Nisarga: Tirumala Trekotsava

It was sudden plan made by duo gopi & me to visit Tirumala-Tirupathi. We thought of doing PADAYATRE (climb by steps) from Tirupati to Tirumala. Started our process of booking tickets, gathering info about places for our basic needs.

Anup also joined us for the trip. Started by bus to Tirupati at 9.we couldn’t even have dinner due to some time constraints keeping in my mind that we can still have during traveling break. It was unfortunate that we dint get food. So we gave up and made a strong mind not to have food until Darshan gets over.

We reached Tirupati By 4 am, enquired APSRTC officials about how to reach Tirumala by walk.

Since we got reply in telgu, couldn’t understand what exactly we need to do. Apparently KSRTC bus driver helped us in giving detailed information. Thanks to himJ. As per directions we reached ALIPIRI where exactly the mountain starts .its around 5 km from Tirupati. There we took bath in padmavathi bathing complex which is free for travelers arranged by TTD near alipiri bus stand.

There is also provision for luggage transportation from Alipiri to Tirumala free of cost who wants to do padayatre (walk by steps).don’t forget to put locks to u r luggage’s, else they wont accept for transport. By the time it was already 6 we started our padayatre at 6.15am.

We were so enthusiastic; excitement was at high since it was first time. Jagan (me), Gopi, Anup started our 9 km TREKOTSAVA J by chanting few mantras, Vayustuthi etc in bare foot. Initially it was easy to step, dint really feel difficult. It was early morning the weather was cool and compatible to our lifestyles J , first 1000 steps was completed in an hour. U can see Avatras of Vishnu like Vamana, Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Parushurama, Rama, Krishna, Narashimha and Balarama for every 300 steps. Every 300 steps there is small Gopura it indicates different level of mountains. DRINKING WATER RESTROOM facilities are available for both MEN & WOMEN through out the way.

Next 1000 steps are comparatively difficult. One can see many idols of MUKHYAPRANA all along the way to Tirumala. By the time our strength was dropping, took many breaks in middle but never had food even though we saw many food stalls with different types of yummy and delicious recipes. We saw many devotees chanting mantras loudly “YEDU KUNDALAWADA VENKATARAMAMA GOVINDA GOVINDA “. In fact it gives strength to others to climb further. Many devotees were doing different sevas like kumkum seva to all steps, An unforgettable scene which I still get tears imagining it is “a son was taking his old aged diseased father in his arms, crying and chanting mantras”, It was really a moment with tears and feel very proud of that guy, Indirectly we too learnt many lessons seeing different peoples in different scenarios, many handicapped people were following us. Really confidence in me got boost up seeing such hard facts .After finishing our 2000th step reached GALIGOPURA

Here bio metric system (finger prints are taken) token will be provided, this token can avail u free meals, accommodation & Tonsuring.

Free Darshan facility is available thro Vaikunta Q complex 1 straightaway,

Collected token and moved further, since we were three members somehow could managed to move with our various activities such that we forget our tiredness. Moving further we reached PRASANNA ANJINEYA temple, we passed through deer parks in middle of the forests, some rare animals was sited, enjoyed the scenic beauty of nature ,greens, different species of birds are visible.

NOTE: At some point we need to get token verified & validated. Else the token will be Null and void.

Gopal was scared that we missed the route since we dint see any counter to check the tokens, finally we could see counter it was sigh of relief for us thoughJ. It was already 10.30 am the temperature was rising and our potency was tumbling down walked on Ghat section roads even though pavements are made for devotees, one should have capacity to beat the heat .since we were not wearing any slippers /shoes foots were really on fire .somehow managed to reach final phase of mountains called “Mokaala parvata” its one of the difficult phase of journey ,literally u will be climb mountains @ 80 degrees, soles will be sore threading the rigid raised area ,every step is challenging and awesome experience. at last we reached our destination after 3300 steps ,walked through main roads of Tirumala, we got TTD free bus to reach Temple, at 11.15 am we entered in to complex waited for nearly one and half hour to get the Darshan of LORD VENKATESHWARA just cant put out of my mind , the unforgettable moment in my life .

Tiredness, raising heat, standing in long q with patience all these constraints was just blown away ……….