Tirumala / Tirupati Seegradarshanam query

[SPEEDY_RACER]

Originally Posted by anujmishra

We made quick program on Sunday morning for Tirupati and started from Bangalore in my Safari around 11:15 AM. Reached Fortune Kences hotel 5 PM sharp.

We had not booked any darshan ticket and went Tirupati directly hoping to get Seegradarshan tickets. Seegradarshan is available at night also from 9PM to 11PM. Started from hotel at 8 PM reached Tirumala around 9:15PM. Car checking took 20 minutes. Got into Seegradarshan queue around 9:30 PM and finished darshan by 10:00 PM. Total amount paid Rs. 600.00 for two adults.

It took only 30 minutes for us to darshan. Crowd was as usual in other queue. At the end all crowds merged into one single line. Returned to hotel at Tirupati by 11:00 PM.

It was nice darshan and Seegradarshan is really quick.

We had a similar plan, we left Bangalore on Saturday night at 8:30 reached tirupathi at 12:30 checked in Bhimas residency for the overnight, and started a walk to tirumala on Sunday early morning around 5:00(5 adults(2 M & 3 F) & 2 children's) and reached tirumala at 12:00.

We had a quick rest in the MRO office(my uncle) who arranged us a Cottage at RHTG. later we joined in for Sudharshan darshan (50rs ticket) joined the queue at 4:30p.m and came out by 6:00 p.m

later we went down to tirupathi and got our car to tirumala. later in the night we went for Sigradarshanam and this time it was harly 30 mins and it was really quick.

we headed back to Bangalore on Monday Night.

[manavdotcom]

Has anybody booked 50 Rs tkt from Internet and gone for Darshan. Do they allow inside the queue with the printout directly, or we have to exchange the printout for ticket at CRO before entering the queue.

[sbraj]

Originally Posted by manavdotcom

Do they allow inside the queue with the printout directly, or we have to exchange the printout for ticket at CRO before entering the queue.

As I understand, all internet printouts need to be converted to regular tickets before entering the queue. IIRC, they cross check photo uploaded during internet booking with the actual persons and also capture the finger print of each individual.

[manavdotcom]

I Called up TTD call center, and they said no need to convert. Want to double check with someone who has gone earlier. Not only conversion, but the reporting time is also 2 Hours before actual darshan timings.

[ghodlur]

I had booked the 200/- kalyan darshan online and had to convert the internet receipt to manual tickets before the darshan. Regarding the reporting time its correct, its normally two hours before the start.

I was there in Nov 1st week and the kalyan darshan went off smoothly but it was absolutely horrifying inside the sanctum sanctorum. So much jostling, shoving and pushing going on that I had to literally carry my son in arms to have the glimpse of the Lord. Luckily I had the Mumbai train travel experience but my wife didn't and she simply could not bear the shouting and stampede happening in there.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

I was there in Nov 1st week and the kalyan darshan went off smoothly but it was absolutely horrifying inside the sanctum sanctorum. So much jostling, shoving and pushing going on that I had to literally carry my son in arms to have the glimpse of the Lord. Luckily I had the Mumbai train travel experience but my wife didn't and she simply could not bear the shouting and stampede happening in there.

Thats very true. Its always a chaotic and unorganized queue just after you cross the Silver door entrance till you see the deity which results in stampede. Its very difficult for old people and kids to manage the push and people falling on them. You got to be careful there, because you need to climb few steps and walk in an elevated surface.

Upto the Dwajasthambam, the queue is reasonably organized and goes okay/smooth. After that, people lose patience in last few minutes, because they waited for several hours before till they reach that point.

One of the best method I can think of is to make make single line queue from the silver door entrance till you see deity, to have a peacful darshan. But i guess TTD is not going to do that, just because of too much crowd.

-Ravi

[sbraj]

As I said earlier, for Archana Seva devotees are allowed to be in the inner most chamber for nearly 30 minutes. All the attendees will be seated in the dark corridor and there is a full, uninterrupted view of the deity. View is quite good, especially when aarti is being performed. No jostling, pushing around.

