Started early for airport, baba came to drop me off at the airport. Felt very good. Checkin was smooth, then headed to lounge to have some tea. Had tea, samosa and small oats cookies. There was millet khichadi too. Everything was focused on health, it’s called ‘Earth Lounge’.
Next stop was Hyderabad. It’s a pretty cool airport. I directly went to lounge. It was full like a popular South Indian restaurant 🤪 The food was good, typical south Indian dishes which I can eat anywhere anytime.
After full breakfast made few calls and boarded in Tirupati flight which was like a bus 😀
Was welcomed by beautiful Balaji replica!
Took taxi to Kashi Annapurna Dharmashala, checked in, got ready and headed to Govindraj darshan. Met a good rickshaw wala, who promised to take to Gavindraja and then to Srivari Mettu to go to Tirumala by walk.
The temperature was 105 but I was very determined to complete my pilgrimage barefoot. First darshan was great, then headed to Srivari Mettu.
There were water taps every 20 steps and it helped me a lot by not carrying water bottle and just keep walking. This was less crowded and I could enjoy the scenery and birds chirping. I had fresh mosambi juice, watermelon and lots of water.
I was hoping I get a free token for Dharshan but tokens were over and I was bit sad that I can’t get darshan now.
After reaching up, kept on walking and checked around what’s the way I can get darshan. Only option was to try for NRI and yesssss I got it. I could see the divine murthy within 3 hrs.
While looking for options I got the pleasant surprise by the 'miravnuk' for 'Sahstralankar' pooja. I literally got tears in my eyes. I always saw they do that for 'Brahmotsav' and never thought I could be able to see that in person.
I walked after that to 'Varah' swami darshan and then went to pushkarni which was next to it. I was remembering all but everything was blurry in mind. Pushkarni was was super clean and people were enjoying to the fullest since it was super hot outside.
For free darshan the time was 2 days, super crowded
Varah Swami Temple
Pradakshina
After Pushkarni, I lined up for Darshan. After unforgettable divine sight I headed up to go down. I walked a lot and lot. I got a really good bus to go down but he forgot my stop and took me to last stop. It was downtown Tirupati and there were all kinds of restaurants. I chose a punjabi restarurant where they were making frsh tandoori roti in clay oven outside. Looked very authentic. After a long day I wanted to eat something good and my gut said this is going to be awesome. It was great...I started with matka rabdi and then green kofta with tandoori roti, green chillies and onion. On side I ordered buttermilk.
After enjoyed dinner I took autorickshaw in the night at 11 to go to my hotel. I was very ready to sleep. I took shower, talked with Shri and went to bed.
Second day was exciting too. Woke up, took shower, took Kanyakamata darshan.
Ate authentic breakfast and just outside the hotel got brand new taxi to go up.
This was total different experience than yesterday. Could enjoy the great mountain view in different angles. Reached and stood in a queue for darshan. My darshan was done in 45 minutes with tons of satisfaction. After years I got to see the 'Balaji' murthy from first door. They also gave tirtha, ashirwad, prasad (banana and ultimate pongal) It was not even 10% crowded. I sat long time. Wrote my wishes on stone(which I came to know a new thing ever). Listened to the mantras which 10-15 poojaris were chanting. This day was a total different day as compared to yesterday at the same place.
I came out, picked up prasad laddoos and exercise to check the museum but it was closed. Afte that I decided to go down by stairs by Alipiri since its easy to get taxi to go to my hotel. It took me more than 3 hrs, its a very long way. I enjoyed some very good fruits on the way but it was very crowded. Next time onwards only Srivari Mettu, thats what I decided. My legs were literally broken.
I was looking for taxi and what a surprise I found the same taxi driver who dropped me at the starting of the stairs to come down. He promised me to take to my hotel, then to 'Padmavathi' and then to airport.
I went to hotel packed everything and ate my lunch (around 3) in the same restaurant, the authentic south indian thali was just wow. I bought some poodis also there and headed to 'Padmavathi' I was worried if I get late I will miss the flight but could the darshan and catch my flight on time.
Was very excited to go to Ana's house after years.
I was very worried about first solo trip but I am glad I did it. This was a great pilgrimage too. During these 2 days I felt like I meditated a lot and could see the effect of it. I am finding a closure to a huge loss.
After vari, this was the divine experience which I lived through!
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