Divine time !! It is Tirupati trip .
Have been to Tirupati many times but I would say this is second trip which was planned on foot . Climbing up on foot I always recommend to do as group as it helps in many ways to reach the top with ease . Since it was second trip many were confident of doing it but still some had worried face considering the long climbing
The starting point of travel was Chennai with six people . We decided to take one of the guys ertiga as vehicle this time . Last time we had tempo traveler since we had bigger crowd . Considering "Lessons Learnt" from last trip we decided to start early . 6.15 am was set as the starting point from Porur Signal .
by 7.05, we were at Tiravallor . Our usual bfast spot , Perambur Srinivasa Restaurant , was ready with new kolam in the entrance. First time seeing less crowded and all were happy . The bfast items are usually good here and all enjoyed dosas, vadas , idlies and some were not able to control the temptation of various snacks and sweets they had to offer . So I would recommend this as good spot as break point in both direction . We took the Turvallur - Tiruthanni route and TADA route . Surprising we had a good misty ride . It is like a fortune to see for Chennaites mist in 100 Kms distance . Some pics from the car where our friend who is at wheels trying hard to move the car .
By 9.30 we hit Tirupati and took one of the earlier exits from freeway and had to travel through the city instead of directly exiting near the tirumala route .
We took the car up after all screening of luggages at the starting point . There is a check on each vehicle if you reach before 28 minutes on top . This is to restrict overspeeding of vehicles . Roads are very good and it is one way . So you can easily drive up and not to be concerned who are driving up hill for first time drivers .
the next phase after reaching on top is the most confusing part .. I call it as Tirumala stay and darshan "Administrative Operations" . Since we are going through some recommendation we had VIP darshan . So there are some formalities to be done on the prior day for the same . samething for the stay . Please carry Xerox copy of id proof if you are going through that route . We struggled for Xerox copies in the top . There are different offices based on the rates where you have to get the accommodation done . We went to padmavathy complex which does 1500 Rs and above rooms . Luckily it was not a very rush and not much queue . We got two big rooms with 3 beds for 3000 Rs each . Did the required formalities for darshan . Tickets will be issued only after 6.30 pm on the prior day . It has to be collected from a bulding no as messaged in your sms . We checked in to the allocated rooms and parked car .
Next main discussion was on the lunch plan . The regular place in our earlier visit was Bhimas . But with lot of new input we have changed the restaurant to Mayura International . This is near to Fortune . So we decided to get a jeep from top and come down . Jeep charges 600 Rs for down journey . Since we were 6 people we took full jeep and came down . If you are alone you can also pay 100 Rs per person and cme down .
Mayura International is a must dine in place if you like South Indian meals . Since the main restaurant area was full , we were given a separate private room with . This had TV , separate rest room and all tables arranged . All ordered South Indian meals and it had everything what you ask for a typical telugu meals . Curd was one of the best which we all tasted recently . There was some thing special called Kollu rasam which as per the Chef had 8 hours of preparation time .
So we took One hour exactly to reach with no major stops in between . The way is very clean as there is no much commercial shops along the way . However all of us struggled half way through for quenching the thirst as we didnt carry water . Towards the end we saw one guy selling tata gluco . This helped . Halfway through similar to other route you will be getting a tag done with a picture taken . This tag serves as entry ticket for special darshan who have come on foot . This queue is far better than a dharmadarshan and usually will finish in less than 2 hours . On the way when you get time or taking rest there are some good spots on the back side which will give some good refreshing mind to continue climbing
If there is any feedback or any clarification required please do mail me
Have been to Tirupati many times but I would say this is second trip which was planned on foot . Climbing up on foot I always recommend to do as group as it helps in many ways to reach the top with ease . Since it was second trip many were confident of doing it but still some had worried face considering the long climbing
The starting point of travel was Chennai with six people . We decided to take one of the guys ertiga as vehicle this time . Last time we had tempo traveler since we had bigger crowd . Considering "Lessons Learnt" from last trip we decided to start early . 6.15 am was set as the starting point from Porur Signal .
