In recent times we’ve been receiving numerous enquiries about joining our Tirumala Padayatra and they want to know how, when, where to approach for the details.
As an introduction, this 'Tirumala Padayatra' is a once a year, annual event of padayatra pilgrimage to Lord Venkateshwara Temple, Tirumala from Chennai.
Started in 1988 by our pioneers with around 10 members, and immediately joined by us from 1989, this Padayatra is being successfully conducted and completed for the past 35 years consecutively.
Registered as a trust under the name of 'Tirumala Tirupathi Padayatra (ALF) Trust' in 2017, we function as a non-profit entity, solely involving in the activity of organizing Padayatra pilgrimage to Tirumala once every year.
Padayatra Route
Tirumala Padayatra Details
- Every year our 'Tirumala Padayatra Pilgrimage' will be held in the last quadrant of the year, mostly in the Tamil Calendar month of Karthigai or Margazhi (December) unless and otherwise it is rescheduled and announced well in advanced.
- The Padayatra dates (start date & darshan date) will be officially announced in the Tamil Calendar month of Aadi (July-August) through our official WhatsApp Group and in this Blog.
Inclusion to Padayatra Pilgrimage Group
- If you are interested to join our 'Tirumala Padayatra Pilgrimage', we request you to keep checking our Blog Page for the announcement of the Padayatra date.
- Immediately after the announcement of the date, you can send an email to our official email address emailttpt@gmail.com mentioning your interest to participate, along with details such as
- Age
- Location
- Occupation
- if you had participated previously in any padayatra or similar endurance event
- how you have came to know about us
- It would be better if you can send the email immediately after the announcement of Padayatra dates, so that you can book the darshan & accommodation tickets in a timely manner as and when it opens.
- We will reply back within 3 working days with further instructions about contact & communication details
- Please make it as habit and obligatory, to reply and acknowledge, all general and specific communications received by you with respect to this padayatra from the Organizers or Admin Team through our official WhatsApp or email.
Ticket Booking Process
- Once you are included in our official WhatsApp group, you will start receiving all communications regarding the forth coming Padayatra.
- As soon as we come to know about the Booking Opening Date of TTD for darshan and accommodation, we will inform in the WhatsApp group and Blog. We will also post reminders about booking opening as the date comes nearer.
- If you are new to Tirumala Ticket Booking process, we advice you to visit Official TTD site well in advance, for the booking details on darshan / seva and accommodation.
- On the booking opening date, participants can book the tickets to the mentioned seva or any other darshan according to their convenience. But make sure darshan tickets are being booked on the booking opening dates without fail.
- Please note, tickets will get sold out / exhausted within few hours of opening for that particular date. If you have any doubts about booking tickets or if you are new to Tirumala altogether, please get in touch with us organizers, well in advance, so that we will guide you. Since everyone will be busy booking tickets on the booking opening dates, you may not be able to reach us on that day.
Preparation for Padayatra
- As you would have read in the blog, approximately we will be covering 35 to 42 KM by walk each day during our padayatra.
- Around 10 to 12 KM will be covered between each break points.
- Though the timing or speed you walk will not be a constraint, it would be better if you can cover around 4+ km per hour so that you can reach all break points in a timely manner and that will give you more time to take rests at the break points.
- There will be at least 2 to 3 months of time in between the announcement (of padayatra date) and the pilgrimage. New comers or even for existing participants, if you do not have a habit of walking or any similar endurance activity, we strongly advice to walk daily 8 to 10 KM to make yourself physically prepared for the padayatra.
- You can do the walking on all days or selective few days of the week or start with smaller distance and increase it till you meet your targeted time and distance.
- Also please remember, this padayatra is a taxing activity and may not be easy, at least at the beginning. There will be fatigue, strain and pain but its all bearable. But do not not worry, we have seen participants from age group of 15 to 70, every one of them had completed the padayatra and reached the Tirumala and had the darshan of Lord Venkateshwara.
- And of course, more than physical strength, this needs will power and dedication which will definitely help you in completing the padayatra successfully.
- Apart from physical preparation, also please read and follow the 'Padayatra Checklist' which will help you to get ready for this pilgrimage.
