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Thirupati Thirumalai

Namo Namo Narayana
Hari Hari Govindha
Ezhumalai Mel Irukum Thirumalai
Pathiyenagi Thirupathi
Thirumalai Vasa Venkata
Valampuri Sankei Valampuri
June 2014 saw us keep a full stop to Tirupati trip deferment. Took the Take Grand Northern Trunk Rd at 11:30 AM via Guntur-Chennai Hwy and Tirupati Rd to reach Tirupati by 3PM. Being a week day (Tuesday) we expected to get a easy darshan but Permal devotees were overflowing in Thirumala. One could witness a bharatha vilas in Tirupati.
Earlier near the start of the climb all vehicles and passengers had to go through a security check delaying the onward journey of all devotees. The trip up the hill was picturesque and the path was well laid. We could reach uphill within 20 minutes in car but this is slowed by the no overtaking restrictions and checking done to on arrival uphill to ensure there is no speed driving. Code readers are used to verify this - hitech at the his highness's place.




Our excitement to worship the almighty came to halt in 15 minutes after reaching Tirumala when we went about checking free darshan queues and no seeghraha darshan tickets availability. So checked with the CR office near bus stand and secured accommodation at the Kaustubham for Rs.500 with the help of MP's letter.


Kaustubham - huge 5-floored cottage, well maintained and affordable. Houses balaji bhavan in the ground floor offering delicious Andhra cuisine. After checking in there, went around the temple to get an insight into the darshan possibility for tomorrow. We had the chance to witness the musical waterfall, Andhra folk dance and Carnatic song rendering during this time. Huge area around the temple, made the legs go heavy for walk.

Went back to Kaustubham, had Andhra meals including podi to curd, lulling to sleep. Woke up by 2:30 am in the morning and was in the Seegraha darshan queue by 3:30 am behind an already 1KM long line. Rich and sophisticated people lying in the platform for early entry into the queue. What's rich and poor before the lord all are devotees. Surprising to see even Rs.300 tickets in such a demand.

By 6 AM the Vaikudham complex counter opened the queue started moving all the way to the complex for around 3km. There again we had to go through a security check; no phones or cameras allowed; tea/coffeee/milk was given to all. Next the path went through the various waiting compartments to get into the temple. All that one can hear was the 'Govinda' for the enormous set of devotees.

Crowd took charge of taking us inside. Usual 'jargandy' ensured we had just a couple of seconds view of Perumal. Movement of heavy coin sacks delayed out exit. Laborers were sweating it out to shift the sacks to the vehicle that would carry them to the bank. Once we came out, sweet pongal prasadam awaited, Devambrutham it was after such a long wait and worship at 9 AM.

For each seegraha darshan ticket 2 laddus were given, We were fortunate enough to get the very good set of laddus. Walked to the restaurant and had our much needed breakfast. Slept till 1 PM and then started out return journey. Checked out of Kaustubham, got the refund. Trip down the hill helped in witnessing deers. Came down by 2:30  PM and has full Andhra meals before proceeding.

Reached Chennai around 6 PM via Tirupati Rd and Guntur-Chennai Hwy (full of mango and flower sellers). Ezhumalayan's divya darisanam was worth all the efforts spent.

 Edu kondala vada venkatramana govinda govinda!
https://pudhumanam.blogspot.com/2016/07/thirupati-thirumalai-once-more.html
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Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Comments

Unknown said…
Good writing and by gods grace I got a suprabatham ticket on aug2 waiting to have perumal darshan .....all the best for ur future writing
12 July 2014 at 20:27
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