Weekend Travelogue: 3 Satyamites seeks blessings from the lord of seven hills

mobike008 · 19th March 2009, 14:16

Abhi, thats a wonderful travelogue backed up with some cool pictures. I did this trip in November and just haven't posted any pictures yet.

Your travelogue reminded me that i should do a photoblog on Tirupathi pretty soon.

Hope you prayed for all of US

akroy · 19th March 2009, 14:27

THanks guys !!
aka_iitd: Hope you got your answer from kreddy and benkey.
OT: Are you associated to IIT Delhi? Year/Department

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagvasireddy

Abhi - Nice write-up. 1.5 Hrs in queue is not bad at all by Tirumala standards

. Did you find any additions/improvements in Tirumala (I am presuming that this is not your first trip to Tirumala)?

Ya, I didnt mind it. This was my second trip. First one being in the AP Tourism Volvo Package in 2005. That time the darshan was very fast and it was the early morning one (Special tickets for AP Tourism)

Quote:

Originally Posted by suman

Nice travelogue & pics Abhi - car is gleaming as usual

Thanks Suman da, Entire highway was neat and clean so didnot encounter dirt stretches, so lesser dirt accumulated in the car in this trip

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajesh Rawal

another satyamite seeking virtual blessings from the almighty via this travelogue

Ya, you are blessed too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobike008

Abhi, thats a wonderful travelogue backed up with some cool pictures. I did this trip in November and just haven't posted any pictures yet.

Your travelogue reminded me that i should do a photoblog on Tirupathi pretty soon.Hope you prayed for all of US

Thanks Avi, ya we all prayed for Satyam's prosperity too. Hope all the associates come out of the uncertainity soon.

Abhi

HappyWheels · 19th March 2009, 14:37

Great 'holy' travelogue, AK! Seems like the photos were kept to the minimum, this time, is it?

Noticed that the barriers have certainly come up well, since my last visit (which I believe was 10+ years back!

) on the decent from the hill. Good of them.

And 19+ is definitely a good mileage.

Sowmya · 19th March 2009, 14:40

Nice and Neat Write up. How did you find driving in on the Kolar Route. It is Complete mess. Last week I went till Mulbagle. Need to be extra careful as the Lorry and Other Vehicle come on the wrong side due to the Road work...
Why only Satyamited Abhi ? You should have pray for all Software people as whole

Hope lord Venkata will bless on all of us.

snaronikar · 19th March 2009, 17:25

Nice travelogue, Abhi. BTW where are the laddus?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjothi

Good one there Abhi. You Satyamites will be blessed for sure. Enjoy

Even you are blessed one mj. Nowadays you are travellling quite a lot and that to outside country. Hope the recession has not affected your company.

vito_parry · 19th March 2009, 19:28

Nice travelogue Abhi. Lord venkateswara bless everyone. :-)

hotstuff · 19th March 2009, 21:55

Nice trip @akroy! From several years I had been doing a yearly visit to Tirumala. However its been almost 2 years since my last visit. Your log kind of acted as a reminder that I need to plan my Tirumala trip soon...

bijuks · 19th March 2009, 22:27

akroy - Thanks for the route update. Good snaps too.

-GT- · 19th March 2009, 23:13

Abhi:

Simple and straightforward travelogue; and as usual, the subtle humour..

Why didn't you guys opt to stay overnight in Tirumala? I love Tirumala - it is like a Hill Station and Pilgrmage combo destination. There are quite a few places in (or is it 'on'?) Tirumala to spend good quality time.

-GT-

theMAG · 20th March 2009, 00:43

Abhi, a nice left-side ORVM will be in order for your long-distance cruiser!

GSMINC · 20th March 2009, 00:48

akroy & friends,
I only have one thing to say to you:
PUNAR DARSHANAM PRAAPTI RASTU
Namo venkatesha

akroy · 20th March 2009, 07:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by -GT-

Abhi:
Why didn't you guys opt to stay overnight in Tirumala? I love Tirumala - it is like a Hill Station and Pilgrmage combo destination. There are quite a few places in (or is it 'on'?) Tirumala to spend good quality time.

