Ahobilam, Gandi & Kadiri Trip

This is the second time I visited Ahobilam. It is recommended that you read blog post about my earlier visit to Ahobilam and later read this post.

She paved way after getting Rs. 10

This time I went with my wife, friend Vinodh (please note that Vinodh was "relatively well known" during my earlier visit to Ahobilam with him but now he is very close to me and also my neighbor) and his mother.

Day 1: Feb 17, 2012 (Friday)
We started at 5AM.  As recommended in the last blog post  we took Bangalore-Anantpur-Gooty-Banaganapalli-Allagadda-Ahobilam route. Of course the road (Bangalore-Hyderabad highway) till Gooty was too good. We carried some idlies for breakfast as there were no decent hotels in that highway except for kamat near Chickballapur. But we crossed Chickballapur at 6AM itself; too early for breakfast.

From Gooty to Allagadda, it was not a pleasant ride. Roads weren't great and as additional hindrance some people were blocking roads in between and asking money. They block the road with big tree blocks and remove them only after we give money. That time itself we decided not to get back in that route.

Bavanashini River - On the way to Pavana

We reached Ahobilam around 1:30 PM, had lunch at Brahmana Sathiram and started jeep ride to 9. Pavana, 7. Yogananda, 8. Chatravada and 6. Bhargava at 3 PM and returned back to room by 6:30PM.  We refreshed and went to Prahlada Narasimha temple. We had dinner at Raghavendra hotel. Since some construction was going on in Ahobila Mutt and the Iyengar hotel which was there opposite to Mutt got closed, there were only 2 options for authentic Brahmin food. One is the Brahmana Sathiram and the other one is Raghavendra hotel run by a Madwa brahmin.

Day 2: Feb 18, 2012 (Saturday).

Ugra Sthamba

Since we had already completed seeing 4 temples out of 9 and we had lot of time at our disposal, we decided to see even Prahlada Gruha, Ugra Sthamba (which we left last time). With that plan we had some idlies around 7AM and also carried some as we won't get anything at upper Ahobilam.

First we parked our car in Upper Ahobila and started walking up to 1. Jwala. From there we started to Ugra Sthamba around 9AM. It was a very very tough trek. It is a very steep path. Going up was manageable but getting down was very difficult. Adding to the disadvantage, we didn't go prepared (should have carried glucose, chocolates, biscuits etc especially lot of water) and we went bare footed. When we came back to Jwala at 2PM we were completely exhausted. By any chance if you are going to attempt for Ugra Sthamba take enough eatables and water in a backpack and wear shoes with good grip.

Gandi Anjaneya Temple

Since UgraSthamba had taken away all energy, rest of the walk was very slow. From Jwala, we went to 3. Malola. Enough water resources are available near Malola. It is the ideal place to plan for lunch. Prahlada Gruha is around 15 mins walk from Malola. There is a small cave temple in Prahlada Gruha and from Prahlada Gruha, we get a nice top view of Upper Ahobila. From Malola, we started walking down to 4. Kroda/Varaha. From Kroda, we went to the starting point of Upper Ahobilam 2. Ahobila.

From Upper Ahobila, we started returning back to Lower Ahobila. 5. Karanja Narasimhar temple is on that way. Since it was already 6:30PM and temples there usually close around 5PM (expect for Ahobila and Prahlada Narasimha) we decided that we are going to miss seeing Karanja in this trip. But what a surprise, the temple was open and we were the last one to see before it was closed. It was a completely tiring but at the same time satisfactory day.

Day 3: Feb 19, 2012 (Sunday)

Kadiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple

We started back to Bangalore from Ahobilam around 8AM after having breakfast. On the fly we decided to see Gandi Anjaneya temple and Kadiri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temples. We had lunch at Kadiri. We were hoping that we were going to have a tough ride till we touch Bangalore-Hyderabad highway but be it Allagadda-Gandi or Gandi-Kadiri or Kadiri-Kodur (where we touch the highway) all the roads were very good and with zero traffic. We reached Bangalore at 7PM.

