[ravib]

Originally Posted by srimath

Except for Suprabatham, Thomala, Archana, Nijapada Darsanam, Abhishekam, Tiruppavada and VIP break, all other darshans are only Maha Lagu.

I remember there used to be Lagu darshan on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only, so that we can go inside and see the lord closer, take a left U turn and return back to exit. Isn't that any more true?

-Ravi

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by ravib

I remember there used to be Lagu darshan on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only, so that we can go inside and see the lord closer, take a left U turn and return back to exit. Isn't that any more true?

-Ravi

No, it's been done away with since last 3 years. Now only Sevas allow you to get closer to the Lord.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by shipnil

No, it's been done away with since last 3 years. Now only Sevas allow you to get closer to the Lord.

Oops. didn't knew that.
Thanks for the update.

-Ravi

[daretodream]

Originally Posted by ravib

Wow ! You seemed to be very lucky to get very quick darshan. I believe it may be due to mid week and also mid noon darshan times

One QQ: Since it is a wednesday, did they allowed you to have lagu darshan to go near the sanctum, then take a left U turn and return back, so that you could see the god little closer? Or you just had to take a 90 degree left turn to exit immediately?

-Ravi

No sir- we were not lucky to go near the sanctum.
It was the regular - 90 degree left turn to exit immediately.

[deemash]

Originally Posted by deemash

I was able to book the suprabhatham seva online for 4 people (using 2 ids) for May 15th (sunday). The quota opened today at 11.00 AM IST.
500 INR rooms are booked for 14th (afternoon onwards) and 15th. Planning to start from CBE by 5 AM on 14th April.
The whole booking episode reminded me of the Tatkal ticket booking (IRCTC) days.

Feeling lucky to get the tickets.

Darshan summary:
Had a good darshan of Lord in the sleep . 2 AM was the reporting time for the Suprabhatham seva. Took us very close to Lord. Overall, happy.
We got room in Panchajanyam.
Drainage was not proper in the 500 INR room and had an Indian closet in the toilet. . My parents had a tough time. .
The TTD sevakars, who say "Jargandi" were there infront of God. Male TTD employees were pushing Lady devotees too though lady employees were available. One guy was about to do the same to my wife and I told don't touch ladies. He told something in Telugu which I did not understand and did not feel like replying to him.
Touching ladies without their permission should be avoided. I have informed this to the TTD management via email.

Drive:
I drove from Coimbatore to Tirumala in a Ritz with 4 adults and 2 kids. It took 9 hours approx. Started by 8:00 AM and reached there by 5PM. Return was by 10:30 AM and reached by 7PM. It was kind of bumpy ride for rear passengers. The diesel motor was noisy too. It has run 88k and is more than 6 years old now. Need to change the car. The Neelambur - Chengapally (IVRCL project) had lot of undulations on the road, though recently constructed. IVRCL has a good name in building pathetic projects, I guess. Roads were not that great from Vellore till Rennigunta I guess (where you take a turn from the chitoor - kurnool road to Tirumala).
Andhra guys have the habit of unnecessary honking I guess. APSRTC buses have dangerous horns. There is a rule that NH should NOT have humps. But there were lots on the Andhra highways.
Now on, I decided to pray to Lord sitting at home. That will be better than going and undergoing all these things which will spoil your mood / the +ve vibrations you get.

[binaiks]

A general query: What would be the best time to visit Tirupati? How would the rush be during the upcoming weekend? I am asking this since its a festive period.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by binaiks

A general query: What would be the best time to visit Tirupati? How would the rush be during the upcoming weekend? I am asking this since its a festive period.

Usually weekends are crowded and given that this saturday 15th October is last saturday of Purattasi month and brahmotsavam is going on, you can expect heavy rush.

Best time to visit Tirupati ?? It depends on lot of factors. I can say generally after a long weekend or festive season, the crowd will be comparitively lesser but it doesn't mean its always true.

-Ravi

[ramzsys]

Originally Posted by deemash

Now on, I decided to pray to Lord sitting at home. That will be better than going and undergoing all these things which will spoil your mood / the +ve vibrations you get.

After the recent visit, where i witnessed a 'road train' of vehicles climbing up and down the ghats, i decided the same.

These days I switch to SVBC channel in the early morning and tell the people at home that 'tirupati came to our home'.

It helps.

[pratyush6]

I have had 2 experiences and both completely opposite. As a rookie drove down to Tirumala and joined the normal queue as everyone kept saying there is no crowd - go here itself. I was pushed and shoved around and managed to actually scream at people. All around horrible experience.
Then I went in the Paid line on a Saturday and everything was done in 2 hours - Super experience. Only problem is in the main sanctum where till you actually get in the barricaded line, you should expect a lot of trouble.

Has anyone had their kids mundan done there? I am going for this specific task this Saturday. My darshan time is 1pm. Any pointers would be highly appreciated.

[sdp1975]

Originally Posted by pratyush6

Has anyone had their kids mundan done there? I am going for this specific task this Saturday. My darshan time is 1pm. Any pointers would be highly appreciated.

