[shipnil]

Originally Posted by jkrishnakj

I had not experienced such less crowds even during the Covid times. I guess everyone was busy with the Ganesha festival

Originally Posted by audioholic

I think similar situation will be there during Diwali time as well.

+1.
Many years ago, in 2015 to be precise, I had booked the now stopped, Nijapada Darsanam (Friday only). The Diwali Laxmi Pujan was on Wednesday. I started on Wednesday night only from Pune and was in Tirumala on Thursday evening. As that was my first Nijapada Darshan, I wanted to confirm the entry points so I was exploring the Supatham/VIP Darshan entry points area. The place was eerily silent in the late evening. Barring the security guards, there was hardly any pilgrim. For some time, I was not able to believe I am in Tirumala.

BTW, can anyone share list all such festivals which are big in South India, where Tirumala would see minimum crowd?

[jkrishnakj]

Diwali for sure. I've been at Tirumala on a couple of Diwali times and it's most peaceful. It's hard to time it since availability of SED isn't easy in the first place.

[shipnil]

Other than Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi, how are the crowds around festivals like Pongal, Ugadi?

[gadadhar]

After numerous visits, I still haven't figured out the best parking lot for Vaikuntam Queue Complex. The struggle has been identifying the right exit from Laddu counter and tracing back to the parking lot.

For the visit next week, I am planning Mallagunta parking lot which appears to be big and not too far from VQC and Laddu counter exit (can take a local jeep). One key reason is you have a proper parking address to refer to the jeep folks, and it seems to be spacious.

Hope I have made the right choice

[somspaple]

Originally Posted by gadadhar

After numerous visits, I still haven't figured out the best parking lot for Vaikuntam Queue Complex. The struggle has been identifying the right exit from Laddu counter and tracing back to the parking lot.

Have an experience to share regarding parking.
Visited Tirumala after a gap of 12 years. For car parking I followed signages which showed way for CRO Parking. It was long winding road. After reaching the destination, found a nice shaded area, tossed phones and stuff in the car and locked it and went for darshan with the help of free bus transport. After darshan in the late evening, boarded bus again back to CRO Parking. But after getting down from bus at CRO parking, realised that I had parked my car at some other place. Now started looking for parked car across multiple parking places. And the fact that we did not have our phones with us made it even worse. Finally caught hold of a taxi guy and asked him to trace the same route I had taken while parking the car - and there we found it! It was a parking near 'Ram Bagicha'. Funny thing is I hired this taxi just near the Ram Bagicha circle!

[nareshtrao]

Originally Posted by gadadhar

After numerous visits, I still haven't figured out the best parking lot for Vaikuntam Queue Complex. The struggle has been identifying the right exit from Laddu counter and tracing back to the parking lot.

Originally Posted by somspaple

Have an experience to share regarding parking.

Try these locations. I found them to be quite good and easily traceable for return. Used them during various visits. These were recommended by fellow TBhpians.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/vUF6qrnu6b22ovUR8

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PFutxdQnrkd9U4S37

[ravib]

Originally Posted by nareshtrao

Try these locations. I found them to be quite good and easily traceable for return. Used them during various visits. These were recommended by fellow TBhpians.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/vUF6qrnu6b22ovUR8

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PFutxdQnrkd9U4S37

Yes, we are recommending these parking slots over years for TBHPians which is nearest to laddu counter and Varahaswamy temple. Please refer my older posts.

So while going for darshan, after parking the car and dropping smart watches and mobiles, you visit Pushkarani first, varahaswamy temple and then walk all the way in pradakshana direction via main gopuram towards Supatham Q complex, and take right in the stairs and walk towards VQC to enter darshan ticket checking area.

While returning after darshan, after you exit main gopuram, take left to Laddu counter and then for those who cannot remember directions/roads easily, just walk towards Varahaswamy temple which is just about 100 to 150 meters away from Laddu counter, take left in North Mada street and walk towards the parking area which reads W7 or W8 or W9 in the corner.

Seeing so many people getting lost to trace back to car, and without phones it makes it difficult, i tried to draw a simple walking route and attached. Hopefully it helps for those who find it difficult and can take a printout and go to Tirumala.

Om Namo Venkatesaya !

-Ravi

[gadadhar]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I caught them late and used Mallagunta parking. It was not a bad decision and could find jeeps both ways easily.

