[adisan]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Can any recent visitors comment on the following please? We have a Special Entry Darshan (SED) slot at 2230 in mid-July.
Any responses will; be highly appreciated!

1. Only good changes: the two sections of road that haven't been integrated into the 6-lane highway have been relaid, the bumpy ride is gone now.
2. Saw dozens of private vehicles waiting in each lane and also a couple of RTC lanes converted to private vehicle lanes on a working day. Can expect much more crowd on weekends.
There is a huge free parking area near Alipiri, and you can take a APSRTC bus from there to Tirumala. Time taken for checking might be lower with this option. When coming downhill, do remember to alight at Alipiri to get back to your car.
3. For daytime slots it took around 2 hours. Not sure about night-time slots.
4. Same as before: midnight to 3 am.
5. The checkposts at Tirumala are usually closed at midnight, vehicles are allowed till that time.
6. If it is clear that you won't make it in time to cross the checkpost, you can wait wherever the car is parked, or go to one of the facilities that offer free waiting rooms. Otherwise, you can join the queue of vehicles waiting to drive downhill.
7. Never had to start after waiting it out, so don't know.
8. Depends on whether you would sleep well enough in the car to safely drive back. You might also like to check at Tirumala CRO whether any rooms are available.

[jkrishnakj]

You can join the SED queue at 8.45/9 pm itself. That way, you’ll be done by 10.30/10.45 max and you’ll be able to get down to Tirupati.

[IUNKWN]

Hi, can someone please guide me as to how to book accommodation at Mathrushri vakula Devi rest house in tirumala?

[itwasntme]

Any current updates on interceptor locations on the BLR - Tirupati route? There's usually one near Kolar. Anywhere else?

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by IUNKWN

Hi, can someone please guide me as to how to book accommodation at Mathrushri vakula Devi rest house in tirumala?

Any particular reason to book in this rest house? If it is managed by TTD then I don't think there is any way insist on getting this one as the allotments are by computer only. If it is managed by any of the mutts, you can reach out to them directly.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Any current updates on interceptor locations on the BLR - Tirupati route? There's usually one near Kolar. Anywhere else?

Darshan was excellent & got a beautiful (20+ second) look at the Lord. However, there was a near-stampede condition and inside due to sheer crowds + lot of shoving & shouting by the attendants in the Sanctum Santorum. Takes away some of the fervour to see them pushing & yelling like that. Total time taken was 3 hours.

Very very few in masks unlike us .

Couple of pictures & a mini-drive report here:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-...ml#post5356891

Others have already mentioned but a recap in no particular order:
1. Very strict checking at Alipiri for single-use plastics
2. Reading material now being thoroughly leafed through. My Sherlock Holmes compendium was studied and given back with a smile even I did that it's my reading material on the BLR ORR.
3. Most car parks were chock full.
4. Minimal COVID-appropriate behaviour. Don't go with vulnerable individuals.
5. Down trip wasn't timed.

[TROOPER]

Guys, any idea about senior citizen quota?

https://www.tirumala.org/SpecialDars...edAndAged.aspx

In the above link it's stated only spouse is allowed. What if the concerned person is a widow? Earlier posts on the thread state an attendant other than spouse being allowed. But that's pre-covid and from a couple years back. Any idea what's the current norm?

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by TROOPER

Guys, any idea about senior citizen quota?

I believe they are very strict on the spouse only rule. No attendants are allowed at all. But best to check with them directly.

[aqualeo2040]

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Any current updates on interceptor locations on the BLR - Tirupati route? There's usually one near Kolar. Anywhere else?

It will depend on your timings.

I had been to Srikalahasti couple of weeks back.
We left Bangalore at 5am and returned the same day.

Did not find any checking anywhere on the way, possibly due to early hours.
I dont recall seeing any interceptors on Karnataka/Bangalore roads before 10am (after the uppitu and filter coffee breaks).
I believe the climb up is timed and that is the only one checking.

[Madrasin_selvan]

Guys, Is there a possibility of taking a group Darshan Ticket to Thirumala ? I am looking to book for a group of 20 from Chennai. I am not keen on the 300Rs Darshan as Senior Citizens are not comfortable with the fast paced activity.

[TROOPER]

Originally Posted by TROOPER

Guys, any idea about senior citizen quota?

Originally Posted by itwasntme

I believe they are very strict on the spouse only rule. No attendants are allowed at all. But best to check with them directly.

Sent a mail to helpdesk.ttd@tirumala.org and received a swift response.

So any kind of attendant is strictly barred now on. In case of no spouse, TTD will provide sevaks if required.

[saisree]

Had a fantastic Suprabatham Seva on July 11th. Just about 160 people and being inside the main sanctum sanctorum, opening the door at strike of 3:00 AM and singing "Kousalya Supraja Rama Poorva Sandhya Pravarthathe", a 18 minute chant followed by the darshan of the Supreme Lord from a distance of hardly 5-6 feet right at the "Kulasekara Padi" is pure bliss. Its hard to explain the feeling, but, you know, you are in Vaikuntam.

Originally Posted by Madrasin_selvan

Guys, Is there a possibility of taking a group Darshan Ticket to Thirumala ? I am looking to book for a group of 20 from Chennai. I am not keen on the 300Rs Darshan as Senior Citizens are not comfortable with the fast paced activity.

Reach out to TTDC. Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation. They have a tie up with TTD and can arrange a quick one day darshan along with transport.

[shipnil]

Originally Posted by Madrasin_selvan

Guys, Is there a possibility of taking a group Darshan Ticket to Thirumala ? I am looking to book for a group of 20 from Chennai. I am not keen on the 300Rs Darshan as Senior Citizens are not comfortable with the fast paced activity.

Originally Posted by saisree

Reach out to TTDC. Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation. They have a tie up with TTD and can arrange a quick one day darshan along with transport.

I don't think he is looking for group transport + Darshan, rather any special arrangements / time slots for larger groups where they can have Darshan without the usual shoving/pushing. I don't think any such special arrangements exist even if you are larger group unless you buy break Darshan tickets which cost some 11,000 rupees per person. Few posts back someone had shared details.

[normaltusker]

Originally Posted by TROOPER

Sent a mail to helpdesk.ttd@tirumala.org and received a swift response.

So any kind of attendant is strictly barred now on. In case of no spouse, TTD will provide sevaks if required.

Attachment 2333137

The senior citizen queue and the sevaks are all sham! Had been to TPT in March and they provided none of these. Infact, my Father in Law and my mother both were in the temple at the same time as us despite us leaving them with the Senior citizen counter 4 hours before. They had another line but they spent the same time waiting.

[srvm]

Originally Posted by saisree

Had a fantastic Suprabatham Seva on July 11th. Just about 160 people and being inside the main sanctum sanctorum, opening the door at strike of 3:00 AM and singing "Kousalya Supraja Rama Poorva Sandhya Pravarthathe", a 18 minute chant followed by the darshan of the Supreme Lord from a distance of hardly 5-6 feet right at the "Kulasekara Padi" is pure bliss. Its hard to explain the feeling, but, you know, you are in Vaikuntam.
....

I completely agree. I had the same privilege in Feb-2018. What a darsan of the Lord. The return walk to TTD accommodation at the early hours with very few souls around (and foggy in February) was just like strolling in Vaikuntam!