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As Saptagiri Express nears the seven sacred hills, pilgrims stretch to look at the parade of temples fleeting by the windows. They prepare themselves for the altitude of piety as the train halts at Tirupati. Though we decided on this trip only last night, Ganesh has been planning it since his father was diagnosed with cancer.
Seven hills and a divine republic
Don Sebastian2006-03-10 10:42:35
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As Saptagiri Express nears the seven sacred hills, pilgrims stretch to look at the parade of temples fleeting by the windows. They prepare themselves for the altitude of piety as the train halts at Tirupati. Though we decided on this trip only last night, Ganesh has been planning it since his father was diagnosed with cancer.
The road from the station's entrance leads to a temple, with many to follow until the journey ends at the famed Venkateshwara temple on the Tirumala 3,200 feet above sea level. Flower vendors and Hanumans throng the visitors. Offerings for the god wait for customers on either side of the road. Those who return from the shrine with tonsured heads grab the wigs.
Not only the residents, Tirupati town itself owes its existence to the sacred occupant on Tirumala. From bus stands to colleges, almost everything is funded by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which maintains twelve temples and their sub-shrines in the Tirumala-Tirupati area. The offerings which trickle down from the hills ensure the town's prosperity. Tirupati is among the most profit-making religious destinations, second only to Vatican.
Tirumala comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha. This part of the Eastern Ghats is also called Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. The Venkateswara temple is located on Venkatadri, which lies on the southern bank of Sri Swami Pushkarini.
An endless convoy of buses and cars loaded with devotees wind through Venkatadri, day and night. Those who are stronger in will or simply poorer, choose the tough path. Steep steps which cut through the jungle await them. Old men and women, mothers and babies, handicapped devotees burdening themselves with offerings...the contingent is about to test their piety.
If Ganesh had to fulfil a promise given to his mother, I was on a night out under
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See photographs from:
India Gallery
