Tirupati Balaji Temple: History, Best Time To Visit, How To Reach & Timings

An Exclusive Travel Guide to Visit Tirupati Balaji Temple:

The Holy City of India, Tirupati, is also recognized as the home to the sanctified Hindu God Lord Venkateshwara Temple, which is popular for its intricate Savara Style and gold-plated Crown. The temple is as popular as Tirupati or Tirumala Temple, which is nestled in the surroundings of Tirumala at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, attracting millions of devotees annually, making it India’s most visited and wealthiest religious temple. 

If you are planning to visit the temple for auspicious darshan of God, whether as an individual or with family, it is crucial to be confident regarding the key details, including the best time, nearest Airport, how to visit, and more to enhance the trip so that you can explore most of it.

Historical Significance of Tirupati Balaji:

The popular, auspicious Tirupati Balaji Temple is located in the hills of Tirumala and was constructed in 300 CE. The temple is situated on the seventh peak, Venkatadri, on the southern banks of Shri Swami Pushkarini, which is why the shrine is also known as the ‘ Temple of Seven Hills.’ Consequently, the temple was constructed by the Thondaman King and then rehabilitated intermittently by Cholas, Pandyas, and Vijayanagar. The South Indian culture inspires the temple architecture, and it is one of the eight Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras, despite also being listed as the 75th Divya Desham among the 108 temples mentioned under Naalayira Divya Prabandham.

Best time to visit Tirupati Temple:

You can plan a visit to Tirupati Temple on any day of the month as the temple remains open for devotees 365 days. Still, if you wish to visit here on unique Hindu festivals during Dusshera, Diwali, or Navratri, arriving at the temple during the peak season is best. However, to discover the best season to visit, you are highly recommended to take note of the crucial information mentioned below.

• Peak Season -  November to February is considered the peak travel season to calmly admire the auspicious Darshan of Lord Venkateshwara, as the temperature is relaxing and mild. Besides that, it is also considered the best time to visit Tirupati Temple as you can admire some popular Hindu festivals like Dussehra, Navratri, Diwali, and more in this optimistic divine place with the temperatures ranging between 13 - 27; however, the flights and accommodation are pretty expensive.
• Moderate travel Season - If you wish to experience the divine and incredible vibes of the place and to offer your thankfulness to the almighty for all the good and bad things with a neutral crowd, then it is wise to visit the temple during the Monsoon season between July to October. You can expect moderate to heavy rainfall this season, but you can find some tremendous budget-friendly accommodation choices. Although it is the supreme time to visit the Kapila Teertham Waterfalls.
• Off Season - March until June are usually the hottest months of the year for a trip to the Tirupati temple. Due to the high heat, the weather is not pleasant. Therefore, the temperature range between these months is nearly 29 to 42 degrees Celsius. However, it is easy to discover affordable accommodation choices. 

Which is the nearest Airport to the Tirupati Temple?

There are usually plenty of ways to reach the auspicious Tirupati Temple to see Lord Venkateswara's blessings, either by road, train, or air. However, the fastest way to cover the distance from Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and other major cities is by Air, as flights take less time to reach the city.  Therefore, the nearest Airport to the Tirumala Tirupati Temple is the Tirupati International Airport, which is located in Renigunta, which is nearly 2.8km away from the National Highway 71, whereas 16 km from the central city of Tirupati and approximately 39km from the Venkateshwara Temple, Tirumala. 

How can you reach the Tirupati Balaji temple?

Seeking blessings and admiring the mesmerizing darshan of Lord Venkateswara is an undeniably calming and amicable experience, especially if you are visiting the temple for the first time with your family. Those planning a trip to this propitious, divine place with family should ensure that they are familiar with the different transportation modes that facilitate this route from other major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and more, either via Air, Road, or Train.

• By Air: Travelers can visit the temple quickly by taking a flight to the Tirupati International Airport from any of the cities, including Hyderabad, Delhi, and Mumbai. Indigo Airlines offers regular flights on these routes, which might cost between INR 3,500 and INR 6,500, depending on the time of booking.
• By Train: You can also visit Tirupati via Train, although there are several Railway stations in the city, such as Tiruchanur, Renigunta Junction, Tirupati West Hall, and Chandragiri Railway Station.
• By Road:  Devotees can also enjoy the trip to Tirupati Balaji temple from Bangalore, which might take 4 hours and 30 minutes to cover the total distance. However, the traveler must have headed to Hoskote, Kolar, Palmaner, Chittoor, and Tirupati. 

What is the propitious Darshan time of the Tirupati Balaji Temple?

The Tirupati Balaji Temple darshan timings and slots may vary depending on the type of Proper Darshan. There are two main types of Darshan, among which devotees can choose at their convenience: Sarvadarshan and Special Entry Darshan or Seeghra Darshan. 

• Sarvadarshan of Lord Venkateswara: Tirupati Balaji Sarvadarshan is free for devotees; they usually wait for their turn to capture a glimpse of the Hindu God. However, the timings of the Sarva Darshan are different on different days of the week. On ordinary days, nearly 18 hours are allotted for Sarvadarshan, whereas on special and festival days, almost 20 hours are allotted for Sarvadarshan. Pilgrims will get the Annaprasadam for free, and even tea and coffee will be served free of cost every three hours of break.
• Special Entry Darshan or Seeghra Darshan: These special entry darshans were introduced in 2009 to offer pilgrims a quick darshan specifically for old age devotees. However, consider making the booking for Seeghra Darshan, as slot availability depends. 

What are the foremost rituals performed at the Tirupati Temple?

The foremost supreme rituals and traditions performed at the Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Temple by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, like Abhishekam means holy bath, Alankaram, and Arjitha Sevas, which are known as special pujas. The timings for Darshan may vary daily based on different days. 

How much does Tirputi Temple Special entry Darshan or Seeghra Darshan cost?

Suppose you are planning to seek a glimpse of Tirupati Balaji Temple but have a limited period. In that case, you can make a booking for Special entry Darshan or Sehag Darshan. However, an entry ticket costs INR 300, and devotees will receive a single ladoo prasad free of cost.

Is there an accommodation option available near the Tirupati temple?

Usually, there are numerous accommodation options available near Tirupati Temple that suit the devotee's budget, ranging from Luxury accommodations to budget-friendly hotels. You can check the nearby accommodation options in Tirupati online to avoid inconvenience, especially when you are traveling in peak season. 

How much does a Tirupati flight cost from Delhi?

Travelers who book flights to Tirupati from Delhi at the last minute may pay between INR 6,000 and INR 10,000, but if they book within a few months, they can grab fares ranging from INR 3,500. 

What is the best way to visit the Tirupati Temple?

However, if the devotees wish to avoid the long waiting lines and the crowd, they should consider flying to the Tirupati temple during weekdays.