Tirupathi Darshan

Last Friday [6th July, 2007], I started for Tirupathi from Bangalore by Mayura Executive [KSRTC]. My friend, Sujan, was with me. We reached Tirupathi at 3′o clock in the morning. Sujan had told me earlier itself that we will buy 200/- ticket [Arjitha Seva Ticket] so we immediately reached to the place where these tickets are sold. 4-5 people were already standing in the newly formed queue for the ticket counter which was supposed to open at 8′0 clock in the morning. Sujan wanted to get rid of luggage and he showed the confidence [as he has experience of 3 times darshan already] and told we will book hotel and come back. So we started and finally managed to get one room in hotel KRS lodge with price 300/-. I forced Sujan to start for ticket counter immediately and reached to the ticket counter at 5.30, and the queue was so so so big that I felt that I won’t be getting tickets.

I wanted to have darshan and that was the reason I showed patience and courage to be in line. Ticket counter opened at 8′o clock morning and then started the proper scene of struggling to be in queue at the right position. The counter of left tickets was decreasing at a very good speed. I was really afraid that what if I don’t get tickets. Somehow at 10.30AM, we got ticket. And it was a great moment for me like winning some competition.

Around 1′o clock we both started for local temples in auto. We went to Ram Temple, Sai Baba Temple, Shiv Temple, Krishana Temple, Padmavati Temple and Shri KaalaHasthi [40 Kms from Tirupathi]. This kind of long drive in auto was a new concept for me which was introduced by Sujan, and it was really tiring. After reaching back to hotel after having some food we slept as we were planning to get up at 1′o clock in night.

Again I showed some courage and woke up at 1′o clock in night. We both got ready and checked out from the hotel at 2′o clock. We reached bus stand and caught a bus for Tirumala, and reached there 3.50AM. We reached Tirumala at 3.50 because main gate opens only at 3′o clock in the morning. Now we entered into Vaikuntam, entrance of Arjitha Seva ticket queue. Finally, I had darshan of Lord Tirupathi Balaji at 5.30AM. As per my friends, I was lucky that I took only 1.30 hrs for darshan.

We caught return bus to Bangalore at 11.45 on Sunday and came back. This trip was really inspiring and devotional for me. I really felt great when I had darshan of God. But the arrangements, which were fully commercial, left so many unanswered questions in my mind. So for the people, who are planning to go for darshan, here are few tips:

• Be on safe side and plan at least for 2-3 days holiday in Tirupathi for darshan, so that you may stay there in case if you don’t get ticket for the same day
• Try to be in queue for Arjitha Seva ticket at the earliest [This ticket is sold in Tirupathi, at 8'o clock morning for next day morning 4'o clock darshan. Total ticket numbers: 1500 Price: 200/-]
• Almost each and every temple has concept of ticket to give you prior space in queues, so if you have money, you may decide your appointment with God earlier than others
• If you have received the ticket for 4′o clock morning, try to reach Tirumala in night itself so that you may be in the queue at first position
• If you go there, pray to God that whatever money people are spending/earning on the name of the God, that should be used for cause of better mankind. [Unfortunately I saw two poor and handicapped beggers in the land of God, I wish TTD uses the money and help mankind and that is the real and proper service of God].