The Udayasthamana Seva is a very special service (seva) offered in the temple complex of Tirumala under TTD. The term “Udaya-Astamana” means from dawn (udaya) to dusk (astamana) in other words, it covers the full cycle of daily rituals in the temple.
In this seva, the donor and a small group participate (or have privilege) over the course of the day, witnessing or being part of the major temple rituals from early morning to evening. Because of this all-day involvement, it is one of the highest-value sevas in the temple. For example, it has been described as “arguably the most expensive religious service in the world” when offered. Because of its high value, the eligibility, booking process, cost and rules are more stringent than many of the regular sevas.
The managing authority: TTD
The admin of this seva is done by the TTD, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
TTD is the trust which manages the main temple of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala, along with many other temples.
So all information on Udayasthamana Seva (login, booking, cost, timings) is handled via TTD’s official systems.
Login and online registration for Udayasthamana Seva
To pursue this seva, a donor (or pilgrim) needs to access TTD’s official web portals.
Here are the steps in simple form:
- Visit the official website of TTD.
- If you are not registered, create a user account (with mobile number, ID proof, address).
- Login with your credentials. (Your mobile number, password, captcha may apply)
- After login, navigate to the “Seva” or “Donor‐Management” or “Udayasthamana Seva” section.
- Check available dates, eligibility criteria and slots, and then apply or submit donation / booking accordingly.
- Once the application is processed and payment done, you receive confirmation. The ticket (or donation receipt) must be kept for the day of seva.
Because this seva is high value, the registration process emphasises donor eligibility and compliance with TTD rules. For many applicants it is by special access or donation rather than standard public booking.
Timings of Udayasthamana Seva
The name itself implies that the seva covers much of the day — from early morning to evening. According to one source:
- The seva includes major rituals such as Suprabhatam (pre-dawn wake-up of deity), Thomala (adorning the deity with flowers), Archana (offering), Astadala Pada Padmaradhana (worship of the lotus-feet) etc.
- Timing depends on the list of rituals for that day: for example, for the Udayasthamana seva, from early morning (just before dawn) until evening (when Ekanta or closing ritual happens).
So while a precise “start time” isn’t given in all sources, the seva spans the full day from dawn to dusk for the selected donor’s date.
If you think of booking: you may be allotted a day for Udayasthamana seva; on that day you arrive early morning and the seva’s schedule runs through many rituals. It’s not like a short service of 30 minutes.
Booking the Udayasthamana Seva at Tirumala
Booking for this seva is unlike ordinary sevas:
- It is often available only to donors who contribute a very large amount and become “life donors” or high-category donors.
- The available slots may be very limited or by “lucky dip” (random allotment) in some cases.
- You must log into the portal, check for availability, apply, fill required details (name, date, number of participants), pay the donation / ticket cost.
- For this seva, you cannot just pick any day: there may be a set of available dates, and once those are exhausted you cannot book. For example one list of availability assumes certain dates in January etc.
So if you are planning for Udayasthamana seva, best thing is to monitor the official TTD website for “Udayasthamana Seva” availability and ensure you meet the donor criteria.
Ticket / Donation Cost for Udayasthamana Seva
One of the most important numerical data items here is the cost (or donation). Key numbers:
- On all days except Friday, the ticket (donation) cost for Udayasthamana Seva is Rs 1 crore (i.e. 1 ₹ cr = ₹1,00,00,000).
- On Fridays, the cost goes up to Rs 1.5 crore.
- One article mentioned that TTD expected raising an income of around ₹600 crore from this seva (530 tickets of Rs 1 crore each) when launched.
So huge figures. It’s clear this seva is targeted at very high-end donors.
Note: Because cost is so high, many of the normal devotees cannot apply for this seva. It is more of a premium offering in the temple.
Privileges and special features of Udayasthamana Seva
Because the cost is very high, the donor receives special privileges. Some of the key benefits (for donors of Rs 1 crore or above) are:
- Free accommodation for 3 days in a VIP suite (for the donor and up to 5 family members) each year.
- Free break-darshan & Suprabhatam darshan for 3 days in a year for the donor family.
- On a day chosen by the donor, a special “Veda Ashirvachanam” (blessing by Vedic priests) within the temple.
- Some gift items: for example, for the first visit the donor receives a gold dollar (5 grams) and a gold-plated silver medallion. Also laddus, etc.
- The ticket / donation is valid for life for the donor (or for 25 years) for that slot once allotted.
These added privileges help explain why the cost is so high.
Relationship with other Arjitha Sevas and TTD Sevas
It helps to view Udayasthamana Seva in the context of the many sevas (paid services) offered by TTD. Some key points:
- “Arjitha Sevas” are paid services offered to devotees (for example, Suprabhatam, Thomala, Archana, etc) with pre-booking.
- Udayasthamana Seva stands at the top premium level of these sevas because of the full-day involvement and hefty donation.
- The general sevas have modest costs (for example, one article says one sevas cost Rs 600 per head or Rs 1000 per head for others).
- Advance booking for sevas is available up to 120 days ahead in many cases.
- Also, other services like ordinary darshan tickets (for example Rs 500 slot-darshan) are far lower
So Udayasthamana Seva is the elite service among them.
Who can apply and eligibility criteria
Because of the cost and privileges, eligibility is restricted. Some eligibility factors:
- The candidate must meet the donor criteria (often the large donation amount) and may need to provide identity and address proof.
- The ticket is not transferable and proxies are not allowed.
- The donor may bring up to six persons (including donor) to participate on the day.
