Days spent in Tirumala
Having reached Tirumala on Monday, the first search was for an accommodation which could let me stay for three to four days; in fact my stay extended to almost five days. With locker taken in Udupi Mutt, the next notable event was Srivari Darshan. With Sudharshan Token in hand, i headed towards Vaikuntam Queue Complex 1. The board outside the entry gate suggested that devotees would be allowed after 8pm. The wait outside brought back memories of the occasions when i used to stand in the queue for Thomala, Archana Seva tickets (bursting by 2 to 3 in the morning and the counter would open at eight). During the period the devotees were outside, Milk was given to them which largely hailed from Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Karnataka.
Little before eight the crowd began to filter in with suspense still on the number of hours it would take to reach the sanctum sanctorum. Post security checks and other formalities it was the swift pace at which the devotees moved inside which made the whole exercise look admirable. From the Srivari main gate getting inside and coming out of sanctum sanctorum it was all completed in 15 minutes flat. First change that i noticed when getting inside was the gate from which devotees normally go for Thomala/Archana was thrown open for commoners. So instead of taking a round and then getting inside one can with ease approach the sanctum sanctorum. Advantages: it saves you three to five minutes plus from the much avoidable pushing and shoving. As for the temple authortities, it helps them to push in more number of devotees in the same number of hours that is at their disposal. That was one remarkable change i witnessed in Tirumala Srivari Temple.
With glimpse of the Lord secured, i came out and headed for the exit gate after other rituals. It was the structured movement of the crowd that came in for praise from devotees. This was followed by prasadam (free meals) at the newly opened structure; mammoth in size and sentiment. Again a picture of comfort and the one that needed to be accessed on a continued basis.
Tuesday was meant for taking a walk from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala.
It was a trek from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala which i completed with thoughts bordering between hope and despair and by Lord's blessings the trek having been undertaken after one year was completed. All throughout the journey there were individuals who looked tired and tested and there were those who were energetic and determined to complete it in under three hours. Hope devotees like us would be blessed with same determination some day to secure the ascent in under three hours.
Having reached Tirumala from Alipiri Gate i headed for Udupi Mutt and was there till late afternoon. This was followed by Free Meals Prasadam.
The third day was meant to avail the Gali Gopuram ticket. Walked inside the entry gate just minutes before the 24 hour deadline was meant to close and here all the walking devotees were told to take seats inside the waiting hall. Within an hour it had surged to a boisterous level. In the thick of action where pilgrims took time to get clarity through a dose of sleep followed by meals given inside and some staring outside to search for answers on when the gates would be finally opened. It is Advisable for devotees that they should enter the VCQ 1 gate either before ten in the morning or after five in the evening. Those who have sudharshan token between 12 and four, they may have to wait for a while.
The waiting hall brimming to its capacity with two adjoining halls prior to us packed to strength, the indications were that we would have to wait. Seated next to me was a family of a father and two sons. In the first hour the father was joined by one son and all looked peaceful as conversation was all about the native place and the occasions when we visited Tirumala. When the father-son duo was joined by the second son, the situation looked no normal by any standards and here one was pushing the other. Since thoughts were on the Lord, it was advisable to ignore and get more assured. When the gates finally opened the crowd moving to the Lord comprised of those having Gali Gopuram Ticket, some from the free darshan category and just before the waiting cabins get over some coming in with 300 rs ticket. Mind you once you have gone past waiting cabins then swift is the sentiment as far as movement is concerned and it is matter of under an hour that sanctum sanctorum can be reached.
Having availed the Gali Gopuram token on Wednesday, the evening saw me take the much revered Prasadam from the newly erected structure. Between Tuesday and Thursday whenever an opportunity came i made it a point to go past the two elephants which are employed for different rituals in the temple. The one which is slightly taller can be seen raising his legs quite often if made to stand out for long. Hope more comforting sessions would come his way. Thursday was the day when the last Sudharshan Token could be availed. Went inside at 1 and came out by three. This was not a waiting session that endured for long except the walk past the waiting cabins where you have to make a little effort. But the walk past the waiting cabins has a charm of its own as it gives you the lengthening glimpse of the Golden Dome.
Out by three with a baggage that comprised of mysore sandal soap and other daily necessities, the walk to the shopping complex right opposite the temple brought back the memories of past visits. Here the STD booths are more than one and there are enough provision stores. The tea of your choice can be accessed and equally accessible are people with broadening smiles. Came across one Bala Subramaniam in Shopping Complex and he was kind enough to hand me the Lord's literature. The expression on his face suggested we shared a common sentiment and hope to never remain tense.
On occasions took round of Hanuman Temple which is opposite the Govinda's Temple. And Friday when i left was lucky enough to gain the glimpse as gates had been opened much earlier.
Friday morning i left Tirumala with a hope that Tirumala would be on agenda as and when the God wills it and by four in the morning i was at Tirupati station.
