Tirumala reservation centre and Samadhi Mandir Shirdi reservation centre



It was from Tirumala Railway Counter i procured ticket for AP Samparak Kranti for New Delhi. I was at fault for not reporting on time as there was a queue multiplying every half an hour. Stressful was not the waiting period but alarming was the response of the personnel handing out railway tickets. Passengers after passengers were made to leave the premises without getting a ticket or securing an elaborative response. Here one needs to mention that personnel  working in Tirumala Reservation centre and Samadhi Mandir reservation centre in Shirdi have to be courteous enough to handle all queries coming from passengers. Experience of mine and others reveal that personnel in  both these reservation centres shrug off passengers without responding to their queries. Personnel at both the centres simply dismiss the query by saying "no room" , "koi seat nahi". This they do even without bothering to check the seat availability status in the terminal before them. Hope the railways keep alert personnel at these two centres who are kind enough to attend to every passenger. Because fact of the matter is when you see the seat availability status on net, the sizeable chance that you have comes across. And then you confront them with having the first hand knowledge of seat availability then they begin to respond. But this strategy can't be employed everywhere as net is not in the Seven Hills. So first you would have to go to Tirupati, find the status and then begin your ascent to the hills. Hope railways try to address the needs of passengers who throng to the two spiritual destinations from distant places.

Emerging markets and emerging basket

Emerging markets and emerging basket

Emerging markets and their emerging beliefs have led to emergence of a situation where global oil prices have emerged to rally at the top and consumption equally rising to lead to a new class to crop. This emergence of emerging markets has led to emergence of print and tv crew which rehearse the lines on which others flew.

THis emergence has meant the resurrection of some private airlines and decimation of a state carrier which at one stage had fewer barriers. This emerging markets led the aviation targets reach an unrealistic scale not realising that a proper and realistic groundwork is necessary before latching on to aviation ferry. Pilots report sick with no random check on temperatures they are down with; those aiming to be pilots and taking huge loans are working in call centres with no idea on how to repay the loan bomb.

This emerging market euphemism has meant that some tv and print load themselves with news that has an appeal of fun. Running down and rallying for becomes the underlying theme; at one stage they may raise a toast to civil voulnteers and realising the folly change their gears. THerapeutic and distinctive they advertise their debates not realising 15-20 minute duration should be the fate. Rest of the minutes at their disposal could be geared towards what the participants did before coming to the tv theatres and what meals they had since morning to position themselves as debate creators. DEbates on occasions may look therapeutic if the idea of the whole is not to lynch others and if the purpose is to raise a bonhomie of brothers.

Apart from debating society debating the pros and cons  of an emerging society the emerging market euphemism has meant fewer application of mind when speaking on cell and the lengthening view of a man speaking on a cell and sprinkling the boundary wall with the water released from his organ that is on occasion covered with a shawl. THis view is captured while taking a public transport in a city where once red/bluelines roared and now have failed to bloat.

Emerging markets have meant emergence of people who are willing to settle in other towns and cities that have real growth gel. Emerging markets that nation states have been diagnosed with need to carry the entire territory along and this need not be a fief of some born.

Emerging markets has meant volatility in debates on  volatile rally in the stock market and equally volatile are responses on 20-over tourney that has been spread for over 30 days. Volatile views would eventually lead to 20-over tourney spread for so long losing its appeal and phasing out and in come cricket that would have a serious bout. Loans taken on command and coercion would cease and eventually those forces would cease who try to give a spiral to oil market breeze. Prices may loom upwards for some time but they would have to look down is the prevailing rhyme.   

The ride atop AP Sampark Kranti from Tirupati

The ride atop AP Sampark Kranti from Tirupati 

Had the railway personnel in Tirumala reservation centre guided me well i would taken a tatkal three AC ticket and secured a confirmed berth. Not just me even passengers, who wished to go to Howrah and other places, failed to get the right response. So with no answers on GT Express, Tamil Nadu Express and other trains leaving from Chennai and Bangalore, the right to secure a ticket was settled with AP Sampark Kranti heading towards New Delhi (Hazrat Nizamuddin is the final stop).

