Trip to Holy Pilgrimage: Tirupati Venkateswara Temple - Part 3- Tirupati Balaji temple, Kapileshwara and Padmavati

This post is in continuation to my last post: 

Trip toHolyPilgrimage: Tirupati Venkateswara Temple - Part1

Trip toHolyPilgrimage: Tirupati Venkateswara Temple - Part2 -Sirvari Padam, SiloThoranam, Hathiram Matt and 3 Teerthams

11th August.

We woke up exactly at 00:00 hrs. as the clock hit the beginning  of the new day. We were ready by 1 and begun to go to temple but as soon as we step out, we came to know that wearing Lungi is mandatory for the people going to Suprabhatam Seva. We went back again and changed our clothes. Luckily, we have purchased it in the evening as the VIP protocol person told us that gents need to wear lungi but we were not sure as some of the people also told that wearing Lungi is not Mandatory but when we saw everyone dressed traditionally in lungi, we give up to the benefit of doubt and changed out clothes. We had our challenges in wearing Lungi and carrying it as it was the first time in my life. Many times, I need to hold it with my hand and also I was constantly scared if it unfolds. In the temple, I took a safety pin from my wife and used it to hold the lungi. It was helpful; however, I was not very confident about it also.

We reached at the Vaikuntam Queue complex at around 1:30 am. We met some local guys there and came to know lot of things about the temple. We came to know that local people come to Tirupati 2,3 times every year and the devotion of local people is very real and pure unlike mine, honestly speaking. At 2, the gates opened. Ticket was checked 3, 4 times and wearing Lungi was also mandatory. I was surprised and at the same time, impressed by the fool proof security of the temple. At around 3, we entered in the main temple and the Seva was started. It went for 30 minutes. Unlike last time, this time, i had the opportunity to spend a time and got a good Darshan. The whole experience was very satisfying. After that, we spent our time in temple for 2 hours as the atmosphere was very pure and we can feel the vibrations. 

Courtesy: Google Images

There is 1 very interesting story related to this temple. It is said that Lord Kubera lent money to the God Venkateswara/Vishnu to meet the expenses for his marriage with Padmavati .Lord Venkateshwara will continue to pay Kuber the loan till the end of Kali Yuga which will last for 432,000 years. In remembrance of this, the devotees going to Tirupati donate money and gold in Venkateswara’s Hundi so that he can repay Lord Kubera.

Tirupati Temple. Courtesy: Google Images

Prasadam. Courtesy: Google Images

It seemed that coming to here has pressed the refreshed button of my life. I felt so great. We came out of temple at around 5 am and now it’s the time to collect Prasadam, Laddus. 

Finally we reached at our Guest House at 6am and thought of catching some sleep.  We woke up again at 8am only to go back to Tirupati. Our returning train to Hyderabad was Nine Hills express which was scheduled at 3 pm from Tirupati. 

We have around 4 hours available for sight-seeing in Tirupati. We visited the various places at Tirupati: 

1.ISCKON Temple

First of all, we went to ISKCON temple. I have visited this temple in Mathura, New Delhi and here It is no different. The building and atmosphere was very beautiful, however but I do not like the idea of making ISCKON in Tirupati. This temple looks good in delhi, mumbai but imagine this temple in places like Badrinath, Vaishno devi, i don't think it will be appreciated.

Courtesy: Google Images

2. Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, Tirupati 

 It is situated about 3 km to the north of Tirupati, at the foot of the Tirumala Hills. The sacred waterfall called Kapila Teertham (also known as Alwar Teertham) is located here. It is believed that in old days, people start their journey to Tirumala from here after taking bath in this Teertham.

 

 3. Tiruchanur Padmavati Temple   

 This temple is about 5 km from Tirupati. The temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi who is the consort of Lord Sri Vishnu is situated here. It is believed that your Darshan/visit to Tirupati Balaji temple will be considered as complete only if you visit the Sri Padmavathi Devi temple.

