Our journey to Tirupati Balaji began with immense excitement and devotion as 27 family members gathered at Sonpet Dist Parbhani, ready to embark on this spiritual adventure together.
Table of Contents
1. Starting of Journey
After so many years we managed to have a family tour. The Idea of this was put in family whatsapp by my cousin and date for this was just after Diwali so that every one can manage. Everyone lives at different places of maharashtra. Eight different nuclear family of same clan decided for going to this tour.
Everyone from my family was excited for this tour. We all did shopping for tour. We did Planning almost two month before the Diwali. As Journey date was approaching we were more and more excited as this was a family tour after a very long time.
2. How to Reach Tirupati
Tirupati is well connected to many cities of India via Train but we managed to get Train tickets from Purtur dist Parbhani. You can also reach by road and by Air. Actually we are based from Beed district and most of out family member lives in Beed so we decided to book train from Partur which was near from Beed . My cousin booked Bus from Beed to Partur and everyone was catching that bus and we have decide to have breakfast at Sonpet and then go to Partur Railway Station. I have catched this bus from Sonpet , we went to Sonpet from Parli Vaijnath.
We had a short get together and had a short bus trip to Railway station. In this was we started our Journey by chanting “Govinda Gooovinda…. 🙏🙏🙏”
We had a great fun in bus we had some jokes and played our traditional game of almost all indians , Yes yes you have guessed correct its “Antakshari“ 🤣🤣🤣 .
We started train journey our seat were at different places so we were requesting some co passenger to exchange seats some are happy to change and some were not happy 😨. some how we manage to exchange seats but few were not able to exchange so some of us have to go other bogi to sleep.
At around 2:00 Am TC came to our seat with one co passenger with whom we have exchange our seat in afternoon . He was traveling alone , We got to know that he had exchange his seat five times and someone from remaining four had seat reserved only upto some other place and not up to Tirupati and he had get down to his station but at this co passenger’s seat a passenger who had a seat from that station to Tirupati came and here gets the confusion . His original seat was exchange with our seat so he now wanted that seat but at 02:00 Am it was really tough to find our seat . After this funny incident we finally reached Tirupati.
3. Tirupati Balaji
We have already booked a bus to our lodge at Nandi Circle. TTD had many accomodation option you can book from TTD website. We did not got rooms at Tirumala so we had booked lodge. There are so many lodge and Mutts of different communities you can also book that. From Nandi Circle you can get many cabs and government bus to go to Tirumala.
We went to Tirumala via Govt Electric Bus its vary good you must try electric bus . Road from Tirupati to Tirumala has beautiful ghat . It feels awesome to look out of window.
You can also go by walk from Alipiri . This will take at least 3 to 4 hr to reach to Tirumala. Trust me this walk will be memorable and you will enjoy a lot . There is another way to go via steps from Srivari Mettu it will take 1.5 to 2 hr its around 3 Km walk.
4. Tirumala
We had ₹ 300 pass for Tirupati Balaji Darshan and time for getting in line is written on ticket , Please reach on time on the mentioned gate in ticket. You can book darshan ticket from TTD website . You have to carry Id card for verification. If you wont get ₹ 300 pass then you can get in free darshan line . Free darshan line once you reach waiting hall you will get coupan to get in you hall back after some time , Time to get back in hall will be mentioned in coupan so you can go outside and comeback into your hall before the mentioned time. If you come via Alipiri or Srivari Mettu then you will get Tirupati Balaji darshan pass there itself and time to get in line will be written on that.
Tip for darshan keep your mobile and bags at your room or at locker room so that time for keeping mobile while in line will be saved . to keep mobile phone in counter inside temple complex while in line will take at least 1 Hr , So its better don’t bring mobile while getting in darshan queue.
5. Food
Best food you will get in Tirupati and Tirumala is at Prasadalaya. You will find Prasadalaya at many places in Tirupati and in Tirumala. I would suggest have a prasad after darshan near temple at Prasadalaya.
Apart from prasad you should try other South Indian food , You can try Idly Sambhar , Dosa , Uthappa . Its really awesome food in break fast . In Lunch and dinner you can try South Indian Meal . You can also get lot of North Indian Hotels if you want to have North Indian food.
If you want to have Marathi food then you should search for Buldhana Bank .
I would suggest you should try breakfast at stalls at road side.
6. Places to visit
There are many places in and around Tirupati some of these I am going to list down below.
In Tirumal
Here’s a list of popular places to visit in Tirumala:
- Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple (Tirupati Balaji Temple) – The main attraction and one of the holiest pilgrimage sites.
