Tirumala Tirupati Balaji - Tranist and Travel Information-India

Tirupati balaji
The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. It is by the Lord’s presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills. The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara.

Sri Venkateswara Temple

The temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara.
The benefits acquired by a piligrimage to Venkatachala are mentioned in the Rig Veda and Asthadasa Puranas. In these epics, Sri Venkateswara is described as the great bestower of boons. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord at Tirumala.
The temple has its origins in Vaishnavism, an ancient sect which advocates the principles of equality and love, and prohibits animal sacrifice.
The sanctum sanctorum which houses the awe-inspiring idol of the Lord of the Seven Hills is situated in the main temple complex of Tirumala.

Temple History
There is ample literary and epigraphic testimony to the antiquity of the temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara.All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions. It was during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Sri Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple.
After the decline of the Vijayanagar dynasty, nobles and chieftains from all parts of the country continued to pay their homage and offer gifts to the temple. The Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle, visited the temple and set up a permanent endowment for the conduct of worship in the temple. He also presented valuable jewels to the Lord, including a large emerald which is still preserved in a box named after the General. Among the later rulers who have endowed large amounts are the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal.
After the fall of the Hindu kingdoms, the Muslim rulers of Karnataka and then the Britishers took over, and many of the temples came under their supervisory and protective control.
In 1843 AD, the East India Company divested itself of the direct management of non-Christian places of worship and native religious institutions. The administration of the shrine of Sri Venkateswara and a number of estates were then entrusted to Sri Seva Dossji of the Hatiramji Mutt at Tirumala, and the temple remained under the administration of the Mahants for nearly a century, till 1933 AD.
In 1933, the Madras Legislature passed a special act, which empowered the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTD) Committee to control and administer a fixed group of temples in the Tirumala-Tirupati area, through a Commissioner appointed by the Government of Madras.
In 1951, the Act of 1933 was replaced by an enactment whereby the administration of TTD was entrusted to a Board of Trustees, and an Executive Officer was appointed by the Government .
The provisions of the Act of 1951 were retained by Charitable and Religious Endowments Act, 1966.
Road transit to Tirumala and Tirupati is available from different places in the countries. Public transport corporations and private transit providers run buses to both of these locations.

Bangalore - Tirupati
Tirupati is 258 km from Bangalore (via Kolar and Chittoor). The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs daily buses between Bangalore and Tirupati. APSRTC Runs daily Express, Luxury, and Hi-Tech buses from Bangalore to Tirupati and Tirumala direct. The buses are run at frequent intervals around the clock. The journey time 6 hrs 30 min. Return journey tickets can also be bought at Bangalore Bus Station. KSRTC runs Airavath AC, Mayura AC, Ultra plus, deluxe and luxury buses between Bangalore and Tirupati. Express bus services by KSRTC has lot of departure times available to passengers travelling to Tirupati from Bangalore, and back to Bangalore from Tirupati.
Chennai - Tirputati
Tirupati is: 137 km from Chennai (via Red Hills, Utthukottai, Nagalapuram, Puttur and Renigunta) 145 km from Chennai (via Poonamalli, Tiruvallur, Tiruttani, Nagiri and Puttur) 152 km from Chennai (via Red Hills, Tada and Sri Kalahasti).
Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) run daily buses between Chennai and Tirupati. The frequency is between half-an-hour to one-and-a-half hours. The journey time is 5 hours, and the fare is INR 55.00 per head.
Return journey tickets can also be bought at the Chennai Bus Station.
Hyderabad - Tirupati
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.
Bus Route / Via Departure Time Service Type Bus Fare Contact Info
Hyderabad-Tirupati17:45, 18:45, 19:45, 21:15Hi Tech Luxury 293
APSRTC
Hyderabad-Tirupati14:00, 14:45, 20:45Luxury248
APSRTC
Hyderabad-Tirupati15:15, 17:00Express Service208
APSRTC
Bangalore to Tirupati
For bus departure times and fare, please see Bangalore Tirupati
Calcutta - Tirupati
Tirupati is 2887 km from Calcutta (via Cuttack, Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada).
APSRTC provides connecting bus services from the Gudur Railway Station to Tirumala by operating 40 buses every day. Buses start from the Gudur Railway Station. The Gudur-Tirumala distance is 122 km. The journey time is 4 hours, and the fare is Rs.43.00. The bus frequency is between half an hour to one-and-a-half hours.
Mumbai - Tirupati
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
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.
Pune - Tirupati
Tirupati is 967 km from Pune. APSRTC provides connecting bus services from the Renigunta Railway Station to Tirumala by operating 40 buses every day. Buses start from the Renigunta Railway Station. The bus fare Rs 18.00. The bus frequency is every 30 minutes, from 03.00 hrs to 23.00 hrs.
Tirupati to Tirumala by Road
There are two well-laid, all-weather, asphalt ghat roads between Tirupati and Tirumala.
The old ghat road was laid in 1944, and is for vehicles returning from Tirumala. It is 19 km in length. The new ghat road, which was opened in 1974, is for vehicles proceeding towards Tirumala.
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs a regular bus service between Tirupati and Tirumala, from 0300 hrs to 2400 hrs, with a frequency of just two minutes. Bus fares are: Express - Rs. 15.00 per head Ordinary - Rs. 11.00 per head
You can save time by buying your Tirumala-Tirupati return tickets at Tirupati itself. These tickets are valid for three days from the date of purchase and ticket-holders can board any of the APSRTC buses returning to Tirupati within these three days .
During Brahmotsavam and on important occasions like New Year's Day, buses ply round the clock with a frequency of one bus every minute.
For the convenience of pilgrims arriving in groups, APSRTC provides contract carriages. Each carriage or bus can be hired for Rs. 900.00. It seats 45 persons.
The bus can either be booked then and there, or reserved in advance.
At Tirupati there are four bus-stations located in different corners of the town.

Sri Venkateswara Bus Station (SVBS): Pilgrims arriving by train can use SVBS, which is located just opposite the Tirupati Railway Station. Whenever trains arrive, buses are stationed right in front of the main gate of the railway station, for the convenience of pilgrims.

Balaji Link Bus Station (BLBS): For the convenience of pilgrims arriving from Bangalore, BLBS is situated at Alipiri, at the foot of the hills. Here, there is ample space for parking tourist buses and vans.

Sapthagiri Link Bus Station (SLBS): SLBS serves pilgrims who arrive from Chennai, Hyderabad and Vijayawada sectors. SLBS is located in the Central Bus Station Complex.

Sri Padmavathi Bus Station (SPBS): SPBS is located at the rear of the Tirupati Railway Station, and caters mainly to the needs of pilgrims arriving in tourist buses.
For a safe journey to Tirumala, it is recommended that you travel by APSRTC buses only. APSRTC uses well-maintained vehicles that are fitted with power steering equipment, and driven by experienced drivers. Safety inspectors ensure that driving rules are followed.
However, if you are using your own vehicle, do negotiate the hair-pin bends on the ghat roads carefully.
Link ticket system to Tirumala & Tirupati
On reaching Tirupati (to avoid waiting in queue for purchase of tickets to proceed to Tirumala), the system of link tickets (Rs.16/- for ordinary and Rs.20/- for Express) to Tirumala has been introduced. These tickets are available at all the advance reservation counters and with the service conductors of Tirupati bound services. Similarly, both up & down journeys ticket ordinary Rs.32/- , Express Rs.40/- can be purchased for onward and return journey from Tirupati to Tirumala. (These tickets are sold at all our Bus stations and through conductors of Tirupati bound services).