Srivari Seva is TTD's structured volunteer programme that lets devotees serve pilgrims at Tirumala as an act of selfless service (nishkama seva) to Lord Venkateswara. Launched in 2000, it has grown to over 13 lakh registered volunteers, with roughly 2,000 on duty on a normal day and up to 3,500 during festivals. Volunteers are called Srivari Sevakulu.
Table of Contents
This guide covers eligibility, how to enroll online, the dress code, rules you must follow, how many days of seva you can do, where you'll be posted for duty, accommodation, and practical tips.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Open to Hindu devotees only (mandatory for General, Laddu Prasadam and Parakamani sevas).
- Age generally 18 to 60 years for General Seva (a newer Senior Seva category covers 40–75 years).
- Must be physically strong and mentally fit — you will be on your feet or performing duty for several hours.
- Should not have any involvement in criminal cases.
- Both men and women can participate in General Srivari Seva.
- Parakamani Seva (Hundi counting) is restricted to males only, aged 35–65, who are free from arthritis, back pain, asthma and similar conditions, since it involves sitting/squatting for long sessions.
There is no fee for enrolment. Srivari Seva is entirely free of cost and self-sponsored (you arrange your own travel and essentials).
How to Enroll — Step by Step
Registration is done online through the official TTD Srivari Seva portal. Only use official channels.
- Official portal: https://ttdevasthanams.ap.gov.in/srivari-seva/ (also linked from tirumala.org / srivariseva.tirumala.org)
Steps:
- Create an account — register with your active mobile number and a valid email ID. Verify the OTP and set a strong password.
- Complete your profile — name exactly as per your Government photo ID (Aadhaar/Passport), gender, date of birth, and address. Avoid nicknames; name/ID mismatch causes rejection at reporting.
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- Choose individual or group —
- Individual: apply for yourself.
- Group: a Group/Team Leader adds each member with their ID, age and contact details. Keep everyone's consent and ID scans ready. The team leader is responsible for members' conduct until they return home.
- Upload documents — a recent passport-size photo (under ~100 KB) and your ID.
- Check availability & select dates — pick a date range you can fully honour (see duration below). Peak festival blocks fill fast and involve longer shifts.
- Agree to the rules — accept TTD's code of conduct and dress code.
- Submit — you'll receive a confirmation/acknowledgement (save the PDF and a screenshot). You will get a message with reporting details.
Offline option: Groups can also send a requisition letter (name, address, age, sex, profession, photo, phone) to the Public Relations Officer, TTD Administrative Building, K.T. Road, Tirupati – 517501, at least one month in advance. Contact: 0877-2263544 / 0877-2263293.
Reporting — Where and When
- Report to the Assistant Executive Officer / Officer on Special Duty at Srivari Seva Sadan, located inside the RTC Bus Stand (APSRTC) complex, Tirumala.
- Important rule change: you must now report one day before your seva start date. For example, if your seva begins on the 2nd, report on the 1st, typically between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM (earlier notices mentioned 10 AM–5 PM; follow the timing in your confirmation).
- Carry: original Aadhaar + a photocopy (mandatory) and two passport-size photos.
- Men report to Seva Sadan 2; women's accommodation/reporting is arranged separately (Seva Sadan 1 / PAC III).
- Late reporting leads to reassignment or loss of the day's duty.
Dress Code (Uniform) — What You Must Wear
TTD enforces a strict, mandatory uniform. You must bring it yourself — TTD does not provide it. For a week-long stay, carry at least two sets.
Men:
- White shirt with white pant, white dhoti, or kurta-pajama.
- For temple duties specifically, men must wear a white dhoti and white shirt.
Women:
- Orange saree with maroon border and a maroon-bordered blouse, or an orange kurta with maroon paijama and maroon chunni. (Some notices describe the ladies' colour as olive/orange — follow the current portal instruction.)
- How to Book a Room in Tirumala: Complete Accommodation Guide (TTD + Mutts, Online & Offline)
Grooming & general rules:
- Closed-toe or secure footwear; hair neatly tied; no flashy accessories or jewellery.
- Your ID/badge must be visible at all times.
