TITLE : - A HOLY JOURNEY TO TIRUPATI
Source :- BANGALORE
Destination :- TIRUPATI
Distance :- 248 Km
Journey duration: - 2 days
From date 14 August 2012 to 15 August 2012
Summary:-
In the rainy season while the clouds of tri colour spread over the incredible India, we had planned a long awaited holy trip to TIRUPATI BALAJI DARSHAN on Independence Day.
Travel details:-
On The long awaited trip on the day of dream comes true Pre-evening of Independence Day, we planned well in advance. There are so many tour being operated from Bangalore to Tirupati Balaji Darshan, we had googled most of them and shortlisted one out of the list based on the availability of seats, budget and comfort journey aspects. We got booking from redbus.in for Varsha Travel Ac Volvo bus Tirupati package tour. On 14th Aug we packed our small ready to travel kit and we are all set to go. We (Me and Hubby) started from home at 8:00 PM to our pickup point i.e. Tin factory flyover. We reached there after a crowded BMTC bus journey for 1 and half hour. The departure time on our tickets was mentioned as 10 PM & we were just in Time with respect to that i.e. 9: 50 PM. But lots more surprises to come…10 to 10.15, then 10.30………..10.45….and finally after an hour delay finally the Volvo arrived. The pickup point was crowded pretty much around a thousand passengers / devotees were standing over there to get in to their respective buses & this was giving us a feel of crowd in Tirupati for Tommarrow’s Darshan que. However final we settled in the bus and with regular stops morning 4.30 AM we reached tirumala, Being a packaged Tour-guide taken us to Hotel for freshen up (Hotel Srinath), Each group / family were allotted with One room to rest and fresh-up. After an Hour and so we had catch up with some rest and bath. Then turn of morning breakfast, all the devotees were gathered in common room where the breakfast served with self-service. In the breakfast special idly-Sāmbhar and nariyal chutney and one piece of aloo bonda with TeaJ were served. In mean time when co-passengers were finishing their breakfast we went for small morning walk near to Hotel, and noticed this hotel is just opposite to Auto Nagar Tirupati. Finall after breakfast our guide told us about the further itinerary. Bus started from Hotel at around 7:30 AM for Tirumala bus stand. In Tirupati only Ghat certified buses are allowed to go on top of hill, private buses are not allowed over there, hence we changed our bus and settled in to another govt. bus. After half an hour Journey we reached to foothill of Tirupati where this bus was stopped for security checking [woman section is different side and men’s section is different side]. After checking all passengers again settled in the bus. Now we were going to upside hill (Main temple is on hill). The route to Temple is very scenic with lots of Zig-Zag bends. We were enjoying natural beauty and mountains. This journey due to so many turns on road with lots of nature blessing gave me a remarkable adventurer’s experience. Now finally bus reached to uphill (Ram Bageecha Bus Stand) at 8:30 AM. Main Temple is walkable from here. Our guide guided us to one shopping complex kind of thing i.e. HD COMPLEX to submit our shoes and mobiles / electronic gadgets because it is strictly not allowed inside the temple. After this our guide asked for the persons who want to Tonsure their head [This is a tradition in Tirupati to donate hairs], some of our co-passengers shown their interest in head tonsuring. Now the group was divided in two parts i.e. One for head tonsuring and other one for Temple darshan. We joined second group and went for darshan que. In tirupati there are some different arrangement for darshan named as Free darshan, Sudarshan (50 Rs) and Sheeghra Darshan (Entry fee 300 Rs). We joined sheegra darshan que as suggested by Tour Guide. There were so many devotees were standing in que with Tonsured head. Darshan que was very crowded as expected. Devotiees were chanting in que “Govinda-Govinda”. After a devotion of 6 and half hour we reached to main Temple. We had a great darshan of God, after darshan our soul felt very peaceful. Then we had taken Prasadam “Curd-Rice” near to temple followed by collection of LADDOOS from Laddoo Counter. Now we went back to shop where we had submitted our belongings [shoes and mobiles], collected our belongings and waited for rest of co-passengers to come. At around 6.30 PM we headed back to Bangalore. In the way be stopped for dinner and finally reached Bangalore around 12.30 AM on 16th August.
It’s a life time experience we had during journey. I highly recommend to everyone, at least once in life time one should Visit the TIRUPATI BALAJI.
Govinda-Govinda !
A Pic of Tirupati :
Note: Inside Temple camera and cell phone are not allowed.