Bangalore - Coimbatore

Perur Temple

I had been to Coimbatore last weekend (May 18-19) with my friend Vinodh in car. We went in Maruti Swift. The aim of the trip was to attend the marriage of our friend Chandrashekar. It is worth mentioning that me, Vinodh and Chandrashekar got introduced to each other through an Orkut community for Ilayaraaja.

We started from Bangalore at 6AM. We had breakfast at Vasavi Cafe Krishnagiri. Most of the times, the hotels between Hosur and Krishnagiri (Kamath, Krishnaand Adayar Anandha Bhavan) are crowded. So I recommend this hotel for people going in that highway, just that you have go into Krishnagiri town.

Isha Yoga Center

It was an ultra-smooth drive till 40 Kms before Coimbatore. From there, since road construction was going on it took more time than expected. We reached Coimbatore at 1PM. We stayed at Hotel Vijai Paradise, NSR Road. The hotel was pretty decent and the good thing is that Annapoorna hotel is near Vijai Paradise.  'keerai' they served for Saturday lunch was awesome!

Mahalakshmi Temple

Luckily, I had my UG friend Arun working in Coimbatore for more then 3 years.  He joined us in the afternoon. We went to Kovai Kutralam (though we returned back without seeing since entrance is open only from 10AM to 3:30PM but we went there only at 4PM). From Kovai Kutralam, Isha Yoga Center (Velliangiri hill base) is just 15 Kms away. One has to take left at Iruttupallam while returning back from Kovai Kutralam. Velliangiri trek is considered to be one of the toughest and interesting trek in south India. It seems it will take 8 hrs to go up and ladies are not allowed to climb that.

From Isha Yoga center we went to Perur Patteswarar temple (It was built by Karikala Chozhan) and finally we went to Marudamalai Murugar temple. We started from Coimbatore city at 3PM and returned back to city after seeing all those places by 8PM.

Next day, we started at 7AM and went to Eechanari Vinayagar temple and Mahalakshmi temple. Both the temples are present close-by in Coimbatore-Pollachi route.

Hydro Meteorological Project

After attending marriage, we started back to Bangalore at 1PM. For a change, we took Sathyamangalam-Bannari-Chamrajnagar-Kollegal-Malavalli-Kollegal route. Though distance wise it is short by 40Kms, it took more time and also the drive wasn't very comfortable. But all those inconveniences can be accepted for that spectacular route. It was completely green on both the sides. 27 hair pin binds have to be crossed and all of them were steep.

Vinodh, Arun and me in front of Marudamalai temple

A hydro meteorological project on that route after Karnataka border was a surprise package (We were not aware of that place). That place can be made as another tourist place like Thekkady. It was 9PM when we reached Bangalore.

Family tour to Kerala

Disclaimer: Don't expect information like name of God, sthala puranam etc about divya desams in this blog post. My intention with regards to Diyadesam is to just give precise information about the route which is kind of not explained satisfactorily in other blog posts. To know the spirituality part of those temples, better refer to other web pages.

Our complete family ( My parents, 3 sisters, 3 brother-in-laws, 1 nephew and 3 nieces) went for a trip to Kerala from April 16 to April 19, 2011. Our plan was to see some divyadesams and a hill station. So we decided on Thirunaavai, Thiruvithuvakkodu, Thirumoozhikalam, Thirukaatkarai for divyadesams and Munnar for hill station.

We chose Thrissur as the starting place. A 12 seater A/C tempo traveller was already booked at the Rate of Rs. 2500 rent per day with max 100 Kms and Rs. 14/- for every extra Km. It is bit costlier than usual but the condition of vehicle and the behavior of driver were worth that money. It was an advantage that Guruvayoor can also be covered in our trip.

4 peoples started from Bangalore and rest all started from Chennai on Apr 15th night to Thrissur through train. Room was already booked in Hotel Elite international, Thrissur at the rent of Rs. 1350/- for AC room. The rooms were pretty decent and the best part about that hotel was that there was a restaurant named "Hotel Bharath" near Elite hotel which serves good vegetarian food.