-GT-

Frankly speaking I too liked the same but I have no idea of hotels / Guest houses and how to book them? Can you provide me any such source so that next time I can stay in Tirumala itself?

Quote:

Originally Posted by themag

Abhi, a nice left-side ORVM will be in order for your long-distance cruiser!

Mahesh, I am thinking of it for sometime now. PLanning to change both the mirrors with the Zen type assembly. Till then, the mirror inside the car doing the job for me (and very well too).

Abhi

PVS · 20th March 2009, 08:21

From one Satyamite to the other - thanks for the prayers pal! We do need his blessings especially during the crucial period ahead. Thats a well maintained car and a neat trip report!

benkey2 · 20th March 2009, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by akroy

Frankly speaking I too liked the same but I have no idea of hotels / Guest houses and how to book them? Can you provide me any such source so that next time I can stay in Tirumala itself?

one can book the accommodation as well as the darshans and seva in the TTD information centres. most cities have information centres. (weekly holiday - tuesday and counter closes at 4.00pm on weekdays and 7.00 pm on weekends). you have to book atleast 30 days in advance.
other option is e-booking in their website. but ttd information centre is the best though the staff behavior will give a feeling like you are in govt office. they will close the counter at 4.00 pm sharp on weekdays.

rkg · 20th March 2009, 10:20

There are different ways to get darshan at Tirumala

1. Direct : just go up and enter the Q complex for Sarva darshan(free) or buy a Rs50 ticket and enter the Q complex or Buy Rs 100 cellar ticket( given with VIP recomendation) and enter the Q complex. Most of bus packages get the Rs 100 cellar tickets for their customers.

2. Sudarshanam token: One can get these at several places in tirupati and tirumala. in tirupati near Alipiri just before foot path, opposite railway station in TTD choultry etc.
sudarshanam token is tied to one's hand .It will be with bar code. One can do bath and other things, the token will remain. One can take either Rs50/ or free darshan sudarshan token's as far as I know. correct me if iam wrong. the person can enter the Q complex at the stipulated time on the token

3. Visit any TTD information centres in AP or other states. and take Rs50/= or AAD/NPD ticket. AAD is Archanantara darshan, NPD is Nija rupa darshan ( only on friday< one can see lord venketeswara with out any ornaments or clothes). the time of this darshan is 5 AM. if one is booking for this, the TTD information center can also book you a cottage at tirumala if it is available on the day before

4 Book different seva's online and also cottages at tirumala. one can book any type of cottage here. but in TTD information center booking , it is mostly Rambagicha or saptagiri will be alloted. as far as my experience goes the maintenance of these cottages is not good

5. If one is interested in good darshan try for suprabhatam tickets at morning 3.30. it is one of the best and cheapest @120/ per head

6. there is quota for pilgrims on the hills for all the sevas. these tickets are sold at Vijaya/andhra bank counters just opposite the Vaikumtam Q complex daily at 9 ot 10 AM. check the correct timings

Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams - e-Services

19th March 2009, 14:16	#16
mobike008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 11,695 Thanked: 14,783 Times View My Garage	Abhi, thats a wonderful travelogue backed up with some cool pictures. I did this trip in November and just haven't posted any pictures yet. Your travelogue reminded me that i should do a photoblog on Tirupathi pretty soon. Hope you prayed for all of US
	() Thanks

19th March 2009, 14:37	#18
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,106 Thanked: 537 Times	Great 'holy' travelogue, AK! Seems like the photos were kept to the minimum, this time, is it? Noticed that the barriers have certainly come up well, since my last visit (which I believe was 10+ years back! ) on the decent from the hill. Good of them. And 19+ is definitely a good mileage.
	() Thanks