- In the amenities complex at night, men must not wear shorts and women must not wear nighties.
- Parakamani Seva dress: plain white pancha (dhoti) and vest only — no other clothing.
Rules & Code of Conduct You Must Follow
- No mobile phones on duty — keep it silent/away; strictly banned inside sensitive areas like Parakamani.
- No selfies on duty, no tips, no solicitation. Maintain humility and courtesy toward every pilgrim.
- Serve wherever you are allotted. Temple duty is not guaranteed or compulsory — do not pressure coordinators for temple posting.
- No discrimination by caste, age or cadre. Maintain honesty, integrity and confidentiality.
- Follow all instructions from on-duty supervisors and Srivari Seva coordinators.
- Attend the daily Bhajan, Satsang and training classes (usually 9–10 AM, or training 8–10 AM at Asthana Mandapam / Astana Mandapam).
- Keep toilets clean; don't waste water or electricity.
- No gambling / cards in TTD accommodation. No harassing or fighting with fellow sevaks, staff or pilgrims.
- Parakamani-specific: carry no cash, gold, silver, watches, rings, bracelets or valuables; devotees wearing Diksha mala cannot participate; spouses/relatives cannot accompany.
- Violations can bar you from seva for 2 years, and serious misconduct (rudeness, leaving intentionally, disobeying the team leader) can get your Aadhaar blacklisted via the CRO office at Seva Sadan, permanently blocking future participation.
How Many Days of Seva
- General Srivari Seva is allotted in blocks of 3 / 7 / 9 / 10 / 11 days. A maximum of 7 days per candidate is commonly applied for general duties; some slots run 7–11 days.
- Laddu Prasadam Seva: around 3 days.
- Parakamani Seva: limited to about 2 days; daily enrolment capped (roughly 250–400 per day), online only.
- Senior Seva (newer, age 40–75): longer durations of 15 days, one month, or up to three months — these volunteers act as quality-checkers observing other sevaks.
- Minimum work: at least 6 hours of duty per day.
Where You'll Be Posted (Duty Areas)
Duties are allotted at Srivari Seva Sadan by issuing ID cards, and the work area is assigned through an electronic (lucky-draw) system each day. Temple duty in particular is decided by a daily lucky draw among teams and depends on age and experience — you may or may not get it.
Typical duty areas include:
- Queue management for darshan and prasadam.
- Annadanam / Annaprasadam (free food distribution).
- Laddu Prasadam distribution counters.
- PAC (Pilgrim Amenities Complex) counters and wayfinding/pilgrim assistance.
- Vigilance & security support, health/medical services, transport, book stalls, and garden/premises maintenance.
- Parakamani — counting and accounting of Hundi offerings (coins, currency, jewellery) — for eligible male volunteers.
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Accommodation & Meals
- Free accommodation is provided: men at Seva Sadan (Seva Sadan 2, near RTC Bus Stand), women at PAC III complex. During festivals, extra halls are opened.
- Treat it as simple dormitory/hostel standard. Bring your own lock and key for lockers; you may need small refundable deposits (e.g., ~₹200 locker, ~₹100 mat).
- Meals: satvik (vegetarian) food via Annadanam or low-cost messes. Carry a small snack box if you have medical dietary needs.
- Small children are not allowed during the week-long service.
- If family accompanies you, book TTD rooms or trusted hotels in Tirupati/Tirumala well in advance as a backup.
Benefits
- Special darshan of Lord Venkateswara for volunteers.
- Two laddus as prasadam at the end of service.
- A completion certificate from TTD (distributed at Seva Sadan on departure; digital copy emailed within ~10 working days).
- The spiritual merit of selfless service and community bonding with fellow devotees.
Quick Checklist Before You Go
- Online registration confirmed; acknowledgement PDF + screenshot saved
- Original Aadhaar + photocopy
- Two passport-size photos
- 2+ sets of the correct uniform
- Own lock and key; toiletries, change of clothes, bedding essentials
- Report one day prior at Srivari Seva Sadan, RTC Bus Stand, Tirumala (per your slip's timing)
- Leave valuables/jewellery behind (essential for Parakamani)
