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The Venkateswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (also known as Balaji or Srinivasa), is located in the Tirumala hills in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the richest and most visited religious centers in the world, with over 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims visiting daily. Reaching the temple to receive Lord Venkateswara's blessings is easy via air, train or road.
An Introduction to Tirupati Balaji Temple
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) manages the operations of the temple and the Tirumala town. The temple's origins date back to the 10th century, with the inner shrine housing the swayambhu idol of Lord Venkateswara, making this a significant Vaishnavite pilgrimage site for Hindus.
The temple town is located around 600 km from Hyderabad and 138 km from Chennai. Tirupati town, the gateway to Tirumala, lies at the foothills. From Tirupati, it is a 20 km drive up the hills along winding ghat roads to reach Tirumala, the temple town.
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By Flight
The nearest airport is Tirupati Airport located at Renigunta, 15 km from Tirupati and 30 km from Tirumala. It has direct flights connecting to major Indian cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore.
Once you reach the airport, you can hire a taxi or board a bus to Tirupati or Tirumala. Taxis charge ₹1200-1500 while buses charge around ₹30 per person for the same journey.
By Train
Tirupati Main railway station is well connected via rail to most major Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram and more. Once you reach Tirupati station, Tirumala is just 26 km uphill.
For commuting further, taxi services to Tirumala charge ₹1000-₹1500 depending on the car model hired. Bus services by TSTDC and APSRTC charge between ₹45-100 per person on their Volvo and other bus models.
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By Road
Extensive networks of national and state highways connect Tirupati to nearby major cities in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and more states.
From Hyderabad
A 575 km road journey via NH 44 takes around 10 hours to cover. Buses operate frequently doing multiple trips daily. Taxis are also available, costing ₹9000-₹12,000 one way.
From Chennai
The 138 km journey takes 3 hours via NH 32 and 68. APSRTC and Tamil Nadu state transport buses shuttle frequently every 15-30 minutes from Chennai to Tirupati. Taxis charge around ₹1800-2500 for a one-way ride.
From Bangalore
The 402 km road trip lasts 7 hours by NH 75. KSRTC buses operate regular Volvo bus services from Bangalore to Tirupati at around ₹800 per person. One-way taxi fares are ₹5,500-7,000 depending on the car model.
Local Commute to Tirumala
To reach Tirumala temple town, TTD and APSRTC operate buses every few minutes doing round-the-clock trips at ₹50 per person. Taxis charge ₹700-900 for the 20 km uphill climb and drop you right to accommodation.
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Two Scenic Foot Routes
Adventurous devotees can opt for scenic footpaths covering 7-14 km uphill to experience the spiritual trek to the temple. 'Sopanamargas' stretches from Alipiri or Srivari Mettu with sh shrines and thematic culture centers along the way by TTD. Chappal stands, luggage transfers, shelters and footpath cottages at intervals allow comfortable guided trekking.
Conclusion
Reaching the abode of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala Hills is now easy via flight, train and road routes. Yatra booking facilities by TTD ensure everyone receives hassle-free darshan at Balaji temple. Have a safe spiritual journey!
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