Day 1 (Apr 16, 2011)

We started to Guruvayoor at 10AM and reached Guruvayoor at 11AM. Guruvayoor is just 30 kms away from Thrissur. Guruvayoor temple timings: 3AM to 1PM; 4:30PM to 8PM. Since being a weekend (saturday) I was expecting a heavy crowd. But the crowd wasn't too much on that day. We stood in the queue and some how managed to have dharshan by 1PM; well it seems 2 hrs is not a big time these days in Guruvayoor.

We had planned to see Thirunaavai and Thiruvithuvakkodu on the same day. But all the Kerala divyadesams will usually close by 11AM and will be opened only at 5PM. So we took rest for few hours in a accomodation maintained by Brahmin association near Guruvayoor temple. 

We started from those rooms at 3PM and reached Thiruvithuvakkodu at 4:15PM. Thiruvithuvakkodu is near Pattambi and Shoranoor. Do a search for "Tirumittacode Siva Temple" in google maps and you will know the exact location of temple. I was surprised how a Vaishnava divya desam was named as Siva temple.Actually there are 4 Vishnu idols in  that temple believed to have been established and worshiped by Panja Paandavaas (one by Dharmar, one by Beema, one by Arjuna and one by Nakula and Sahadeva together) after Mahabaratha war out of which Arjuna's pradhishtamoorthy is considered to be an important moorthy and it is present behind Kaasi Viswanathar (Siva) idol and hence the temple might have been named as Siva temple in maps. This also explains the silliness of Veera Vaishnavites and Veera Shaivites who fight :)

Then we started to Thirunaavai at 5:45 PM and reached the temple at 7PM. Compared to other Malai naattu divya desams which we saw, Thirunavaai (Thirunavaya) is relatively famous and the temple won't be closed early. Search for "Thirunnavaya Navamukunda Temple" in Google maps. Thiruvithuvakkodu and Thirunaavai are 40 Kms apart. After seeing Tirunavaya temple, we returned back to Thrissur Hotel.

Day 2 (Apr 17, 2011)

We checked out from Hotel Elite, Thrissur and started to Ernakulam at 8AM. Since we started early, we were able to see Thirumoozhikalam and Thirukatkarai before 11AM, the closing time of those temples.

Thirumoozhikalam is near Angamaly (Thrissur-Ernakulam route). While coming from Thrissur, one has to take a right near Karukutty (40Kms from Thrissur). To know the exact location of the temple, search for " Prakkadavu Panchayath Office, Kurumaseri, Kerala" in google maps. Actually the temple and Panchayath office are adjacent.

While coming from Thrissur to Ernakulam, one has to take left after Little flower Engineering institute, Ernakulam and travel for 3 Kms to reach Thirukatkarai temple. Search for "Thrikakkara temple" in Google maps to know the exact location of temple.  

After lunch, we went to Cochin beach with the intention to go for boating. But unfortunately, there was some strike on that day and boats were not operating. But it is also good in one sense that we could reach Munnar on time (7:30 PM) since Cochin boating got skipped. We started to Munnar at 3PM.

Cochin to Munnar is a 130 Km journey.  The roads are kind of narrow and we can feel that the vehicle is gradually climbing up. Kothamangalam-Adimaly-Munnar (70 Km stretch) is a treat to watch with falls, tea estate etc on the way. I have already been thrice to Munnar but I had taken either Devikulam route or Chinnar route but I had never traveled through Kothamangalam route.

As far as I know, there are only 2 pure vegetarian restaurants Hotel Annapoorna and Hotel Saravana Bhavan (it is not a branch hotel of Chennai Saravana Bhavan) in Munnar.  We had dinner on Apr 17 at Annapoorna and rest all of the time had food only at Saravana Bhavan. Saravana Bhavan is definitely the best Vegetarian restaurant in Munnar. Saravana Bhavan is present in proper Munnar town (M.G Road).

We stayed in Hotel Munnar inn. Rooms were pretty decent and the advantage was that it was in town; so we need not walk long to get something or have food. But it may not be advisable for people who would like to have a silent environment since you will be hearing some vehicle sound even during night times. We paid was Rs. 1900/- per day as rent.
 



