861

Time: Dec 20-24, 2007
Place: Tirupati, Tirumala, Kancheepuram, Vellore, Elagiri
Company: Parents
Highlights:

Day 1: Vaikunta Ekadasi. So, visited nearest Venkateshwara temple and went through the Vaikunta dwaram. Also, since it was Thursday, visited Raghavendraswamy Mutt. Then, left to Tirupati at about 12. Reached at 7 pm thanks to some unforeseen deviations. Although a safe journey, not very happy about the drive. Mainly because went over many pot holes and in one instant, a moving bus touched the side view mirror.

Day 2: Vaikunta Dwadasi. Left to Tirumala at 6. Holy bath at Pushakarni. Dwadasi lunch at Uttaradi Mutt. Entered queue at 9. Reached sanctum sanctorum at 11. Nice darshan. Entry through Vaikunta Dwaram and through the Vaikunta Dwara corridor. This is possible only two days of the year : Vaikunta Ekadasi and Vaikunta Dwadasi. Very well decorated and lit. Quick darshan of Varaha temple. Visited Akash Gange and Papanashini. Former is great but latter is so-so. Mainly because former is full force-filled gush of waterfalls but latter looks very artificial. Came back to Tirupati by 3. Went to SriKalahasthi Road and visited the accident spot at 7th mile stone where grandparents passed away this year April. Poignant memories.

Day 3: Monthly rites for grandparents performed at Tirupati Raghavendra Swamy Mutt. Took a very long time than expected. Get together with all maternal relatives. Left to Kancheepuram at 2 and reached by 5. Darshan at Kamakshi temple and Varadaraja Swamy (another instance of Tirumala’s Lord Venkateshwara) Temple. As with all Tamil Nadu temples, it was massive. Also, one of the greatest and best idols I had ever seen. Very large and one can go very near. Also, because of the continuous ascending steps, the idol is visible to one and all from afar too. Very satisfying. More than Tirumala in fact! Then, touched the sacred Golden and Silver Lizard for which this temple is famous for.

Day 4: Visited Ekambaranathar Temple. This is the place where Parvati did her penance under a mango tree and finally got married to Shiva. The mango tree is said to be over 3500 years old. Again, a massive temple. Then left to Vellore. Reached Vellore within 2 hours. Went to Golden Temple constructed by Shakthi Amma hosting Goddess Lakshmi Narayani. Almost a mini Tirumala with huge queues, waiting boxes, X-Ray scanning machines and rushing crowds. The temple itself is within a crescent shape and on heavy rush days like Poornami or Amavasya, one is forced to stand in queue on all arms of the star! Due to improper planning and exhaustion, we had to leave the place by 5, but it is said to be very good under lights. Nevertheless, a place worthy of a visit because of the Goldenness of it all!

Day 5: Left to Bangalore at 9. Found Elagiri on the way and visited this beautiful hill station. Nice boating on a serene lake and pleasant view points. Wonderful drive back to Bangalore on NH 46 till Krishnagiri and then NH 7. What a beautiful road! Just like any other international expressway. Easily went past the 100 many times. Reached home at 4.

Drove 861 kilometers in all!