The name Tirupati, meaning the ‘the Lord of Lakshmi’ should have been appropriately applied to the village on the Venkata Hill, the abode of the Lord.The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and spectacular places of pilgrimage in India. It is situated in the Chittoor district in southern Andhra Pradesh. The town owes its existence to the sacred temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara situated on the Tirumala Hill adjoining it.The Tirumala Hill is 3200 ft above sea level, and is about 10.33 sq miles in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha, thus earning the name, Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.
Story of temple:- According one legend, as Saint Ramanuja born in 11th Century AD climbed the seven hills of Tirupati, Lord Srinivas- another name for Lord Venkateswara- appeared before him and gave him his blessings. And after that he is believed to have been blessed to live till the ripe age of 120 years to spread the gospel of Sri Venkateswara.
side seens:-Temples located in and around Tirupati include: 1. Sri Padmavathi Devi temple at Tiruchanooru (Alamelu Mangapuram) 2. Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram. According to legend, Lord Venkateswara stayed here after his marriage with Sri Padmavathi Devi, before proceeding to Tirumala. 3. Govindaraja Swamy Temple in Tirupati adjacent to the railway station (Lord Vishnu in Anantasayanam pose). Saint Ramanujacharya consecrated this temple in 1130 AD. 4. Kapila Teertham in Tirupati town at the base of Tirumala Hills dedicated to Lord Siva 5. Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple, Tirupati built by Chola kings during the tenth century AD 6. Sri Kalahasteeswara Temple at Srikalahasti 7. Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami temple at Narayanavanam (40 km from Tirupati). Lord Sri Venkateswaraswami and Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru, daughter of Akasa Maharaja were married here.
Darshnam:-
There are two categories of special darshan, with tickets costing Rs. 40.00 and Rs. 50.00 per head.Sarvadarsanam, which means 'darshan for all', of Lord Sri Venkateswara begins from 07.30 hrs in the morning till the entrance queue is closed on certain days other than Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On lean days 18 hours are allotted for Sarvadarsanam and on peak days, it goes on for 20 hours. The entrance for Sarvadarsanam is through the Vaikuntam Queue Complex. There is now a computerized system in place which allows the pilgrims to book tickets and they are given a specified time slot. In addition, there are free darshans, and special darshans, which cost a bit more. There is a special darshan for the physically disabled and the aged through a separate gate at the Maha Dwaram - the main temple entrance. These pilgrims can ask for an escort.
The entrance for Special Darshan is through the PPC (Queue Complex). The queue merges with the Sarvadarsanam queue at Bangaruvakili. Pilgrims who use this queue will have a shorter waiting time.
TOKEN SYSTAM:-The tokens are available free of cost at the First Choultry (opposite the TiruRailway Station), Second Choultry (behind the Railway Station), Alipiri Bus Stand, Tirupati, Vaikuntam Queue Complex, Pilgrim Amenities Centre (Near CRO) and near the Rambagicha Guest House in Tirumala.
The time of darshan is indicated on the tokens.
Pilgrims can enter the Vaikuntam Queue Complex at Tirumala at the time indicated on the tokens
They can have darshan within two hours of entering the Queue Complex.
As this system saves on waiting time, it provides pilgrims with enough time to visit temples in the vicinity like Sri Govindarajaswami Temple and Kapila Teertham at Tirupati, Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple at Tiruchanur and Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram.
To help TTD keep a track of the number of pilgrims and ensure their smooth flow, one token is issued per head. Collective tokens for groups are not issued
How to reach TIRUPATI, Balaji:
Hydrabad:-Tirupati is 562 km from Hyderabad (via Kurnool, Cuddapah and Kodur).APSRTC runs daily buses between Hyderabad and Tirupati. The types of buses are: Express/ Luxury/ Hi-tech/ AC Sleeper Coach.The AC Sleeper Coach is comfortable as the bus is fitted with Air Suspension for effective shock absorption. Magazines and bedding are provided free of cost. Snacks, soft drinks and mineral water are provided against payment. There is an attendant to serve passengers. The fare is INR 450.00 per head.
Mumbai:-Tirupati is 1261 km from Mumbai (via Pune, Belgaum, Dharwar, Harihara,Tumkur and Bangalore).
APSRTC provides connecting bus services from the Renigunta Railway Station to Tirumala for all passengers arriving by train. Buses start from the Railway Station. The Renigunta-Tirumala bus fare is Rs 18.00. Bus frequency: every 30 minutes, from 03.00 hrs to 23.00 hrs every day.
Delhi:-Tirupati is 1800 km from New Delhi.
APSRTC provides connecting bus services from the Gudur Railway Sation to Tirumala, every day. The distance is 122 km. Journey time is 4 hours and the fare is Rs.43.00. The bus frequency is almost every half hour.
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