Tirupati Balaji is one of the most respected and visited religious destinations in India. Every year, millions of people from India and abroad visit this holy place.

People get a unique, divine experience when they visit this important religious place. They get immersed in spirituality while seeking blessings from Lord Balaji.

Tirupati Balaji Temple is known as the richest temple in India. But that is not the only specialty. The temple has the highest religious significance and is very beautiful, and it has an intricate architecture as well.

People go there by arranging individual trips, but many people prefer group tours. Experts say that it is always very convenient and comfortable to book a group tour.

Are you planning to book a Tirupati Balaji Group Tour from Mumbai? If yes, then you should read this blog. It will elaborate on  various minute points of this religious experience.

Itinerary Overview: Mumbai to Tirupati Travel Schedule

When you book a group tour from Mumbai, it normally involves a train journey, which takes around 20 hours. It is because the distance is more than 1200 kilometers. Therefore, the tour package is for three nights and four days.

It involves traveling from Mumbai to Tirupati, visiting the temple on the next day, and coming back to Mumbai by train.

The main thing covered is the Darshan at the Balaji Temple. The itinerary may also include the Chandragiri Fort.

This is an example of the travel plan of 3-nights/4-days trip by train:

Day 1: Departure from Mumbai. You will board an overnight train from Mumbai (e.g., LTT MAS EXP) for Tirupati.

Day 2: You will arrive at Tirupati and check into your hotel. After relaxing for a while and having breakfast, you will go to the Chandragiri Fort. You will come back to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: You will have the Temple Visit. The day will begin with breakfast. Then, you will go to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple for rituals and darshan. After Darshan and Lunch, you will arrive at the hotel.

Day 4: After breakfast, you will board the train back to Mumbai.



Darshan Process at Tirupati Balaji Temple

Remember, the Tirupati Balaji Temple is one of the most crowded temples in India. Therefore, you need to understand the Darshan Process before going there. You will find different types of Darshans, and each one takes a different duration. You need to choose based on your availability.

#1 Sarva Darshan or Free Darshan

This is a free darshan where the pilgrims will enter the line and have darshan without spending any money. The timings for Sarva Darshan may vary on different days. On normal days, it is for 18 hours. On peak days, it is for 20 hours.

The entry for Tirupati Sarva Darshan is through Vaikuntam Queue Complex. Annaprasadam, milk, tea, and coffee are provided to the pilgrims every three hours.

#2 Time Slotted Sarva Darshan

Time-slotted Sarva Darshan is where you can have darshan of Sri Venkateshwara Bhagwan without waiting in line. It is free of cost, but you should take the tokens for this darshan in advance from any of the 109 SSD ticket counters in Tirupati. The counters open at 5:00 AM, and the tokens are issued for the same day. You will have to produce the Aadhaar card to get the darshan token.

#3. Special Entry Darshan (Rs 300 Darshan)

Special Entry Darshan is the most popular darshan ticket. They are available Online and should be booked 2-3 months in advance. The booking slots for the coming months open on a particular day each month, and they get booked within minutes. You will have to spend Rs 300 for the Darshan, and you will get one Ladoo Prasadam. You can make advance booking through (https://tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in) and Indian Post Offices. It is also possible to find the information and regular updates about Darshan Booking on Tirupati’s official Twitter account.

#4. 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. You can book them through the respective government tourism websites.

Accommodation and Meals During the Trip

You have several choices of accommodation. The free accommodation is available in Choultries and Dormitory Halls provided by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

As far as paid accommodation is concerned, you will have a wide range of hotels in Tirupati and Tirumala. They range from budget-friendly hotels to expensive, luxury hotels.

Free meals are provided by the temple management for pilgrims during the Tirupati Balaji Tour. For paid meals, there are numerous hotels, restaurants, and small eating joints that offer all types of cuisines.

Places Covered Beyond the Main Temple

The main attraction is, of course, the Tirupati Balaji Temple. But there are many other places of religious importance. The prominent temples are:

  • Shri Padmavati Ammavari Temple
  • Shri Kapileshwar Swami Temple
  • Shri Bhu Varaha Swami Temple
  • Shri Anjaneya Swami Temple

Group Tour Benefits and Tips for Pilgrims

Going for a pilgrimage in a group is always a good experience. You develop a sense of togetherness and belongingness. Also, it boosts your confidence. A sense of security is established.

Tour operators handle the logistics. Therefore, you remain stress-free. Transportation, accommodation, sightseeing, everything is managed by the operating company.

It also has local guides who can tell you about the history, culture, and spiritual significance of the temple.

Group tours take advantage of bulk bookings and shared expenses. It lowers the costs for pilgrims and makes an expensive pilgrimage affordable.

Tips for the pilgrims:

  • You should pick the safest and most reliable operator.
  • Try to be with the group always.
  • You need to follow the rules laid by the operator.

So, if you want to go to Tirupati to receive the blessings of Bhagwan Balaji, then this blog will give you complete insight.

By going on the tour to Tirupati, you will explore the religious, historic, and cultural side of India.

This is a very special destination where you will feel the essence of the culture and traditions of ancient India.

Plan a holy trip to Tirupati by booking a group tour and have a darshan of Bhagwan Balaji in an easy and convenient manner.