Archana Seva at Tirumala: Cost, Days and How to Book
Archana Seva Tirumala is the early-morning worship of the main deity by chanting his names, held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Learn the cost, the lucky dip booking and where to report.
Information guide for pilgrims. We are a taxi service and we do not provide or arrange darshan, sevas, rooms, tickets or donations. Please book only on the official TTD websites, and confirm details there. Last checked October 2026.
- CostAbout Rs 220 per person
- How to bookOnline only, through the e-Dip lucky draw on ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in or the TTD app
- When releasedAbout three months ahead, around the 18th-19th of the month
- People per bookingOne person per ticket (1 or 2 persons can be entered in a dip entry)
- ID neededAadhaar for registration, passport for NRIs
- Where to reportVaikuntam Queue Complex I (VQC-I)
- DaysTuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
- TimingMost sources: report 4:00 AM, seva 4:30 AM
What Archana Seva is
Archana is the worship of the main deity by chanting his names, with offerings of flowers and Tulasi. It follows Thomala in the early-morning sequence at the Sri Venkateswara temple.
It is an Arjitha Seva, so ticket holders witness it in person.
Cost, days and prasadam
The cost is about Rs 220 per person, with one person per ticket. Prasadam reported is 2 small laddus, though one source says a single laddu. A 2013 table gives a maximum of about 200 tickets daily.
The seva is held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It is not held on days affected by major festivals.
Eligibility and the booking process
You need an Indian mobile number and OTP. Aadhaar is used for registration and NRIs use a passport (2024 report). For dip sevas, one seva booking in six months is reported.
Booking is only online through the e-Dip lucky draw, and no offline counter was found. The e-Dip opens about three months ahead, around the 18th-19th. The December 2026 quota ran from 19 September, 10 AM, to 21 September, 10 AM, with payment by noon on 23 September. The January 2027 quota opened on 19 October at 10 AM, with registration to 21 October at 10 AM and payment from 21 to 23 October noon. Announcements appear on news.tirumala.org.
It is a lottery with a limited quota. Bookings are reported as final and non-transferable, with no refund unless TTD cancels.
On the day
Report at VQC-I. Most sources say report at 4:00 AM with the seva at 4:30 AM, while one says report at 4:30 and seva at 5:30-6:00 AM. The receipt is authoritative, so use the time printed on it.
Dress traditionally: men in a dhoti and upper cloth, women in a saree or churidar with a dupatta. Footwear, gadgets and luggage are not allowed. Whether darshan follows the seva was not found for Archana.
Tips
Download the receipt after paying and keep a printed copy. Because the ticket is not transferable, only book if everyone named can attend.
How to book, step by step
- Log inOpen ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in or the TTD app and log in with your mobile number and OTP.
- Open Seva Electronic DipChoose the Seva Electronic Dip option.
- Accept the rulesRead and accept the rules shown.
- Enter the pilgrimsEnter 1 or 2 persons.
- Pick Archana and datesChoose Archana and your preferred dates, then submit.
- Wait for the resultWatch for the SMS or email result.
- Pay and downloadIf selected, pay online and download the receipt.
Please confirm before you travel
Reports differ on these points, and TTD can change rules at short notice.
- Reporting time: 4:00 AM in most sources versus 4:30 AM in one.
- Laddu count: 2 small laddus versus 1.
- No source states whether darshan follows Archana. Only Sahasra Namarchana is said to include limited darshan, which is a different seva.
- The official TTD price list was not checked, so confirm the Rs 220 figure when you book.
- Exact walking distance to VQC-I was not found.
Getting there from Tirupati by taxi
Vaikuntam Queue Complex I (VQC-I), Tirumala. It is about 26 km and 1 to 1.5 hours from Tirupati to Tirumala by the ghat road. VQC-I is reached on foot within Tirumala. With a reporting time of about 4:00-4:30 AM, plan the Tirupati to Tirumala drive well before the reporting time; leaving Tirupati by midnight to 1 AM is suggested. Confirm the reporting time on your receipt.
Day rent for a Tirupati to Tirumala trip. Diesel, driver charge and toll are charged extra. See the local taxi page for other trips.
Frequently asked questions
On which days is Archana Seva held?
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It is not held on days affected by major festivals.
How much does Archana Seva cost?
About Rs 220 per person, with one person per ticket.
How do I book Archana Seva?
Online only, through the e-Dip lucky draw at ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in or the TTD app.
Is darshan included with the seva?
This is not stated in the sources found, so do not assume it.
Can I transfer the ticket to someone else?
Bookings are reported as non-transferable, with no refund unless TTD cancels.
Where do I report?
At VQC-I. Most sources say 4:00 AM, but follow the time on your receipt.