I got my kids mundan done some 4 years ago. The official charges were very less ( some 10 bucks or so ) , but the barbers ask for extra money, and they are never happy with what you offer them.

[bbhavan]

Friends,
Planning to visit Tirupati for darshan on 25th this month. I have with me aged (sr. citizen) parents and two kids. All the accommodation facilities at Tirumala is over, so the option is left with Tirupati only.
1. Madhavam TTD Guest house is available. But I understand it is about 25km away from Temple. So how can we go to Tirumala? Can we go there with our car and park there?
2. Special entry darshan is available on all time slots. I prefer to have it on 9 A.M slot which is the first one. Or should I wait for the next time slot to reduce rush?
3.Can my parents also have darshan with the same ticket? or separate tickets are there for Sr. citizen entry?
plz. help
bbhavan

[ravib]

Originally Posted by pratyush6

Has anyone had their kids mundan done there? I am going for this specific task this Saturday. My darshan time is 1pm. Any pointers would be highly appreciated.

I did for my daughter last year same time. Since your darshan time is at 1 pm, my suggestion is you goto Kalyana Katta (where they remove hair) early in the morning by 6 am/7 am or so, so that you can stand in the queue and get it done in about 2 to 3 hours. Post which you will need time to take bath, refresh, breakfast etc which it self will need another 2 hours so that you can join the queue for reporting at 12 noon. If your kid is less than 1 year, your best bet is to go via Supatham queue for infants where you can finish darshan in straight 1 hour without any break. I believe it starts at 10 am in the morning and 3 pm in the afternoon IIRC. If your kid is more than 1 year, carry sufficient drinks and snacks like biscuits or any kid food in laptop style back bag so that if you are delayed in queues due to long waiting time in the halls, you have food for kids.

Originally Posted by bbhavan

Friends,
Planning to visit Tirupati for darshan on 25th this month. I have with me aged (sr. citizen) parents and two kids. All the accommodation facilities at Tirumala is over, so the option is left with Tirupati only.
1. Madhavam TTD Guest house is available. But I understand it is about 25km away from Temple. So how can we go to Tirumala? Can we go there with our car and park there?
2. Special entry darshan is available on all time slots. I prefer to have it on 9 A.M slot which is the first one. Or should I wait for the next time slot to reduce rush?
3.Can my parents also have darshan with the same ticket? or separate tickets are there for Sr. citizen entry?
plz. help
bbhavan

To answer your questions:
1) From Tirupati, it will take about 1 to 1.5 hours to reach tirumala by car including the minimum driving time (28 minutes) + toll security checks and parking etc. Yes, you can very well park your car and go for darshan.
2) Rs. 300 special entry darshan is same for all time slots. I don't think you will find any reduction in time because of different time slot.
3) Since your parents are senior citizens, I suggest them to go in Senior Citizen queue but that queue is only twice per day. I can't recollect the Sr. Citizen darshan time slot, so please check with TTD helpline. If they need assistance for walking, then one person (either you or your spouse) can accompany them. If both your parents need assistance for walking then both you and your spouse can accompany each of them along with your kids. I assume your kids are less than 12 years of age. Else, they won't allow kids to accompany with you in this case.

If your parents can walk on their own, then i don't think they will allow you or your spouse to accompany. Your parents have to go separately in senior citizen queue with appropriate age ID proof and you and your spouse, kids have to go separately in Rs. 300 ticket or other darshan tickets. For aged senior citizens, my recommendation is for them to go in that senior citizen queue, as it will be tiring for them if they come in normal Rs. 300 queue with all the rush and time delays in waiting hall which is bit unpredictable.

HTH

-Ravi

[girimajiananth]

Originally Posted by binaiks

What would be the best time to visit Tirupati? How would the rush be during the upcoming weekend?

Best time would be on Ganesh Chaturthi or Shiva ratri when people are busy celebrating these festivals.

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by girimajiananth

Best time would be on Ganesh Chaturthi or Shiva ratri when people are busy celebrating these festivals.

Last year, I visited just on the next day after Diwali and, man, Tirumala had a deserted look. I was roaming around the temple around 9 pm there were hardly any people to be seen. The next day around the same time, it was things as usual. So yes, visiting around festival is a great idea to avoid huge crowds.

[bbhavan]

Originally Posted by ravib

To answer your questions:

2) Rs. 300 special entry darshan is same for all time slots. I don't think you will find any reduction in time because of different time slot.


3) Since your parents are senior citizens, I suggest them to go in Senior Citizen queue but that queue is only twice per day.

HTH

-Ravi

Thank you very much for your replies.

2.)I was asking about the rush in the various time slots. I was wondering ,whether the 9AM being the first slot, the rush may be higher? And for the 9AM slot, I have to leave the hotel by 6AM, without having breakfast.

3.) My Parents can walk their own, but to a short distance only, say 100m max. This special entry fees is applicable for senior citizens also? Or any other tickets for them?

One of my kids is below 12 years and both the parents are well above 80.