To Tirupati.

The three hours journey by train to Tirupati was enlivened by a chubby boy's [around two to three years old] pranks in it.His curiosity , finding something so arresting interesting in all the adult human faces around, that I would scarcely glance at, compelling his long stare and finally recognising one of his own a little girl a tiny bit older than he and striking an instant friendship with her followed by pulling her thick jet black hair , that she had just brushed with great care balancing herself gingerly on the rocking seat[ no, she didn't cry . Took it sportingly] and then laughing aloud in glee , literally made the time fly past!

When i got off at the Tirupati station and saw that it was jam packed with people,my heart sank.I envisioned a long wait for my darshan at Tirumalai. People visit in such vast numbers only to worship Balaji enshrined atop the7 hills beyond.

I immediately corrected myself with the empathy that just as I was making this pilgrimage so were millions of others who are perfectly entitled to do so. Rapid expansion of transportation and increase in purchasing power has brought this once unreachable destination of the most powerful god whose blessings are most sought out in Bharat ,within many a persons means.And faith impels all!Photos. Top:The golden Vimanam at Tirumala temple which enshrines within Srinivasa\Balaji \Sri Venkateswara.

Below:The front Gopuram of Alarmelmangai Thayar \Padmavathidevi temple at Trichanoor.