- Papavinasam Theertham – A sacred waterfall believed to wash away sins.
- Akasa Ganga – A beautiful waterfall considered sacred in Hindu mythology.
- Japali Teertham – A serene spot with a temple dedicated to Lord Hanumanji.
- Srivari Padalu – The spot where Lord Venkateswara is believed to have set foot.
- Silathoranam – A natural rock formation shaped like an arch, with historical and spiritual significance.
- Chakra Teertham – A sacred pond associated with Lord Vishnuji.
- Tumburu Teertham – A scenic and peaceful water spot located amidst nature.
- Vaikuntha Teertham – Another sacred water spot with religious significance.
- Venugopala Swamy Temple – A beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Krishnaji.
Most of above can be visited by APSRTC bus in Tirumala bus stand.
I would suggest to visit Japali Teertham its best place . Here you will have divine darshan of Lord Hanumanji.
In Tirupati:
- Sri Venkateswara Temple (Tirumala) – The iconic pilgrimage site.
- Sri Kapileswara Swamy Temple – A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located near a beautiful waterfall.
- Govindaraja Swamy Temple – A historic temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- Sri Kodandaramaswamy Temple – A temple dedicated to Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana.
- Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple – A temple in Tiruchanoor dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.
- Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park – One of the largest zoological parks in Asia.
- Regional Science Center – A science museum with interactive exhibits.
- ISKCON Tirupati – A serene temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Around Tirupati:
- Chandragiri Fort (16 km) – A historic fort with a museum showcasing artifacts.
- Sri Kalahasteeswara Temple (36 km) – A famous Shiva temple known for Rahu-Ketu puja.
- Talakona Waterfalls (50 km) – The highest waterfall in Andhra Pradesh, surrounded by forests.
- Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple (70 km) – A temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
- Nagalapuram Waterfalls (70 km) – A picturesque waterfall with trekking options.
- Sri Venkateswara National Park (Tirumala Hills) – A biodiversity hotspot with beautiful landscapes.
- Srikalahasti Town – Famous for its ancient temples and cultural significance.
- Gudimallam Temple (20 km) – A small temple known for the unique Shiva Lingam.
7. Interesting facts
Here’s an expanded version of the story:
why Tirupati Balaji is called Govinda?
When Lord Srinivasa descended to Earth in search of Goddess Lakshmi, he experienced human needs like hunger and thirst. To fulfill his daily needs, he visited Sage Agastya’s hermitage and requested a cow for milk. The sage, recognizing Lord Srinivasa as the divine form of Sri Maha Vishnu, expressed his joy but also laid down a condition. He said, “Swamy, I am honored that the ruler of the universe has visited my hermitage. However, according to tradition, I can only gift a cow to someone who asks for it along with their wife. Please return with your consort to receive the cow.”
Lord Srinivasa accepted the condition and left. Later, after marrying Goddess Padmavathi, he returned to the hermitage with her. However, Sage Agastya was not present, and his disciples, unaware of Lord Srinivasa’s identity, refused to give the cow without their master’s approval. Lord Srinivasa respected their dedication to their guru and left, instructing them to inform Sage Agastya about his visit.
When the sage returned and learned of the Lord’s visit, he was deeply disappointed. “How unfortunate I am to have missed the divine presence of Lord Srinivasa and Goddess Padmavathi!” he lamented. Determined to fulfill the Lord’s request, he immediately took a cow and ran towards the direction the divine couple had taken.
As he ran, the sage called out in Telugu, “Swamy, Govu Inda!” (Swamy, take the cow). However, Lord Srinivasa did not turn back. In his devotion and urgency, the sage’s cries of “Govu Inda” gradually transformed into “Govinda.” The holy sage unknowingly chanted “Govinda” repeatedly, calling out to the Lord with increasing devotion.
After the sage had chanted the name 108 times, Lord Srinivasa finally stopped and turned back with a smile. Accepting the cow, the Lord said, “Munindra, your devotion has pleased me greatly. By chanting my most beloved name, ‘Govinda,’ 108 times, you have set an example for all my devotees.”
Lord Srinivasa then declared, “I shall reside in the form of an idol on these sacred Tirumala Hills until the end of Kali Yuga. From now on, all my devotees will call me by the name ‘Govinda.’ Anyone who chants this name with devotion will receive my blessings. Even those who cannot visit my temple will be granted their rightful desires if they chant ‘Govinda’ with faith. Furthermore, those who chant this name 108 times while climbing the hills will attain salvation.”
Thus, the name “Govinda” became eternally associated with Lord Srinivasa, and devotees continue to chant it in reverence to this day.
Please check about Parli Vaijnath