Tirupati Darshan Booking 2026
TTD Online Ticket, Seva & Accommodation
Complete guide to booking Tirupati Balaji darshan at tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in. Covers free Sarva Darshana, paid ₹300 Special Entry, accommodation, prasadam, seva booking, and everything you need to plan your visit.
About Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is a government trust under the Andhra Pradesh state government that manages the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Tirupati. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara (also known as Balaji or Srinivasa) and is one of the wealthiest and most visited religious sites in the world.
On average, over 70,000 pilgrims visit every day, and this number surges to over 1 lakh on weekends and festival days. The sheer volume of devotees makes advance planning essential — especially for those travelling from outside Andhra Pradesh.
TTD manages all aspects of the pilgrimage including darshan (temple visit), seva (religious services), accommodation (guest houses and cottages), prasadam (laddus), and transportation. All official bookings are done exclusively through tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in — there is no authorised third-party booking agent.
Types of Tirupati Darshan
Sarva Darshana (SSD) — Free
FREEOpen to all pilgrims at no cost. No advance booking is required or possible. Pilgrims must join the physical queue at the Vaikuntam Queue Complex in Tirumala. Waiting time is typically 12–18 hours. The queue runs 24 hours a day. Despite the long wait, this is the most common way pilgrims have darshan.
Special Entry Darshana (SED) — ₹300
₹300Paid darshan at ₹300 per person. Must be booked online at tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in up to 30 days in advance. New slots open daily at 10:00 AM. Each booking allows a maximum of 6 pilgrims. An Aadhaar card must be uploaded for each pilgrim at the time of booking. Wait time is significantly shorter — usually 2–4 hours.
Divya Darshana — Free (Special Category)
FREEFree darshan for senior citizens aged 65 and above, persons with disabilities (PwD), and pregnant women. Dedicated queue with shorter wait times. Age proof (for 65+) or a disability certificate is required. No online booking needed — report to the designated Divya Darshana counter in Tirumala.
VIP Break Darshana
RESTRICTEDAllocated through official Andhra Pradesh government quota for dignitaries, elected representatives, and senior government officials. Not available for general public booking. There is no online application or public process to obtain VIP Break Darshana.
How to Book Special Entry Darshana (₹300) Online — Step by Step
Follow these steps to book your TTD Special Entry Darshana online at tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in. Slots open at 10:00 AM daily for dates 30 days ahead and fill up quickly — be ready before 10 AM.
- 1Visit the Official TTD PortalGo to tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in. Do NOT use third-party sites or agents — they are unauthorised.
- 2Click "Online Services" → "Online Booking" → "Special Entry Darshana"Find the Online Services menu in the top navigation bar and select Special Entry Darshana (SED).
- 3Register or Login with Your Mobile NumberFirst-time users must register with a valid Indian mobile number. An OTP will be sent for verification. Existing users can log in directly.
- 4Select Darshan DateChoose an available date from the calendar. Dates open 30 days in advance. Green slots have availability; red means full.
- 5Select Number of Pilgrims (Maximum 6 per Booking)Each booking is limited to 6 pilgrims. For groups larger than 6, separate bookings with different mobile numbers are needed.
- 6Upload Aadhaar / ID Proof for Each PilgrimUpload a clear photo or scanned copy of the Aadhaar card for every pilgrim in the booking. Foreign nationals must upload their Passport.
- 7Pay ₹300 per Person OnlineComplete payment using UPI, debit/credit card, or net banking. The total will be ₹300 × number of pilgrims.
- 8Download Your E-Darshan SlipAfter successful payment, download and save the e-darshan slip. Print it or keep it accessible on your phone — it is mandatory for entry.
- 9Reach the Assigned Counter in Tirupati at Your Allotted TimeThe e-darshan slip will mention a specific reporting counter and time window in Tirupati. Arrive at least 1 hour before your slot. Carry original Aadhaar cards for all pilgrims.
Documents Required for Tirupati Darshan
| Document | Who Needs It | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | All Indian pilgrims | Mandatory for each pilgrim — original + uploaded copy |
| E-Darshan Slip | SED pilgrims only | Print or screenshot — must be shown at counter |
| Passport | Foreign nationals | Replaces Aadhaar for identity verification |
| Age Proof (65+) | Divya Darshana | Aadhaar, PAN, or birth certificate showing age ≥ 65 |
| Disability Certificate | Divya Darshana (PwD) | Issued by a government medical authority |
TTD Accommodation Booking
TTD operates dozens of guest houses and cottages in Tirumala (on the hill) and in Tirupati town. Accommodation can be booked online at tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in → Accommodation section.
