This isnt the first time I have been to Tirupati.But this is the first time I have started blogging.So I have chosen this topic to have a good start.As planned before,We reached Tirupati by train and decided to reach uphill by foot.Now that was a real problem for me because me like people are categorised as lazy blokes.However snacks and drinks that would be available throughout the way have lured me to start.The luggage of all the pilgrims travelling on foot to Tirumala would be transported uphill free of cost.We started our “Marathon” after visiting the temple at Alipiri.the place from where the footjourney starts.Thanks to TTD,this route is absolutely safe inspite of being in a dense forest.This route covers all the seven hills whose atop resides Lord Venkateshwara.The seven hills are-Anjanadri,Vrishabadri,Seshadri,Niladri,Garudadri,Venkatadri,Narayanadri[I am afraid I havent listed them out in order!!!!] The pleasant mountain breeze keeps our spririts high throughout the way.One can always switch to bus journey if one cannot make it on foot.Fully armed security guards defend the pilgrims from the wild animals and thieves.
The scenic beauty of Tirumala hills is very eyecatching.It looks as if Lord Himself has beautifully landscaped His own home with the green plants- right from small shrubs to the tall trees.Admist this greenery,a small stream of water tumbles down the hill and this is the icing on the cake.There are two waterfalls -AkashGanga and Papavinasanam on these hills.Both are believed to be very pouis and a dip in either of them frees us from all the sins we have committed tilldate.The deep green valleys have no doubt a fascinating effect on the visitors and this has made Tirumala also a tourist spot besides a pilgrimage center.This isnt an exaggeration at all.I myself have loved those delightful sights beyond expressions.All through the way,We could hear the sacred mantras chanted by priests and this kept us in right track.Else no doubt we would have sat there itself admiring those beauties which were no less than those of Dehradun or Darjeeling or whatever of such kind.After a tiresome yet interesting and delightful journey of 10kms we have finally reached Tirumala.Lo!There stood a big portrait of Lord that welcomed us.Fully Tonsured heads and “namas” on the foreheads are another means of identification.After collecting our luggage,we proceeded on to the rooms that we have booked for our stay there.Thanks to TTD once again,just with a nominal fee we were able to stay in a cosy room which was comfortable and close to the temple premises.Such are the services TTD provides to the pilgrims-accommodation,free bus service uphill and downhill,free meals,free darshan and lots more.We have already booked our Sudarshan Rs.50 tickets and we set on for His darshan.The queue complex is also wellbuilt.After reaching the main Temple,the mantras chanted on Lords name touched deep in my heart.As I was nearing His Idol,I could feel myself also uttering His name.And when I saw Him,Oh my ,I was out of my spirits for a moment.Tears rolled down my cheeks and I bowed myself before Him like a small kid.Once we came out of the main Temple after having His holy darshan,we then happened to pass by His treasury. I could see Lakhs of Rupees being counted there and It was then my mother told me how that money would be used for a noble cause. Several educational institutions,orphanages,oldagehomes,shelter for the homeless,free food in the name of God for lakhs of people daily-all such charity deeds are carried out with that money.Then we were given the holy water and prasadam.Mind me..The taste of Prasadam is really mindblowing..but the real one was yet to come.It was when we tasted the laddoos ,the real essence of prasadam was felt.The exotic taste of laddoos has no wonder also won the hearts of foriengers who follow the diet of pizzas and burgers.Then we sat down in front of the temple and had a glimpse of brahmotsavas[these are the celebrations carried out in the name of God once an year mostly in october]on a wide screen put up there.We then had a light supper -the free meals served in Lords name and this was how our day was made!The next day we had another darshan of Lord and then we set back to Alipiri,this time again on foot .The journey downhill is obviously easy and we could easily make it.Then we returned back to our place with Lord’s blessings.No wonder Tirumala Tirupati is the richest temple in the world besides the one in Vatican city.Besides being a spiritual center,It is also a tourist place.About 10lakhs of people seek His blessings everyday.I am proud that Tirupati is in our Andhra Pradesh.

Well,many people do feel that being a first child in the family is a tough job.There are hell lot of responsibilities that one holds being the eldest child-the younger ones often follow suit of the big ones in everything right from the costumes to speech.This was the case in all my friends’ homes too..they had to give up the pleasures like riding bicycles,eating junk food in canteen and stuff of such kind.But thanks to my mom and dad,I never missed any “such” fun right from my childhood.Yes,My brother did cry for not letting him eat guavas sold roadside but I did not stop munching them.One of my passions is photography and My hands were always busy with the camera we had once upon a time.My camera would not miss anything-even sights like mom tasting the food before she served us,dad shaving his beard and brother stealing God’s prasad.He used to cry to handle the camera himself…but I was too fresh then.I used to lure him,running around him with camera in my hands,my mom scolding me for making him cry and my dad explaining him why he wasnt given the camera.I would feel very proud to say that the best days in my life are those days and I bet they couldnt have been better.When I sit back and have a glance at those photos,a mischiveous smile appears on my face..
Great times indeed!!!

One more thing which troubled me the most is that my brother looked [and is] cuter than me.Never did my parents mention this to me or anyone,but I could feel it myself.I still remember how I pushed him down when we were standing on a staircase and poor fellow tumbled down stairs and fell on his belly.I got a proper thrashing from my parents and in fact from everyone who knew about this.I hated him more for this!!!

Since after my brother started coming to school,things turned to be different.I was more popular as “Sister of Venkat Ramesh” than as anupama.Yes,thats true.He always made it to the top.This induced a feeling of pride in me and from that day ,my hatred blossomed to love.I stopped annoying him and guess what?my father was the most happiest to see all this.Good girls do have extra privileges…[don't they?]My father bought me a new bicycle and my brother a new tricycle.

But I didnt have an upper hand always.My brother was an active baby too.He was jealous of me too..since I won the fight always and my parents supported me because I was older to him and I knew more than him[I didnt in fact.]He used to cry to his health and if my dad didnt yield,I was the victim of his wrath.Even if I complained,the answer I would get was to take it light since he was small.And dont forget to mention-the gifts and chocolates he used to get seemed to be sour grapes for me..

And yes,in general sense,Every youngest child in a family has an extra privilege-He always has an opportunity to take the right path in academics and stuff of such kind..

[to be continued]