07, January 2012
I am lucky enough to
join the SPIC's 30th Patha Yathra group to
Tirumala from Chennai. This was my 6th pada yatra from
Chennai. The route followed was Chennai, T Nagar – Red hills –
Karanodai -Periyapalayam (Night stay ) – Uthukottai – Surutapalli –
Nagalapuram – Pitchathur ( Night stay) – Narayanavanam - Puthur (bypass )
– Vadamal pet ( Night Stay ) – Tiruchanur – Alipiri – Tirumala. We had a
tough time of walking between Puzhal & Red hills and Periyapalayam
& Uthukottai ( early morning 02.00 Hrs to 05.00 Hrs), since it was raining.
Many devotees had the bite of cheppal and boil. Apart from this I had the
other problem of muscle cramp on my right leg.
Devotees sincerely
followed the schedule, and got up at 02.00 Hrs and started Yathra on every day.
On the last day of our yathra ie on 04-01-2012, we started at 01.00 Hrs to
avoid Vaikunta Ekadasi rush ( Skipping the Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple at
Tirupati ). But to our surprise (Disappointment), on reaching the Kali
Gopuram we are able to get the Darshan ticket only after 12.00 Hrs on
05.00 Hrs. ( Man proposes God Disposes ). So we are forced to take rest
in the rooms on 04-01-2012 night. On 05-01-2012, the rush was
regulated by the Devasthanam strictly as per the timings allotted.
Entered in the “Q” at 09.30 Hrs as per the announcement ( 12.00 Hrs Darshan
time ). After 6 Hrs moved in the “Q”, we are able to see Lord Balaji’s Nija pada Darshan and we are very lucky
enough to see the ‘SORGA VAASAL Darshan’ too. Returned to Chennai around 03-00 Hrs on 06-01-2012.
WE EXTEND OUR SINCERE
THANKS FOR ALL THE SPONSORS OF THIS PATHA YATHRA AND WE PRAYED LORD
BALAJI TO SHOWER HIS BLESSINGS ON THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES.
( Stucco Rishabam in front of Surutapalli Pallikondeswarar Shiva Temple )
( Surutapalli Pallikondeswarar Shiva temple - This is the only place where Shiva's moortham is in stucco images as moolavar)
( Sri Maha Vishnu's Avatars stucco images in front of the main Rajagopuram )
( Nagalapuram Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple )
(Nagalapuram Karuvarai entrance Rajagopuram )
( Siva linga Kone falls on the way to Nagalapuram )
( Rajagopuram view from inside - Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy temple at Narayanavanam)
( Early morning view of Sri Padmavathi Thayar Temple Rajagopuram )
( Hanuman statue on the route to Thirumalai )
( The Rajagopuram near mulangal muduchu )
Night view of Rajagopuram with lighting decoration
Night view of Rajagopuram with lighting decoration
( Thiru kalyana mandapam in front of Rajagopuram where early morning program is in progress )
( Stucco images on the walls - southern side )
( Stucco images on the walls - southern side )
( Temple tank - beautifully maintained )
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per Kudavayil Balasubramaniyam, the 1542 CE inscription, in this temple records that special naivedyam of Athirasam to be offered to Lord on Deepavali Day.
Details will be added latter...
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA : ---