Pada Yatra from Chennai Shiva Vishnu Temple to Tirupati, 2016

 07, January 2016.

34^th Year Patha Yathra to Tirupati from Shiva Vishnu Temple, T Nagar, Chennai. This Yathra was organized by SPIC employees every year.  The group comprises of  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 young walks all the way with a steady speed. The total distance  covered during 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 Yathra used to begin around 02.30 Hrs with bhajans and songs on Vinayagar, Murugan, Shiva and Perumal.  After  few KM the group used disintegrate, depends on the speed of walking.  An average of 40 to 45 KM will be covered in each day. The group used to stop for tea and biscuit on various tea stalls on the en-route. After  lunch we used to take rest for about 2 to 3 hours and continue to walk up to 19.00 Hrs to 20.00 Hrs.  Mostly 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 bath in the falls. The water falls is about 2 KM off main road before Narayanavanam.

Shiva in the natural cave 

Kamatchi

Ant hill on the side 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 was 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 

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

TIRUCHANOOR SRI PADMAVATHI THAYAR TEMPLE.

We are about 1 hour late 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 sun rise  

Padmavathi Thayar Temple Rajagopuram After sun rise  

Padmavathi Thayar Temple chariot  

Padmavathi Thayar Temple chariot  

Padmavathi Thayar Temple tank east side  

Padmavathi Thayar Temple tank  

Patha Yathra group 

  

TIRUMALA FOOT PATH.

We continued our climb from Alipiri.  We two people - slow climbers- started earlier. I took 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 my 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 16th century. The stone steps from Alipiri was also formed by him. His father and his mother relief along with Lord Srinivasa can be seen inside the Rajagopuram and their names are inscribed in telugu and Tamil. The path way was further developed by TTD during 1985. 2.4 KM from Tirumala

 

Matla Kumararaja's father and his mother relief 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 foot path 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 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 special naivedyam of Athirasam to be offered to Lord on Deepavali Day. 

Details will be added latter...

Joined the yathra from Ramagiri after Nagalapuram, skipping 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 ---

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---