19th March 2009, 14:40	#19
Sowmya BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 493 Thanked: 19 Times View My Garage	Nice and Neat Write up. How did you find driving in on the Kolar Route. It is Complete mess. Last week I went till Mulbagle. Need to be extra careful as the Lorry and Other Vehicle come on the wrong side due to the Road work... Why only Satyamited Abhi ? You should have pray for all Software people as whole Hope lord Venkata will bless on all of us.
	() Thanks

19th March 2009, 19:28	#21
vito_parry BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 63 Thanked: 39 Times	Nice travelogue Abhi. Lord venkateswara bless everyone. :-)
	() Thanks

19th March 2009, 21:55	#22
hotstuff BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Campus @ IIMA ! Posts: 368 Thanked: 120 Times	Great ! Nice trip @akroy! From several years I had been doing a yearly visit to Tirumala. However its been almost 2 years since my last visit. Your log kind of acted as a reminder that I need to plan my Tirumala trip soon...
	() Thanks

19th March 2009, 22:27	#23
bijuks BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 215 Thanked: 109 Times	akroy - Thanks for the route update. Good snaps too.
	() Thanks

19th March 2009, 23:13	#24
-GT- BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chennai / Dubai Posts: 171 Thanked: 3 Times	Abhi: Simple and straightforward travelogue; and as usual, the subtle humour.. Why didn't you guys opt to stay overnight in Tirumala? I love Tirumala - it is like a Hill Station and Pilgrmage combo destination. There are quite a few places in (or is it 'on'?) Tirumala to spend good quality time. -GT-
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 00:43	#25
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Abhi, a nice left-side ORVM will be in order for your long-distance cruiser!
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 00:48	#26
GSMINC BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 393 Thanked: 196 Times	akroy & friends, I only have one thing to say to you: PUNAR DARSHANAM PRAAPTI RASTU Namo venkatesha
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 08:21	#28
PVS BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: HyderabadDeccan Posts: 349 Thanked: 601 Times	From one Satyamite to the other - thanks for the prayers pal! We do need his blessings especially during the crucial period ahead. Thats a well maintained car and a neat trip report!
	() Thanks

20th March 2009, 10:20	#30
rkg Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: bangalore Posts: 1,044 Thanked: 594 Times	TTD darshan There are different ways to get darshan at Tirumala 1. Direct : just go up and enter the Q complex for Sarva darshan(free) or buy a Rs50 ticket and enter the Q complex or Buy Rs 100 cellar ticket( given with VIP recomendation) and enter the Q complex. Most of bus packages get the Rs 100 cellar tickets for their customers. 2. Sudarshanam token: One can get these at several places in tirupati and tirumala. in tirupati near Alipiri just before foot path, opposite railway station in TTD choultry etc. sudarshanam token is tied to one's hand .It will be with bar code. One can do bath and other things, the token will remain. One can take either Rs50/ or free darshan sudarshan token's as far as I know. correct me if iam wrong. the person can enter the Q complex at the stipulated time on the token 3. Visit any TTD information centres in AP or other states. and take Rs50/= or AAD/NPD ticket. AAD is Archanantara darshan, NPD is Nija rupa darshan ( only on friday< one can see lord venketeswara with out any ornaments or clothes). the time of this darshan is 5 AM. if one is booking for this, the TTD information center can also book you a cottage at tirumala if it is available on the day before 4 Book different seva's online and also cottages at tirumala. one can book any type of cottage here. but in TTD information center booking , it is mostly Rambagicha or saptagiri will be alloted. as far as my experience goes the maintenance of these cottages is not good 5. If one is interested in good darshan try for suprabhatam tickets at morning 3.30. it is one of the best and cheapest @120/ per head 6. there is quota for pilgrims on the hills for all the sevas. these tickets are sold at Vijaya/andhra bank counters just opposite the Vaikumtam Q complex daily at 9 ot 10 AM. check the correct timings Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams - e-Services Last edited by rkg : 20th March 2009 at 10:24.
	() Thanks