Day 3 (Apr 18, 2011)

It was full day sight seeing at Munnar. We took Mattupetty route. We straight away went to Top station (the last point in that route which is around 30 kms from Munnar town), started our sight seeing from there and then saw spots like Echo point, Kundla lake, Mattupetty Dam, Speed boating, Elephant ride etc in return. While top station was an ultimate spot as usual, speed boating was another interesting thing on that day. Right from kids to my parents enjoyed it a lot.

We finished all the spots in Mattupetty route by 4PM. Then we thought of going to Aattukad falls. We have to take Cochin route and take left after Tea factory (few kms from Munnar town). Falls can be seen from distance but the road to falls was very narrow for our tempo traveller. So we returned back half way.

Day 4 (Apr 19, 2011)

We had our return tickets booked from Coimbatore. So the plan was to take Chinnar route, see Anaimudi/Rajamala/Eravikulam National Park, get down from hills, see Azhiyar dam and then catch train at Coimbatore. Things went as per plans. As I told earlier, I had already been to Munnar thrice and all the times, I had been to Anaimudi but I have never got an opportunity to see the rare animal Tahr close by. But this time we were lucky to have a Tahr walking along with us for some time. After enjoying a great climate at Munnar, it was a sweaty evening at Azhiyar dam. Still kids enjoyed playing in the park.

Next year, by the same time, I am hoping to write a blog post about our travel to rest 9 malai naattu divyadesams and any of the coastal Kerala place.

Ahobilam Trip

Ahobilam is considered as a must visit place for any vaishnavite. Me being a vaishnavite and also a sishya of Ahobila mutt, it took so many years to visit Ahobilam. But finally it happened last weekend (Jan8 – Jan 9, 2011).

Lots of information about Ahobilam is available in the following link. http://www.ahobilamutt.org/us/information/visitingahobilam.asp

I went to Ahobilam from Bangalore with 4 friends Jithu, Vinodh, Sanjay and Guru. While I knew one person (Jithu) very well, one more (Vinodh) relatively well, I haven’t met other two before. After this trip, even they became nice friends of mine. We went in Maruti Swift.

Day 1: Jan 8, 2011

Bangalore-Ahobilam route map (via Kadappa)

Vinodh, Sanjay and Guru started from BTM at 4:50AM, I joined them in silk board at 5AM and Jithu joined us at 5:45AM in KR Puram. We took Bangalore-Kolar-Madanapalle-Rayachoti-Kadappa-Allagadda-Ahobilam route (approx 400kms). We took a break at 8:30AM in Madanapalli for breakfast (Thanks to Vinodh’s mom for preparing Idli). Regarding road condition, while Bangalore to Kolar road (67 kms) was relatively good, it was foggy and we couldn't go beyond 50KMPH. Road from Kolar to Rayachoti (170 kms) was very bad. Every 100mts we had to handle a heavily damaged portion of road. After Rayachoti, the road was good till Allagadda (135 kms). Allagadda to Ahobilam (31 kms) is a narrow road.

Ahobila Mutt

We reached Ahobilam at 1:30 PM and had a good lunch at Ahobila Mutt (Lower Ahobilam). Though we already informed Mutt about our visit and requested for accommodation, they were not able to provide accommodation immediately after we reached there. Even Mutt administrators were helpless since there was good crowd. Actually Ahobila Mutt has built some new residential places and also in the process of building more. There is a hotel run by APTDC, Hotel Haritha which also provides accomodation. We were told that we can get an accommodation at 6PM.

Ahobilam temples route map

6. Karanja Narasimmar

We hired a guide (Prem Kumar aged 15) and started our dharshan. The plan was to visit 5 narasimmars on Day1 and other 4 on the Day2. The temples can be seen in different groups (for example, Paavana can be grouped with Ahobila or can also been grouped with Chatravada and Yogananda). So unless you are very sure, it is better you just tell the guide about your schedule and leave the route planning part to him. I am numbering the temples the same way they are referred to by archakas, mutt and local people.  