Folklore is that Lord Vishnu  admired the sage, Bhrigu Maharshi, even though the sage had insulted Vishnu by kicking him on the chest. In anger, Sri Maha Lakshmi (the Lord's consort) reached Patala Loka (hell), where she heard a divine voice stating that a pushkarini was dug on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, immersed her in penance for 12 years. In the 13th year (during the month of Karteeka) Sri Padmavathi emerged from a golden lotus. It is believed that Goddess MahaLakshmi herself emerged as Sri Padmavathi. When we reached here at 12, we were so tired and the huge crowd discouraged us. We purchased the tickets for Special Darshan, however, still it take around 1 hour to get the Darshan. The statue of Devi was amazingly beautiful. After the main Darshan, I took a rest in temple premises while other members were continued to explore other sub temples in the main temple. 

 Weather was very hot and even we didn't have the proper sleep.

 There were many temples left but we were so tired because of missing a sleep that we decided to go to railway station and waits for a train although there were 2 hours still left. 

We boarded a train at 3 pm and reached Hyderabad at 5 am on 12th August. I must say it was one of its kind experience. Looking forward for many more trips. 

 

Trip to Holy Pilgrimage: Tirupati Venkateswara Temple - Part 2- Sirvari Padam, Silo Thoranam, Hathiram Matt and 3 Teerthams

This post is in continuation to my last post :

Trip to HolyPilgrimage: Tirupati Venkateswara Temple - Part1

 10th August continued...

At around 1 pm, we started our local sight seeing in Tata Sumo. 

1. Srivari Padam

First of all, we reached at Srivari Padam which is located at 5 km from the main Venkateswara temple. This temple is located at some height. As we were ascending, the wind become cooler and area become more and more silent. Roads were very good and clean and were covered by trees forming a canopy. One can easily felt the positive energy at this sacred place and it seemed exactly like very pristine place. 

This place is also called as Srivari Padaalu. It is believed that the Lord descended on the earth very first time at this place and thus left his footprints behind. The Lord's feet are worshipped in this temple. From here, you can take the beautiful Bird's eye view of the temple as well as valley. The view from this place is what appeals me the most.

2. Sila Thoranam

Our Second stoppage was at Sila thoranam which is located at 1 km from the main temple. Sila means 'rock' and thoranam means 'Garland.' Thus, Sila thoranam literally refers to 'garland of rocks.' 

There are numerous folklore related to this place that one can read on internet. The most common one, however, is that after descending on earth for the first time on earth at Srivari Padam, Lord puts a second step at this location of the arch. This is one of the rarest natural arch present in the world out of total 3.

3. Chakra Teertham

Our third stoppage was at Chakra Teertham which is  located at around 2 km from the temple and is one of the sacred ponds out of 17 near Tirupati Balaji Temple. The folklore about this place is that Brahma selected this place for observing repentance and thus in order to cleanse it, Lord release his Sudarshana Chakra and this chakra created a pit which came to know as Chakra Teertham. This place is also very .beautiful.

4. Swamy Hathiram Bavaji Matt

Our next stoppage was Swamy Hathiram Bavaji Matt.This place also has a beautiful story behind it. 600 years ago, Bhairagi, the great sage has come from Nagaur from Rajasthan, India to Tirupati He is a great devotee of Lord Balaji. Impressed from the real devotion of Bhairagi, Lord used to come every night to play a game of dices with him. Once, game continued till morning and Lord hurried away suddenly thinking that temple can open anytime leaving his necklace at the Bhairagi place. As the temple opened, necklace was missing from the Lord' statue and also the Bhairagi was also coming to temple to return the necklace. Seeing necklace in hands of Bhairagi, he was caught. Now, Nawab filled the room of this devotee with Sugarcane and asked him to finish that by the next morning and only then, he will believe in his story.Bhairagi prayed to the Lord and the lord appeared in the form of an Elephant and ate everything. For the Nawab it was like any eye opener and he immediately entrusted him the responsibility of taking charge of the temple governance. As the god manifested as Elephant, that is why he has given the name Hathiram; Hathi means Elephant in Hindi.

Courtesy: Google Images

5.  Papavinasam Teertham

Next was Papavinasam Teertham.This sacred pond has been mentioned in Skandapuranam, Hindu religious text, and it is believed that a holy bath in these waters would relieve one from the sins and brings prosperity and peace.

