A Journey of Secunderabad-Tirupathi-Tirumala-Srikala Hasthi-Talakona-Secunderabad with Naresh and Balaji.
Time: 10:40am,23rd Feb'11,Hyderabad.
My neighbor who became very close friend of mine all the time,Naresh and I started for Secunderabad railway station to catch Shabhari express at 12:45pm.We booked the tickets well in-advance and berths got confirmed just before we start from home.Despite of the bundh on that day,we got service auto and reached the station in 30mins.
Another friend of ours,Balaji still had to come to station.Actually his place is nearer to station when compared to us.But he reached the station after 20mins we reached.He brought curd rice from his home.And my mother kept a bag with full of pulihora.
Time:11:45am
One more hour to go to get into the train.We three went to medical shop in the waiting room and took some medicines.We had nothing to do except waiting.We sat on the bench and put the luggage aside.And at a time,all of our vision went onto a beautiful girl,who was in white Punjabi dress,matching her skin tone.She looked pretty good in the dress.But all of sudden,our faces turned red, because we noticed a guy next to her,probably her boyfriend.She was freaking out with him. Even-though,she had boy next to her and fully in deep conversation with him,we stared at her.Naresh,normally very talkative,sportive and good entertaining person out of all of us,took few snaps of her from his mobile Sony Ericsson T700 without her notice.It was the first adventure and funny thing we did in the journey.
Time:12:55pm
As per the rules of Indian railways,trains should arrive the station late .So as our train which followed the Govt. rules strictly and came to our station 10mins late.We got 2 berths in one bogie and 1 in another.We had a discussion with a guy in our bogie and exchanged with our berth.The next coolest thing in the journey.
Had wonderful journey with full of fun,games and comments.We had curd rice for the lunch and pulihora for dinner.
Time:12:30AM,24th Feb'11,Tirupathi.
This time,our train didn't follow the rules,reached the station exactly on time.With surprise and shock,I put my leg on the Tirupathi railway platform for the first time.We took auto to Alipiri Ghat where we start stepping to Tirumala.We freshed up in the near by free rooms and started walking on steps at 2:00am.
Me and Naresh stepping one by one and taking rest for every 200 steps.We surprised about Balaji,along with his luggage,he took my luggage and moving very fast.We thought of sending him to Olympics in the event of trekking.Finally,we reached the Tirumala in the morning at 7:00am.Since it was first time and didn't have sleep in the train,I couldn't able to walk anymore after 300 steps.I felt very drowsy and fainted for a while.Naresh gave me a bottle of water with glucose and I took a small place on the rock and slept for one hour.At 4'O clock,I woke up and saw other two discussing about the temple and its significance.Balaji brought me a plate of idly,which was made in Tamilnadu style.The two friends of mine are 4years elder to me, even though,they behave like younger than me.I'd the Idly with Sambar and got energy to start our journey of around 3600steps.Balaji took my luggage along with him and started walking.
Finally we settled down in a room in Sudharshan Satram,which was very neat and worth of the amount we paid for.We freshed up in the room and came out to visit nearest places in Tirumala.
We took a taxi costs 200rs per head,and visited the 6 places,Srivari Padaalu,Chakra theerdam,Shilpathoranam,Akasha Ganga,Papa vinasanam,
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| Naresh | Balaji | Ramesh |
After that we reached for free Bhojanam though we didn't have energy to stand in the huge queue.Successfully we completed lunch there and reached room by 3:30pm.Naresh and I had sleep in the room while Balaji went for giving off hair.
In the evening,we started for daiva darsanam.Though there wasn't much crowd,it took 4 and half hours to reach the garba gudi.We were frustrated,irritated,lost energy and control in the queue.It was exactly 10:55pm,we entered in the Garba Gudi.I forget everything.No pain,No problems,No emotions.I can only hear the two words with full of devotion.
"Govindaa....Govindaa.."
With full of happiness,we came back to room after having Gobi Manchuria.Next planned for next day and went to bed.
9:00AM,25th Feb'11.
We started from Tirumala to Tirupathi.Took an RTC bus.They both slept in the bus.But I was looking at the mountains and watching the Ghat road.
We returned back to Tirupathi and took a room in lodge. Evening we had visited Srinivasa Mangapuram.Also a sacred temple.
But we were very tensed about our return journey,we booked the tickets for same Sabari express in the saturday night but its not confirmed yet.So we booked in RTC bus too,for safe side.
Returned the room after having dinner in some restaurant.And planned to wake up at early morning at 5 to go to the most excited place in our entire trip,Talakona.
Time: 7:30am,26th Feb'11.
We started from Tirupathi and got a bus to reach a village bakarapette of 50kms.From there we had to take a taxi or auto for 20kms to reach Talakona.Finally we reached Talakona at 10:15am.
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| Talakona Water falls |
There is a beautiful waterfall falling deep into the valley from solid rock cliff on the upper reaches. According to the local residents, it is said that the origin of water is difficult to be traced out since an underground stream suddenly surfaces here and this water has healing properties since it passes through lot of herbs of medicinal values.
There is a 240 meter long canopy rope walk, about 35 to 40 feet height, giving a thrilling experience to the visitors while walking. There are mighty trees around with birds and monkeys accompanying during the canopy walk. There are number of trek routes in different categories giving an option for you to choose a route that fits you.
You also come across an ancient Siva temple which is flooded with devotees during Shivarathri festival. There are also deep caves scattered over the mountains where it is believed that sages meditate eternally. A stream line flows near canopy walk area where a bathing ghat is under construction.
we had a bath in the water falls and enjoyed the visit.Our friend Balaji became
AA.BHI.BHA swami.(Arachaka, Bhibatsa,Balaji swami)
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| ABHIBHA swami |
after bathing in the water falls.
We had a canopy walk and full quality forest meals in bamboo house hotel.We couldn't spend much time there because our train tickets got confirmed.So we need to get back to Tirupathi before 4pm and cancel the RTC reservation.Otherwise we have to cancel the train tickets and go by bus at 6:00pm in the evening.But all of us preferred train because of comfortness.So we started from the exciting place,Talakona,at 2:30pm and reached Tirupathi by 4:30.Cancelled the bus tickets and vacated the room in the lodge.
Finally we visited Govinda Rajulu temple in Tirupathi in the same day evening.Then we had good meals in local small hotel near railway station.Then waited till the train comes.
This time,train followed the rules,reached 20mins late.We got into the train and went for sleep without late.
The next day,at 1:45pm train reached Secunderabad station.(Again it followed the strict rules of Indian Govt.)
Great posting.Each and every Hindu should visit tirupathi, at least once in his or her life. hotels at tirupathi
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