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Flying to Tirupati
The closest airport to Tirupati is located at Renigunta, about 15 kilometres from the city. Regular flights to Renigunta Airport are available from Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore, among other major cities. Renigunta Airport is well connected to the city centre by cabs which charge a reasonable INR 300 for the short distance.
If you are visiting the temple for Tirupati darshan from overseas, the nearest international airport to is the Chennai Airport. It is well connected to most major domestic and international cities. A cab ride to the city centre from the airport, a distance of about 200 kilometres from Chennai Airport, will take about 4 hours.
Getting to Tirupati by road
State run buses connect most towns in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka with Tirupati. A host of tourist bus service providers offer package tours to the Tirupati Temple from Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad and other cities. You can also tie up with a tour operator for transport, accommodation, darshan and sightseeing.
Tirupati Balaji – A Hunter without Weapons
Normally most Hindu God’s Idols are in Sathvik and Shanthi postures (in a calm and quiet posture) and would be depicted with at least one weapon in one of the hands. But in the case Lord Balaji no weapon is held by him in his hands. He is a nirayudhapani (with no weapons in hands). That’s why in ancient Tamil literature he was described as Verungai Vedan, a hunter without any weapons in hands.
The inner garments (Ul-Pavadai) of Lord Balaji’s consort Goddess Alarmelumanga, are made of cotton at a place called Kathwaal. The weavers of this garment belong to the Chenchu Tribes and they prepare it with utmost devotion. Since this inner garment touches the body of the Goddess, the weavers take bath thrice daily during the preparation of this dress. They also do not touch liquor or any non-vegetarian foods during this period.
The items for Friday Abhishegam are got prepared on Thursday nights at the Parimala Room. Saffron is also added to the mixture for Abhishegam. Devotees from abroad continue to dispatch various fragrant items to the Lord. Roughly materials worth about Rs. 50,000 are sent every week.