We started at 2:30 PM in our car (actually Vinod

5. Varaha (Krodha) Narasimmar

h’s car :P). First we went to 6. Karanja Narasimmar temple. Then we went near Ahobila Narasimma temple and parked our car. From then onwards, we had to walk for seeing other narasimmars. Since we were told that Ahobila Narasimmar temple will be opened till 7PM and we have to climb down before it gets darker, we bypassed Ahobila Narasimmar and started climbing up the hill.

7. Malola Narasimmar

We reached 5. Varaha (Krodha) narasimmar temple at 3:10 PM, 7. Malola Narasimmar temple at 3:25 PM and 8. Jwala Narasimmar temple at 4:30 PM. The happiness which spreads inside us after reaching Jwala cannot be explained by words. After an hour long walk, we have to cross a small water falls and ever red Raktakundam (well it is actually a color which is close to red wavelength. It is believed that it was the place were Narasimmar washed his hand after tearing apart Hiranya Kasibu) to reach that small and great Jwala Narasimmar temple surrounded by scary and at the same time scenic green hill.

8. Jawala Narasimmar

Though we were eager to see Prahladha Gruha and Ugra sthamba (They are not part of 9 narasimmar temples), it was already getting darker and our small guide wanted us to start getting down before it becomes completely dark though we weren’t in the mood to leave that place. If Prahladha Gruha and Ugra Sthamba (it will be a tough climb) also has to be seen, then one should start in the morning and see them also along with 5 narasimmar temples as they all are almost in the same route.

Raktakundam

I would rate the difficulty of climbing between easy and moderate for a person with an average physique. If some one is scared that we have to walk through sloppy rocks, the happy news is that the complete path has steps.

4. Ahobila Narasimmar

While getting down, guide took us through a different path (calling it as short cut) which was not having steps. It took almost 45 mins to get down but the walk was nice and interesting across the flow of water from hill. We reached 4. Ahobila Narasimmar temple at 6 PM and had dharshan.

After that we went back to Ahobila Mutt, got a room (with 3 beds), refreshed, had delicious Upma served at Mutt and had a good sleep with the satisfaction that we completed seeing 5 Narasimmars as planned. FYI, Ahobila Mutt charges just Rs. 400/- for a 3 bed room (1 day).

Day 2: Jan 9, 2011

Lakshmi Narasimmar

We woke up early and started from room at 5AM itself to see Lakshmi Narasimmar temple. Though this temple is not one among 9 narasimmar temples, it is considered to be the main temple.

Path to Pavana Narasimmar

It was good that we went to temple early in the morning. We had a chance to see Dhanur Maasa Seva with Ghoshti and most importantly we got delicious Pongal as prasadam ;). After having breakfast (in a Iyengar hotel opposite to Mutt), we started our Day 2 Narasimmar temple visit at 7:45 AM in Jeep. Pavana and Bhargava Narasimmar temples can be reached through walk (which would take too much of time) or through jeep/tractor.

9. Pavana Narasimmar

After a tough 16km travel in a path (I don’t like to call it a road) full of heavy jerks, we reached 9. Pavana Narasimmar temple at 8:50 AM. Saw some structures established by tribes opposite to temple where they give bali (goat, hen etc.) to God on Saturdays. This kind of tribal practices in a traditional vaishnavite temple is unusual. But the history of God marrying Chenchulakshmi (Mahalakshmi who took avataram as a tribal girl) explains for that practice.

2. Yogananda Narasimmar

We started back from Pavana at 9:15 AM and visited 2. Yogananda Narasimmar temple (10:30 AM) and 3. Chatravata Narasimmar temple (10:45 AM) which were on the way back lower Ahobilam. From there, we took another route for 1. Bhargava Narasimmar temple. Even that path (again not a road) was tough to travel except that it wasn’t long (just 2kms from lower Ahobilam). Flowers near that temple which look the same as thiruman of ahobila mutt is a wonder!

