Highlights
- Darshan slot booked first, travel planned around it
- Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple, Tiruchanur
- Tirumala darshan with Swami Pushkarini and Varaha Swamy
- Srivari Mettu walk for those who want it
- Senior-citizen quota for parents over 65
- Srikalahasti Vayu lingam temple on the last day
This is the trip most families need: one day to arrive and see Padmavathi, one day for Tirumala, and a morning at Srikalahasti before the train home. It works whether you come on the overnight train from Mumbai and Pune or fly in, and it leaves enough slack that a delayed train doesn’t cost you your darshan slot.
Day-wise itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tirupati, Padmavathi temple at Tiruchanur
Pickup at Renigunta Junction, Tirupati station or Tirupati airport. The Chennai Express from Mumbai and Pune gets in early in the morning, so you can check in, bathe and rest. In the afternoon we drive you to Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple at Tiruchanur. The evening is free, and dinner is early, because tomorrow is darshan day. Lay out the dhoti, saree or churidar tonight.
Day 2: Up to Tirumala, darshan of Lord Venkateswara
We drive you up the ghat road with time to spare before your ₹300 or senior-citizen slot. Before darshan, TTD’s tradition is a dip or a sprinkle at Swami Pushkarini and a visit to Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy next to it. After darshan, collect your laddu prasadam, and if anyone in the group is offering hair, the tonsure halls are in Tirumala. If you want to walk up by Srivari Mettu, we drop you at the foot of the path early and bring the rest of the family up by car. Back to the hotel by evening.
Day 3: Srikalahasti, departure
Check out and drive about 36 km to Srikalahasti, the Vayu lingam temple. If you’ve planned the Rahu-Ketu puja, this is the morning for it. Back to Renigunta or Tirupati airport in time for your train or flight. If your train leaves late, we can fit in a second, unhurried visit to Tiruchanur.
Which darshan should we book for you?
Tell us everyone’s age and whether anyone wants to walk. If both parents are over 65, the senior-citizen slot at 3 pm suits them and the rest of the family takes ₹300 tickets the same day. If not, the whole group goes on ₹300 tickets together. We fix the darshan date first, on the day TTD opens that month’s quota, and book trains around it, never the other way round.
What's included and what isn't
Included
- Hotel in Tirupati for 2 nights with daily breakfast
- Pickup and drop at Renigunta, Tirupati station or Tirupati airport
- Private car for all transfers, the ghat road to Tirumala and back, Tiruchanur and Srikalahasti
- Help booking ₹300 or senior-citizen darshan on the TTD portal
- Drop at the foot of the footpath for anyone walking up
Not included
- Train or flight tickets (quoted on request)
- Darshan tickets (₹300 per person, paid on the TTD portal)
- TTD rooms in Tirumala, if booked
- Sevas, Rahu-Ketu puja and other temple fees
- Lunches and dinners
- Offerings, tips and personal expenses
Visa, costs, best time and travel tips: Tirupati Balaji Yatra Packages.
