Walk from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala

Walk from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala



Tuesday was meant for taking a walk from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala. With writing sheets in my possession i took the bus which would drop me in the vicinity of Alipiri Gate. THroughout the journey this thought crossed my mind that i should head towards Srinivasam complex, take a breather and then initiate my ascent to Tirumala. When i saw other people too getting down near Alipiri Gate i followed them and started the much-desired ascent. With prayers written in a sheet of paper, the first noting i made was of the two temples that greet devotees at the entrance - and they were closed. Ascent to the top began at 9:30 in the morning and Gali Gopuram was reached at 10:20. THe first hour of ascent is the steepest and if by chance no one stops at any stage this ascent to Gali Gopuram, can well be done under 40-45 minutes.

 Choco bar and other fluids were taken in plenty with doubts dogging on whether i would be able to complete my trek to Tirumala. With token taken from Gali Gopuram counter which showed the picture of the token holder, the guy before me was lost in thoughts the moment the token was handed to him. Here one needs to stress that picture taken in Sudharshan Token has not that much clarity vis-a-vis the picture appearing in Gali Gopuram token. Few metres away from Gali Gopuram, the man who sells the orange and apple juice on the right side there is another individual across the stretch who should be looked after. This man is selling popcorn and other beverages and there was hardly anyone buying from him.Hope he has a smooth sail.

Gali Gopuram token in hand and repeated intake of fluids i started my second phase of ascent which saw me reach the Lord Hanuman Idol around 11:45 am. Under 15 minutes i was past this spiritual spot and in between came two to three small duration halts. Prasadam was being distributed and had i not stopped it would have given me more walking minutes at my disposal. Here there was no clarity whether this prasadam was distributed by TTD or by some private party. TTD needs to clear the air on this one.

 The final ascent began at 12:15 from the point where a noting has been made on whom to approach if you face difficulty or your vehicle breaks down.THis is again a steep ascent and one can complete this in 15-minutes flat if there are no stoppages on the way.   It was at 12: 52 that i completed my journey and against large intake of energy drinks the appetite for tea had all but gone.

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 who were energetic and determined to complete in under three hours. Hope i could be blessed with same determination some day to secure the ascent in under three hours.

Having reached Tirumala i headed for Udupi Mutt and till late afternoon i was inside. In the evening headed for Free Meals Prasadam after taking a round of Hanuman Temple which is opposite the Govinda's Temple.