Friday morning after spending some time in temple and roundabout, at around 3:08 am i left Tirumala. Around four i was in Tirupati railway station. To my surprise the ticket with waiting list below 5 showed the final status as w/l 3. And here the chart showed that those with waiting list above 60 had seats confirmed in three AC. I was a fool to not secure a 3AC ticket and went to the waiting hall in Tirupati station. I was in a dilemma on whether to proceed or get a refund. THere a nun was waiting who had been deprived of her luggage and probably had a close shave. I could not figure out the entire story. All i could make out was one gentleman who was waiting in the hall with his family had offered her some help. I stepped out of the hall and decided to get a view from TTE or any other personnel. There a lady was sitting in the railway room and guided me to go the next room which are occupied by TTEs. I told the TTE that i came from a journalistic background and at the moment being an independent writer. Other passengers too came and sought the views of two TTEs present there. After going through the chart one finally told me to take any seat in any sleeper class coach and at eight in the morning they would try to inform me about the status.

At least with sleeper status i boarded the train where there were fewer and fewer passengers. Apprehensive about losing the baggage still i took a seat near the entrance/exit gate as TTE would be able to place me whenever he takes a round. The train which was supposed to depart from Tirupati just before six in the morning departed at 6.05 am. At Renigunta some pantry boys emerged and took seats adjacent to mine and some among them getting down to wash the utensil in which they stored and served tea. Here in Renigunta one gentleman took a seat. Hailing from insurance background he was leafing through papers and attending to some cell calls.At Cuddapah a family of five took seats next to mine. The Renigunta Insurance gentleman went for a shave and a partial bath and came out in new clothes. He got down at Yerraguntla and i wished him well .

Queries to TTE on my success in getting a confirmed seat were met with responses like senior tte has the power and he has deployed the junior tte to spread the message that first the waiting and RAC of the 3AC would be cleared and then and then only i can hope to get a seat. At Tadipatri station another gentleman came in; perhaps a priest and heading towards Secundarabad. After some time both this priest and a family of five had adjusted. The family of five had one mother, husband-wife duo and two daughters. By no means they looked unsettled but considering the youthful exuberance of the husband (maturity had yet to sink in), things may have to be controlled at a later stage. During this period i took an opportunity to have ice and the view outside was enticing enough in the sense that i could stay longer in the coach had there been no more additions. With more confirmed seatwallahs coming in, time was ripe to move to an upper berth and take a nap.

Just before one in the afternoon, the junior TTE informed me that senior TTE has been able to find a seat in 3AC. I went to him and he was mulling over how to hand me a seat with no benefits coming from my side. Finally he gave the seat with the considered view that no consideration would be considered. Here one needs to stress that passengers are to be blamed for ameliorated status of TTEs . And passengers should do a rethink before handing any consideration. I still consider myself lucky that somehow after a wait which on occasions endure and sometimes not leading to a furor i get a seat which others may not be lucky enough to secure. Still the best bet to travel is when you have a confirmed seat and nothing else to unravel.

The seat i got was in B1 5 and here one gentleman requested me to take 12 as he was in a group and heading towards SEcundarabad. I took seat 12 which had in its visible vicinity the mother-daughter duo, with some degree of reservations though not expressed by the mother on taking my seat. As i was about to take meals, the train attendant a young boy from the North showed his reflexes and sought my temerity to seek linen and bedroll when i am occupying another seat.. Meal was best to be given to a needy and i told that a complaint can be lodged. Though i would never like to do that but those meant to serve passengers need not be on a short fuse. When the train reached Secundarabad-  there are umpteen number of local stations on the way-  the group got down and in came a family probably residing in Mumbai.

From Secundarabad a new TTE had emerged trying to engage those who were running after him. Late in the night somehow he came to know that seat no. 5 had not been allotted and asked me to furnish the ticket. Satisfied that proper and due entry had been made he tried to reach out to those who were trying to reach seats that they hadn't been tried and tested. Conversations revealed the gentleman from Mumbai happen to do some business and the wife more clued to the net in the morning at home. He was able to gain some sleep only after two in the morning when the train left Nagpur. In Bhopal they got down along with another young boy who happened to visit them though his seat was somewhere else. All along the journey this boy had narratives on trying air and the fares that did not tear. Few would agree with that. More got down in Bhopal and in came Khurana who disclosed he too worked for the media. In Secundarabad another lad had taken this coach with the belief that the seat that would be handed out to him once he made the TTE speak to a gentleman stationed in Secundarabad Station which was by no means a den. Late in the night the two spoke and soaked in the benefits that accrue from those travelling with general clue.

