Tirupati Pada Yatra 2012, from Chennai to Tirumala Tirupati.

07, January 2012

I am lucky enough to join the SPIC's  30^th Patha Yatra group to Tirumala from Chennai. This was my 6^th 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 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 chappal and boiled.  Apart from this, I had the other problem of muscle cramps in my right leg.  

Devotees sincerely followed the schedule, got up at 02.00 Hrs, and started Yathra every day. On the last day of our yatra, ie, on 04-01-2012, we started at 01.00 Hrs to avoid the 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 into the “Q”,  we can see Lord Balaji’s  Nija pada Darshan, and we are 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 TO ALL THE SPONSORS OF THIS PATHA YATHRA AND PRAY THAT LORD BALAJI SHOWS 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 image is in stucco images as moolavar)

                                           ( Nagalapuram Sri Vedanarayana swamy Temple )

Sri Maha Vishnu's avatar stucco images in front of the main Rajagopuram

 Nagalapuram Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple 

Nagalapuram Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple Rajagopuram with Thayar Sri Vedavalli Sannadhi Vimanam 

 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 

( Thiru Kalyana Mandapam in front of Rajagopuram where the 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 the special naivedyam of athirasam is to be offered to the Lord on Deepavali Day. 

Details will be added later...

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA : ---