Tirupati to Dallas 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 Dallas

The first thing that comes to mind when you say Texas is cowboys! Dallas - Fort Worth is a town that you must visit at least for a weekend to experience every bit of the cowboy culture. But it is best to not go by the stereotypes. People in Dallas - Fort Worth are kind and welcoming, especially if you are new to the city. The city's nightlife scene and bar-hopping, which is a very common practice here, is what makes it far special. You will certainly wake up with a nasty hangover but with some great pictures on your phone, too, with new friends that you might have made at the bars. If you don't want to get all crazy, you can go for a sightseeing tour in the city, most of it does not require you to pay any sort of fees. Dallas also boasts of art museums and some of the largest shopping areas in the US. If you are visiting the city with your family, you can also visit the Fort Worth Zoo and Dallas World Aquarium. The city is also quite affordable and far cheaper as compared to New York. You will not get bored at all in the city, and it will be a holiday to remember.

Best Time to Visit Dallas

Summer is the high tourist season in Dallas - Fort Worth despite the scorching, unbearable heat. Make sure that you book your hotels in Dallas - Fort Worth well in advance. The flight tickets to Dallas - Fort Worth also get pretty expensive if not booked in advance. The city experiences summer from June to August and the temperature ranges from 21 to 35 degree Celsius. The days are long, and getting out of your hotel room can be quite the task. You can beat the heat by diving into the pool, but since this is high tourist season, you won't really have the pool to yourself. All your sightseeing plans might even end up in you, taking a long shower to beat the heat or hitting the bed because of exhaustion. Make sure you are well-hydrated and carry enough sunblock. You can attend Taste of Dallas, a food and drinks festival that takes place in June. There are a lot of restaurants and food trucks that are a part of the event. The organisers also have mixologists and wine experts on their panel. This will add the gastronomic charm to your vacation. You can also be a part of the Fourth of July celebrations in the city.

September to November is considered to be the best time to visit Dallas - Fort Worth. There are fewer tourists as compared to summer, and the weather is perfect. You will get decent flight deals to Dallas - Fort Worth online, and even the hotel prices drop. The temperature ranges from 8 to 31 degree Celsius. You can attend festivals like the Riverfront Jazz Festival, Dallas Pride, Texas State Fair (highly recommended) and Grapefest. December to February is winter in Dallas - Fort Worth, and it is not the most popular time to visit the city. The temperature ranges from 2 to 15 degree Celsius. It rarely snows in Dallas - Fort Worth, but you still might want to carry an extra layer of warm clothes with you.

The city experiences springtime from March to May. It usually rains a lot during spring in Dallas - Fort Worth, and it might put a damper in your plans to go sightseeing or any other outdoor activities you might have planned. But you can attend the Dallas International Film Festival in May along with the Mayfest.

Places to Visit in Dallas

Fort Worth Water Gardens is a popular tourist attraction in the city. It is located near the Convention Centre downtown. It has three pools, waterfalls and fountains. Checking out the gardens at night is a sight for sore eyes. Dallas Museum of Art is the place to go if you are an art lover. The museum is one of the most reputable and biggest places in Texas. You can catch rotating exhibitions here along with permanent art collections from all over the world. Fort Worth Stock Yards about an hour away from downtown Dallas and you will get to experience the authentic Texas cowboy lifestyle. You will also feel like you are in a movie set. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is also a popular tourist attraction and has a rich history. Dealey Plaza was where America's 35th president John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The place, later on, was converted into a museum and you will get to watch short films, hear testimonies and even see photographs that tell you more about everything that happened that day. The museum also reflects on the life of the late president.

The Cedar Ridge Preserve is the perfect place to experience wildlife and go on a hike, too. You can also go bird watching. Six Flags Over Texas is a popular theme park that is about 15 miles away from Dallas but worth it. There are a lot of theme-based rides like Daffy Duck Bucket Blasters and Bugs Bunny Boomtown. It has over 45 rides, including five water rides. You will also find a lot of restaurants here and have the time of your life. Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff is also a highly recommended place for you to go. This was where Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who assassinated the former president JFK decided to hide here before he got arrested. The theatre hosts film festivals, documentaries, old classic films and independent movies. You will also find a full-service bar here and enjoy a glass of beer or cocktail of your choice while you enjoy your film. Klyde Warren Park is a dog park but so much more. There are a lot of events and activities happening throughout the year. You can opt for yoga on a Sunday morning or Zumba on a Wednesday night. You will also find a lot of food trucks and ice cream trucks in the park here.

Things to do in Dallas

You can sign up for a sightseeing tour of Dallas - Fort Worth, or you can explore the city on your own. Dallas is a busy city, and you will find yourself attending an event whenever you visit. If you are a history buff, you must head to Sixth Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza along with Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. You can also visit aquariums and zoos if you are on holiday with your family. If there is a football game happening in the home of Dallas Cowboys, head to the AT&T Stadium. You can also hit the pubs here and get a taste of the nightlife scenes in the city. You will have a lot of restaurants that serve cuisines from all over the world in Dallas - Fort Worth.

Food and Restaurants in Dallas

You can't visit Texas and not try the steak here. Dallas - Fort Worth is also known for its red meat and Tex-Mex. Al Biernat's is a popular place for you to try the steak. It might be a tad bit expensive, but it is worth every penny spent if you are craving for authentic Mexican cuisine, head over to Revolver Taco Lounge. You can also sign up for a food tour to explore the best of Tex-Mex. Yutaka Sushi Bistro is a popular place to go to for Japanese cuisine and Boulevardier for French cuisine. Chilli and chicken-fried steak are a speciality in Dallas - Fort Worth. If you are a meat lover, you will refuse to leave the restaurants here. You will also come across quite a few food trucks in the locality if you want to grab a quick bite.

How to reach Dallas

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the ninth busiest airport in the United States of America. The flight connectivity to Dallas - Fort Worth from India is excellent. There are quite a few flights to Dallas - Fort Worth from India. Air India, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways and Air Canada are some of the airlines that run quite frequently from India with layovers at Delhi, Tokyo, Doha and Montreal. If you book in advance, you might get cheap flight tickets to Dallas - Fort Worth. The airport is well-equipped with WiFi, lounges, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas and so on. It is also quite convenient to get a car rental or a taxi to take you to your hotel or go sightseeing. You will also find a lot of artwork at the airport. There are quite a few exhibitions held at the airport sometimes if you want to kill some time. Make sure you look for decent flight deals to Dallas - Fort Worth online that saves you a lot of money. The airport also offers a lot of sightseeing opportunities for passengers. You can watch planes land at Founders' Plaza, a favourite spot among tourists and airport employees.