Having reached Tirumala on Monday, the first search was for an accommodation which could let me stay for three to four days; in fact my stay extended to almost five days. With locker taken in Udupi Mutt, the next notable event was Srivari Darshan. With Sudharshan Token in hand, i headed towards Vaikuntam Queue Complex 1. The board outside the entry gate suggested that devotees would be allowed after 8pm. The wait outside brought back memories of the occasions when i used to stand in the queue for Thomala, Archana Seva tickets (bursting by 2 to 3 in the morning and the counter would open at eight). During the period the devotees were outside, Milk was given to them which largely hailed from Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Karnataka.
Little before eight the crowd began to filter in with suspense still on the number of hours it would take to reach the sanctum sanctorum. Post security checks and other formalities it was the swift pace at which the devotees moved inside which made the whole exercise look admirable. From the Srivari main gate getting inside and coming out of sanctum sanctorum it was all completed in 15 minutes flat. First change that i noticed when getting inside was the gate from which devotees normally go for Thomala/Archana was thrown open for commoners. So instead of taking a round and then getting inside one can with ease approach the sanctum sanctorum. Advantages: it saves you three to five minutes plus from the much avoidable pushing and shoving. As for the temple authortities, it helps them to push in more number of devotees in the same number of hours that is at their disposal. That was one remarkable change i witnessed in Tirumala Srivari Temple.
With glimpse of the Lord secured, i came out and headed for the exit gate after other rituals. It was the structured movement of the crowd that came in for praise from devotees. This was followed by prasadam (free meals) at the newly opened structure; mammoth in size and sentiment. Again a picture of comfort and the one that needed to be accessed on a continued basis.
Tuesday was meant for taking a walk from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala.
It was a trek from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala which i completed with thoughts bordering between hope and despair and by Lord's blessings the trek having been undertaken after one year was completed. All throughout the journey there were individuals who looked tired and tested and there were those who were energetic and determined to complete it in under three hours. Hope devotees like us would be blessed with same determination some day to secure the ascent in under three hours.
Having reached Tirumala from Alipiri Gate i headed for Udupi Mutt and was there till late afternoon. This was followed by Free Meals Prasadam.
The third day was meant to avail the Gali Gopuram ticket. Walked inside the entry gate just minutes before the 24 hour deadline was meant to close and here all the walking devotees were told to take seats inside the waiting hall. Within an hour it had surged to a boisterous level. In the thick of action where pilgrims took time to get clarity through a dose of sleep followed by meals given inside and some staring outside to search for answers on when the gates would be finally opened. It is Advisable for devotees that they should enter the VCQ 1 gate either before ten in the morning or after five in the evening. Those who have sudharshan token between 12 and four, they may have to wait for a while.
The waiting hall brimming to its capacity with two adjoining halls prior to us packed to strength, the indications were that we would have to wait. Seated next to me was a family of a father and two sons. In the first hour the father was joined by one son and all looked peaceful as conversation was all about the native place and the occasions when we visited Tirumala. When the father-son duo was joined by the second son, the situation looked no normal by any standards and here one was pushing the other. Since thoughts were on the Lord, it was advisable to ignore and get more assured. When the gates finally opened the crowd moving to the Lord comprised of those having Gali Gopuram Ticket, some from the free darshan category and just before the waiting cabins get over some coming in with 300 rs ticket. Mind you once you have gone past waiting cabins then swift is the sentiment as far as movement is concerned and it is matter of under an hour that sanctum sanctorum can be reached.
Having availed the Gali Gopuram token on Wednesday, the evening saw me take the much revered Prasadam from the newly erected structure. Between Tuesday and Thursday whenever an opportunity came i made it a point to go past the two elephants which are employed for different rituals in the temple. The one which is slightly taller can be seen raising his legs quite often if made to stand out for long. Hope more comforting sessions would come his way. Thursday was the day when the last Sudharshan Token could be availed. Went inside at 1 and came out by three. This was not a waiting session that endured for long except the walk past the waiting cabins where you have to make a little effort. But the walk past the waiting cabins has a charm of its own as it gives you the lengthening glimpse of the Golden Dome.
Out by three with a baggage that comprised of mysore sandal soap and other daily necessities, the walk to the shopping complex right opposite the temple brought back the memories of past visits. Here the STD booths are more than one and there are enough provision stores. The tea of your choice can be accessed and equally accessible are people with broadening smiles. Came across one Bala Subramaniam in Shopping Complex and he was kind enough to hand me the Lord's literature. The expression on his face suggested we shared a common sentiment and hope to never remain tense.
On occasions took round of Hanuman Temple which is opposite the Govinda's Temple. And Friday when i left was lucky enough to gain the glimpse as gates had been opened much earlier.
Friday morning i left Tirumala with a hope that Tirumala would be on agenda as and when the God wills it and by four in the morning i was at Tirupati station.
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