Tirupari Balaji
After much postponing, finally it happened in the second last weekend of March. Hold on, hold on… don’t get some wild ideas. It so happened that I successfully went to Tirupati !!
The beginning of the trip i.e. catching the train to Tirupati was an achievement in itself. It started with a quick day in office. Quick as in, had to wind up and complete lots of things. Then, we had to struggle a bit in the traffic to reach Andheri station. On the station, the ticket punching machine was running around 4 hours late. The fast train was stopping more than usual, etc., etc. After all this struggle, the train’s boogie was a sigh of relief. All new paint, new seats, mobile charging points, etc., etc… All this aside, the dinner served in train by the pantry was pathetic. But, helpless, after such a long day didn’t have much choice. Sleep was little and woke up early at around 6 am. And at such an early hour, while I was sitting on the seat brushing, a eunuch came in clapping and the usual tone “Eh Raju”….. hahaha….. What a way to start your day…
The day passed with lots of hawkers and pantry men coming in and going out. After so many hours of traveling, felt so good to alight the train at around 5:00pm.Had a bus ride upto the foot of the hill which leads to Tirumala and the started the climb on foot to Tirumala with great vigor. But, the vigor didn’t last much. Struggling and taking lots of breaks, somehow reached the top i.e. Tirumala at around 11:30 – 12:00 midnight. Took the room and settled down on a roadside stall far dinner. Had the 70mm dosa for dinner… And, I must say, it is a 70cm dosa but I wonder why the call it the 70mm dosa.
The sleep that night was the most sweetest after such a great climb and that too without shoes or chappals !!
The morning for us started late and 2 of us went to donate our hair and soon had shining heads.. Tirumala is such a great place.. such a huge place.. The line for us started at around 1:00pm and ended at around 3:30 pm. Pretty less time for a visit to Tirupati, isn’t it.. Cell phones not allowed in the temple premises.. It was the first time since I got a cell that I was without my cell with me.. Somehow, it felt great.. After struggling so much, the view or rather darshan to Venkateshwara is only for a few seconds.. around 5 seconds or so.. But, that’s the way it is. The Hundi is a must see.. To see people donating anything and everything to the richest God. The evening chilled out a bit and we stuck to our guest house’s room..
Next day morning started a little early for us since we had a train to catch at 9:00am. Most of the day was spent in the train dozing and playing cards with the frequent entertainment by eunuch’s.
Early next morning reached Bombay and back to the busy schedule.
It was a great experience and rejuvenating break from the daily hip hop in the local trains, buses, etc. and
Must take such regular breaks..
ENJOy…
-JC
The beginning of the trip i.e. catching the train to Tirupati was an achievement in itself. It started with a quick day in office. Quick as in, had to wind up and complete lots of things. Then, we had to struggle a bit in the traffic to reach Andheri station. On the station, the ticket punching machine was running around 4 hours late. The fast train was stopping more than usual, etc., etc. After all this struggle, the train’s boogie was a sigh of relief. All new paint, new seats, mobile charging points, etc., etc… All this aside, the dinner served in train by the pantry was pathetic. But, helpless, after such a long day didn’t have much choice. Sleep was little and woke up early at around 6 am. And at such an early hour, while I was sitting on the seat brushing, a eunuch came in clapping and the usual tone “Eh Raju”….. hahaha….. What a way to start your day…
The day passed with lots of hawkers and pantry men coming in and going out. After so many hours of traveling, felt so good to alight the train at around 5:00pm.Had a bus ride upto the foot of the hill which leads to Tirumala and the started the climb on foot to Tirumala with great vigor. But, the vigor didn’t last much. Struggling and taking lots of breaks, somehow reached the top i.e. Tirumala at around 11:30 – 12:00 midnight. Took the room and settled down on a roadside stall far dinner. Had the 70mm dosa for dinner… And, I must say, it is a 70cm dosa but I wonder why the call it the 70mm dosa.
The sleep that night was the most sweetest after such a great climb and that too without shoes or chappals !!
The morning for us started late and 2 of us went to donate our hair and soon had shining heads.. Tirumala is such a great place.. such a huge place.. The line for us started at around 1:00pm and ended at around 3:30 pm. Pretty less time for a visit to Tirupati, isn’t it.. Cell phones not allowed in the temple premises.. It was the first time since I got a cell that I was without my cell with me.. Somehow, it felt great.. After struggling so much, the view or rather darshan to Venkateshwara is only for a few seconds.. around 5 seconds or so.. But, that’s the way it is. The Hundi is a must see.. To see people donating anything and everything to the richest God. The evening chilled out a bit and we stuck to our guest house’s room..
Next day morning started a little early for us since we had a train to catch at 9:00am. Most of the day was spent in the train dozing and playing cards with the frequent entertainment by eunuch’s.
Early next morning reached Bombay and back to the busy schedule.
It was a great experience and rejuvenating break from the daily hip hop in the local trains, buses, etc. and
Must take such regular breaks..
ENJOy…
-JC
posted by JC at 9:12 PM
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