TTD Free Cottages
FREELimited free cottages for pilgrims. Book well in advance — they get fully booked within days of opening.
TTD Paid Guest Houses
₹200–₹2,000Budget to mid-range rooms at ₹200–₹2,000 per night on Tirumala hill and in Tirupati town.
Private Hotels in Tirupati
PRIVATEExtensive options via MakeMyTrip, Booking.com, and OYO. Tirupati town has hotels for every budget.
Prasadam & Seva Booking
Tirupati Laddu Prasadam
The iconic Tirupati laddu is a GI-tagged (Geographical Indication) prasadam. Each pilgrim receives one laddu free with their darshan ticket. Additional laddus are available for purchase at ₹50 per laddu from designated counters. Laddus can also be booked online through the TTD portal for home delivery. TTD packs and sells approximately 3 lakh laddus daily.
Online Seva Booking
TTD offers several sevas (religious rituals) that can be booked online in advance. Popular sevas include:
- Suprabhatam Seva — Early morning prayers at 3:30 AM
- Thomala Seva — Flower garland offering
- Kalyanotsavam — Celestial wedding ritual
- Unjal Seva — Swing ritual
- Arjitha Brahmotsavam — Festival chariot ritual
Book at tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in → Online Services → Seva Online. Seva slots fill up months in advance for popular dates.
Important Tips for Your Tirupati Visit
Best Time to Visit
Weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday) have significantly shorter queues. Avoid weekends, public holidays, and major festival periods like Brahmotsavam (usually September–October) and Vaikunta Ekadasi (December–January).
Dress Code is Strictly Enforced
Men must wear dhoti or full-length trousers with shirt. Women must wear saree, salwar kameez, or churidar. Shorts, bermudas, and sleeveless tops are not allowed. Devotees wearing shorts will be turned away at the entry point.
Head Tonsure (Mundan)
Many devotees offer their hair as a vow. TTD operates the Kalyana Katta (tonsure centre) in Tirumala and Tirupati — the service is completely free of charge. No prior booking needed.
Mobile Phones Not Allowed Inside
Mobile phones, cameras, and electronic devices are not permitted inside the temple sanctum. Deposit them at the free cloak room before entering. Lockers are available at the Vaikuntam Queue Complex.
Reach Well in Advance
For Special Entry Darshana, arrive at Tirupati at least 1 hour before your allotted time slot. Carry original Aadhaar cards and your e-darshan slip. Being late may result in losing your slot.
Transport to Tirumala
TTD operates frequent buses from Tirupati to Tirumala (₹60 one-way). Private cars and cabs are allowed on the ghat road for a fee. Walking up the Alipiri footpath (approximately 11 km) is free and takes 3–4 hours.
TTD Helpline & Contact Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book same-day Tirupati darshan online?+
No. Online booking for Special Entry Darshana (SED) requires at least 1 day in advance. Same-day walk-in is available only for the free Sarva Darshana queue, which typically has a 12–18 hour wait.
What if I miss my allotted darshan slot?+
If you miss your slot, you can approach the standby counter at the temple with your e-darshan slip. Standby entry is subject to availability and is not guaranteed. There is no online rescheduling option once the slot is missed.
Is Aadhaar card mandatory? What about foreign nationals?+
Aadhaar is mandatory for Indian citizens. Foreign nationals can use their Passport as the valid identity document during the booking process and at the darshan counter.
Can I cancel my TTD darshan booking and get a refund?+
Yes. You can cancel your Special Entry Darshana booking at least 24 hours before the allotted date and time at tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in. The refund is processed to the original payment method within 5–7 working days.
How many days in advance can I book Tirupati darshan?+
TTD releases Special Entry Darshana (SED) slots 30 days in advance. New slots open daily at 10:00 AM on the official portal tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in. Slots fill up within minutes, so log in before 10 AM.
Is Tirupati darshan available on all days including holidays?+
Yes. Sri Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala is open 365 days a year. Darshan is available daily. However, on major festival days like Brahmotsavam, Vaikunta Ekadasi, and Ugadi, footfall is extremely high and waiting times are longer.
What time does Tirumala temple open and close?+
The Tirumala temple opens at 3:00 AM (for Suprabhatam) and closes at 1:00 AM the next day. Darshan timings vary by queue type. The temple is effectively open for nearly 22 hours each day.
How can I get TTD VIP break darshan?+
VIP Break Darshana is not publicly available for direct booking. It is allotted through the Andhra Pradesh government's official quota and is meant for dignitaries, elected representatives, and senior officials. There is no online application process for the general public.