Tirupati to Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a popular city in Utah, and while it is a place of faith, you will also come across a lot of stories of monsters and giants in the Great Salt Lake. In the 19th century, a lot of people believed that giants and monsters occupied the Great Salt Lake. However, presently it is an excellent place and also turning into a thriving cultural hub. It is a great place to head to if you want to indulge in hiking and skiing. A lot of tourists also use this opportunity to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tourists also spend time visiting religious sites and temples in the city. However, it is not a place for religious tourists alone. You can also visit the city for magnificent views and mountain ranges. You can hike to the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountain ranges or even go skiing here. It offers a breathtaking view of the city's skyline, and you will be in awe of the spectacular view of the Great Salt Lake. It is not exactly a place with a happening, vibrant nightlife, but if you are looking for a relaxing vacation with only a few things to do, this is the perfect place for you.

Best Time to Visit Salt Lake City

No matter what season you visit Salt Lake City in, you will find something to do all the time. However, winter is the peak season for tourists who want to go skiing. Summer is also a great time if you want to give hiking and lake activities a try. November to March is the winter season in Salt Lake City, and it is the perfect time for you to indulge in outdoor activities. The temperature ranges from -6 to 11 degree Celsius. You might want to book your hotel in Salt Lake City well in advance to avoid a surge in prices. The good thing is that a lot of hotels offer discounts and lift tickets, too. Make sure you also book your flight tickets to Salt Lake City in advance. There are quite a lot of events that you can attend, like the Christkindlmarkt in November and December that offer a unique Christmas shopping experience. German Christmas markets inspire it, and you will enjoy the food here during this time. You can also attend the Festival of Trees, Last Hurrah SLC and the Sundance Film Festival.

Salt Lake City experiences the spring season in April and May. The temperature ranges from - 4 to 21 degree Celsius. While it does snow at the beginning of spring, the snowcaps begin to melt by the end of spring, so the city is ready to welcome summer. You might want to pack your warm clothes and some waterproof shoes, too, since the snow begins to melt. While it doesn't entirely put a damper on your plans to try outdoor activities, the precipitation levels do increase during this time. You will find great deals on hotels if you don't have a problem with a little sogginess. You can attend events like Salt Lake City Marathon, Living Traditions Festival and Great Salt Lake Bird Festival.

June to August is summer in Salt Lake City, and it is the best time to give the hiking trails in the city a chance. The temperature ranges from 13 to 32 degree Celsius. It can get pretty hot in summer, so you might want to pack some extra sunblock and ensure that you are well-hydrated. You can also visit the Wasatch National Forest, which is a relief from the otherwise warm summer. This is not the most popular season to visit Salt Lake City, but you can attend events like Utah Pride, Utah Arts Festival and Days of '47. You will get a great deal on hotels and might even get cheap flight tickets to Salt Lake City since it is a low tourist season in the city.

September and October is also an ideal time to visit Salt Lake City. While the autumn season does not attract a lot of tourists, the hotel rates are quite low. The temperature ranges from - 5 to 25 degree Celsius with the city experiencing snowfall towards the end of the autumn season. If you are not fond of holidaying at crowded places, you can head to Salt Lake City during spring or autumn. You can attend events like Utah State Fair, Salt Lake City Jazz Festival and Utah Humanities Book Festival.

Places to Visit in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City has some beautiful tourist spots that are a sight for sore eyes. It is a popular spot for a lot of nature lovers, honeymooners and families. Solitude Nordic Center is the place to go to if you want to see snow in other seasons except winter. You might have to pay a certain entry fee to enter the centre, but it is worth every penny spent. There are quite a few recreational activities at the centre that you can try. Not to mention, there aren't a lot of tourists visiting the place which makes it perfect for you to enjoy it by yourself. Willow Heights is a palace in Salt Lake City that offers you a scenic view of the meadows, swamps, hills, lakes and pine trees. You will also find a lot of horses, dogs, bison and birds here. This is also one of the best places to sit and meditate or take loads of pictures. You can also visit the Millcreek Canyon, and it is the perfect place to go hiking, though it is not advisable to head to this place during winters when it snows. If you want to spend some peaceful time with your family or friends, you can head to Liberty Park.

The Salt Lake Temple is a religious site for everyone who follows The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church is about 126-years old and still good as new. You will learn a lot about the inception of the church and its religious significance. You can also visit the Natural History Museum of Utah to see dinosaur exhibits and special exhibitions. Utah Olympic Park is about 28 miles from the city. It has been transformed into a park and sport-training centre. You can also zip line here or head to the ski museum. The Olympus Hills is the place you can head to if you want to indulge in a lot of shopping and recreational activities in the park. Hogle Zoo is one of the best places to go to with your family. You will find about 800 animals of 24 species in the zoo. If you plan on making your ski trips adventurous, you can head to the Powder Mountain. It is about 55 miles away from the city.

Things to do in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is one of the best places to head to if you want to treat the adventurous side of you. Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort is a popular place to head to if you want to go skiing. During summer, you can go hiking, fishing, biking or ziplining, too, at the resort. You can also head to Park City for skiing and hiking. A lot of festivals are also hosted at the park. You can sign up for a sightseeing tour of the city or explore it on your own. You can also visit the Bryce Canyon National Park and Utah's Mountains if you love mountains. The city also has a lot of museums that you can visit. The Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake Temple are also tourist spots worth visiting while you are here. You can also go on a food tour in the city.

Foods and Restaurants in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City has a very diverse food culture, and you will find an eclectic mix of cuisines here. You will find a lot of Mexican and Italian cuisines here. Red Iguana serves traditional Mexican food and has been doing so since 1985. Crown Burgers is another popular place for burgers and has been in the business since 1978. If you want to have American cuisine, you can head to HSL. If you are craving sushi, you can head over to Takashi. You can also try other Japanese cuisines or Asian food while you are there. You will get delicious Indian food at Bombay House.

How to reach Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City International Airport is about 6 km away from Downtown Salt Lake City. The flight connectivity to Salt Lake City from India is quite good. Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa and American Airlines have frequent flights to Salt Lake City with layovers at Singapore, Denver, Newark, San Francisco, Frankfurt, Dallas and London. If you book your tickets in advance, there are chances you might get cheap flight tickets to Salt Lake City. It might be a long journey, so brace yourself. It might take 25 to 40 hours until you reach the city. It is also pretty easy to get a taxi or car rental service from the airport.