TTD information Centres [http://tirumala.org/ttd_board_informationcentres.htm]:
Tirupati is on the southern part of Andhra Pradesh. Tirumala is located in the eastern ghats, a mountain range that runs along the south-eastern India. The temple of Lord Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak ''Venkatachala''. The nearby town of Tiruchanoor (also known as Alamelu-mangapuram) is also covered in this page.
Lord Venkateswara also called the Lord of the seven hills. This temple has acquired a special sanctity in Hindu religion. The benefits that accrue by a pilgrimage to this holy town is mentioned in the ''Vedas'' and ''Puranas''. Hindus all over the world believe that in ''Kali Yuga'' its possible to attain ''mukti'' only by worshipping Lord Venkateswara. Around 50,000 pilgrims visit the temple every day.
The ''Pallava'', ''Chola'', ''Pandaya'' and Vijayanagar rulers have endowed the temple with offerings of funds and Jewels. thumb|Description
Before you start for Tirumala its recommended that you
Indian Airlines [http://indian-airlines.nic.in/index.asp] operates daily flights between Hyderabad, New Delhi and Tirupati. Air Deccan has a daily flight between Hyderabad, Bangalore, Vizag and Tirupati.
From Chennai airport to Tirupati: ''Use this route if you have little luggage and are comfortable walking for short distances (and want to try a cheaper, alternative route to Chennai Central)''. From Chennai airport, you can walk over to the local suburban railway station (Tirusulam, about 5 minutes away) and take a local train to Park Station (Rs. 7, about 30 minutes). Chennai Central is a 5-10 minute walk from Park Station. From Chennai Central, there are frequent long distance train services to Tirupati.
Tirupati is a major junction in South Central Railways. Indian Railways [http://www.indianrail.gov.in] operates direct trains from near by metro cities - Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and other major Railway stations to Tirupati. Trains can be boarded at nearby cities - Renigunta (10 km from Tirupati) and Gudur (100 km) as well. Frequent bus service is available between Tirupati, Renigunta and Gudur.
National Highway NH 205 passes through Renigunta and hence is accessible from Chennai (4-6hrs), Bangalore (6?+ hours), Hyderabad (10-12 hours) and other nearby cities.
It is possible to go on a package tour from various places to Tirupati, with the operator taking care of transport, accommodation and sight-seeing.
'''From Chennai'''
Going from Chennai is not a bad idea as it is the nearest Airport which has international & Domestic connections.
'''From Bangalore'''
While in Tirumala don't
When visiting the greatest of temples of the Lord Sri Venkateswara, one must not forget to purchase an image of the lord; only two photos have been taken Sri Venkateswara in history. There is also a very holy sweet which one must not forget to purchase at the temple. This is the renowned Tirupati Laddu, which is the main offering to the presiding deity of the temple. Mind you it tastes quite well too, so make sure to get lots of laddu.But you can't buy more than the prescribed number of laddus there, for one Sudarshana Kankanam they will give only two laddus
Other than these two products which are renowned in the region, many holy articles can also be purchased and a shopkeeper shall be only too happy to assist you with that.
The SAPTHAGIRI magazine was started as a TTD bulletin in 1949. It is now being circulated all over the country as an illustrated, religious magazine, released monthly, in five languages - Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and English.
After seeking the Darshan of Lord Venkateshwara Balaji you get free meal coupans at the Srivari temple. the food is simply tasty with serving of rice,sambhar,sabji,chutney and rasam.
Tirupathi and Tirumala is a pilgrimage town. People on pilgrimage don't drink or eat non-vegetarian food. Consumption of liquor is prohibited in Tirumala. Smoking is also not allowed in Tirumala.
For Drinking it is advisable to use bottled mineral water only as the water available here might be sour in taste. As mentioned in the later section, the laddu of tirupati is "nearly" as famous as the deity himself. One should not fail to have a taste of this very special and holy sweet.
Private Accommodation is available in Tirupati city with numerous hotels catering to the pilgrims. TTD provides for paid and free accommodation in Tirupati for pilgrims
'''Paid''': Sri Venkateswara Dharmasala (Opp. Tirupati Railway Station), Sri Venkateswara Guest House (North of Railway Station), Sri Kodandarama Dharmasala (South of Railway Station) and TTD Alipiri Guest House (near foothills) offer non air-conditioned accommodation. Sri Padmavathi Guest House (on Chittor Road) offer air-conditioned accommodation
'''Free''': Sri Govindaraja Dharmasala, Sri Kodanda Rama Dharmasala and Sr
TTD has built cottages in Tirumala that can be rented by pilgrims. There are 3 categories of accommodation, based on location:
TTD also provides free accommodation in <i>choultries</i>. Pilgrims can contact Central Reception Office near Bus Stand for free accommodation.
Reservation for AC accommodation and Non-AC accommodation above Rs 100 per day can be made only at the Central Reception Office, Tirumala. For reservation of Non-AC accommodation upto Rs. 100 per day, Pilgrims can make reservations upto 30 days in advance. Reservations can be made in person at TTD Information Centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pondicherry, Visakhapatnam and other district Head Quarters in AP, by paying the requisite amount.
Alternately reservation can be made by sending a Demand Draft (DD) for Rs. 100 drawn on any Indian nationalised bank in favor of 'Assistant Executive Officer'. The DD has to be posted to Assistant Executive Officer (Reception-I) TTD, Tirumala - 517504. For multiple rooms, it is advised to take multiple DDs for Rs 100 each.
TTD online booking [http://www.ttdsevaonline.com/eBooking/BookingHome.aspx]
Be warned that at times of the year, and around festive occasions you have to book in advance. If you are travelling budget, your best bet is to stay with the TTD, the rooms tend to be clean, well lit and the housekeeping facilities are acceptable. Suggested places, other than TTD lodges are the Kashi Mutt, Ahobila Mutt, Kanchi Mutt among several others (all are close to each other on a ring road, and can be approached by foot from the temple). Be warned though that priority is given to people associated with the mutt's community and you will neither get room service nor air conditioned rooms - but the rooms are well maintained, clean and come with clean beds and sheets. For the Mutt maintained lodges, prior registration is strongly advised.