provided to the Devotees at the S.V.Canteen Complex, Tirumala. On Normal days 15,000 pilgrims are served free food and appox 25,000 pilgrims during summer and Brahmotsavam.

Eating out Facilities

S.V. Guest House canteen T.T.Ds Sri Venkateswara Guest House Canteen with most modern amenities provides wholesome food at moderate rates. Full Meals at Rs. 10/- only.

TTD has constructed and leased around 9 Hotels and 15 Janatha Hotels at Tirumala at various locations, which serves tiffins and meals at comparitively cheaper rates.

Medical Facilities

TTD also runs a 30 Bedded hospital called Aswini Hospital which has X Ray plant, ECG equipments and laboratories facilities. This hospital works round the clock with adequate medical and para medical staff to look after the medical needs of the pilgrims and the localities. A separate dispensary is located at Vaikuntam queue complex round the clock with a medical officer and para medical staff to attend the pilgrims in case of emergencies. First aid kit is made available at the Queue Complex. In case of any emergencies ambulances are available at Tirumala.

Posts and telegraphs

There is a Posts and Telegraphs Office near the Central Reception Office with all the facilities including telegraph.

Security

TTD for the safety of the pilgrims has formed security & vigilance wing. There are Police Stations located at Tirumala with one being right opposite to the main entrance of the Temple.

Railway booking office

This Booking Office, located at the Central Reception Office, will issue tickets to all destinations including reservation tickets for Bus-cum-Train Journey.

Special facility for the handicapped

Persons who are mentally or physically handicapped advanced in age or terminally will be allowed for direct entry on certain conditions.

Complaints

Devotees may lodge their complaints, if any, with Chief Vigilance Officer, TTD at Tirumala or Public Relations Officer, TTD at Tirupati. They may leave also their written complaints in the box provided in the sub enquiry offices.

Dharma Prachara Parisad (DPP)

To Provide religious programmes, DPP arranges programmes in Asthanamandapam and outside for the benefits of the pilgrims. The Following religious programmes are organized.

v Namasankeertana by Bhajan parties in the mornings and evenings.
v Puranapravachanam daily in the evenings.
v Harikatha Programmes on Thursdays & Saturdays.
v Music Programmes on Sundays.
v Pouranik Dramas.
v Music programmes, dances and harikathas during Brahmotsavam.

Purohit sangham

At Tirumala, T.T.D., has organised a Purohit Sangham comprising Purohits with the necessary learning and experience to perform vedic rituals. Fees for such services are fixed by the Devasthanams. The devotees desirous of performing sankalpam, namakarana, chaulam, upanayanam, marriage, and other vedic rituals may approach the Purohit Sangham.

Sale of gold and silver dollars

Gold and Silver Dollars are sold inside the Srivari Temple, Tirumala, Govindaraja Swamy Temple, Tirupati and Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru Temple, Tiruchanoor.

Alaya Dharshanam-Local Temples

TTD for the Convenience of the Pilgrims runs every day tours to visit various temples on payment basis. Three buses operate in three shifts at 06.00 am, 10.00am and 02.00pm.These buses start from second choultry of Tirupathi and is taken to the following temples.
v Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
v Sri Kalyan Venkateswara Swamy Temple Mangapuram
v Sri Kodandaramaswamy Temple Tirupathi
v Sri KapileswaraSwamy Temple
v Sri Hare Ram Hare Krishna Temple
v Regional Science Centre
v Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple

Package Tours

TTD is operating package tours on payment basis twice a week from Tirupathi covering the surrounding important ancient Temples.
v Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple
v Sri VenugopalaSwamy Temple ,Karvetinagaram
v Sri Vedanarayana Temple ,Nagalapuram
v Sri KalyanaVenkateswara Swamy Temple ,NarayanaVanam
This bus starts from Central Reception Office Tirupathi at 0600AM and returns at 0230PM.

Banks

Most of the Nationalised and private banks have their branches at Tirumala and accept Donations on behalf of the Temple. There are some banks that are authorized for seva Tickets.

ATM counters

For the convenience of the visiting devotees the following ATM counters are available at Tirumala. ICICI, SBI, Andhra Bank, Canara Bank & Bank of India

Petrol &Diesel Bunks

Petrol and diesel for the vehicles are made available at the bunks near the toll gate

Mobile Phones

Idea and Airtel mobiles phone services are available at Tirumala. Hutch is presently available at Tirupathi and is in the process of operating at Tirumala soon.

Shoe & Chappals Deposit Counters

There are many counters provided by TTD for the safe deposits of the Chappals offering free service.