3. Chatravada Narasimmar

Though we got some negative feedback from people that we may not be able to cover those 4 narasimmars before afternoon, we finally did it. Thanks to the jeep driver who took us to Pavana in just 1 hr. We heard that tractors take almost 2:30 hrs to reach Paavana from Lower ahobilam but on the other hand it is less tough travel compared to jeep. But we wanted a quick travel and not a comfortable one. We paid Rs. 1800/- for jeep and gave Rs. 300/- to guide (though Ahobila Mutt website suggests only Rs. 200/- as guide charges).

1. Bhargava Narasimmar

We packed our things, had lunch (Pongal, vada and curd rice) in the same Iyengar hotel opposite to mutt and started back to Bangalore at 12:40 PM. For a change, we took another route (Ahobilam-Allagadda-Jammalamugudu-Tadibatri-Anantpur-Somandepalle-Chikballapur-Bangalore) for our return journey. While the worst road from Allagadda to Jammalamagudu (60 kms) disappointed us for taking that route, the nice road from Jammalmudugu to Tadibatri and Tadibadri to Anantpur relieved us. Then came the 4 lane Anantpur-Bangalore highway on which we were literally flying over 120 KMPH with frequent ‘ah’, ‘uh’ and ‘iyyo’ from Vindoh since it was a rash driver named Karthik on driver seat ;)  

Thiruman shaped flower

I would definitely recommend Anantpur route compared to Kadappa route barring the worst experience you may have to bear between Jammalamadugu and Allagadda. I am not sure how much Naxal threat is there in Anantpur area. We didn’t face any problem. We reached Bangalore city outers at 8PM, had nice dinner together at Adayar Ananda Bhavan before getting down at our respective places. 

Ahobilam-Bangalore route map (via Anantpur)

As Vinodh told at the end of trip (he had been to Ahobilam earlier but was not able to cover all the 9 narasimmar temples), the trip was convincing especially because we were able to cover all the temples in effectively just 1 day and most of them had archakas (not locked).

Ilayaraaja’s songs in music player during the total 800 km travel was just awesome! Of course, travelling with friends is always a delight. I would like to tell two words at the end of this blog.

“Mission accomplished”

I visited Ahobilam again and added some more details in the following blog post. Please do read that also.
http://karthikcpt.blogspot.in/2012/02/ahobilam-gandi-kadiri-trip.html

Tiruvannamalai trip

After quite some time, I went for a trip last weekend (Dec 11 and 12, 2010) with my friends Senthil and Vinodh. We went in Vinodh's car.

Day 1: Dec 11, 2010

It was 9:30 AM when we started at electronic city. We took Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri-Tiruvannamalai route (200 Kms). Road till Krishnagiri (NH7) was very good (90kms) but the 110Kms from Krishnagiri to Tiruvannamalai was horrible. Road was badly damaged due to recent rain.

We reached Tiruvannamalai at 2PM. Lunch was not very great but didn't mind much about it since we were pretty hungry. We booked a room in Ramana Towers hotel for a rent of Rs. 1400/- per day. The facilities were very nice and worth for the money given.

We started girivalam (14 kms walk around Arunachala hill) at 3:30 PM and completed it at around 7PM. There are 8 lingams in that perimeter and few more temples. After visiting the main temple (Annamalai and Unnamalai are the main deities), we ended the day.



 Day 2: Dec 12, 2010

We started from room at 8AM. It was very wet outside and when enquired, we came to know that there was heavy rain from 2AM to 6AM. We went to Ramanashram and started our Arunachala hill trek from the way behind Ramanashram.

Our initial plan was to see Skandashram, Virupaksha, return back to Ashram by 11:30, have lunch and then leave to Bangalore. But near Skandashram we met a person by name Jothi who gave us some information about Tiruvannamalai and how the whole worship was earlier (right from his great grandfather's time). It seems he is one among the persons who light the Jyothi at Arunachala hill top during Karthigai month.

When I asked him about his take on Vijay TV program which was spreading some information that the annamalai jyothi went off, he gave some explanations and called it as a rumor. We asked curiously if we can go to the place where jothi is lightened, he said that he can take us. While Vinodh was not able to proceed further up, he went down to Ramanashram. Myself and Senthil along with our guide Mr. Jyothi started climbing to the top of hill.

