Plan your sacred journey to the Grand Temples of South India
Tirupati and Srikalahasti Temple Tour
Tiruchanur Padmavathi, Tirumala Venkateswara (Tirupati Balaji) and nearby Srikalahasti, with Kanipakam as an option, planned around your darshan slot.
- Tirupati Balaji
- Suitable for 2–3 Days
- Andhra Pradesh
- Family Friendly
About Tirupati and Srikalahasti Temple Tour
Give Venkateswara at Tirumala the main place in your trip. TTD's own page on Tiruchanur says pilgrims visit Padmavathi before Tirumala, so start there, then add Srikalahasti and, if you have time, Kanipakam as day trips from a Tirupati base.
Tirumala is the centre of this trip: plan the rest around your darshan slot and the queue type you choose. Srikalahasti, the air-element Shiva temple where devotees perform the Rahu-Ketu puja, makes a separate, flexible day from a Tirupati base.
Temples on this Tour (4)
- 1
View DetailsTiruchanur Padmavathi Temple
Goddess Padmavathi
Tiruchanur
TTD says pilgrims visit Padmavathi before Tirumala.
- 2View Details
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Venkateswara (Balaji)
Tirumala
Anchor the trip on the Tirumala visit and its darshan arrangements.
- 3
View DetailsSrikalahasti Temple
Air element; Rahu-Ketu puja
Srikalahasti
Add the nearby Shiva temple on a separate, flexible day.
- 4
View DetailsKanipakam Vinayaka Temple
Ganesha (optional)
Kanipakam
Optional: the Ganesha temple at Kanipakam as a further day trip.
Route Map
Tour Highlights
- Tirumala, Tirupati
- Tiruchanur Padmavathi
- Srikalahasti
- Kanipakam
4-Day Route from Tirupati
Every night in Tirupati. Allow 2 days for the 4 temples, or 4 for a slower family pace. Add your travel to and from Tirupati separately.
Day 1
- Tiruchanur Padmavathi TempleGoddess PadmavathiOpen 3:30 AM – 9:45 PM
Day 2
- Tirumala Venkateswara TempleVenkateswara (Balaji)Open 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM, with breaks
Day 3
- Srikalahasti TempleAir element; Rahu-Ketu pujaOpen 5:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Day 4
- Kanipakam Vinayaka TempleGanesha (optional)Open 6:00 AM – 9:30 PM, with breaks
TTD's Tiruchanur page puts Padmavathi before Tirumala, and on the hill TTD says Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy is seen before Lord Venkateswara. No compulsory order was verified for Srikalahasti and Kanipakam.
Customs, rules and beliefs
Order: On Tirumala, TTD says Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy is seen before Lord Venkateswara. TTD's Tiruchanur page says Padmavathi is visited before Tirumala.
Season (Nov-Feb (cooler); Brahmotsavam weeks are peak crowd): The hill is busiest during the annual Brahmotsavams, when daily pilgrims can cross one lakh. Government tourism temperature tables for the area show November to February as the coolest months and April to June as the hottest.
- DressTTD's dress code asks men to wear a dhoti or pyjama with an upper cloth, and women a saree or half-saree with blouse, or a churidar with pyjama and upper cloth. It applies to Arjitha seva participants, break darshan and the paid Rs.300 and Rs.50 darshans.
- Queues and darshanSarva darshan is the free darshan. Pilgrims wait in the Vaikuntam Queue Complex, a chain of halls that leads into the temple; it runs about 18 hours on normal days and about 20 on peak days.
- Queues and darshanSpecial Entry Darshan (also called Seeghra Darshan) is a paid, faster queue that TTD lets pilgrims book in advance on its own online booking portal.
- Queues and darshanTTD runs Divya Darshan for pilgrims who walk up, and a special darshan for the physically disabled and aged. Check the current rules on TTD's site before planning around them.
- RitualsThere are two stone footpaths up the hill. TTD gives Alipiri as about 7.80 km and 3 hours and Srivari Mettu as about 2.10 km and 1 hour 30 minutes; the ghat road up is about 17.80 km.
- RitualsWikipedia counts 3,550 steps on the roofed Alipiri path and 2,388 on Srivari Mettu, and says luggage and footwear can be left at the start and collected at the top for free.
