• A personal experience of yatra (climbing 3550 steps) from Tirupati to Tirumala and the impact of yatra on the author’s mind and soul. 

I grew up listening to amazing stories from my father, of the unbelievable miracles of Lord Venkateshwara.

For Appa (father) Lord Venkateshwara was the Ishta Devata (Personal Deity) that he sincerely prayed and surrendered to, meditated on. I was fascinated on seeing father's intense Bhakti, faith and belief in Lord Venkateshwara. He always told me that Lord Venkateshwara helped him to face all kinds of challenges and follow the path of Dharma (Righteousness)

My father took the family to Tirumala once every two or three years. On reaching Tirupati from Bangalore (now Bengaluru), I vividly remember taking a bus from Tirupathi to Tirumala (Abode of Lord Venkateshwara). During the 45 odd minute drive we enjoyed the serene Seshachalam hills. My father regularly mentioned that he enjoyed climbing the steps from Tirupati to Tirumala on reaching milestones for e.g. passing the exams or getting a job. It was akin to a token of gratitude to his Ishta Devata.

Every day nearly five to ten thousand devotees take thousands of divine steps to reach Tirumala. Not to forget some devotees who walk from many cities, towns and villages to Tirumala.

After getting married and having kids, I kept going to Tirumala. In June 2024, my daughter passed her tenth grade with flying colours, and I wanted to show my deep love, reverence and gratitude to Lord Venkateshwara just as Appa did. So, we decided that our family should take steps from Tirupati to Tirumala. The family was excited and instantly agreed. I found out all the information in the website Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams  

Our journey from Bengaluru to Tirupati took six hours by bus, and we reached Tirupathi by around 8 p.m. After dinner, we went to bed since had to wake up early morning to climb the divine steps to reach Tirumala.

About  Lord Venkateshwara

Lord Venkateshwara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu manifested spontaneously thousands of years ago according to numerous Puranas in Tirumala. Lord Venkateshwara is synonymous with Tirumala (Tiru meaning sacred, and mala is hills in Tamil). Tirumala is called Bhu Vaikunta (Abode of Lord Vishnu on Earth).

Seven peaks namely Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri are the sacred peaks on Seshachalam hills. Every day thousands of devotees stand in a long line to get darshan of Lord Venkateshwara. The lines are long. Devotees get two to three seconds to see Lord Venkateshwara. Lakhs of devotees show gratitude to Venkateshwara by offering money, gold ornaments, and silver!

Steps on the Alipiri route. 

How to go from Tirupati to Tirmula

There are two way to reach Tirumala by foot. One is Srivari Mettu (2388 steps and steep) and Alipiri (3550 steps but easy).

We left the Tirupati hotel around 4 am and reached Alipiri around 5 a.m. Alipiri was lively, being full of devotees. I met a group of devotees who had come walking from Chennai. That took me back in time to when Appa told me his grandfather and cousins walked from their village, nearly 250 miles from Tirumala, for darshan of Lord Venkateshwara. The yatra took more than 15 days.

The moment I read 3550 steps, both of us wondered if the kids could do it. Just then, we then saw three old women enthusiastically chanting Govinda Govinda and performing Pooja to every step they climbed. Seeing their vibrant steps adorned with turmeric, kumkum and flowers and chanting gave our family the confidence to climb the 3550 steps.  

With the kripa of Lord Venkateshwara, we enthusiastically took the sacred steps chanting Govinda Govinda. Some devotees were singing Bhajans whilst others were silent. The weather was perfect that morning.

We saw deer, peacocks and a variety of birds on either side. The sight of the sacred mountains was breath taking. It made me feel that I was in Vaikunta (Heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu). Every thirty minutes, I sat on the bench overlooking lush green hills and contemplated on the Vishnu Sahasranamam (1000 names of Lord Vishnu). To hear by M S Subbulakshmi

Facilities enroute are very good. There are stores and enough washrooms.

My husband and I were pleasantly surprised to see the kids ahead of us. It takes two hours to reach Tirumala, we took three.

As devotees chanted Govinda Govinda, Narayana, Sreenivasa while climbing the steps of Tirumala Hills, I was filled with devotion and my Bhakti towards Venkateshwara increased.

Even though Appa was not with us, his faith, Bhakti (devotion), love for Lord Venkateshwara and life came to mind. With every step my thought -process was moving towards positivity, higher values and path of Dharma (Righteousness).

Walking the path Sages and my ancestors took had a magical impact on me. My heart was brimming with selflessness, equanimity and love for all living beings (animals included)

Illumined temple. 

Once we reached the temple, I felt was experiencing Higher consciousness. Seeing devotees chanting Govinda Govinda filled me with indescribable joy.

The moment I had darshan of Lord Venkateshwara, within myself I surrendered myself.

Impact of Yatra on my Inner Self

On return I feel relaxed, rejuvenated and happy. My teenage daughter enjoyed and felt rejuvenated too whilst our son wishes to go again.  

For me, this sacred trip was a profound epiphany. I see Divinity in every soul, and try to help as much as I can. I have stopped complaining and criticizing people or situations. A sense of beautiful energy filled with great love for God, hope, and optimism has embraced me.

Every morning, I meditate visualizing sacred mountains and Lord Venkateshwara adorned with precious jewels and colourful flowers. Every day, I read one sloka of Bhagavad Gita, and contemplate on its meaning. Every night, before going to bed, I try to reflect on the day’s actions. There is peace within and I find it easier to forgive others – family and strangers. The yatra has motivated me to do more selfless service, chanting and compassionate. This sacred trip has given me immense love, tolerance, patience, endurance and confidence to face life's challenges whilst upholding Dharma.

I am now confident that Lord Venkateshwara will bestow me with more Bhakti, spiritual knowledge and wisdom to be successful both in the materialistic and spiritual worlds. I perform my duties as a surrender to my Ishta Devata – Sri Krishna. 

In the Bhagavad Gita Sri Krishna says, “There are those who always think of Me and engage in devotion to Me. To them, whose Minds are always absorbed in Me, I provide what they lack and preserve what they already possess.” 

I have realized that for my Appa “Me” is Lord Venkateshwara whilst for me it is Sri Krishna.

Author is a homemaker and mother of two kids  

Also read

1.  A good blog on Climbing Tirumala Hills

2. Mathura, the city of Sri Krishna

3. Vrindavan on Janmasthami

4. Govardhan Parikrama

5. Lathmar Holi, Nandgaon