Tirupati Balaji Booking For Darshan: Tirupati Darshan Booking Process, Timings, Cost

As one of the wealthiest and most revered temples in India, the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple sees an enormous influx of visitors every day—almost a whopping 1 lakh. The Tirupati Balaji booking for darshan can be a bit of a hassle, but not if done right. Here is some insight into the process of booking tickets for darshan (prayer) at Tirumala Tirupati Temple:

Types of Darshans in Tirumala Tirupati

1. Sarva Darshan Without Ticket

This is a free darshan where the pilgrims can enter the line and have darshan without any tickets. The timings for Sarva Darshan are different on different days, with 18 hours allotted on normal days and 20 hours on peak days. The entry for Tirupati Sarva Darshan is through Vaikuntam Queue Complex. Annaprasadam, milk, tea, and coffee are provided to the waiting pilgrims at 3-hour intervals.

2. Slotted Sarva Darshan

Time slotted sarva darshan is where the pilgrims have darshan of Sri Venkateshwara Swamy without waiting in line and free of cost in a given time slot. The tokens for this darshan must be taken in advance from one of the 109 SSD ticket counters in Tirupati. The counters open at 5:00 AM and issues token for the same day. Aadhaar card is mandatory for getting the darshan token.

3. Special Entry Darshan (Rs 300 Darshan)

Specia Entry Darshan is the most popular and in-demand darshan ticket for Tirupati. There are no offline counters for booking this darshan. All tickets are issued online only and must be booked 2-3 months in advance. The booking slots for the coming months open on a particular day each month and get booked within minutes. The cost of special entry darshan in Rs 300 per pilgrim with one free laddoo. You can make advance booking through (https://tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in), and Indian Post Offices. You can also check Tirupati's official Twitter account for regular updates about the opening of the booking slot. 

• Special Entry Darshan for Parents with Infants (below 1 year): This is a free darshan especially for parents with infants. The darshan timings are from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. It starts from Supadham between Vaikuntam Queue Complex I and Hathiramji Mutt.
  
  
• Special Darshan for Physically Challenged and Senior Citizens: This free darshan is for differently abled, senior citizens (above 65 years) and medical cases like kidney transplant, open heart surgery, dialysis, liver transplant, brain surgery, cancer, and spine surgery. The timings for darshan is 3:00 PM from Monday to Saturday. The darshan slots can be booked in advance at https://tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in
  
  
• Special Entry NRI Darshan: NRI pilgrims can avail of special entry darshan through special access by producing a passport, VISA, and government-issued NRI status proof. This darshan ticket costs RS 300 and is open daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The entry is through SED Hall, Vaikuntham Queue Complex-1. The ticket does not include free laddoo.

4. VIP Break Darshan

VIP Break Darshan is available in Tirumala which facilitates darshan without any pushing or going through huge crowds. One hour is allotted for this category, and the pilgrims can complete the darshan in 45-50 minutes. The devotees also go near the Moola Virat of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy (till Kuladekhara Padi) and stay there for a few minutes. There are 3 ways of booking a VIP Darshan:

• Protocol VIPs: MLA's, MP's, Judges, Collectors, Scientists, Group 1 Officers, Ministers, Chief Ministers, Vice President, Prime Minister, President, and other higher dignitaries come under this category. 
  
  
• Non Protocol VIPs: This includes a letter from your local MLA, MP, or any other higher authority that can be submitted at FEO office in Tirumala. These are not applicable for darshan on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The letter should be on the official letter pad and have a recommendation. This can be submitted before 2:00 PM for VIP break darshan for the next morning. There is no online process to submit this letter online in advance. If the letter is approved, you will get a message on your mobile by 6:00 PM. The ticket costs INR 500 per person.
  
  
• SRIVANI Trust Donor Scheme: TTD has now opened a way through which pilgrims can avail VIp darshan without a letter of recommendation. This can be done by donating to SRIVANI Trust, which entitles the donor to one darshan ticket, valid for one year. This can be booked online in advance. This can also be made offline at the airport counter of Tirupati. Read more about SRIVANI trust donations and bookings at https://tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in/#/srivaniedonations

5. Darshan Under Package Tours

Government Package Tours are available for Tirumala offered by APTDC, IRCTC, TTDC (From Tricky, Bangalore, Chennai), TSRTC and Flight packages from Hyderabad. These can be booked on the respective government tourism websites.

Tirupati Online Booking for Darshan

Here are a list of the sevas offered at Tirumala during the online process of Tirupati Balaji booking for darshan:

Special Darshan Entry | Timings vary everyday | INR 300, INR 25 per additional laddu
Vasanthotsavam | 2:30 PM - 3 PM | INR 300
Sahasra Deepalankara Seva | 5 PM - 5:30 PM | INR 200
Arjitha Brahmotsavam | 12:30 PM - 2 PM | INR 200
Kalyanotsavam | 10 AM -12 PM | INR 1000
Weekly Sevas Visesha Pooja | Every Monday 6 AM -6:30 AM | INR 600

The associated temples of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams offer online booking options for daily sevas. The Tirupati Balaji booking for darshan can additionally be made online.

Tirumala Group Booking Option

The official website of the temple does not entertain group bookings for tickets to the darshans and sevas. However, accommodation bookings can be made on a group basis.

Websites to Book

One can use the official TTD website for the Tirupati Balaji booking for darshan- www.ttdsevaonline.com

Private tour operators also facilitate bookings. They often organize package tours of the temple with tickets, accommodation and travel. Such third-party operators include-

www.tirupatibalajitourism.com

www.tirupatidarshanbooking.org

www.tirupatibalajidarshantickets.co.in

Offline Options To Book Tirupati Darshan

Tickets for the sevas and darshans can be booked at E-Darshan counters in various cities across the country.

When Can You Start Booking

The Special Entry Darshan tickets and all the sevas can be booked online three months in advance, at the required time slot. The Srivari Arjitha Seva can be booked 60 days in advance from the desired date online as well as at E-Darshan counters in various cities.

How Many Days in Advance You Should Book?

Since the quota of tickets for each day sells out rather soon, one can book the passes for a desired date of darshan one month in advance at the most. The oseva tickets must be booked three months in advance, particularly for theutsavams.

Tirumala Tirupati Darshan Booking Process

The Tirupati Balaji booking for darshan is relatively straightforward:

1. Create an account on the TTD services portal online. Upload personal details, a photo of you, and proof of identities such as PAN Card, Aadhar Card, Voter ID or passport. Select your preferred payment gateway—credit card, debit card or net banking, and the details of the selected method of payment.

2. Select the type of darshan and seva, the time slot for the darshan and the number of individuals.

3. Provide the details of the individuals accompanying you.

4. Complete the payment by your chosen payment method.

Note that postponement, advancement, cancellation and refund of the tickets is not allowed.

How Many Tickets Per Booking?

The Tirupati Balaji booking for darshan stipulates a maximum of 10 tickets per booking for the Special Darshan, and a maximum of 2 for the sevas.