- RitualsMany pilgrims offer their hair to fulfil a vow. TTD says tonsuring is free at the main Kalyanakatta and the smaller ones, with tokens issued.
- Good to knowAt Srikalahasti, the Devasthanam says seva participants must wear traditional Hindu clothing, with no sleeveless or modern outfits, and every devotee must carry a government ID for darshan.
What devotees believe
- At Srikalahasti, devotees believe the Rahu-Ketu rituals ease the influence of these shadow planets. The Devasthanam lists the Rahu Kethu Sarpadosha Nivarana Puja daily and advises being there at Rahu Kalam.
These are traditions and beliefs, described as devotees hold them. The temples set their own rituals and fees.
Sources: tirumala.org, incredibleindia.gov.in, tirumala.org, tirumala.org, tirumala.org, tirumala.org, tirumala.org, en.wikipedia.org, tirumala.org, srikalahasthitemple.org, srikalahasthitemple.org · checked 23 Oct 2026
Optional stops nearby
Bird sanctuaries, dams, parks and falls near this tour's temples. They are optional: the route and cost above do not include them. Distances are straight-line from the nearest temple.
- WaterfallKapila TheerthamAbout 6 km from Tiruchanur Padmavathi Temple
A Shiva temple at the foot of the Tirumala hills where a mountain stream falls straight into the temple tank. A large stone Nandi stands at the entrance.
- For families
- The district site places it about 4 km from Tirupati railway station, so it fits easily into a city day.
- WildlifeSri Venkateswara Zoological ParkAbout 7 km from Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
A large forest department zoo at the foot of the Tirumala hills with a lion safari, a herbivore safari and a butterfly park. It is the easiest half-day outing for children in Tirupati.
- Hours
- 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM (tickets sold 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM); the zoo suggests 10 AM to 12 noon or 3 PM to 4:30 PM as the best times.
- Entry
- Adult (12+) Rs 70, child (3 to 12) Rs 30; battery vehicle adult Rs 70, child Rs 50; safari adult Rs 50, child Rs 30; camera Rs 200; own four-wheeler Rs 750.
- Closed
- Closed every Tuesday.
- For families
- The zoo lists battery vehicles, wheelchairs, drinking water, benches and a children's play area, which helps elders who cannot walk the large grounds.
- HeritageChandragiri Fort and Raja Mahal MuseumAbout 12 km from Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
A hill fort strengthened by the Vijayanagara rulers, with a lower and an upper fort. The three-storey Raja Mahal now holds a museum of sculpture, weapons and coins.
- Hours
- 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Closed
- Friday (museum), as reported by a museum directory.
- For families
- The Raja Mahal museum is the easy part for elders. The tourism page calls the climb to the upper fort demanding.
- WaterfallTalakona WaterfallAbout 20 km from Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
A waterfall of about 270 feet inside Sri Venkateswara National Park, described by the district as the highest in Andhra Pradesh. A Siddheswara Swamy (Eswara) temple stands near the falls.
- Hours
- Sunrise to sunset.
- For families
- The district puts it about 40 km from Tirupati town, so plan a full half day. The forest department manages the site, so check rules at the entry point.
- Bird sanctuaryNelapattu Bird SanctuaryAbout 29 km from Srikalahasti Temple
A wetland sanctuary known for a large breeding colony of spot-billed pelicans, plus ibises, openbills and herons. It is one of the venues of the state's Flamingo Festival.
- Best season
- October to March, when migratory birds gather at the lake.
- For families
- The 2026 Flamingo Festival ran on 10 and 11 January with Nelapattu as one venue, so expect crowds on those dates.
- WaterfallKailasakona WaterfallAbout 31 km from Tiruchanur Padmavathi Temple
A waterfall of about 40 feet on the Puttur to Tirupati road, with a Shiva and Parvathi shrine beside the main fall. Local belief links the spot to the sage Agastya.
- Hours
- Entry restricted after 6:00 PM.
- For families
- Cars reach the parking area, and the main fall is a 3 to 5 minute walk on a paved path with steps, which suits most elders and children.
