Glimpse of south India

by Vishal Anand (India)

A leap into the unknown India

I haven't imagined that my first solo trip would become a precious memory of lifetime for me. I am a resident of north India and haven't got the opportunity to explorer till that day when i planned to visit Tirupati the heritage and most religious place of south India. Its about 2000 km from my residential area. It was a journey of 3 day by train and my journey started on 20th of september 2018. I boarded train in the evening and slept after having my meal. In the morning when i woke up i found the most pleasent scene of my life till date. The train was running at its own speed , the sun was gradually getting brighter , whole sky was immersed with the saffron colour , fields were covered with greenery and the streams were passing at an interval. In a country where the culture the languages change within 100 km I was going 2000 kn beyond to a totally new place , a new culture and to a new group of people. After a 3 day long journey o reached Tirupati junction. Bus was the preferred accommodation for travelling there . I took the bus and settled at my window seat to enjoy the beauty of south. That area was surrounded by lots of small and big mountains and the cold wind breezes of the morning were refreshing and was helping to overcome from the tiredness of the travel. Traveling through the road the bus passes through a lot of forest areas where small wild animals can be seen in a while , a road covered by tress from both sides were one of the pleasant surprise of Tirupati . After travelling a couple of hours I reached to the Tirumala hill also known as Tirupati hill which is about 976 metres . The tirumala temple is situated at the top the hill. The hill is developed and contain the temple, hotels , hospital e.t.c or can say it a replica of a city at the top of 976 metre which is a proud in its own. The road which take the travellers to hill goes circular and it is as comfortable that it can't be differentiated that we are on an inclination or on a flat surface. There was a security check point at the middle of the hill which check all the belongings for security reasons. After that checking the bus took us to the dropping point. The view from the dropping point was awesome and that scene can't be described in words. The whole city was visible from there it was so preety and so peaceful as well. Taking my journey forward I went to the luggage room where 100's of lockers were available at no cost . Only by submitting the identity proof I got the keys of my locker , put all the belongings inside it and started to explore the place. The building was very big and contains luggage room , bathrooms, restrooms , food point and the most important the hair removing place. It's a belief in South to present the hairs to God so people's shave of their hairs before visiting the temple. I too shaved my hairs there , took shower and set my ways toward the temple. The temple was at a walking distance of a mile . Before entering the temple the devotees have to wait in big hall of a capacity of approx 700 peoples at a time and there was minimum 14 to 15 such halls there. The gate opened and people rushed towards the temple , the cops were managing the crowd and were forming lines . I was in the line and was noticing the structure of the temple the sculpture was astonishing , the stones were very old and different designs were carved there . Finally I reached at the entry door which was about 100 feet tall and was plated with gold. When I reached to the GARBH GRIHA where god resides. There was Lord Krishna sculpture made from black marbles the room was pitch black and only a diya was lit up there. When you put your ears on the wall you will hear sea shores. This trip is the most pleasant and lovable for me.