Tirupati to West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a quaint coastal city located in the South Florida region. The city is known for its touristy vibe and the perfect summer vacation spot.

Best time to visit West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach might be an affluent neighbourhood, but it's only perfect for vacations, especially for those who wish to run away from the cold winters. The temperatures in the city can go up to 32 degree Celsius, which is quite high. Thanks to the range of temperatures, it is perfect for a summer break. This easily makes summer the most populated time in West Palm Beach for tourists. Not just people from around the world but people from within the United States, flock over to get some of the sun and wind. Irrespective of the humidity and heat that is prevalent in the air, tourists don't mind as long as they get to have fun in the water. However, to avoid the crowd and the excess heat too, March to May is your best bet. The temperatures are very calm and enough to enjoy the waters and beach. Plus, the season also has some fun events such as the Winter Equestrian Festival, Palm Beach International Boat Show, Palm Beach International Film Festival and most importantly, SunFest. It is the most famous music and art fest that takes place in West Palm Beach every year. Perhaps you might find a like-minded crowd who also plan to head for this festival.

The months following summer in West Palm Beach, from September to November, are also quite pleasant. The temperatures are very soothing, and it poses as the perfect relaxing trip that you have been seeking for. The city also sees a drop in the accommodation prices as hotel bookings in West Palm Beach become cheap and convenient. Plus, as the city gears for the winters, the vibe and atmosphere are also quite likeable. The only big matter of concern during this time, though, is the looming hurricanes. There are high chances of hurricanes lashing over the shores and the city of West Palm Beach, making tourism and travelling for touristy pleasures, not enjoyable. The weather report might even ask you to stay indoors and avoid bad weather. It would certainly dampen the mood, especially for a tourist. Hence, before you do make your trip, ensure to check the weather for all possible concerns that could crop up. Accordingly, make your trip to the city. The city does have fun events during this season with Lagoon Fest and Flavour Palm Beach as the highlights.

Places to visit in West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is known to be the cultural hub of South Florida, thanks to the plethora of amazing structures and events the city witnesses. West Palm Beach is home to many arts and cultural venues, including museums and societies. You can start with the Norton Museum of Art, where you will find some astounding art collections. Further expanding your art rendezvous, you can visit the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The city is also acknowledged for its wildlife conservation. Places such as McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Lion Country Safari and Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society are some of the establishments that take good care of wildlife and conserve endangered species. With a slew of lovely nature comes some botanical gardens and parks too that add to the charm of West Palm Beach. Mounts Botanical Garden and Okeeheelee Park are some of them that would easily get a tourist's attention for their lovely landscapes and picture-worthy scenery. It basically resonates the beauty of West Palm Beach and shouldn't be missed at any cost.

Things to do in West Palm Beach

The nightlife of West Palm Beach is known through all states. Not just the exquisite food culture but even the nightlife with parties and pub-crawls, all make quite an experience. It would be nice to soak in all the sun and tourist attractions during the day and round up the whole trip by downing good beer and other liquor. Even the shopping scenes in West Palm Beach is a stand-out. You will be thrilled by some of the brands and retail clothing with an amazing collection. Popular places such as Clematis Street and CityPlace are your hub to explore more of the shopaholic in you. There are party bike pub crawls available in the city so you can book a ride for yourself and drink up with total strangers. You can also opt for fishing and catch the famous peacock bass in your expedition. It wouldn't be a total loss to splurge on a cruise trip around the beach.

Food and Restaurants in West Palm Beach

With a proximity to the ocean, West Palm Beach has seafood as its staple food. You will find variations in their curation of dishes with seafood as the base. Interestingly, the food here would do you good. Unlike how the flight tickets to reach West Palm Beach are too steep and unaffordable, the cuisine is cheap. In fact, in competition with Miami and other big cities in Florida, West Palm Beach actually has a reasonable and affordable front in terms of dining. You can order some fancy food at an establishment and still be left with a good amount left in your pockets. This actually gives you enough money to experiment with more food in the coastal city. The best of West Palm can be experienced at some local favourites such as Clematis Street, Tin Fish and Bimini Twist. Grouper and shrimp are the two popular bases of seafood that are produced here and something you'll probably get to enjoy if you don't mind trying something new. Table 26, The Regional Kitchen and Public House are some more local restaurants that offer an exciting melange of flavours in their dishes.

In addition to the lovely seafood that the city makes, they also have reserved food establishments to cater to ethnic restaurants. In fact, these restaurants are quite famous too as the spread ranges from Italian to Greek. In fact, Greek, Italian and Mexican are known to be the most popular and sought-after cuisine after the classic West Palm seafood. Restaurants such as Agora Mediterranean Kitchen, Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar and Bellagio are some of the famous food establishments that offer the three cuisines. Thanks to Florida's proximity to Cuba, the city of Wes Palm also sees a good audience for Cuban dishes and liquor. Havana is one such place where you would enjoy the classic Cuban dishes along with some lovely Tequilas. The food culture in West Palm Beach is certainly the kind that would make you and your stomach super happy.

How to reach West Palm Beach

Flight connectivity to West Palm Beach from India is excellent but requires a lot of layovers and patience from the traveller. There are no direct flights to West Palm Beach from India. In fact, reaching West Palm will actually require you to connect with two different flights. Reaching West Palm Beach is quite tough and the connectivity, even though it is decent, is far too time-consuming. Airlines such as Qatar Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss, Air Canada, have regular flights connecting West Palm Beach and Delhi. While Qatar Airways has only one layover in Doha, other flights expect to have two layovers in cities such as Boston, Paris, New York City, London, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago and more. Basically, the flights to West Palm Beach take the domestic route with layovers in the cities of the US. The most popular route to West Palm Beach is via Boston and New York. The flight duration is quite a lot depending on which airlines and international route to West Palm Beach you choose. It takes approximately 20 hours to reach, but with layovers and connecting flights, the duration is subject to change.

Many travellers tend to pick Miami as the destination and drive down to West Palm Beach. Flight connectivity to Miami from India and even within the US is easier, hence, this option is considered. A transit visa is required, and travellers must apply for one to ensure that their trip is smooth. Since there are connecting flights to be boarded from cities within the US to reach West Palm Beach, the embassy has made it compulsory for the travellers to hold a visa. The flight tickets to West Palm Beach are a little steep. Thanks to the city being a rich man's paradise, the flight tickets to West Palm Beach basically reflect the same expensive lifestyle. As long as you make prior flight ticket bookings to West Palm Beach, you wouldn't have to worry much. Even in terms of accommodation, the prices could be expensive, but if you book your hotels in West Palm Beach well in advance, that is one thing you wouldn't have to worry about. Steer clear of the peak season as people from the entire East Coast flock over to West Palm Beach for vacation, which could lead to everything turning expensive.