- Do not go on a shopping spree at the last moment, buy necessary things leisurely well in advance, whenever you have time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How can I participate in this Tirumala Padayatra?
- Please send an email to emailttpt@gmail.com mentioning your intent to participate along with your details like Age, Location, Occupation, earlier participation in any similar event etc.
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- Can I decide and choose the padayatra date according to my convenient?
- Padayatra date will be announced by the organizers through the WhatsApp Group and Blog, well in advance, so that you can plan your participation accordingly.
- How many padayatra pilgrimage will be conducted in a calendar year?
- In every calendar year, our 'Tirumala Padayatra Pilgrimage' will be held only once, in the last quadrant of the year, mostly in the Tamil calendar month of Karthigai or Margazhi (December) unless and otherwise it is rescheduled and announced well in advanced.
- Will you provide tickets for darshan and provide accommodation at Tirumala?
- No, darshan tickets and accommodation need to be booked by the participant by themselves, as and when the booking gets opened by the TTD. However we, organizers, will inform the booking opening dates for seva / darshan & accommodation for our padayatra dates.
- Can I join the padayatra in between en route?
- Yes, you can join the padayatra on the way at your convenience, provided you have already enrolled and informed your joining place in advance either to your group leader or organizers directly, so that the arrangements will be made accordingly.
- Should I have to pay anything to participate in this padayatra?
- There will be a participation fee which have to be paid in full through online (Bank Transfer or UPI) transfer to our Trust Account on or before the payment last date.
- Is there any other fee or deposit need to be paid?
- No, there is no other fee apart from the participation fee.
- Will Food & Accommodation will be provided during padayatra?
- During the entire padayatra, from day 1 breakfast at starting point to day 4 breakfast at Tirupathi, food and accommodation will be provided to all padayatra members.
- After darshan at Tirumala, will you make / provide arrangements to return from Tirumala to Chennai?
- Return arrangements from Tirumala to their respective home towns or Chennai need to be taken care by the participants themselves.
- What are the conditions to participate in this padayatra pilgrimage?
- You are expected to be physically fit to participate in this pilgrimage, with good health condition and dedication to complete the padayatra.
- Do I need to register anywhere to participate in this padayatra?
- Please contact the organizers with your details so that you will be informed about the process.
- Should I need to submit any document or proof to participate in this padayatra?
- You need to submit your Aadhaar Card copy while making the payment and a self undertaking declaration letter for fitness and participation.
- Is there any age limit or restriction to participate in this padayatra?
- Anyone completed age 18 and above can participate on their own. If the age is below 18, then the minor has to be accompanied by parent or guardian all through the event. Also parent or guardian should provide necessary undertaking for the minor participant. Though there is no upper age limit to participate in this padayatra, we make sure the participants are appropriately aged & physically fit enough to complete this padayatra successfully.
- Can I participate in this padayatra if I have any specific medical condition?
- If you have a medical condition that will prevent you from participating in an endurance activity, then you cannot participate in this padayatra pilgrimage. However if you can obtain a medical certificate from a certified medical practitioner stating your specific condition and providing 'no objection' then you may submit those details and request for participation.
- During padayatra, is there any medical service available in case of Medical Emergency?
- All participants need to carry their daily medicines on their own, if anything they take regularly. Apart from that, we request each group of 4 to 5 members or according to your 'walking group' to carry your own medical kit (refer Padayatra Checklist). Also the organizers and service members will carry necessary Medical Kit. In case of any unforeseen severe medical emergency, the participant will be taken to the nearest Medical facility in our Service Vehicle immediately for the treatment.
- Is there any dress code or uniform that need to be followed during the padayatra?
- There is no dress code or uniform that need to be followed during padayatra, however, for darshan at Tirumala and / or at any temple enroute, you need to follow the dress code as prescribed by the respective temple rules and regulations. Refer our Padayatra Checklist for guidelines.
- Is there any 'fasting rituals' or 'viratham' rules that need to be followed before coming to Padayatra?
- We have not set any fasting or viratham rules to participate in this padayatra. However this being a devotional padayatra pilgrimage to a sacred place, we suggest to follow any fasting or viratham rules that you would normally follow before going to any such sacred places.
For any specific queries or more details you can get in touch with us through our email or WhatsApp
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