Thomala Seva at Tirumala: Cost, Days and Booking
Thomala Seva Tirumala is the early-morning garland seva at the Sri Venkateswara temple, held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Here is how the lucky dip works, what it costs 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 electronic lucky dip (e-Dip) on ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in or the TTD app
- When releasedAbout three months ahead, around the 18th-19th, together with Suprabhatam
- People per bookingOne person per ticket (up to 2 can be registered in a dip entry)
- ID neededAadhaar for registration, passport for NRIs; carry original photo ID
- Where to reportVaikuntam Queue Complex I (VQC-I), about an hour before the seva
- DaysTuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only
- TimingSeva reported at 3:30-4:00 AM; lasts about 30 minutes
What Thomala Seva is
Thomala means a garland. After the Suprabhatam wakes the deity, fresh floral and Tulasi garlands are brought in a torch-lit procession and placed on the main deity (Mula Virat).
The seva lasts about 30 minutes. It is an Arjitha Seva that ticket holders can witness in person.
Days, cost and prasadam
Thomala Seva is offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only, because the deity is in Ekantham on other days. A dated 2013 table notes no Monday tickets from May to July.
The cost is about Rs 220 per person, with one person per ticket. Prasadam reported is 2 small laddus. The same 2013 table gives a maximum of about 200 tickets per day, which shows how limited the places are.
Who can book and how the dip works
You need an Indian mobile number with OTP. Aadhaar is used for registration and NRIs use a passport (2024 report). For dip sevas, one seva booking per person per six months is reported. Rules for children were not found.
The booking is only online, through the electronic lucky dip. No offline counter was found. It uses the same e-Dip window as Suprabhatam, about three months ahead. For example, December 2026 registration ran 19-21 September with payment up to noon on 23 September. January 2027 registration ran 19-21 October with payment from 21-23 October noon. Announcements are on news.tirumala.org.
It is a lottery with a limited quota. Bookings are reported as final, with no refund or transfer unless TTD cancels.
On the day
Report at VQC-I about one hour before the seva. The seva is reported at 3:30-4:00 AM; the 2013 table shows reporting at 3:00 and the seva at 3:30. Your receipt is the authority, so follow it.
TTD enforces traditional dress for these sevas: men wear a dhoti with an upper cloth, and women wear a saree or churidar with a dupatta. The Thomala-specific page does not state this, so treat it as the general seva rule. No source was found on darshan after the seva.
Tips
A couple cannot share one ticket, since one person per ticket is reported. Keep the registration number and the receipt handy, and sort out your transport the evening before.
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 the dipGo to Pilgrim Services and choose Electronic DIP.
- Accept the instructionsRead and accept the instructions.
- Register the pilgrimsRegister 1 or 2 persons.
- Choose Thomala and datesSelect Thomala and your preferred dates, then submit and keep the registration number.
- Wait for the resultSelected names are notified by SMS and email.
- Pay to confirmIf selected, pay online within the payment window to confirm.
Please confirm before you travel
Reports differ on these points, and TTD can change rules at short notice.
- Dress code is not stated on the Thomala-specific page; it is taken from TTD general seva rule.
- Timings come from blogs and a 2013 table. 2026 receipts for Thomala timing were not seen.
- The official TTD price list was not checked, so confirm the Rs 220 figure when you book.
- Rules for children were not found.
- Exact walking distance from the Tirumala vehicle areas to VQC-I was not found.
Getting there from Tirupati by taxi
Vaikuntam Queue Complex I (VQC-I), Tirumala. It is about 26 km from Tirupati station to Tirumala by the ghat road, 1 to 1.5 hours. The Alipiri footpath is about 11 km. Vehicles reach Tirumala town, and VQC-I is reached on foot. As the seva is reported at 3:30-4:00 AM and you report about an hour earlier, plan the Tirupati to Tirumala drive well before the reporting time; leaving Tirupati by about midnight is suggested. Confirm the exact 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 Thomala Seva held?
Only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The deity is in Ekantham on other days.
How much does Thomala Seva cost?
About Rs 220 per person, with one person per ticket.
Is Thomala Seva booked by lucky dip?
Yes. It is booked online only, through the electronic lucky dip on the official TTD site or app.
Can a couple go on one ticket?
No. One person per ticket is reported.
Do I get laddu prasadam?
Two small laddus are reported.
Can I get a refund if I cannot go?
Bookings are reported as final with no refund or transfer, unless TTD cancels the seva.