Today’s blog post is an elaborate Sri Padmavati Ammavari temple guide.

During my recent travels, I visited the Sri Padmavati Ammavari temple in Tirupati.

It is one of the most sacred temples in Tirupati. Devotees believe a trip to Tirupati is incomplete without coming here.

In the Sri Padmavati Ammavari temple guide, I have discussed various topics for a hassle-free darshan.

• About Padmavati temple
• Padmavati Ammavari darshan
• Temple timings
• The best time to visit
• Dress code
• Travel tips

ABOUT PADMAVATI TEMPLE

Padmavati is Venkateswara Swamy’s consort and Goddess Laxmi’s reincarnation. She is the temple’s presiding deity.

According to legend, goddess Laxmi reincarnated as King Akasha Raja’s daughter, Alamelu. When she met Venkateswara Swamy, she appeared on a red Lotus. Padma is the Sanskrit word for Lotus. Hence the name Padmavati Ammavari temple.

Inside the temple is a sacred kund. When Padmavati met Venkateswara Swamy after his twelve years of penance, she manifested into a golden Lotus in this kund. It is known as the Padmasarovaram.

Devotees believe that when visiting Tirupati, one should seek blessings at Padmavati Ammavari and Venkateswara Swamy temples.

PADMAVATI AMMAVARI DARSHAN PROCESS

Padmavati temple receives devotees from all over and is often busy. More so on the weekends. Darshan takes 1-2 hours, more on weekends and during festivals.

I visited the temple on a weekend and at 10 a.m. It was a madhouse. There was no parking space, and darshan queues were long.

It took me 30 minutes to find a parking spot. And the free darshan took 1½ hours.

I recommend parking your vehicle (if self-driving) at the first available parking spot. Then, head to the temple’s entrance.

NOTE:- There are no free parking spots around the temple. They charge Rs.50 or more per vehicle.

Just past the entry, on the left, are the lockers for storing your belongings (bags, mobiles, luggage) and shoes.

Now, you have two options– free or Rs.50 or Rs.200 darshan. For the free darshan, walk up the steps and head towards the Padmasarovaram kund. Next to it is the entry to the free darshan queue.

Purchase the tickets for Rs.200 or Rs.50 darshan queues at the counter opposite the lockers. There are separate entrances.

However, once you enter the temple, the free, Rs.50 and Rs.200 darshan queues merge into one. This line continues to mandap.

There is a third line for VIPs. I saw only one or two families using this line. They were out in 20-30 minutes. However, this line is for temple employees, their families and other dignitaries.

After darshan, collect your Prasad.

Next to the Prasad counter is a filter for drinking water and basins for washing hands.

TRAVEL TIP:- If you have brought the puja thali from the vendors, you cannot offer it to the idol. You have to deposit it into the large cloth bags called Hundis.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

That brings us to the temple timings. So, how early is too early?

Padmavati Ammavari temple is open from Monday to Sunday from 5:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. and reopens from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT

November to February are the peak months. The weather is pleasant, and the temperature is low. It is the time when most schools are closed for Diwali and Christmas holidays.

July to October are the monsoon months. Tirupati receives abundant rainfall during these months. However, the temperature is lower during the months. Also, you can see the Kapila waterfall at Kapileswara Swamy temple.

March to June are the off-season. The weather is scorching hot, and the temperature is high.

So when is the best time to visit Tirupati?

The best time to visit Tirupati is mid-January, February, March, early April, early June, October, late November, and early December. That’s when the festivals and holidays have passed or are yet to come.

PADMAVATI TEMPLE DRESS CODE

Like other temples in Tirupati, Padmavati Ammavari temple follows a strict dress code.

Devotees should wear appropriate clothing when entering the temple. Men and women must cover their shoulders and knees when inside the temple.

For an elaborate guide, refer to my Tirupati Balaji dress guide.

TRAVEL TIPS

• If you visit Padmavati temple on the weekdays, darshan takes less than 1 hour. But, weekends are too crowded, and queues for tickets and darshan are long. On weekends, try to visit as early as possible.
• The temple closes in the afternoon. My cousins were waiting in the darshan queue when they closed the doors. They had to wait for 30-40 minutes before darshan resumed. Therefore, it’s best to come here early.
• All the parking spots near the temple are paid parking. Even if you don’t see a sign, someone will come to ask for money. They charge Rs.50+ per vehicle.
• The temple complex has various gates. You can enter through anyone. I used the gate near the TTD Ticket counter.
• Several hawkers and individuals sell Lotus flowers to devotees. They charge Rs.20 for one flower. Some hawkers will push the flowers into your hands and then ask for money.

CONCLUSION

That brings us to the end of the Sri Padmavati Ammavari temple guide.

To summarise the blog post, the Sri Padmavati Ammavari temple guide includes information about the temple, the darshan process, temple timings, the best time to visit, travel tips and dress code.

I hope this blog post was helpful. If you have any queries, let me know in the comments.