Last travelled on 18 Feb 2017.
Morning around 3.30 am started from electronic city and around 8.00 a.m reached Tirupathi rather Alipiri security check point. Another 30 minutes from Alipiri to Tirumala (24 kms).
Route
The route I opted is
Electronic city - OMR (Old Madras road) - KR Puram - Hoskote - Kolar - Mulbagal - Chittor - Tiripathi.
Its four lane till Karnataka border, from then on two lane with varying width. The condition of the road in this entire stretch is pretty decent.
(Distance around 280 kms from Tirumala to electronic city)
From Electronic city take elevated and go till KR Puram, then go through the hanging bridge and you will enter into Bangalore-Tirupathi highway, from then toll road starts. On the way you cross Hoskote, Kolar, Mulbagal, then enter into Andra state. Then pass through Palamaner after few kilometers you can see sign boards to Tirupathi. Take left to enter into chittor by pass road and go straight till bypass ends, then take left to tirupathi. Go further for around 15 kilometers and you will see signboards to take right for Tirupathi.
Speed Breakers
Some unexpected speed breakers are there in few cross roads. Be careful with that. Normally the immediate cross road after toll plaza has speed breakers
Toll Plaza Details
| Toll plaza |
Rate |
| Hoskote |
Rs 20 |
| After Kolar |
Rs 66 |
| Just before the four lane ends |
Rs 20 |
The toll I mentioned here is for four wheeler.
Then from Tirupathi to Tirumala there is Rs. 15 which includes return trip.
Restaurants
Not much restaurants are there in this route. One Vasudev Adiga near Kolar. Because this is the only decent restaurant in this highway most of the time, it is crowded. So it is better to carry food if possible.
Tirupathi - Tirumala
From Tirupathi to Tirumala is a pleasure drive with lots of stopping points. In this 24 km stretch (one way) two restrooms are there one after around 5-8 kms from Alipiri and last one around 10 kms before Tirumala. Both are pretty clean.
Special Entry Darshan (Rs. 300)
I booked special entry Rs. 300 darshan and timing was 11.00. Actually I reached little early. Then had breakfast. After that around 11 we reached SMC- 211 that is the entry point and by 12.30 had darshan and came out. As soon as you exit from temple take left and walk little you can see the laddu counter. Separate queue for plastic cover (Rs. 2) and laddu.
How to reach SMC 211 special entry darshan
If your are coming from Tirupathi, first there is a right turn which will take you to car parking area, dont take that. If you go further you will see a roundabout, take left from roundabout, then if you go straight you will see car parking area on your left side, little further you will see the SMC 211 board and counter.
Return Journey
While returning immediately after the Alipiri, there is a right turn and I took that and reached Chandragiri. From there take a right and get into the Chittor - Tirupathi road.
While returning from Palamaner we stopped at Mr & Mrs Idly Veg restaurant. Not great food. But ok. Restrooms are pretty decent. The restaurant is on the other side of the road. After entered into 4 lane road, saw Vasudeva Adiga in our side.
Note. From Palamaner till Chittor bypass its a two lane road and width of the road is comparatively less. So be careful while driving in this stretch. I saw two accidents on this stretch.
Safe Journey
Photos
 |
| Alipiri Security gate |
