Pada Yatra from Chennai Shiva Vishnu Temple to Tirupati, 2016

 07 January 2016.

34^th Year Patha Yatra to Tirupati from Shiva Vishnu Temple, T Nagar, Chennai. This Yatra was organized by SPIC employees every year.  The group comprises SPIC employees, retired employees of SPIC, and their relatives.  The age group varies from 15 to 82. Mr Rajagopal, a retired employee aged 82 years, walks all the way with a steady speed. The total distance covered during the pada yatra was 154 km. The Patha yatra route was T.Nagar- Periyapalayam-Uthukkottai-Suruttappalli-Nagalapuram-Pichathoor-Narayanavanam-Puthur-Vadamalapet- Tiruchanur- Alipiri- Tirumala. 

Normally, the Yatra used to begin around 02.30 Hrs with bhajans and songs on Vinayagar, Murugan, Shiva, and Perumal.  After a few kilometers, the group would disintegrate, depending on the speed of walking.  An average of 40 to 45 km will be covered each day. The group used to stop for tea and biscuits at various tea stalls en route. After lunch, we rested for about 2 to 3 hours and continued to walk up to 19.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be hosted by the donors. The night halts are at Periyapalayam, Pichatur, and Vadamalapet. We used to walk along the national highways.

SHIVALINGA KONA FALLS.

This year, there was not much water in the falls. Enjoyed taking a bath in the falls. The waterfalls are about 2 KM off the main road before Narayanavanam.

Shiva in the natural cave 

Kamatchi

Ant hilAnthillside of steps 

NARAYANAVANAM SRI SRI SRI SORAKKAI SWAMIGAL JEEVA SAMADHI.

We used to have the darshan of Sri Sri Sri Sorakkai Swamigal first at Narayanavanam and then Sri Kalyana Venkateswara. This year, we are very fortunate to participate in the morning abhishekam. Archakar asked us to participate by pouring the milk on Suraikai Swamikal Moola Moortham. It was a pleasant moment for us, and the archakar also allowed us to take photographs.

Entrance to Sorakkai Swamigal Jeeva Samadhi 

Abhishekam to Sorakkai Swamigal murti  

Sorakkai Swamigal disciple jeeva samadhi 

NARAYANAVANAM SRI KALYANA VENKATESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE.

It is believed that Sri Padmavathi Thayar married Sri Venkatesa Perumal at this place, and people showed the stone used for grinding the turmeric. Had our darshan, Prasad (hot curd rice), and breakfast. We continued our walk via Puthur.

Garudalwar sannadhi opposite to Kalyana Venkatesa Perumal temple 

16 pillar mandapam with Rajagopuram 

The entrance arch from Puttur to Narayanavanam 

It was a long path without many villages with beautiful mountains on the side. Hope the hills will disappear soon due to quarrying.  Thaduku was our tea point on this route.

A small Murugan temple between Puthur and Vadamalpet 

VADAMALAPET ANJANEYAR TEMPLE

This shrine is a little lower than the main road and is at the entrance of the place. Had the darshan of Sri Anjaneyar and took a rest in a Kalyana mandapam- Arya Vysya Dharma Parirakshana Mandapam.

TIRUCHANOOR SRI PADMAVATHI THAYAR TEMPLE.

We were about 1 hour later than the scheduled time and had the Darshan of Sri Padmavathi Thayar around 09.00 Hrs.

Padmavathi Thayar Temple entrance arch on the south side 

Padmavathi Thayar Temple 7-tier Rajagopuram before sunrise  

Padmavathi Thayar Temple Rajagopuram after sunrise  

Padmavathi Thayar Temple chariot  

Padmavathi Thayar Temple chariot  

Padmavathi Thayar Temple tank east side  

Padmavathi Thayar Temple tank  

Pada Yatra group 

  

TIRUMALA FOOT PATH.

We continued our climb from Alipiri.  We two people - slow climbers- started earlier. It took me almost 4 hours to reach the last step of 3555. Climbed 1000 steps with out taking rest in between. Hope this is a test for the health condition of my heart. Lunch (Perumal’s favorite tamarind rice) was served by the Devasthanam at Galigopuram.

   

                                                  First Gopuram 

Vijayanagara dynasty emblem  

                                    Vijayanagara dynasty emblem  

                                         Vijayanagara dynasty emblem  

Perumal in macha Avatar  

Perumal Koorma Avatar 

Kotta Gopuram – 2nd from Alipiri was built by Matla Kumara Anantaraja in the 16th century. The stone steps from Alipiri were also formed by him. His father and his mother's relief, along with Lord Srinivasa, can be seen inside the Rajagopuram, and their names are inscribed in Telugu and Tamil. The pathway was further developed by TTD in 1985. 2.4 km from Tirumala.

 

Matla Kumararaja's father and his mother's bas-reliefs, along with Lord Srinivasa, can be seen inside the Rajagopuram, and their names are inscribed in Telugu and Tamil.

Tamil inscriptions 

Perumal in Vamana Avathar  

 Gali Gopuram at 2083rd step 7.4 km from Tirumala, where footpath darshan tokens are issued. 

Gali Gopuram 

Perumal in Krishna Avatar  

Perumal in Varaha Avatar 

Lakshmi Narasimhar Sannidhi 

Mokalimitta Gopuram at 2910th  step – ie start point of mulangal mudichu steps. 

Thirupannalwar 

The Last step is 3550. 

Periyazhwar

Godadevi – Andal 

Nammalwar

Mandapam Renovated during 19999 ?- (one 9 is added )

  

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...

Joined the yatra from Ramagiri after Nagalapuram, skipping the 1½ day walk, due to official work. I was comfortable even after the leg injury and angle dislocation, which happened two years before. I could feel that my speed had dropped compared to the previous yatras. I extend my sincere thanks to SPIC’s team and coordinator to allow me for this year’s padayatra.

---OM NAMO NARAYANAYA ---