Visiting Lord Govinda Temple In Tirumala On July 14

Visiting Lord Govinda Temple In Tirumala On July 14

Having secured SSD (Slotted Sarva Darshan) token on July 13, all eyes were on proposed visit to Tirumala coming after two years, this very period witness to churn in layers. Tirumala visit was not on my itinerary when I left New Delhi as the rush and the release from compartments was too much for me vis-a-vis multiple visits to temple on a single day when tokens were disbursed in Tirumala hills for those who pray. This time as well the rush to secure tokens was sizeable with some having collected as early as 12.30 AM with gates to reach token site only opening after 6.30 in a nation where dissent has been disfigured by those carrying candy. Candy with a will to govern, and make the other considerable lot run. 

Gaining Token, Leaving For Tirumala Next Day

With token in my hand I had one-and-a half day at my disposal to make a case for those who could not chase token with success despite having at home tree buxus. On July 14 left at 12.45 PM by APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) bus AP OZ 3 5356 for Tirumala with notable reminders on the way to not feed the wildlife, overtaking prohibited, keep ghat road clean, and drive slowly as one is amidst wildlife crossing zone which is much in play in July, when sections of India are dry. Spate of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh tourist cars (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Are Provinces In South India) make an appearance with some inside putting in a prayer with patience. All devotees coming to repose faith in Lord Govinda, the presiding deity of Tirumala. Reach Tirumala at 1.45. Reach ATGH Circle at 2.20. Begin to walk and having criss-crossed different corridors, the line stops at 3.30 only to move at 4.26 with no firm appeal issued by grouping BRICS.  At 4.58 reach token check point only to be followed by frisking with none multitasking. Enter compartment number 10, and from 5 to 8.14 stay inside with some holding forth on political undercurrents that should not be a surprise. Those who were sent to compartments prior to 5, their gates open at 5.30 and probably before 7 they would have come out of temple as break darshan is from 7 to 7.45 with no room for rumours on bike. 

Reaching Sanctum Sanctorum (Bangaru Vakili)

When our gates open there is second layer of frisking with the young lot having the aura of invincibility to wade into pushing and shoving gallery known to have fascination for retail brand yoving. By the time I reach Sanctum Sanctorum (Bangaru Vakili) it is 9.18, and here I am overwhelmed by fleeting glimpse of Lord Govinda Lord Venkateswara and that sketch would stay for long perhaps for eon. Fill in pages next to Vayu Lord from 9.30 onwards. Huge collection of devotees savouring every moment, though getting to temple is no less than a tournament, grand and gracious is the bit spent in Bangaru Vakili, and I would take this temple tryst lapped by page conversation list. By the time I come out of temple it is 10.55, having understood this sacred place gives wings to righteous tribe.

This was a visit to Tirumala on the back of 11-day visit to Chennai, Kotagiri and Udhagamandalam, with earnest appeal coming from home quarters that I better visit the place which people of different faith chase. Tirumala has been in my daybook since July 1995, hope the visits swell with growth momentum enmeshed with a tale to tell.

YEDU KONDALWADA VENKATRAMNA GOVINDA GOVINDA