I’ve lost track of the exact sequence of our trips to Tirupati, but each one left its mark. 

On one visit, we traveled with my parents, children, and extended family. We booked a cottage, and the temple authorities introduced a free round-trip bus service, making our visit smooth and efficient. Another time, we undertook the journey with my youngest sister. My wife, children, and I decided to climb the hill on foot, an exciting first-time experience for them. The kids were ecstatic, showing no signs of fatigue throughout the climb. 

A local bank manager assisted us during this trip, guiding us through the temple with ease. I even had the pleasure of tasting the temple's famous Pongal prasad, which was truly divine. However, I noticed that the laddu prasadam, once large enough to serve as a meal, had shrunk significantly over the years. Despite the changes, the darshan was swift and fulfilling. 

I vividly recall another trip in 1991, just after returning from a vacation in Mangalore and Udupi. We left for Tirupati the same day, joined by my youngest sister and her son. My elder son was preparing for his engineering studies. Thanks to a contact, we had a guest house and darshan tickets arranged in advance. 

During that visit, I performed the angapradakshanam—a ritual of rolling around the temple in devotion. Though the ritual took time, we were blessed with one of the longest and most peaceful darshans we ever had. 

However, not all trips were without challenges. On another occasion, we planned a quick visit with my younger son, who was visiting from abroad. We left early in the morning without pre-booking darshan tickets, relying on the NRI privilege. Unfortunately, delays meant we only entered the queue by evening, and after securing permission with my son’s passport, we waited another two hours for darshan. 

To make matters worse, our car broke down as we descended the hill. With failing headlights, the driver had to follow other vehicles to navigate the dark roads. It was a nerve-wracking journey, but by God’s grace, we reached home safely. 

The next day, we refused to pay the taxi fare, prompting several drivers to plead with us. Ultimately, we paid in full, sympathizing with the driver. 

Once again, the Lord ensured our safe return. 

Contd. 368. The Sanctorum and Beyond