Tirupati to Jamnagar Flights

  About Tirupati

Tirupati or Tirumala as a lot of people call it, is one of the most visited temples in India. It's also one of the richest shrines in the country. Tirupati is the place of worship for Lord Balaji or Sri Venkateshwara, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Hundreds and thousands of devotees visit Tirupati daily to offer their prayers. It is a tradition among a lot of people to shave their heads and offer their hair at his feet to seek his blessings. It is believed that Lord Vishnu incarnated on earth as Balaji to save mankind from all the troubles in Kali Yug. People wait for hours in a queue to get a glimpse of God and offer their prayers. The temple is located on seven hills in Andhra Pradesh, which is yet another speciality about the temple. Though Tirupati is majorly known for its religious significance, there is a lot more than you can do here.

You can visit the Sri Venkateswara National Park after your darshan. The beautiful landscape and view of the valleys will take your breath away. The Sri Venkateswara National Park was built in 1989 and was declared a National Park in 1998. The national park is home to a lot of exotic animals like the Nilgai, Flying Lizard, Hyena and Golden Gecko. You have to pay a certain price for tickets to enter the park and spending some time here will definitely be a treat to the eyes and the mind. If you are in Tirupati with your family and kids, the little ones will definitely be delighted to spot the animals. In addition to this, the holy place also boasts of a Deer Park. You'll find different species of deer and might even get to feed them. You'll find solace from the crowd and spend some time with nature and nature's best here.

You can also immerse in the holy waters of Papavinasam Theertham. It is believed that taking a dip in this holy water will rid you of your sins. Just being here calms your mind and takes you to your happy place. You will also find a lot of waterfalls like the Talakona waterfall, Vaikuntha theertham and so on. There will be several places in the complex where you can sit and meditate. The early morning aarti is one of the most overwhelming and divine feelings. The chants and devotional mantras echo through the hills early in the morning. Swami Pushkarini lake is also a highly recommended place to visit in Tirupati.

Though you will have to adhere to certain decorum and rules when visiting the temple. A strict dress code to wear something traditional must be followed in the temple vicinity. You are also not allowed to consume alcohol or non-vegetarian food while you are in the temple premises. Not to mention, the queue can tend to get on your nerves, so avoid getting into any fights or heated arguments. You will not be allowed to bring any of your gadgets like the camera or phone. While a lot of people believe that shaving their head off and donating their hair is essential, it entirely depends on you and whether you want to do it. It will be fairly easier for you to find and book a hotel in Tirupati.

Best Time to Visit Tirupati

September to February is an ideal time to visit Tirupati. This is when the city experiences winter and the weather is quite pleasant during the day. It can get quite nippy in the night and early mornings can be quite chilly though. The summer will be pretty unpleasant to handle since the southern part of India does experience scorching heat during April and May. It rains in Tirupati from July to September, and while monsoon does make the weather quite pleasant, it won't be the best time to climb the hill even by a car or bus.

Places to Visit in Tirupati

Apart from the main temple of Tirumala Balaji, it is also mandatory to offer your prayers at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple. It is believed that your prayers will not be complete unless you pray to the Goddess, and according to scriptures, it is important that you pay respects to the Goddess first before heading to Tirumala. Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple is not very close to Lord Balaji's temple. After offering your prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Temple, you can visit the Srivari Museum to know more about Tirupati's inception and how it became one of the most popular temples in the country.

Head over to Papavinasam Theertham to take a dip in the holy water. It is believed that it will wash away your sins, and it also calms your mind instantly. It's the sheer sanctity of the place that makes you embrace your spiritual side. Tirupati is also home to many exotic animals. The Sri Venkateswara National Park houses animals like Hyenas, Nilgai, Golden Gecko and more. You can visit the National Park with your family or alone. You must also visit the Deer Park that has deers of different species, and they're quite friendly, too. If you're lucky, you might get to feed the deers.

Take a tour of the Srivara Museum. You'll get to read more stories about the inception of the temple and the Gods and Goddesses. Since the temple is located on seven hills, each hill has been named after a God or devotee of mythological importance. There is Vrushabhadri, which is also called as the Hill of Nandi, the biggest devotee of Lord Shiva and also an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Anjanadri is the Hill of Hanuman, Neeladri is the Hill of Neela Devi, Garudachalam is the Hill of Garuda, Seshadri is the Hill of Sesha, Narayanadri is the Hill of Narayana and Venkatadri is the Hill of Venkateswara.

There are also a lot of sub-temples and shrines that you can visit along with the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari and Sri Venkateswara temples.

Things to do in Tirupati

Find a spot in the temple after your darshan and just sit in peace to meditate for a while before you make your itinerary. Do not forget to take the famous Tirupati laddoo that is served as the prasad. The temple also serves puliogare, a savoury rice, that is also served as the prasad. The temple city can get noisy, so get away from the hubbub of the crowded places and visit one of the famous waterfalls. You can quietly sit and admire the nature around you. The serene aura of the place and the breathtakingly beautiful scenario makes for the perfect place to take pictures, too.