Parking was one part of the story. Our darshan was at 8 pm on 28th September Saturday. We entered the queue at 6.15 pm, it was Sunday, 12.45 am by the time we came out due to heavy rush. We never knew that ghat roads are closed from 12 to 3 am, I am keying in this waiting in a long queue of buses and all type of smaller vehicles. Hoping to hit the bed in Tirupati by 4 am. Please be aware of the ghat road timings of are planning late evening darshan.

[TorqueyTechie]

I am visiting Tirumala on Nov 1st for darshan and will be going with my family ( 4 adults and 2 kids). While my wife and I have 500rs ticket and are asked to meet at Vaibavothsavam complex, 2 others have the 300rs ticket.

1. What is the difference between the 2 ticket types?
2. Also, I was informed that for kids below 12 years there is no need of ticket. Is this correct?
3. And I plan to use this place https://maps.app.goo.gl/vUF6qrnu6b22ovUR8 for parking. Would that be the right one?

[Aviator_guy]

Originally Posted by TorqueyTechie

2. Also, I was informed that for kids below 12 years there is no need of ticket. Is this correct?

That's correct. Please carry age proof for children below 12 years.

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by TorqueyTechie

IWhile my wife and I have 500rs ticket and are asked to meet at Vaibavothsavam complex, 2 others have the 300rs ticket.

1. What is the difference between the 2 ticket types?

It seems you have booked two Arjitha Seva tickets like Unjal Seva, Sahastra Deepalankar Seva etc. which cost 500 rupees per person. Hence the entry point is different.

Your parents have the Rs. 300 SED tickets. You and your parents would not be able to join the queue together ot have the Darshan together.

Carry the age proof, if your kids are around 10/11. If they are too young like 4 or 5, you may not be asked to show the proof.

[TorqueyTechie]

Originally Posted by Aviator_guy

That's correct. Please carry age proof for children below 12 years.

Thanks Aviator_guy I will carry the age proof.

Originally Posted by shipnil

It seems you have booked two Arjitha Seva tickets like Unjal Seva, Sahastra Deepalankar Seva etc. which cost 500 rupees per person. Hence the entry point is different.

Your parents have the Rs. 300 SED tickets. You and your parents would not be able to join the queue together ot have the Darshan together.

Shipnil yes I have booked a different ticket type (Arijatha brahmotsavam). I was asking more about if there is a difference in the darshan time and if that is quicker? Asking as this is the first time I am taking my daughters (aged 6 and 4) and they tend to become restless if >2 hrs.

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by TorqueyTechie

was asking more about if there is a difference in the darshan time and if that is quicker?

The darshan time through Arjitha Seva queues would definitely be quicker compared to SED. It usually takes less then 2 hours but depends on the day of the week (read as non-weekend) and if any special occasion is there in Tirumala.

[DigitalOne]

I have booked a Special Entry Darshan ticket (rs300/-) for 6 people, including 3 senior citizens) on Dec 5th.

I have read that there are limited timeslots where senior citizens are allowed on first-come-first-served basis (without prior booking). Official TTD website only talks about advance online booking for senior citizens. Is there such a FCFS facility exist where we can try our luck? How bad is the rs300/- queue for senior citizens?

[ravib]

Originally Posted by DigitalOne

I have booked a Special Entry Darshan ticket (rs300/-) for 6 people, including 3 senior citizens) on Dec 5th.

I have read that there are limited timeslots where senior citizens are allowed on first-come-first-served basis (without prior booking). Official TTD website only talks about advance online booking for senior citizens. Is there such a FCFS facility exist where we can try our luck? How bad is the rs300/- queue for senior citizens?

If you want to go all 6 of you together, then stick to Rs. 300/- SED tickets only.
Rs. 300/- SED darshan tickets are not bad for senior citizens. Only thing is it can take upto 4 hours on an average or depending on that day's crowd time.

If you are okay to split and go and reassemble post darshan with different timings/wait time, then try for

If your senior citizens can wait and go, then Personally, i would suggest you take them along with you. If they have physical difficulties and really cannot wait long or walk , then go for senior citizens queue. In short, depending on their health condition, take the call.

The last i heard was, even for senior citizens queue, online booking is required. But not sure if something recently changed, others can pitch in who recently availed it.

-Ravi