A Visit to #TirupatiBalaji #Temple as a Senior Citizen #Temple Stories 4

Our annual pilgrimage to Tirupati just became easier because we are now senior citizens. The Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD) provides a stress free darshan to seniors above the age of 65 years. We are totally impressed, considering the heavy crowds and the otherwise long waits in queue.

Tirupati, located in Chitoor district of Andhra Pradesh, is home to the Tirupati Balaji temple, one of the most sacred shrines in the world. The temple is nestled atop the seventh hill in Tirumala and can be reached either on foot by climbing steps or by a vehicle on a well maintained road. As we approach Tirumala, we see a huge statue of Garuda, the divine Vahan of Lord Balaji.  

The Statue of Garuda at the foothills of Tirumala

The Tirumala Checkpost

We proceed to the Tirumala checkpost, where we are asked to step down from the vehicle and undergo stringent security check. The car is also scrutinized thoroughly. As we are driven through the Hills, (there are seven of them), a cool breeze caresses our cheeks as we take in the magnificent view. The driver is communicative and points out the spot where the distant view of the hills appear shaped like an elephant and another spot where a stone cliff jutting out from the mountain resembles the face of Balaji. These are natural stone formations and you will notice them only if someone points it out to you.

The sight of beautifully coloured flower gardens heralds the fact that we have almost reached the temple. The driver takes us right up to the gate where the counter for physically disabled and senior citizen passes are issued is located. We join the queue at around 6.30 am and wait till exactly around 7.30 am, when the counter opens. The queue is unimaginably orderly and there is no way that anyone can bypass anyone in the queue. Considering that this is a line for senior citizens, seating arrangements are there. The digital format and display, whereby the coupons are issued gives one an idea as to where we stand as far as the availability is concerned. Exactly 700 passes are issued for the 10.00 am darshan and 700 passes for the darshan at 3.00 pm. One has to show the age identity proof (Aadhar Card) and undergo a biometric photo identity process by the authorities before they issue the pass. Each senior citizen is allowed to take his/her spouse along and the biometric identity is taken for both.  A handicapped person can take one person along for help. Darshan by the senior citizen line is restricted to once in three months, which means that once you have availed of darshan, you cannot avail of this facility for three months ahead.  This is to ensure that maximum number of senior citizens can avail of this facility.

We get our passes and are directed to a queue outside. A mini bus or a battery car takes us to the rooms where you can sit comfortably. The volunteers give us a glass of milk to drink. After a few minutes they offer us a plate of Venn Pongal as breakfast (The breakfast differs on different days. It could be Venn Pongal/Kichadi/Upma). This is to see that the seniors are not hungry when they see the Lord. Exactly at 10.00 am the rooms are opened one by one and we are led to the main shrine for darshan. Again there is security check of handbags or purses. Though the actual darshan is just for a few seconds, the raised sloping pathway to the shrine ensures that everyone has a good darshan. After that, there is a queue for the free prasad, where we are offered a donnai of puliogarai.

After the wonderful darshan, there is a battery car which will take handicapped and super senior citizens up to the exit gate, though we did not avail of the facility as there were quite a few handicapped devotees who required the facility more than us.         

Fully satiated with the divine darshan of Tirupati Balaji, we drove back. The road to drive back is different from the one we take for going up, making it easier to maneuver the sharp U turns. A deer park comes into view, where we can see a lot of deer grazing on the grass. On the way we stop to pray to a huge statue of Hanuman and then head back to our hotel.

Shrine to Sri Hanuman

Points to Note:

1.       Security is absolutely stringent. Mobiles are strictly not allowed.

2.       Make it a point to carry your identity proof, preferably Aadhar Card, if you are availing the Senior Citizen facility.

3.       Reach the queue at least one hour in advance of the counter opening time to ensure that you get entry.

4.       The morning darshan for senior citizens is not available on Wednesday and Friday. 

##Tirupati  #Tirumala #TirupatiBalaji #SeniorCitizenDarshan #TTD  #temple #AndhraPradeshTourism  #SriVenkateshwara #IdentityProof