- Dress code is strictly enforced (for example gents: dhoti + shirt or kurta & pajama; ladies: saree or salwar-kameez with pallu).
- The donor must abide by all TTD rules and the servicing day is chosen in consultation with the trust. Some dates may not be available. So flexible scheduling may be required.
Given these conditions, this seva is best suited for high-end devotees who are ready and able to support the temple at that level, rather than the general pilgrim.
What happens on the day of Udayasthamana Seva
On the day chosen for the seva:
- The donor along with the permitted accompanying guests arrive early morning at the temple. Because the seva covers the span of major rituals, the participation lasts many hours.
- The seva may include the following rituals: Suprabhatam (pre-dawn awakening of the deity), Thomala (flower adorning), Archana, Astadala Pada Padmaradhana, Kalyanotsavam (divine wedding), Dolotsavam (swing ritual), Arjitha Brahmotsavam, Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva, and other major sevas on that day.
- The donor may be given VIP privileges: seats near sanctum, access to special vantage points, special darshan and accommodation benefits (as described earlier).
- After completion of the service day, the donor and guests may be given prasadam, gifts, etc (as per the privilege package).
- The donor must follow all TTD rules on arrival time, dress code, documentation, and must carry the ticket/receipt.
So the day is a long‐duration, high level involvement with the temple’s core rituals.
Key numerical data summary
Here are the most important numbers to remember:
- Cost of Udayasthamana Seva ticket: ₹ 1 crore (on regular days)
- Cost on Friday: ₹ 1.5 crore
- Donor family accommodation: up to 3 days, up to 5 persons.
- Number of persons allowed for seva: Up to 6 (including donor) in some cases.
- Advance booking window for many Arjitha sevas: up to 120 days ahead.
These figures highlight the premium nature of this service.
How to plan for this and important tips
If you are considering the Udayasthamana Seva, here are things to plan and keep in mind:
- Budget: Ensure you are prepared for the very high donation amount (₹1 crore or more).
- Eligibility: Confirm that you meet the donor criteria and that your account is properly registered with TTD.
- Login + portal check: Register/login in advance on TTD’s website, check for “Udayasthamana Seva” slot availability. Don’t wait until the last minute.
- Date flexibility: Be prepared with flexible dates because availability may be limited.
- Documentation & Dress Code: Carry ID proofs, ticket/receipt, and adhere strictly to dress code and rules. For example, no jeans, no casual T-shirts.
- Arrival time: On the day of seva, arrive well ahead of the scheduled start time, since early rituals begin pre-dawn.
- Guests / family: Decide who will accompany you (up to allowed number) and ensure they meet guidelines.
- Stay / accommodation: Since you get VIP accommodation (as part of privilege) for 3 days, plan your stay accordingly.
- Stay updated: Check TTD official notifications regularly for changes in rules, availability, or scheduling.
- Use only official portals: Use the official website of TTD for booking. Avoid third-party touts or agents. (There are reports of scams in related sevas).
By preparing well, you can maximise your experience of this special seva.
Overview Table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seva Name | Udayasthamana Seva |
| Managing Trust | Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) |
| Seva Coverage | Full-day rituals (dawn to dusk) |
| Cost (regular days) | ₹ 1 crore |
| Cost (Friday) | ₹ 1.5 crore |
| Persons allowed | Up to 6 (including donor) in many cases |
| Booking Window | Via online donor portal; check availability and eligibility |
| Privileges | VIP accommodation (3 days), special darshan, gifts etc |
| Dress Code | Gents: dhoti+shirt / kurta-pyjama; Ladies: saree or salwar-kameez with pallu |
| Portal Steps | Register/login → Seva section → select Udayasthamana → choose date → pay donation → receive ticket/receipt |
| Eligibility | High-value donor category, not regular public booking |
| Important Tip | Use only official TTD portal; book early; adhere to rules |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can any pilgrim book the Udayasthamana Seva?
A: Not exactly. Because of the very high cost (₹ 1 crore or more) and donor-requirements, this seva is mainly available to high-value donors rather than ordinary pilgrims. You must meet eligibility criteria and follow the online process.
Q2. How do I login and register for this seva?
A: Visit the official TTD website, create a user account (mobile number, ID, address), then login. After login go to the Seva/Donor section, check for “Udayasthamana Seva”, select date, fill details, pay, and complete booking.
Q3. What are the cost/donation for this seva?
A: The cost is ₹ 1 crore for regular days and ₹ 1.5 crore for Fridays.
Q4. On what date and time does the seva happen?
A: The seva spans major rituals from dawn to dusk on the chosen day (the donor’s day). Specific start time varies (pre-dawn) and end time is after the evening rituals. Planning is needed.
Q5. How many persons can participate with the donor?
A: Usually up to 6 persons including the donor are permitted.
Q6. What privileges come with the seva?
A: Free VIP accommodation for 3 days (for donor + up to 5 family), special darshan privileges, Vedic blessings, gifts (e.g., gold medallion), etc.
Q7. What is the dress code and behavioural etiquette?
A: Gents must wear dhoti + shirt or kurta + pyjama. Ladies should wear saree or salwar-kameez with pallu. Casual western clothes (jeans, T-shirts) are generally prohibited.
Q8. How far in advance must I book?
A: You should book as soon as you know your date and eligibility. While exact window for Udayasthamana may vary, many other sevas allow booking up to 120 days ahead.
Q9. Can I transfer or give my ticket to someone else later?
A: No. The ticket is not transferable and proxies are not allowed.
Q10. What if the date I want is not available?
A: You may need to choose another date, or wait for an opening. Availability is limited. Monitoring the portal and being flexible helps.