Suggestions in the form of do’s and don’ts are displayed at various places in Tirupati and Tirumala for the information of a multitude of visiting pilgrims to the twin pilgrim centers.
Do’s
Do’s in Tirumala
- Pay obeisance to your Ishta Daivam or Kula Daivam before you start for Tirumala pilgrimage.
- Book your travel and accommodation in Tirumala well in advance.
- Bathe in the Swami Pushkarini and worship Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy in his temple before you go to worship Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy.
- Bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the sanctum shrine of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
- Concentrate on Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy inside the temple.
- Observe absolute silence and chant “Om Namo Sri Venkatesaya”, inside the temple.
- Bathe in the Papavinasanam and Akasha Ganga tirthams in Tirumala.
- Respect ancient customs and usages while at Tirumala.
- Respect and promote religious sentiments among co-pilgrims.
- Deposit your offerings only in the Hundi.
- Wear a tilak per your religious affiliation.
- Follow the procedures of the temple and wait for your turn for the darshan of the Lord.
Don’ts
Don’ts in Tirumala are as follows:
- Come to Tirumala for any purpose other than worshipping the Lord.
- Carry much jewelry and cash with you.
- Wear footwear in and around the premises of the temple.
- Approach touts for accommodation and darshan.
- Prostrate (sastanga danda pranamam) inside the temple.
- Throw away the prasadam and teertham given to you at the temple.
- Eat non-vegetarian food or consume liquor or other intoxicants and smoke while in Tirumala.
- Wear any head guards such as helmets, caps, turbans, and hats inside the temple premises.
- Commit any act of violence or harshness in the temple premises.
- Rush in for darshan instead of waiting for your turn in the queue.
- Enter the temple; if according to custom or usage, you are prohibited from entering.
- Wear flowers at Tirumala temple, as all flowers of the sacred Seven Hills are for the Lord only.
- Encourage beggars.
- Spit or be a nuisance inside the temple premises.
- Carry weapons while entering the temple.
BANNED
X Smoking, non-vegetarian food, liquor, and other intoxicants.
X Approachment of touts for accommodation and Darshan.
X Spurious prasadams from street vendors.
X Beggary.
X Spit or commit nuisance in the premises of the temple.
X Preaching and Practice of Other Religions.
X Political Meetings, Banners, Dharnas, Rastarokos, Hartals.
X Slaughter, Killing, maiming any animal/Bird for any reason.
X Gaming with cards, Dice, Counts, Money, or other instruments of Gaming.
X Don’t enter the temple with cell phones, cameras, and other electronic devices.
*Data Source: TTD official website