thirumala beckons

2004-09-17T09:26:00.000-07:00

THIRUMALA BECKONS
Lord Balaji’s abode on top of the Thirumala Mountains is a place of sheer beauty to behold and a magnificent spot to visit. He is considered to be one of the richest of Gods and, how such a fantastic layout was created is something worth wondering about. As the TTD (Thirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam) buses, piloted by expert drivers, wind their way up the road, one can see steep mountains on the right and deep gorges to the left. The upward journey takes around 45 minutes and, on the way, we can also see private vehicles stranded, panting for breath as it were, apart from pilgrims trudging their way up a path built specially for such devotees who prefer to foot it to the top rather than use mechanized transport. The downward journey is even more exciting as the bus has to negotiate more than 75 hair pin bends. One has to, literally, hold on to the seat as well as his breath.
My first visit to this place was when I had gone to attend a training program in our Organization’s Staff College in Bangalore.
It was a three week affair and, with a couple of Sundays coming in between, I decided to utilize one of these for this visit. A colleague of mine agreed to accompany me. Therefore, the two of us took one of those conducted package tours that are so popular in South India. If I remember correctly, the total package was of 24 hours duration and the charge was Rs 35.00 in a Luxury Video coach. This cost included up and down travel, rest for an hour or so in a hotel in Tirupathi for freshening up, breakfast, darshan of the Lord and lunch.
I was quite impressed by my first visit. So, the next year, I decided to go it alone.
On this second visit, I met a retired gentleman who resides in the USA with his son and returns to India every year to visit the Lord.
That set me thinking.
If someone can come all the way from USA to perform this annual pilgrimage, why can’t I, living in India? And, I did it including the tonsuring.
The ritual of tonsuring has its own special significance. Before going for His darshan, it is customary for the individual to shave off his hair. It is not mandatory but is normally done – by both men and women! The logic behind this is – the hair is supposed to add to ones beauty. By sacrificing it at the feet of the Lord, one sacrifices his ego and faces the Lord in all humility. In the sanctum sanctorum, He is supreme. The long winding journey through a maze of barricades to have His darshan is an experience by itself and the actual darshan, a fulfillment of ones long cherished desire!
I have had the pleasure of undertaking this pilgrimage for twelve consecutive years and, by His blessings, I have not missed a single year. I have seen Bangalore flourish, I have seen Tirupathi’s improvements, the package deal today costs nearly ten times more – but, the hills of Thirumala remain like Lord Balaji – as sound and as solid as ever. The hills beckon me even today!