by 7.05, we were at Tiravallor . Our usual bfast spot , Perambur Srinivasa Restaurant , was ready with new kolam in the entrance. First time seeing less crowded and all were happy . The bfast items are usually good here and all enjoyed dosas, vadas , idlies and some were not able to control the temptation of various snacks and sweets they had to offer . So I would recommend this as good spot as break point in both direction . We took the Turvallur - Tiruthanni route and TADA route . Surprising we had a good misty ride . It is like a fortune to see for Chennaites mist in 100 Kms distance . Some pics from the car where our friend who is at wheels trying hard to move the car .
 |
| Mist around |
 |
| 100 mts visibility only |
We took the car up after all screening of luggages at the starting point . There is a check on each vehicle if you reach before 28 minutes on top . This is to restrict overspeeding of vehicles . Roads are very good and it is one way . So you can easily drive up and not to be concerned who are driving up hill for first time drivers .
the next phase after reaching on top is the most confusing part .. I call it as Tirumala stay and darshan "Administrative Operations" . Since we are going through some recommendation we had VIP darshan . So there are some formalities to be done on the prior day for the same . samething for the stay . Please carry Xerox copy of id proof if you are going through that route . We struggled for Xerox copies in the top . There are different offices based on the rates where you have to get the accommodation done . We went to padmavathy complex which does 1500 Rs and above rooms . Luckily it was not a very rush and not much queue . We got two big rooms with 3 beds for 3000 Rs each . Did the required formalities for darshan . Tickets will be issued only after 6.30 pm on the prior day . It has to be collected from a bulding no as messaged in your sms . We checked in to the allocated rooms and parked car .
Next main discussion was on the lunch plan . The regular place in our earlier visit was Bhimas . But with lot of new input we have changed the restaurant to Mayura International . This is near to Fortune . So we decided to get a jeep from top and come down . Jeep charges 600 Rs for down journey . Since we were 6 people we took full jeep and came down . If you are alone you can also pay 100 Rs per person and cme down .
Mayura International is a must dine in place if you like South Indian meals . Since the main restaurant area was full , we were given a separate private room with . This had TV , separate rest room and all tables arranged . All ordered South Indian meals and it had everything what you ask for a typical telugu meals . Curd was one of the best which we all tasted recently . There was some thing special called Kollu rasam which as per the Chef had 8 hours of preparation time .
Milestone 2
Since one of the main milestone was getting over of having a good lunch the thought started tickling in for climbing up the hill . With so heavy lunch many were not feeling whether they could do it . There were different discussion and one of the suggestions of not doing the regular path which we have done earlier and go for a new steps to climb up . Discussion with local people and hotel staff we understood there are two main ways for people to climb up . One point is what people usually use which is near to the vehicle checking point . This route is called ALIPIRI route . It has almost 11 kilometer and will take less than 4 hour time . Has more than 4000 steps and there are mainly 7 hills .. First and last one more testing ones .
The other route is not that frequented by visitors and that is supposed to be original one as per some locals but opened up now only and it is back side of the hill . It is called as SRIVARI METTU It is 30 mins drive away from the city and 20 Km away . Either you have to take bus or jeep to reach there . The route is towards Srinivasa Mangalapuram . The interesting part of this side is that it takes less than 90 mins to reach and only has 2200 steps . The other major difference is that there are no shops in the route and be ready to even get water only at the top unless you are carrying yourself . This is not the case with Alipiri route . It is like picnic and you can see many shops with lot of varieties to chose from throughout your journey . There is some time limit at this route compared to Alipiri which is open througout . We have done a late night climbing as well .
The entry at Srivari mettu is very pleasing and it has some calmness to attract .
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| beautiful garden with Siva idol |
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| Not allowed to walk with footwear |
So we took One hour exactly to reach with no major stops in between . The way is very clean as there is no much commercial shops along the way . However all of us struggled half way through for quenching the thirst as we didnt carry water . Towards the end we saw one guy selling tata gluco . This helped . Halfway through similar to other route you will be getting a tag done with a picture taken . This tag serves as entry ticket for special darshan who have come on foot . This queue is far better than a dharmadarshan and usually will finish in less than 2 hours . On the way when you get time or taking rest there are some good spots on the back side which will give some good refreshing mind to continue climbing
If there is any feedback or any clarification required please do mail me
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