It took around 3hrs from Skandashram to the top of hill and the climb was pretty tiring. But as soon as we reached the peak, all the tiredness vanished and we were so happy to be in that place. We were physically on a place which we were just seeing on the TV for 20+ years during every Karthigai Deepam.

After taking some photographs, we met some youngsters who are sishyas of Narayana Guru Swami. It seems Narayana Guru swami is a saint from Kanyakumari who did Thapas in Arunachala hill for 16 years and then went back to Kanyakumari again. They served us herbal tea.



Our guide Jothi asked us to get down by our self. We started climbing down. But only after some time (around 45 mins) we realised that we were getting down in a route which we didn't see while climbing up. But still we proceeded in the path of a water falls with the belief that we will get down somewhere. We got to see a person on the middle and came to know that we were climbing down on the other side of hill.

We were kind of happy that there was some exploration element in the trip. We got down on the other side of hill at 2 PM and went back to our starting point (Ramanshram) in auto. We had a surprise news over there. It seems music director Karthik Raja (son of Isaignani Ilayaraaja) visited Ashram at 11:30 AM and Vinodh took some pics with him. I would have felt jealous if I had missed a meeting with Ilayaraaja. Karthik Raja.. Worth missing for that nice trek ;).

Weather at Tiruvannamalai was cool and that was really the best part in this trip. 

We had lunch in Ramakrishna hotel (Taste was good) and took alternate Tiruvannamalai-Vellore-Krishnagiri-Hosur-Bangalore route while returning back. Though we had to travel extra 80Kms, the roads were pretty good.

I actually went to to this trip without any expectation. But it turned up to be one of my best trips. Thank you Vinodh and Senthil for the nice company!

2 hrs at Tirupathi Bus Stand

I had been to Tirupathi last weekend for tonsuring and ear boring ceremony of my nephew. Since I had a bad experience during my last visit to Tirupathi  in getting tickets back to Bangalore I did advance booking in Airavat volvo bus this time.  
(Snippet from the blog I posted in Mar 2010: We Bangloreans had a tough time in catching a Bangalore bus. As you all know, there is always a Black ticket option. We payed extra Rs.80/- per ticket and got seat in KSRTC bus)

Tirupathi-Bangalore bus I booked was scheduled to start at 4PM (Sunday, Sep 26, 2010). I reached bus stand at 2:45 PM itself and waited in the platform meant for KSRTC buses to Bangalore. 

"Karthik, stop stop! Then the blog title should have been 1:15 hours at Tirupathi Bus stand  right?"

You will get answer for this question in the later part of this post. 

In bus stand there is no other way to pass time than to just observe people present around us. My primary focus was on a Third gender person who had dressed up like a lady (Please stop your dirty imaginations my dear fellows [:P]). I would like to call that person as "XLady" or "(H)She"  from now on. (Sorry if a social reformer considers this a wrong way of calling them). 

I believe (h)she is a niche player in the beggar market of that bus stand :). She gets money only from people seated in ultra deluxe or volvo buses. This is what I was seeing. Whenever a Garuda (A/C) or Rajahamsa bus comes to platform and passengers board the bus, she gets into the bus, clap hands (you know how loud their clap will be) in each seat and demand money. After getting money from a bus, she sits outside a "pay and use toilet" and groups the collection based on denomination and keeps it in her hand bag (you all know that those people collect lot of currency notes while the usual beggars find it difficult even to get coins). She chats with that pay and use toilet in-charge till the next volvo or ultra deluxe comes. I saw her repeating this cycle for at least 8 buses (but no Airavat bus came to platform till then). 

Well she was just helping my eyes pass the time. For mouth?? I had an old friend of mine to chat with. "Old friend??"  Yes it is the black ticket wala (BT wala) from whom I got ticket during my last Tirupathi visit. Have a look at snippets of the conversation I had with him (It actually happened in Thamizh)

BT wala (as usual):  Bangalore a sir? You need tickets?

Karthik (with a smile) : Anna, this time I have my tickets reserved. If I had not, I would have directly come to you

BT wala (with surprise): You visit here regularly? When did you get tickets from me?

