To Tirumalai.

As we climbed up the Tirumalai hills at dusk by bus a shaft of cool air welcomed us.Down below the lights of the constantly expanding township of Tirupati,rather it could well be called a city now,glittered and twinkled ,whilst on the roads winding around the hills the twin head lights of countless vehicles making their way up ,flashed on and off through the dark and silent canopy of trees.

The valley of our destination--Tirumala was neither dark nor silent .It was well lit and bustling with activities . In short it was like a huge mela.Lakhs of people were moving around , praying , singing, chattering,eating, laughing, resting and sleeping.The weekend coupled with the extra holiday on the following Monday for Independance day had encouraged many to recharge their batteries with a Darshan of Srinivasa \Balaji\ Govinda\Vekateswara to face the life ahead.Young men in groups with backpacks and young couples with their families outnumbered the pepper haired crowd of devotees.
Photos: Top .The Gopuram at the entrance to Srinivasar Temple at Tirumalai at night.

Below.The gopuram at the entrance to Srinivasa temple in the morning.