When the travel bug bites its best not to avoid it, rather it’s better to give in and let the travel bug guide you to wherever it fancies, especially so when it concerns visiting a religious place that is well-known throughout the world coupled with a dekko at a deer park and a waterfall/ nature park that’s along the way- its better not to give this kind of a trip a miss!

We’re headed to Tirupati- Come along

As we usually prefer to do, we’re heading to the holy Tirupati hill where the revered Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple is, besides which we will also be paying obeisance at the Goddess Alamelu’s temple which is located in the Tirupati town. But of course before heading to the holy town you need to start your journey from Chennai, following which you will be on the Tirupathi road and travel for roughly about 3 hours 45 minutes. The distance is nearly about 155 – 160 kms if you calculate your start point from Oragadam.

For an avid traveller residing at Oragadam it only means he/she gets an even better opportunity at maintaining a work-life balance as not only will a surfeit of employment opportunities be thrown open but also the fact that there will be abundant scope to explore the many offbeat places within Chennai and outside. Just hop on to a bus or get on the highway and get going!

Sacred visit

The Sri Venkateswara Temple’s sanctified premises beckon followers from all across the world and the temple is considered to be one of the wealthiest temples attracting donations in gold and jewellery among other offerings made by the millions of devotees who throng the temple every year. It is thought that the temple is visited by over 60,000 believers, which is why many prefer to advance book their darshan timings by visiting their website.

While there will be a heavy security check and one may feel daunted by the thought of sheer volumes of devotees, do remember that the queues are quite well maintained and there are many food stalls and washrooms not to mention the complimentary bus that transports devotees from the town right up to the temple premises on the hill, which is why assuredly the journey to pay obeisance to the revered deity is smooth and hassle-free for all.

For those who prefer, VIP advance booking can be done via the VIP break darshan, this ensures that devotees can avoid the lengthy queue and get into the Ananda Nilaya Divya Vimana and seek blessings from the grand, bejewelled and spectacular 8’’ tall Lord Venkateswara (Lord Balaji), within four hours of time.
Don’t forget to partake in the laddu maha prasadam, which is given out to all the devotees visiting the temple.

Following this, one can seek blessings from the Goddess Alamelu temple which is located in the Tirupati town.

Holy waters and a deer park

Just 3 kms away from the Thirumala Temple are the Akash Ganga Theertham Waterfalls. Regarded as holy and blessed, the water from this waterfall is utilised for the abhisekam ritual of Lord Venkateswara (Lord Balaji). The waters, it is thought, comes from the lotus feet of the Lord, which is why bathing under these waters is said to cleanse away sins as well as heal the body and soul.

Following this, one can visit the Deer Park which is situated in the outer reaches of Kandaleru city. Not only are the deer’s sociable but since there are a considerable number of them children are assured of a nice time too. Besides, there are some bird species to be found here too.