The National Park and the Deer Park make for the perfect locations to put your wildlife photography skills to the test. While a lot of people rent a car or take a bus to get up to the hill, some even walk or climb all the way up. Though some do it because they love a nice trek, a lot of people do it out of pure devotion to the Gods. Don't just go to Tirupati to offer your prayers to God but also make the most of it by getting to know more about the place and visiting all of the other places mentioned here. Being close to nature is also one of the best places and moments to introspect or to just leave all your worries behind and live in the moment. You will surely be able to leave all your worries behind and be optimistic effortlessly once you visit Tirumala.

Food and Restaurants in Tirupati

While there will be no non-vegetarian food served within the temple premises or on the hilltop, you will find restaurants serving non-veg food a little away from Tirumala. Andhra Spice and Hyderabad House are some of the popular restaurants that serve non-vegetarian food. It goes without saying that it will be quite easy to find South Indian food in the area, and the food will not disappoint you one bit.

How to reach Tirupati (Transportation)

By Air

While there is no international connectivity of flights directly, the domestic flights frequently run to and from Tirupati Airport. You will get pretty good flight deals and cheap flight tickets, too, if you book at the right time. Don't forget to look for offers on flights online. You can also land at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad and take a bus or hire a cab from the airport to Tirumala.

By Rail

Tirupati Railway station is connected to domestic routes like Bangalore, Chennai, Vishakapatnam and Madurai. Renigunta station is also quite close to Tirupati and an easier way to get to Tirupati.

By Road

You will find multiple bus services that run from cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and every part of Andhra Pradesh to Tirupati. It is advisable to carry a few medicines or chocolates with you if you suffer from motion sickness because the way to go up the hill is going to be full of twists and turns.

  About Jamnagar

Jamnagar's fame might come from all the Energy refineries and projects undertaken in the region, but the fact remains that it is one of the largest cities in Gujarat. The city has grown into one of the most developed cities in terms of impeccable infrastructure and contribution to the Power and Energy sector. Jamnagar lies on the Gulf of Kutch with the demography of people speaking Gujarati as well as Kutchi. The place is a spiritual haven, as many temples are built there.

The city of Jamnagar has a hot climate with a semi-arid atmosphere. Even though it does witness rain, the heat continues to stay in the air. However, the whole scenario changes during the winter months when there is a temperature drop experienced. While the peak season does see a lot of pilgrims and tourists flocking over to the city, the flight connectivity to Jamnagar from metro cities makes it possible.

Best time to visit Jamnagar

Summers in Jamnagar can be too hot to handle. The weather is hot and humid throughout, making summers a terrible time to visit the city. Not to mention how the temperature rises to 40 degree Celsius between March to June. The weather and the humidity in the air don't give a green signal for travel purposes. Since it is an off-season, airlines often propose cheap flight tickets to Jamnagar. If you can handle the heat and the humidity, going to Jamnagar during summers is okay.

Jamnagar sees heavy rainfall between June and September. Since the weather is hot and humid, the rains are also heavier in the city. Often the rains last till the end of September. Planning to explore the city during monsoon might not be the brightest idea as it would include mucky roads, heavy rains and the possibility of cultural heritages being shut.

The perfect time to visit Jamnagar is during the winter season. Between October and January, the weather is calm and extremely comforting. The city's temperature drops to bring about a pleasant atmosphere. This is also the peak season for Jamnagar's tourism, and various tourists and pilgrims reach the city to visit some of the temples. Jamnagar is known to have many temples and is widely recognised to be a holy city. Hence, the city sees vibrant energy during these months.

Places to visit in Jamnagar

Swaminarayan Temple

The Swaminarayan Temple might be located on the outskirts of the city, but its fame continues to attract various pilgrims from all around the country. The temple's architecture is a perfect blend of traditional as well as modern style. The temple premise is actually peaceful and extremely relaxing.

Pirotan Island

The Pirotan Island is originally part of the Marina National Park but has a cluster of 42 islands nestled together. Entering the Pirotan Island could be challenging as various paperwork needs to be filled and processed. Only confirmed stamps and required signatures would get you to the island. These permissions come from the Forest Department.

Lakhota Fort

Lakhota Lake and Fort are incredibly famous in Jamnagar. In fact, they are the two most visited tourist destinations in the city. The structure was built to keep the enemy away from the city. The complex also has a museum to venerate the history and cultural relevance of the Lakhota fort and lake.

Marina National Park

Marina National Park is India's first national park dedicated to the marine life and ecosystem. The national park is built in the Gulf of Kutch and inhabits a variety of fish, reptiles, underwater flora and more. The park also takes care of diverse birds and the corals that line the gulf.

