Tirupathi, The Heavenly Abode. Review on Tirupati

Whenever anyone says that he will be going to Tirupati, the automatic reaction of most ppl is that they pull out cash from their pocket which may be from Rs.11/-, Rs.51 to even Rs.501/- or more. Not only us but also all the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. That’s the reason it is the richest temples allover India or may be even in the world. The temple grosses crores of rupees & bullion etc as donations each day. No doubt it is the highest tax payer to the Indian Govt. There is a story behind that too that I have heard. As per mythology ,when Lord Balaji wanted to marry Padmavati, he was asked to pay a huge sum of money to marry her. So the Lord went to Kuber the treasurer of all the Lords & asked him for a loan and said that not only he but also his would keep repaying the money with the interest for ages together. If u haven’t noted this fact of impulsively paying money to the Kuber of teh temple trying seeing it when u or any friend of urs says that he ir she is going there, invariably ppl will give u some amount. The offerings at the shrine also include ones hair or a tonsure ie shaving off ones hair which is not only done by males but also females.(Even the actresses Amala & Sarika have done it here)

Tirupathi, situated in the Chitoor District of Andhra pradesh is one of the most ancient & spectacular pilgrimage spot in India. The temple is that of Lord Venkateshwara or Balaji. The temple is situated in the Tirumala hill. There r seven hills representing the hoods of Seshanaga. The temple is located in the seventh peak ie Venkatadri.

In addition to the main temple there are various other temples too in the tirumala as well as in tirupathi which is the foot of the hills.One is supposed to visit the temple of Goddess Padmavati, which is about 7 kms from th emain temple before you take th edarshan of Lord Balaji. Don’t ask me why? I am not sure about the mythology part here. There is also a famous temple Kalahasti which is another place ppl flock.

A stay of 2 days will be perfect for the palce to visit all th eshrines here but one may freeze it within a day. To finish it within a day may be difficult, if ther is too much of a crowd in free queue line. It way even take 7 to 10 hrs in the line. See it that u don’t land there on a Thursday morning coz that’s the sacred day for the lord. If u r lucky enough then its fine. There are also the other paid Seva lines which range from Rs.25/- to Rs.100/- which is VIP quota line. Also if u have to perform specific poojas the rates are different, which go up to Rs.5001/-.

To go to the tirumala may be done from Tirupathi Rly Station or Renigunta rly Station where u have a very good state bus service @RS.20/- to Tirumala or even the share Taxis or Sumos wich cozt a bit more may be about 50/75 Rs. Per head.

The TTD (Tirumala Tourism Development) has guest houses at the Tirumala of a meager rate of Rs.100/- per room per day. They allow 4/5 persons in each room. Given a choice pick the Rambagecha Guest house or Varahaswami Guest house for their vicinity to the temple.The bookings can be done at Tirumala itself or through various centeres allover the country. In Mumbai it is at G.D.Somani School, Cuffe Parade. The bookings start 1 month in advance & the Mumbai quota gets over within a day or two.So one has to send a draft & apply to the tirumala directly to see if u get any accommodation.They reply promptly with 10/15 days. Else you have various hotels of all classes ranging from 250/-to 2000/-per day depending on how good the hotel is. There are numerous places to have good food. But non veg will not be available in the tirumala. For Nonveg one will have to go to Tirupati.

Two lucky people get to supervise the counting of the grossings each day after which they are taken to the temple for a good darshan .

Now to the bad part in the temple. After having stood in the queue for so long one can just have a glance at te lord for 2 Secs. If you are tall then a bit more. Else u are pushed out. For each thing may be at the temple or at te guest houses run by TTD the staff keep on asking for tips which really pisses me off at the shrine.

Tirupati is close to two metros in the South ie Chennai which is 4 hrs and Bangalore which 7 hrs. The bus services & train services are very good. One can combine a few more shrines down south like Madurai or other temples of Tamil nadu & Kerala like Guruvayur too. Or have a nice holiday at Chennai, Bangalore Mysore etc.

All in all must go place for all those who believe in the Almighty as there are instances that if u pray u get it.