[ghodlur]

Originally Posted by sbraj

As I said earlier, for Archana Seva devotees are allowed to be in the inner most chamber for nearly 30 minutes. All the attendees will be seated in the dark corridor and there is a full, uninterrupted view of the deity. View is quite good, especially when aarti is being performed. No jostling, pushing around.

Can you let us know at what times does this seva take place and whats the cost? Can this be booked online as well?

[sbraj]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

Can you let us know at what times does this seva take place and whats the cost? Can this be booked online as well?

Archana is immediately after Suprabhatam Seva. Reporting time is around 0300 hours and Seva is performed at 0400-0430 hours. It can be booked online. Cost is around INR220, IIRC.

[Newpunter]

I think the Archana seva is available only from Tuesday to Thursday and is currently booked till April.

[sbraj]

Originally Posted by Newpunter

I think the Archana seva is available only from Tuesday to Thursday

Right, thanks for correcting. I missed this point.

[roamingrao]

Special darshan ( free of cost ) is arranged by TTD for senior citizens ( above age of 65 ), physically handicapped ( wheel chair is also provided ) and freedom fighters every two hours from the main gate of the temple. This is to be availed from a special enclosure ( with seats ) built specially for this feature in front of the temple main door / Gopuram. All other queues are stalled facilitating easy darshan for this batch.

I had the chance to accompany my parents on saturday ( 29th Jan ) for the 10pm batch. I was allowed with them on grounds of being an attender / escort. After a very strict screening ( carry proof of age ), we were let into the temple directly from the main door and straight into the sanctum unhindered. Darshan is very easy ( no pushing / jostling ) and were out of the temple within 20 minutes. Laddu prasadam ticket though has to be purchased at the enclosure ( Rs. 25 for each laddu - max 4 ).

This feature continues on all days from 9am to 10 pm every 2 hours ( earlier, if the batch strength is full before two hours ) and i feel is a very good initiative for our parents to have darshan without any sort of difficulties.

please also note :

• During the 2 hour wait, the attenders / escort can go out of the enclosure to bring in snacks / water. Tea is available inside the enclosure.
• Two attenders are allowed ( one for each parent ) only if the aged are unable to walk / or require assistance.
• I mention again, screening is very strict and persons without proof of age ( unless physically visible ) are liable to be not included in the batch
• Please walk out of the temple immediately after darshan as subsequent rush of darshan queues make it impossible to exit the temple.
• Attenders though need to collect laddus only from the laddu distribution complex
• User friendly for the aged - Battery operated cars are available from / to the temple main door from Bus station / car parking / respective rooms.

Kudos to the temple authorities !

My wife, kids and other relatives stood in the sheegradarshan queue at 9pm and were back at 10.30pm.

Hope this information helps..

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by roamingrao

Special darshan ( free of cost ) is arranged by TTD for senior citizens ( above age of 65 ), physically handicapped ( wheel chair is also provided ) and freedom fighters every two hours from the main gate of the temple. This is to be availed from a special enclosure ( with seats ) built specially for this feature in front of the temple main door / Gopuram. All other queues are stalled facilitating easy darshan for this batch.

I saw this new special enclosure in front of the main gate when i was in Tirumala on 19th jan.
i had taken some pics of this enclosure, will post them tomorrow.

[ravib]

Quick update on darshan timings.

Took Seegradarshan queue yesterday (5th Feb 2011).

Entered queue at 9:15 pm, had darshan at 11:50 pm. Probably because it was a saturday.

-Ravi

[ghodlur]

I was helping one of my office colleague who was trying to book the seva tickets online when I found that for the Kalyanotsavam seva only one ticket is issues per person. Last time when I had gone in Nov 2010 I had two person entry on a single ticket. Also the cost was 1000/- and now the cost is 500/- which means that every individual would have to buy a ticket. This was little bit difficult for my colleague since he was to book for 20 persons which now would mean 20 payment transactions.

TTD should have an option for bulk bookings for their sevas.