Mota Ashapura Maa Temple

The city is a spiritual ground with various temples. One of the more famous temples is the Mota Ashapura Maa Temple. It is believed that praying to the Goddess and expressing a wish shall be fulfilled. As long as the devotee has faith in his/her heart, the desires shall be provided to the person. The idol of Maa Ashapura that resides within the temple complex has seven pairs of eyes.

Bhujiyo Kotho

Bhujiyo Kotho is a defence structure that was originally constructed by the earlier leaders of Jamnagar. The idea was to protect the city from any external attacks. The structure is built close to the Lakhota Lake. The majestic structure is definitely worth checking out as it does have an intriguing backstory.

Things to do in Jamnagar

Relax by the banks of Ranmal Lake

Famously known as Lakhota Lake, the sparkling lake is a major tourist attraction that sees a lot of tourists hang out by the ghats of the lake. There is a certain sense of peace and tranquillity that one can attain when nestled along the lake's ghats. Even though the place is populated, you will feel at ease and happy. The lake also sees a plethora of birds such as gulls, pelicans and flamingos that bring about a postcard-worthy scenery.

Indulge in bird-watching at Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary

If you are invested in the study of Ornithology and find birds fascinating, then you should directly visit the Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary. It sprawled across an area of 6 sq. Km, the premise has diverse habitats and many birds to look at. Plus, the site also preserves mangroves and diverse ecosystems. The trip would be wholesome as well as quite educational.

Relish food at Grand Chetna

Grand Chetna is one of the most famous restaurants in Jamnagar and also in Gujarat. The restaurant's claim to fame is the exquisite Gujarati Thalis that they prepare for their customers. With over 29 dishes served as part of the thali, the restaurant has the best food that you can find in all of Jamnagar. The place is definitely a must-visit if you are enthused about food and the Gujarati cuisine in general.

Shopping at Shree Subhash Market

A trip would only be complete when indulged in some street shopping. Shree Subhash Market is one such place where you can haggle prices and take home some prized items, including souvenirs for your loved ones and family. Plus, the street also has some street food that you can find yourself being drawn to. Let go off your inhibitions and give the street food at Jamnagar a try.

Food and Restaurants in Jamnagar

Gujaratis celebrate food and are extremely enthused about their cuisine and experimenting with other food. To them, food is not just a basic essential for survival but also a passion that continues to stay with them. Much of their food such as khandva, dhokla, fafda, jalebi, khaman, undiyo is a favourite among everyone. In fact, the Gujarati thali is also quite a delicious spread that one should definitely try, especially when you're in Jamnagar.

At Jamnagar, you should definitely visit Grand Chetna and Sankalp to get the best Gujarati thali in the city. The two restaurants don't just sell lip-smacking thali but also an ambience and air of positivity that will make your dining experience top-notch. For light food, you can head to Apna Adda Cafe, where you will find affordable, fast food and a hip environment. The city also has more restaurants namely, 360 the Rooftop Restaurant, 7 Seas Restaurant and Riddhi Siddhi Restaurant, that offer some of the best dishes in Jamnagar. When it comes to food, you will not be disappointed in Jamnagar.

How to reach Jamnagar (Transportation)

By Air

Jamnagar has an airport going by the same name. Although the flight connectivity to Jamnagar is quite limited, the nearest airport Rajkot has better connectivity with other major cities in India. Luckily though, there are three domestic routes connected to Jamnagar from Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. Although initially, there was only one city connected to Jamnagar, later, two more cities joined the bandwagon. While Jamnagar's flight connectivity to various popular cities is quite poor, the airport is working towards adding more cities to its connection.

For direct flights from Jamnagar to Mumbai, Bangalore or Delhi, passengers can take it from the Jamnagar airport. However, for cities aside from these three, you will either have layovers or will have to go to Rajkot for better flight connectivity. As for international flight connectivity, you will have to go to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, located in Ahmedabad. The city is 318 km away from Jamnagar.

By Rail

Jamnagar Railway Station, as opposed to the airport, has excellent connectivity with several major cities and towns. The railway station falls on the main line that connects major big cities. This has helped the station to connect with New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Nagpur, Kozhikode, Surat, Jaipur, Jamshedpur and more. Trains heading to the final stops basically pass through Jamnagar which makes train a better bet in terms of reach the city.

By Road

Out of the three modes of transport to reach Jamnagar, buses are considered to be the best options. The roads are brilliantly connected with Jamnagar, making transportation extremely convenient. There are various city buses and even inter-state buses that pass through Jamnagar, further enhancing its connectivity. Buses from cities such as Mumbai, Baroda, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot and more operator to and from Jamnagar. From public buses to AC Volvo services, there are many options that one can choose from to reach Jamnagar.