Tirupati – Stairway to Salvation

Since time immemorial, Tirupati has been a centre of devotion and belief. Known to answer all the prayers of devotees, Tirupati Balaji is considered to be one of the most powerful deities among the Hindus. If you are thinking about visiting this holy land, here are a few pointers that will help you plan your trip smoothly. Thousands of pilgrims make their way for a Tirupati Darshan every year. It is not surprising why this land is so revered. After all, it has been the home of Lord Venkateshwara for centuries now. Located atop the Tirumala Hills, the Sri Venkateshwara or Balaji Temple has been developed by various Kings who ruled the land in the past. It was mostly the Pallavas and the Cholas in the beginning until the Vijaynagar Empire rose and took this temple to new levels of prosperity. It has been growing ever since and is today one of the richest temples in the world. If you are planning a Tirupati Darshan anytime soon, it is a wise idea to look for Tirupati hotels close to the temple. The Aartis start as early as 6:00 am, and you would definitely not want to miss it! In addition to that, if you want to get a good look at the jet black idol, adorned in precious stones and metals, it is best that you start out early because the queues can get really length at any time of the year. After all, this is the busiest pilgrimage centre in the world. You will also be able to witness many rituals and practices that are common among the visitors to this temple. While to some people they may seem bizarre, to most they are a small gesture of their devotion to the deity. The first and, perhaps, most popular one, is the act of offering one’s hair. It is symbolic of becoming a total devotee by casting off all the worldly needs and sins that bind a person. Another interesting practice is the offering of fruits, grains or fabric equal to the person’s weight. It is believed that by doing so, one can please the Lord enough to ensure that his wish will be granted. So that is another reason for you to make your Tirupati online booking as soon as possible. Besides the devotion factor, there are many reasons why you should visit this place. This is a place that is steeped in history and geographically, it is very important. In case you didn’t know already, the Tirumala Hills rank second amongst the oldest rock mountains in the world. In addition to that, the architecture of the Balaji Temple and other smaller temples around it is definitely worth seeing. And if you are fond of artifacts and souvenirs, Tirupati is famous for its brass and copper statuettes and wooden toys. So if you haven’t made your Tirupati online booking yet or if you haven’t found Tirupati hotels, it is about time you plan a trip. There are different ways to get to the place for your Tirupati Darshan. You will be able to find buses and trains pretty easily. There are very few airplane options, however. You can even hire a cab or drive up yourself as the roads are pretty good these days. While making your Tirupati online booking, you should also check out different packages that are available. If you can find something reliable, all details including the temple visit, transport and Tirupati hotels will be taken care of for you. So, here’s hoping that you have found enough information for you visit and that you have a safe and blessed trip!