Tirupati to Prague 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 Prague

One of the most popular destinations to go backpacking across, Prague, is one every traveller's list. The city has seen invasions, fires, floods and a lot of overthrows at around 870 AD. Prague is one of the most delightful and charming cities and the most popular European destination, too. The city is known for its magnificent castles, synagogues and towers. It also makes for one affordable trip and hosts a lot of backpackers on a budget every year. It has also been named as one of the largest castle complexes in the world by the Guinness Book of Records. You will also come across a lot of stunning cathedrals and museums that maintain the old-time charm of the city. Even if you are not into architecture a lot, you will find yourself admiring the beautiful structures in Prague.

Best Time to Visit Prague

Spring, from March to May, is an ideal time to visit Prague. The temperature ranges from approximately 0 to 17 degree Celsius throughout the months. The weather is pleasant and mild. You can book a hotel in Prague at reasonable prices. Since it is only the beginning of summer, make sure you do carry some warm clothes to tackle the cold breezes and wind chill. Spring also has a lot of festivals and events that you can attend, like the Prague Marathon in April, Prague Food Festival and Prague International Music Festival in May and June. You can also sign up for Prague Proms in May. If you are staying in hostels, you will even end up making new friends from all over the world.

June to August is summer in Prague, and it is also said to be the best time to plan a trip to Prague. The temperature ranges from 15 to 28 degree Celsius. Booking a hotel room in Prague during this season might be a tad bit expensive if not done in advance. You can even get a decent deal on flights to Prague online if you are planning it way in advance. But if you want a budget-friendly trip, make sure you plan it during Spring or Autumn. Since this is also peak season, you'll find the streets quite crowded and buzzing with tourists. You can also attend Venetian Nights, an open-air music festival that takes place in July.

September and October is also a favourable time to plan a trip to Prague. It is Autumn, and the weather is also quite pleasant. November through February is winter and the least favourable time since it is winter. However, if you want to spend your Christmas and New Year's Eve in the European city, you might get cheap flight tickets to Prague. But you will not be able to enjoy sightseeing or even exploring some of the popular tourist attractions in the city. If you are going to Prague during Christmas, do not miss the Christmas Market. You will also not find a lot of crowd during this time.

Places to Visit in Prague

Prague has a lot of charming castles and cathedrals to its credit. One of the best ways to get around the city is to either take public transport or just walk around. Prague has a well-functioning metro that is connected well within the city. It is yet another efficient way to get around the city, along with trams. The Prague Castle is a major tourist attraction here. The castle has buildings constructed over the last 1000 years, and all of them are connected. It also houses the President of the Czech Republic. You will also get a great view of the city from here. The Charles Bridge that is built over the Vltava river is another popular place for tourists. Late evenings and early mornings are the best time to visit the bridge since you will find a lesser crowd during this time. You will also find a lot of vendors and street artists for your amusement and shopping needs.

The St Vitus Cathedral overlooks the entire city of Prague from over a hilltop. The architecture is magnificent, and you will learn a lot about Prague's history here. The construction of the church was completed in 1929. Old Town Square is another most visited tourist attraction where the famous Astronomical Clock was built in 1410. The climb to the top of the tower can be quite difficult, and it is highly recommended that you avoid it if you are not fit. It also makes for a great spot to take pictures. You can also visit the Prague Zoo that is home to endangered Przewalski's horse, also called the Mongolian wild horse. The zoo has over 4200 animals, and you can pay a visit if you are travelling with your kids. For all the art lovers, there is the National Gallery in Prague that has curated some of the best and classy artwork.

Things to do in Prague

If you travel to Prague during the right season, that is summer, a lot of options will be open for you to go sightseeing. You can either hire a taxi or a guide; you can also walk to most of these places and discover the lesser-known tourist spots. Prague is surrounded by hills and going mountain biking is a popular activity that tourists take up here. If you are done with sightseeing and want to do something adventurous, you can try mountain biking. If you want to make your visit to Prague Castle, you can hike through the Chotkovy Sady. It will be an experience of a lifetime with breathtaking views as you reach the castle.

Hot air ballooning is also a popular activity that attracts tourists in Prague. You can also visit the Náplavka Farmer's Market to binge on some delicious snacks or just stroll across the River Vltava to soak in the view. You can also catch the ballet or an opera show at the National Theatre. The John Lennon wall is also pretty popular among young travellers and fans of the Beatles. An activist had painted an image of the lead singer on a wall right opposite the French embassy after John Lennon was killed in 1980.

Foods and Restaurant in Prague

You are certainly going to love the food in Prague. Be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, you will find everything here, and you will love it, too. Bramborák is basically potato pancake but with a lot of flavours. Head to a deli to pick this up, and it will leave you wanting for more. You must also try the Goulash in Prague, a bowl of meat and potato stew with a lot of herbs. You can try the goulash at Mlejnice. Halušky is yet another dish popular in the Czech that is actually a traditional Slovakian dish. It's a kind of dumpling that is topped with ham and fresh herbs.

You will find some great Halušky at Mincovna. Cafe Savoy is a great place to head to for a delicious breakfast. Ensure that you make a reservation in advance since it is a popular place. Portfolio Restaurant is also famous for its excellent choice of wines, interiors and their service. Bistro à Table is a French restaurant that specialises in traditional French cuisine like filet mignon and frog legs. Don't forget to treat yourself to a glass of wine here. Sansho is yet another popular restaurant that serves authentic Asian food. Do try the six-course dinner menu that is served at communal tables family-style. Kmotra is where you head to if you are in the mood for some pizza and delicious homemade pasta. Prague also has a restaurant that specialises in Afghan cuisine called Kabul Restaurant. The menu is translated into different languages, so you are not surprised with what lands on your table.

How to reach Prague

Václav Havel Airport Prague, which was earlier called Prague Ruzyn? International Airport is the international airport in the Czech Republic's capital, Prague. The flight connectivity to Prague from India is excellent. While there are no direct flights to Prague, there are several connecting flights that have layovers at Istanbul and Munich. Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa have frequent flights to Prague from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai. LOT Polish Airlines and Ukraine International Airlines take off from Delhi to Prague. You also have Qatar Airways and Lufthansa taking off from Bangalore quite frequently. Istanbul, Munich and Doha are some of the popular routes to Prague since most flights to Prague have a layover at these airports. If you are travelling during summer or winter, there are high chances that you will get cheap flight tickets to Prague. Getting around the city from the airport is also not very tedious since you get cabs right outside the airport. If you are travelling from another European city or country, trains are the best and most preferred option. It is quite convenient, well-connected and offers you the best view across the continent, something you will cherish for a long time.