Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Till 1933 Tirumala Tirupati was under the control of Mahants and in 1933 TTD Act was established. This act was let down by Madras Hindu Religious Endowment Act in 1951. Subsequently the temple was taken by the Andhra Pradesh and from 1979 TTD is managing the temple.
TTD Donations
Donations can be made either in the form of cash or kind. Donations made by the pilgrims are maintained and controlled by TTD. It facilitates the committee to provide hassle free darshan and daily free meals in Tirumala. Donations is not the offerings you make in the Hundi, but giving it in the form of cheque/cash or even online. Donations can be made by individuals or company.
For every donation above Rs.10000 the devotees would be entitled for certain privileges. One can get one break darshan (for one year) for donating Rs.10000 or more. In case you wish to donate Rs.50000 you are privileged to get 5 break darshan in a year. Cottage donor system is available online for providing the devotees easy and quick accommodations at Tirumala Tirupati.
Donations can be made to SRIVANI trust or other trusts. You can get detailed information on the official website of TTD about various donations and the entitled privileges. Donations accepted by SRIVANI trust is used for the maintenance of Swamy temple at different locations of India. It also aims in offering facilities to do various religious rituals and functions.
Pranadana trust is yet another scheme recently launched by TTD by which the donated amount is used for construction of children’s hospital in Tirupati. For those who are willing to donate Rs.1 Crore and above for this trust will get the privilege of free Udayasthamana Seva.
Donations can be made directly by contacting CRO office or by online payment.
Income Tax Exemption
Donors are eligible for tax exemption u/s 80 (G) of I.T.Act 1961
Anna Prasadam
Late Chief Minister Shri N.T.Ramarao has inaugurated the Venkateswara Annaprasadam scheme in 1985. Now TTD manages Nithya Annadanam Trust serving thousands of pilgrims each day. Each day 10-12 Tons of rice, 6-7 Tons of vegetables and 10000 liters of milk are used in Tirumala and Tirupati for catering the needs of pilgrims.
On special occasions and festival days, more than 2, 00,000 Lakh devotees are being served through SV Nithya Annadanam Trust. One day expenditure amounts to roughly 30 Lakh for serving Anna Prasadam for thousands of devotees.
Place and Timings of Annaprasada
Pilgrims can get free food at various points in Tirumala. Free food (Annaprasadam) is served from 9 AM to 10.30 PM.
Pilgrims can get food packets at Rambagicha bus stand, CRO office, HVC centre and ANC and at pilgrim amenities complex.
In addition, full course meal is served at PAC II Annaprasadam complex and at MTV and Vaikuntam Q complex.
How To Make Annaprasadam Donations?
Donations for Anna Prasadam can be made by cheque or DD in banks in favor of The Executive Officer, Sri Venkateswara Anna Prasada Trust. You can know the scheduled list of banks by visiting the official website of TTD.
One can also make donations online through its official website.
CRO Office
CRO is the short form of Central Reservation Office, Tirumala. One can make reservations for Darshan and accommodation here. It remains open 24×7 but booking counter opens at 8AM. Here room allotment is done on first come first serve basis. You need to carry original photo ID like Aadhar, voter ID etc. for making reservations.
CRO Office Address
CRO office, Balaji Colony, Tirumala, (opposite to Tirumala bus stand) Andhra Pradesh, PIN 517504
Contact Number: 0877 226 3922
Separate counter is available at CRO office Donor cell for those with donor passes.
TTD Online
You can make bookings for Darshan , Accommodation and for performing various Sevas via TTD portal www.tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in
Free Bus In Tirumala
- For pilgrims who wish to travel in and around Tirumala, free bus service can be used.
- TTD provides free bus in Tirumala for the comfort of devotees. Devasthanam provides free bus for every 3-4 minutes. Buses ply both to and fro from Tirumala temple.
- It covers the route of Annaprasadam complex, Vaikuntam Q complex, foot path complex, and several cottages.
- Free buses run round the clock in Tirumala for the convenience of the devotees.
Free Bus In Tirupati
Free buses are available from Tirupati railway station to Alipiri check-post point (one who wishes to climb the hill by walk) for every 30 minutes.
Do’s and Don’ts in Tirumala
- Since you are on pilgrimage trip, focus your thoughts only on God
- Take bath in Pushkarini Theertham and pay respect to Varahaswamy nearby before visiting the Lord Balaji
- Offerings can be made only in Hundi
- Wait patiently in the queue system
- Follow the guidelines issued by the Tirumala volunteers
- Plan your trip in advance, make use of online booking for Darshan and accommodation
Don’ts in Tirumala
- Avoid carrying huge cash since Tirumala is a place with thousands of pilgrims
- Avoid brokers who make false promises for quick Darshan
- Don’t smoke or drink
- Don’t carry mobile phones or any other electronic devices
- Don’t waste food
- Don’t throw things anywhere; use only dustbins
- Non-veg food items are banned in Tirumala and hence don’t eat non veg foods
- Avoid wearing footwear in and around temple premises; make use of free shoe stand
- Don’t wear helmet, caps and turbans inside temple premises
- Don’t carry any weapons with you since you will be checked thoroughly at entry (Allipiri) point
How To Reach Tirumala?
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By Train
Tirupati railway station is well connected with Renigunta Junction of Andhra Pradesh. It is just 9 KM from Tirupati. Plenty of trains run from Chennai, Vizag, Bangalore and Mumbai. Renigunta is the connecting junction of Delhi with Trivandrum and hence you can get trains from Delhi to Tirupati.
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By Air
Tirupati airport is well connected with Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Chennai is the nearest international airport (160 KM) and from Chennai you can get access to any part of India.
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By Road
Several bus services runs from Tirupati to Chennai, Karnataka and various parts of Andhra Pradesh. KSRTC, APSRTC and SETC buses link most of the south India to Tirupati.