Museum

There is a museum at Tirumala of TTD, which exhibits articles related to Tirumala and Tirupathi temples. It also exhibits bronze, woodcarvings, stone sculptures, paintings and details about the historical personalities, musical instruments, details of Srivari sevas and rituals and about festivals in Srivari Temple.

Prasadams

After the darshan of the Lord, pilgrims are distributed Annnaprasadams Viz. pongal, chakrapongal, dadodyanam, pulihora or small laddus within the temple premises free of cost. Those pilgrims who purchased tickets for laddus & sevas can get their laddus at various counters outside the temple on exchange of the tickets. Though the production cost of the laddus are high, TTD has subsidized this to benefit the pilgrims.

In order to provide more laddu prasadam to the needy pilgrims, laddu padi scheme has been introduced by TTD:

Small Laddu Padi Scheme 

Rs. 50 - 5 laddus are given free.
Rs. 100 - 10 laddus will be given free.

Big Laddus 

Rs 2,500 15 big laddus & 5 persons allowed for special darshan.
Rs.1,800 8 big laddus & 3 persons allowed for special darshan. 
Rs.1,000 5 big laddus & 2 persons are allowed for special darshan.

Introduction of biometrics for angapradakshinam by TTD

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams have introduced Biometric system for the pilgrims going for angapradakshinam at Srivari Temple, Tirumala from 15th December. Since the devotees performing Angapradakshinam are increasing day-by-day resulting much dislocation to the routine of the temple and for conducting of sevas in time to the lord. The TTD Trust Board has taken a decision to restrict the total number of devotees to 750 only per day. It is equally divided for male and female for each day. The pilgrims who are going for Angapradakshinam have to get their thumb impression at Vijaya Bank Counter from 8 pm everyday till the quota is exhausted on the previous night for the next day's admission.

The inner vimana pradakshina corridor circumambulates the sanctum. This is the place where the devotees who have taken vow roll along the corridor on the floor after taking bath in pushkarini in wet cloth in fulfillment of their vow made to God. This is called angapradakshinam, since all angams (Parts) of the body touches the floor while rolling in a prostrate form.

Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam Publications

Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams publish various books covering Hindu Philosophy, Culture Commentaries on vedas, Bhagwadgeetha etc. written by various eminent scholars in various languages. Besides this, it also publishes books on Tirumala, greetings, pictures on Lord Venkateswara, Goddess Padmavathi, works on agama and shilpa shastra, calendars, diaries, cassettes. These are made available in TTD publication counters in Railway Stations, Tirumala, Tiruchanoor, Srinivasamangapuram and Sri Govindaraja Swamy temple. Discounts are allowed on bulk purchase of TTD publications.
v 15% of discount on orders of Rs. 100/- to Rs. 400/-
v 25% of discount on orders of Rs. 500/- to Rs. 999/-
v 30% of discount on orders of Rs. 1,000/- and above.

Sapthagiri Journal

TTD brings out monthly religious magazine called Sapthagiri consisting of articles on Hindu philosophy, mythology and art & architecture. This monthly magazine is published in five languages viz. English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada. The annual subscription is Rs. 60/-, monthly Rs. 5/- and Life Subscription Rs. 500/-.

Subscriptions can be sent to The Editor, Sapthagiri, TTD Press compound, KT Road, Tirupati, by Money Order or Demand Draft. Tel No. 2232294. Agency and bulk orders are also considered.

Tirumala and the Service of TTD for Pilgrims

Tirumala the abode of Lord and it is a sacred and holy place and is attracting devotees from all over the World.

People from all walks of life irrespective of caste and creed visit Tirumala and worship Lord Vekateswara. On an average, fifty to sixty thousand pilgrims visit the temple daily and on peak seasons and important days the congregation touches nearly one lakh. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam for the amenities to the pilgrims, visiting Tirumala, takes utmost care and extends excellent facilities.

Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam is making every effort for the convenience and comfort of the pilgrims and the devotees are requested to follow the rules and cooperate with TTD. Please do not entertain the middlemen and touts for darshan, accommodation and sevas.

Cultural activities of TTD

The Dharma Prachara Parishad (DPP) was established to propagate the hindu dharma, conduct religious programmes and inculcate spiritual awareness among the people. It has 20 centres in AP and 3 centres in the neighbouring states. It has over 150 employees on roll. Regular programmes like Harikathas, music concerts and upanyasams besides yagnams, bhajan melas and geetha yagnam are being conducted by the DPP. The field staff organizes religious programmes in remote villages. DPP also conducts epic study examination for school going children throughout the state and presents certificates to the winners.