(I told him the history)

.

.

(He started confessing, but in a casual way without any regret in his tone)

BT wala: What to do sir? I was working in court as peon. I got suspended 10 years before because of my mis-behavior. I will stop this black ticket work in some more days as I am going to get appointment in court again. But one thing sir. Money got illegally will not stay with us. I earn Rs.400/- per day on average. I give 100Rs for my family, spend 100 Rs for my food outside and 200 Rs for drinks. I have not saved any money. Today I already got 300 Rs, drank for 250Rs, had full meals, nothing much in hand.

(We had more discussions about black ticket profession like bribe for police every day, different kind of customers he met etc etc.) 

.
.
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Karthik: Will that Xlady get into Airavat A/C bus also and ask for money? (Though I knew that she will, I was expecting a "No" from him just for the sake of my relief)

BTwala: Of course, (h)she will get into all the luxury buses. You know? (H)She earns minimum 1000 Rs (after giving bribe to police) every day in bus collection itself. 

I decided not to board the bus until that Xlady completed her collection in the bus I am going to board. I definitely didn't want to give money and at the same time I had no guts to deny in front of her. You all know (at least guys will know) what those people will do if we say that we won't give money.


It was 3:45PM and the BTwala took his leave and I was waiting for the bus in that platform. 4PM, 4:15PM, 4:25PM..and finally an Airavat bus to Bangalore reached platform. Cursing Indian standard (delayed) time, I went near the bus and asked conductor if it was 4 o clock Bangalore bus. He told that 4 o clock bus left and it is 5 o clock bus. He took me to the KSRTC time keeper (Till then I never knew that there was a time keeper sitting in a corner).


Conversation with Time keeper (It actually happened in Kannada)

Karthik: Sir I am waiting here since 2:45 PM. No Bangalore Airavat bus came to platform till 4PM

Time Keeper: Don't play drama. You came late, missed the bus and now putting blame on us, is it? No bus goes without coming to platform. 

He literally started shouting at me. After a stage I couldn't argue. So I started requesting him for some other arrangement. He arranged a seat in Rajahamsa (non-AC). Since he arranged seat in at least some other bus, I thanked him and boarded a Rajahamsa bus which started from Tirupathi at 4:45PM (Got the 2 hr count?[:)]). 


But I could not digest the allegation that I missed a bus, being so early to bus stand and that too didn't move anywhere away from platform. I was completely puzzled.


The Rajahamsa conductor was curious to know my story. After telling him what happened, he told me that the 4 o' clock Airavat is a bus to Belgaum which goes via Bangalore. 


OMG! After hearing that, the puzzle got solved and the plot became clearer.




<~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Flashback

3:30PM

I heard engine start sound and it was an Airavat (in parking place which was approx. 100 metres away from platform). 

Though the BTwala told that the bus will come to platform, I was curious and so went near the bus (it was a bus to Belgaum via Bangalore) and asked the driver if it was 4 o' clock Bangalore bus. He told "No".  I was not aware that the final destination of the bus I booked was Belgaum. If I had known, I would have asked him if it was 4 o' clock Belgaum bus.


But I didn't just go with the answer of driver. I was waiting for that bus to come to platform and thought of inquiring again if it left the platform at 4PM. But the bus left directly from the parking lot at 3:45PM itself without even coming to platform. So I convinced myself that it was not the bus I had booked.


Flashback Over 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>


Now after hearing from the Rajahamsa conductor that it was the bus I had booked, I can't stop myself from cursing the Airavat driver for saying a "No", for leaving the bus stand without coming to platform and I can't stop myself from badly cursing the time keeper for trying to hide his mistake by blaming me. I realised that his generosity of arranging a seat for me in Rajahamsa was to just shut my mouth.


Getting cheated is not something new for me ;). But this was the first time I took so long to realize that I was cheated. 


Definitely, I can never forget those 2 hrs at Tirupathi bus stand!



Note: I have sent a grievance mail to KSRTC and NOT expecting any reaction from them :)