Reaching Tirumala

In the olden days, there were 4 routes to reach Tirumala. They were all either footpaths or paths intended to go in small vehicles.

1. The first route is 25 miles of distance from Talakona (Siddheswara Kshetram to Tirumala through the forest).
2. The second route from Kadapa district is from Balapalle, via Mamandur to Tirumala, it is a ghat route, the stair case still exists. One or 2 mantapams (resting places) can be found on the way. One is Eetakayala Mantapam which is seen beside the Gogarbham dam
3. The third route is from Tirupati via Alipiri to Tirumala. (The meaning behind the word Alipiri is mentioned on the same page)
4. The fourth route is from Chandragiri Via, Sri vari Mettu.

• There is a talk amongst the people that after hearing the bell of food – offering (Naivedyam) to the swami, the rulers of Chandragiri used to take their meal.
• In Addition to these routes there was a tunnel to reach Tirumala from Kapilatheertham.

To reach Tirupati there are many roadways, railways and airways.

The city is well connected to major cities through national and state highways.

The National highways passing through Tirupati are, National Highway 71 which connects Madanapalle and Nayudupeta, National Highway 140 connecting Tirupati with Puthalapattu.

There is a total of 294.47 km of Roads within the Tirupati Municipal Corporation Limits.

By Road

APSRTC is the state owned transport service, which operates buses to various destinations from Tirupati bus station complex.

The bus station comprises of three mini bus stations to various destinations, such as Srinivasa bus station for west-bound destinations, Sri Hari bus station for east bound destinations and Yedukondalu bus station is utilized for bus services to Tirumala.

Balaji Link bus station at Alipiri is also used for bus services to Tirumala. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams runs free buses from railway station and Central bus stand to Alipiri for pilgrims. The buses to Tirumala are known as Sapthagiri Express.

Tirupati is in close proximity with the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Hence, buses from KSRTC, TNSTC and SETC also operates their services. There are also private transport which operate in the city.