A memorable visit to Tirupati

Two years ago, my family and I embarked on a five-day trip to Tirupati which served as a work-related visit as well as a vacation. The initial two days of our stay were dedicated to office engagements and we lodged at a newly constructed hotel nestled in the heart of Tirupati. Our accommodation provided a splendid view of the surrounding hills, with a forest situated behind the hotel where we had the joy of observing groups of deer moving and playing.

Soon after, we set out to visit the renowned Sri Balaji Temple for darshan. This Hindu temple is situated in the hill town of Tirumala, within Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu. The Tirumala Hills form a part of the Seshachalam Hills range, with an elevation of 853 meters above sea level. These hills consist of seven peaks, symbolising the seven heads of Adisesha. Notably, the temple is located on the seventh peak known as Venkatadri, earning it the moniker “Temple of Seven Hills.”

The temple stands as the wealthiest of its kind globally, boasting substantial contributions and wealth. Pilgrims visit the temple daily, with numbers ranging from 50,000 to 100,000, and on special occasions and festivals, the figures can soar to 500,000, solidifying its status as the most-visited sacred site worldwide. A distinctive practice observed among devotees is the offering of their hair, known as “Mokku,” to the deity.

During our visit, a particularly intriguing aspect caught my attention: the implementation of travel time management. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) instituted travel time limits on both routes to curtail the occurrence of fatal accidents. This involved recording the license plate number and entry time of each vehicle at the main gate. Upon reaching the end of the ghat road, the license plate number and arrival time were noted once more. The vehicle’s speed was subsequently calculated based on travel time, and if found to exceed the limit, the driver incurred a fine.

Our visit also included an enjoyable shopping experience, during which we selected various cotton sarees for my mother, grandparents, and relatives. The process of choosing the sarees was immensely gratifying. Furthermore, we made a point to explore the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park which is the largest zoological park in Asia in terms of its expanse. Situated at the foothills of the Seshachalam hills in Tirupati, the park was home to a diverse array of animals. The avian residents included Emus and White Cockatiels, while the mammalian population featured elephants, lions, and leopards. Reptiles such as saltwater crocodiles, Indian star tortoises, and Indian rock pythons were also present.

Upon the conclusion of our eventful and unforgettable vacation in Tirupati, we returned home, carrying with us cherished memories of our time spent in this spiritually significant and culturally rich destination.