When the train reached Gwalior this lad from SEcundarabad landed near us and tried to engage in a  conversation that showed no stress. In Agra he got down and the parting shot conveyed that life is all about planting people at different destinations who try to portray the paper and its site creation. By now Khurana had completed his share of sleep and talking about Punjab and where politicos are never at the bottom of heap. Recently held polls and scenarios were discussed and the mediaman by no means looked to be puzzled. There was another old couple amidst us who happenn to hail from Tadipatri. The gentleman spoke about the cement factories and limestone deposits in Andhra. THe couple was heading towards Uttaranchal. In the evening AP Sampark Kranti reached Hazrat Nizamuddin.

THis odyssey to the South was memorable for the innumerable occasions i came across entities which were a picture of delight and discipline.     


                 

Days spent in Tirumala

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.          

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.

The ride from Guruvayur to Bangalore

The ride from Guruvayur to Bangalore

Having secured a railway ticket from a counter in Guruvayur it was time to head to a new destination. The ticket was procured with ease from Guruvayur railway station where one can spend hours together if one finds outside environs a bit clutter. To be frank there is no such thing to hand out a clutter denouement as structured is the movement here with fewer and fewer signs of a rupture.

It was late in the evening i set out for THrissur from a bus stand on East Nadar.   Most of the buses from this side are private ones with a fair sprinkling of govt ones from the West Nadar side. With a query on a destination i boarded a private one with a mixed sprinkling of private and not that private individuals. As usual, the bus was at its breakneck speed besieged with commuters of all ages and considerations.

Experience would suggest that in this part of the country the govt buses are more friendly towards traffic rules and if by chance one does not get them then one can go for private transport. The ride lasted exactly an hour intermittent with a long queue on the way as one govt bus had been made to separate from the flowing traffic following intervention of road authorities. THe point where i deboarded with an understanding that railway station was not far should have been followed with an auto ride as walk towards the station suggested that  more queries i made about the same the more distant it looked. The walk to the station illustrated the clinically laid out roads paved with pedestrian passage. Inside the Thrissur station the board showed the train emanating from Kanniyakumari and heading towards Bangalore coming on a platform definitely not one.

Against June 2011 when rains had lashed Thrissur and its roundabouts, this time round it was the bearable heat with barely audible passengers on a platform where the train came on time. INside the coach,those destined to share space with me were two gentlemen; one hailing from THiruvanthapuram and heading towards Bangalore for a meet on teachers and the other guy to go beyond Bangalore in Dharmavaram where he worked in LIC. One had popped a pill post meals and the Dharmavaram guy had a sizeable home cooked meal and both were ready to hit the bed with an added zeal. Before they hit the bed,  the conversation zeroed in on day to day ruptures one comes across and here most were in unison that school fees and school culture had eventually led to courting of a life that had scant regard for peaceful tribe. Lessons as such had to begin at an early stage and any kowtow towards disparaging elements had not to be availed. Morning came with the teacher who had popped a pill remaining out of bounds as far as conversation went and we parted ways with no wow and effort to ever trace.

Gandhi Nagar in Bangalore happenned to be my destination and a sizeable part was spent in the room with a foray here and there to collect a Sudharshan token for Tirumala.  On MOnday i began my journey towards Tirumala with no success in getting a bus that would take me right up to the hills. Opted for a Tirupati bus which eventually i changed at Chittor for a Tirumala one. THe Chittor bus stand  had fewer occupants at that time. S V Fast Foods and the old gentleman at the cash counter were a picture of delight there. The tea from his joint suggested i could go for a repeated dose. Around quarter past two the Chittor-Tirumala trek began with the lady on the window seat disclosing the MPC 10+2 course she was pursuing and Nellore was where she was headed for. Before reaching Tirumala, Tirupati happenned to be the collection point where most who had boarded from KPM getting down and a new set of pilgrims from Kerala boarding the same. It was around 5.30 i reached Tirumala and the stay in Lord Venkateshwara's abode was for three days. 

Walk from Alipiri Gate to Tirumala


Bala Subramaniam , the book seller, who handed me the literature on the Lord in Tirumala.