Tirupati, Srikalahasti and Kanipakam Temple Trail

A grand old Shiva temple on the Swarnamukhi river, known all over South India for the Rahu Ketu pooja. Darshan is free. Pooja tickets are bought at the temple counter on the day (Approx Rs 500 to Rs 2,500 by hall), and the pooja itself takes about 45 minutes. Traditional dress, and avoid black clothes. Some families follow the custom of going straight to their stay after this pooja, without visiting another temple. If you do, tell us and we move the Padmavathi temple to Day 2 or Day 3.

Tradition says a Tirumala trip is complete only after seeing Goddess Padmavathi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara. Free darshan. Same dress and phone rules as Tirumala. If you reach early, your driver drops you at the hotel to rest first.

Every car and bag is checked at Alipiri. No alcohol, tobacco, meat or non vegetarian food is allowed on the hill. The ghat road is closed to vehicles from about midnight to 3 AM.

Report at the Special Entry Darshan queue entry shown on your ticket, with the original Aadhaar of every pilgrim and the printed ticket. Dress code: men in dhoti or kurta pyjama, women in saree, half saree or churidar with dupatta. Phones, cameras, bags and footwear are not allowed: leave them with the driver in the car. Allow 2 to 4 hours in the queue.

Each darshan pilgrim gets one free laddu. Extra laddus are about Rs 50 each at the counter.

Two holy springs a few km from the temple. Expect steps down to the water at Akasa Ganga. Skip it if your darshan runs late or you are tired.

A Shiva temple at the foot of the Tirumala hills where a mountain stream falls into the temple tank. The fall is full after rain and can be a trickle in the dry months. Footwear off at the gate.

An old Ganesha temple where the idol is said to rise from a well. Free darshan, paid quick darshan tickets at the counter. Traditional dress, phones in the car.