6. Akasaganga Teertham

Our imaginary House built with Stones

Last one was Akasaganga teertham, located at around  3 Kms north of the Tirumala temple. Akasaganga is a natural waterfall  believed to originate from Lord Vishnu's feet. This place is very famous  as its water is used for The Lord’s bath every day. In the olden days, the priestess took turns to carry the water all the way from this part of jungle to the temple in the wee morning hours for the Abhishekam of Lord. . After the TTD(Tirumala Tirupati Devsthanam) came into existence, water lines were laid into the temple and thus simplified. It is also believed here that if you make your house with stones at this place, then your wish of your own house is fulfilled quickly.

On our route

I must say that the managment was so good that I had never experinced such serene atmosphere at any of the religious places of India. Despite huge rush, one cannot feel it as it was properly distributed. 

We completed our local sight seeing by 6 pm. Then we went to the local market and did some shopping.


 Finally, we came back at around 9 after having dinner and thought of getting some sleep as we were really tired. Also, our main Darshan was scheduled for 2 am next day which means we can only sleep for 2,3 hours and not more than that.

Trip to Holy Pilgrimage: Tirupati Venkateswara Temple - Part 1

9^th August 2013 

This was my 2nd trip to Tirupati Venkateswara Temple and I was equally excited. We have planned this trip 2 months advance and got all the bookings done. The only thing left was how to do the Darshan. As we all know, Tirupati is not like any other temple in India and here if you go without any knowledge, you will be kind of lost. 

It is the most visited temple of India and during the holidays, around 2,3 lacks people do their *Darshan in a day. During holidays and festivals, the average waiting time in the Sarvadarsanam (Free Darshan) queue is around 20 hours while in Special Entry Darshan (Seeghra Darshan) queue, it is 8 hours which is very high by any measure. Last time, we managed to get the 300/- ticket in advance through some sources. But now the system is changed and for 300/- ticket, you have to go to TTD Counters which are available in various cities and share your finger prints and other details to get the ticket. TTD(Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) is an independent trust which manages the various operations of the temple. As my in-laws cannot come in advance, so it was bit disappointing to arrange for this ticket. However, my Uncle through his network managed to arrange a ticket for us and that too in VIP break Darshan.  

We boarded a train, NARAYANADRI EXPRESS, from Secundrabad at 6 pm on 9 th and reached the Tirupati after 12 hours i.e. at 6 am in the morning on 10^th. As we were 5 persons and luckily get 1 compartment of 6 seats, so the journey becomes very smooth. We shared a lot of things. As I didn’t get a time to interact with my in-laws earlier, so it was good time to know and connect with each other. We ate a lot in the journey.  

10^th August 2013
 

When we reached at 6 am in the  morning, one of the VIP Protocol officer came to receive us. We have told him to book the Darshan 2 times, 10^th evening and 11^th morning. But he said, it will be difficult to get the Darshan today due to heavy rush and we can do the Darshan tomorrow morning. Little disapoointed but we thought we can do the local sight seeing in Tirumala. 

But when we reached the top i.e. at Tirumala which is 20km from Tirupati, we were shocked to see the situation. No. of pilgrims have crossed 5 lacks as it was a long weekend and VIP quota was cancelled that day. As there was  a huge rush, they cannot stop the Sarvadarsanam(Free Darshan) queue and hence VIP break Darshan was not possible.VIP Protocol officer was saying that he will do something and from the last 18 years in his service, he never send anybody back without the Darshanam. He shared a list of big celebrities whom he had assisted in Darshan. After a lot of phone calls and 2 hours of grueling discussion, Darshan was arranged somehow and luckily, it was one of the best Darshan and also the 1st Darshan of the day.

In Tirupati, there are only 3 types of Darshans, also called as Sevas, in which you get a chance to spend a time in a temple otherwise, you will only get a glimpse of god and before you know it, you will already be dragged out of the list from the security guards. Last time when I visited, I did not able to do the Darshan for more than 5 seconds. 

3 Darshans are Suprabhatam,  Thomala Seva, Archana. We got the tickets for Suprabhatam Seva and the reporting time was 2 am next day i.e. on 11th August. And also, it is the 1^st Darshan. Of the day where the priest wakes up the god, make him bath and do all the morning rituals. 

After breathing a sigh of relief, now we have lot of time available to us. We planned to visit the other attractions in and around Tirunala. 

Please click Trip to Holy Pilgrimage: Tirupati Venkateswara Temple - Part 2 to continue to read part 2.

* Darshan - God’ view/ sighting god