Sources: tirupati.ap.gov.in, tirupatizoo.com, incredibleindia.gov.in, tirupati.ap.gov.in, tirupati.ap.gov.in, incredibleindia.gov.in · checked 23 Oct 2026
Getting to Tirupati
The airport is about 15 km from Tirupati and about 29 km from Srikalahasti, so both days start within half an hour. Flights are fewer than at Chennai, so fly into Chennai and take a train or a 3 hr drive when no Tirupati flight suits.
By air
- Tirupati International Airport (Renigunta) (TIR)about 15 km, about 20 to 30 min by road
- Chennai International Airport (MAA)about 146 km, about 2 hr 30 min to 3 hr 30 min by road
By train
- Tirupati (TPTY)Four trains listed from Chennai Central end at Tirupati itself, such as the Sapthagiri Express 16057 (06:30 to 09:50) and 16053 (14:40 to 17:50). Buses up the hill leave from outside the station.
- Renigunta Junction (RU)Most Chennai trains on this route stop at Renigunta rather than Tirupati, including the Vande Bharat 20677 (about 1 hr 35 min). TTD says the drive from Renigunta to Tirupati takes about 30 min, and Srikalahasti is about 25 km from Renigunta per the temple.
By road
- From Chennaiabout 134 km, about 2 hr 30 min to 3 hr; TTD says about 3 hr
- From Bengaluruabout 253 km, about 4 to 5 hr; TTD says about 5 hr
- From Hyderabadabout 557 km, about 8 to 10 hr
- Tirupati to Tirumalaabout 18 km, no official journey time; buses climb the two-way ghat road system
Sources: trawell.in, router.project-osrm.org, erail.in, tirumala.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
Can Tirupati and Srikalahasti be visited in one day?
Sometimes, if the Tirumala visit finishes early and onward access remains feasible. Do not promise it in advance; use two to three days and let the anchor's arrangements determine the plan.
Should I visit Tiruchanur before or after Tirumala?
TTD's own page on the Tiruchanur temple says pilgrims visit Padmavathi before Tirumala.
Must Srikalahasti come after Tirumala?
This route gives the anchor priority, but no compulsory order was verified. Reverse the days if your actual temple arrangements require it.
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Partial Trip Estimate
₹ 16,010
for 4 people (2 Days)
≈ ₹ 4,003 per person for the trip
Flight fare for this route needs a quote. This is a partial total.
- 1 × AC sedan with driver₹8,2001 × (500 billed km × ₹14 + 2 days × ₹600 driver). Up to 4 passengers per vehicle, driver separate. AC; fuel budgeted within the per-km hire, inclusions to confirm. Minimum 250 km/day; route 246 km. Chennai operator example; pickup in your region to confirm. Rate source
- 1 night · 2 rooms₹4,6101 nights × 2 rooms × ₹2,305/night. Two people per room, rounded up. Hotel Raya’s Standard AC, Kumbakonam published reference including tax; availability elsewhere to confirm. Rate source
- Simple local meals · all travellers₹3,2002 days × 4 people × ₹400/day. Planning allowance.
- Flight fare for this route needs a quote
- Tolls, parking and personal spending
- Home/station transfers, travel-day meals and extra nights
- Permits, garage/pickup kilometres, driver accommodation and operator taxes, if charged
Assumptions & what changes this estimate
References checked 19 October 2026. Rooms use the linked hotel’s published examples. Meals, fuel, bus and train are budgeting allowances. Bus/train costs use approximate distance, not ticket searches or confirmed classes. Flight examples are economy fares; Luxury upgrades your stay and local vehicle, not your flight cabin. Cab and rental examples need confirmation for your arrival region.
Basic sets rooms, meals and hired vehicle class. Own-vehicle fuel and economy return fares do not change with the stay tier. Dates do not fetch live prices.
Hotel references are Kumbakonam examples, including the published tax, used as a budget across the trip. They are not confirmed rooms in every town. Meals and fuel are planning allowances. All travellers use the same allowance; no child discount is assumed.
Cab minimums and room sharing mean some changes can leave a line unchanged. Travel quotes entered by you are fixed group totals. Prices and availability must be confirmed before booking.