Tirumala...

I always liked Tirumala / Tirupati for one good reason - the climb up the mountain. This arduous task of walking 9Km seems pretty tolerable to me, compared to the wait times in the long queues. I have climbed it many times since childhood, but for the past few years, I haven't done that. Hence went for a trip with the better half.


The 9Km journey from Alipiri (foothill) to Tirumala can be divided into two different stretches. One - the first 2 Kms - is highly inclined and made of steps. You can watch out for milestones every 200 m. The end of the steep climb is marked by the Kali Gopuram.


The second stretch - 2nd to 9th Km - is a cake walk compared to the first. The walk is on smooth plains and slight slants with fewer steps, studded with deer parks, beautiful sceneries and if you are in the early morning a wonderful sun rise. One mistake first time climbers do is to walk fast in the first stretch and lose their energy when the start the second stretch. I feel one should rest and relax as much as necessary in the first stretch so that energy is conserved to complete the second in time. 2hrs each for each of the stretches would be my unsolicited recommendation to first time climbers.


I get disturbed when one has to be in a queue for 48 hours (thats the case these days on weekends) even when all amenities are taken care of. Agreed, Balaji is a big guy - amidst all those Gods who give things that you ask, this is one guy who gives you things with out even you having to ask! But so much crowd? The last two times I've been to the dharshan I always felt guilty coz I was using influence to get ahead of the queue.


I prefer dealing with the God who stays closer to my home... particularly the one with less crowd...

God bless!
~*~ Bhars