Jarugandi Jarugandi
Monday, December 31, 2007
Jarugandi Jarugandi - Yup this is the Tirupati Trip Travelogue.
In Short the trip started at Nanganallur (Anchi), Tada Falls, Srikalahasthi (Eeshwar), Tirupati, Chandragiri Fort, Kanipakkam (Pilliayar Appan), Tirumala (Venky), Srinivasa Mangapuram (Elder Venky), Talakona Falls.
Rule : I will select one place of my choice for each place of visit by my parents.
Nanganallur : (15th Dec) Daddy and Amma Came to Nanaganallur. Me, Sis and Sham joined them to visit Anjaneya. We lived there few years before, place has changed a lot. Nostalgic!! reminds me of lot many incidents. Prasadam at this place is awesome :p.
Tada Falls : Back on NH7(3pm), Steered to Tada falls. The Falls is actually 20 km from Tada. Reached the foot hills by 5PM. Environment wasn't favoring, have to drop the plan. Points to Remember: Go in a Group, you need to drive on ~3km of rough road (actually no road) to reach the stream, then would need to trek for 5km to reach the Waterfall.
Srikalahasthi : This place is famous for the Rahu Kethu Sarva Dosha Nivarna Pooja. If you are planning to visit tirupati, Pilgrim can get their darshan booking here itself. One round of night darshan and me started clicking some shots. Asusual amma behind me pothum da yara thitaporanga. Ko(matha) Puja : Woke up early morning to attend Ko Puja. It is believed that each organ of a cow represents different god, goddess and devargal. The sacred cow of the temple is decorated and is worshiped.
Chandragiri Fort:
Got AAD tickets for 17th morning Dharshan at tirupati and decided to visit Chandragiri Fort built during Vijayanagara rule. It is a good relaxing place with a museum displaying the sculptures and culture of Vijayanagar. There is also a Sound and Light Show with Amitabh Bachan's voice as its voice over, taking the audience down the history lane. The fort has the ruins of Raja and Rani Mahal. Tip: Best time to visit this place is before dusk.
Kanipakkam: It is ~60km from tirupati by road. The God here is a Swayambhu Pillaiyar. The Myth goes like this. A def and a dumb trying to dig a well for water, hit a stone which started to bleed and and is believed to be god Ganesha. It is also believed that the blood is still oozing and shown to privilege pilgrims. (Yennagada dei..) But as such the temple is good, nice place to visit. Visit to Kanipakkam and back to tirupati would just take max 5hrs. 
Tirumala : I was eagerly waiting for this drive. The Road uphill is awesome. I enjoyed the twist and turns of the road. I was lil speeding, but fun. It was pitch dark when i started to drive. During each turn your ears starts to block, temperature drops, clouds pass by, suddenly you are in the middle of mist, shearing thro it. I enjoyed each and every moment of it. In less than 30mins reached the toll gate at 22hrs. Got the Stay at GNC. Went out for a walk with A630. Our stay was not equipped with hot water supply. Mentally prepared for a cold bath, suddenly daddy said there is a hot water Room available. with just the only bucket, filled it with fuming hot water. Over Confidence. One mug of water on my shoulders. ****. Not willing to waste the hot water, took it slowly. Venky vellaiya katitarudooi.. Ketathu mellayae roombha koduthutaaru.. Unusually the Que was smooth till the praharam, after that Jarugandi Jarugandi thaaan. Then another Jarugandi Jarugandi at laddu counter. It was the first day of marghazhi mathan and thirupavai was sung in the temple. It is a different experience. Tip: If you want to have a relaxed venki darshan, go to the temple on a Tuesday/Wednesday 10pm.
Srinivasa Mangapuram: Started to drive down the hill by 8 AM(17th Dec). It is ~10km from Tirupati on the way to Talakona. It is believed that God came here before going to Tirumala. "The Kalyan Venkateswara is a replica of the main deity of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala". Technically he is just 1" smaller than the one in Tirumala. But he looks big with the allangarams and pilgrims are allowed to have darshan much closer. 
Talakona: Usually Daddy would take navigator seat, but he went back saying my driving is scary. A frisking office working for TTD asked for a lift to tirupati. He was the guy who gave me all the above stories and tips of the place. Based on his comment decided to go to talakona. 45km from tirupati out of which 25 on Ghats and the rest in forest. "Talakona is noted for its scenic beauty comprising lush green vegetation and a perennial waterfall which cascades down from a height of 270 ft." This is true. After a 2km drive in Sri.Venkateswara Sanctuary, one need to trek more than a km to reach the water falls. The water is so cold that it took my breath away for a sec, but then it was total fun. Tips: Friends/Food/Gang is a must. Water Proof camera. Be there just after the monsoon rains. Beware of our ancestor.
PeeVee's Collection
Headed back to Tirupati to catch my train to hyderabad.
The tips, thoughts and stories are either heard, felt or reviews for other media. If anything is wrong do leave a comment to correct me.
Slide show of my Clicks during the trip.
Labels: Andra Pradesh, I drove, Kanipakam, Talakonam, Tirupati, Travel, Travelogue
Kirukals by Kuttibalu @ 12:36 AM,
18 Comments:
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At 2:13 PM, December 31, 2007,
Priya sonnathu...
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Havent visited few places u mentioned and all your pics' are just great. Waterfalls and fort pics are awesome.
Happy New Year to u:) -
At 3:23 PM, January 01, 2008,
Kuttibalu sonnathu...
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(:: priya ::) ThankQ :) Wish you too with loads of fun, laughter, happiness, wealth and health.
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At 4:39 PM, January 01, 2008,
Ponnarasi Kothandaraman sonnathu...
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Nice pics and u seem 2 have had a gr8 time :>
Ur Descriptions are informative :) -
At 4:40 PM, January 01, 2008,
Ponnarasi Kothandaraman sonnathu...
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Seekram Andhra vara poren :D Ithu ellam paatha ooru than suthuven pola iruku :D Guide vela onnu vacant'a iruku :P
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At 10:35 PM, January 01, 2008,
Kuttibalu sonnathu...
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(:: PK ::) Yeah, It was gr8. Thanks :)
Cool.. Andhra is a good place to stay apart from the hottest 3 months.
Intha Guide konjam coslty :p paravaillaya ? -
At 10:05 AM, January 02, 2008,
--xh-- sonnathu...
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good trip log and clicks.. the place 'Talakona' seems tempting.. and driving/riding @ shats.. itz just awsome.. IMHO, experienced beautiful on a bike than a car...
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At 2:36 PM, January 03, 2008,
Ponnarasi Kothandaraman sonnathu...
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hehehe..hyd's weather - freezing cold now???
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At 5:15 PM, January 03, 2008,
Shalini Gowrisankar sonnathu...
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Nice to know you had a good time on your trip:). Reminds me of the times I went to tirupati and not to forget the ladoo :)
Nice pics and an informative post. -
At 5:54 PM, January 03, 2008,
Ponnarasi Kothandaraman sonnathu...
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Done with the tag :D
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At 10:55 PM, January 03, 2008,
Arun Sundar sonnathu...
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I have visited all these places too and in a much similar way in my ALTO :) Brought me a lot of good memories....
But life has to move on....I tell "Jaragandi Jaragandi" to myself and move on :) -
At 1:25 AM, January 04, 2008,
Kuttibalu sonnathu...
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(:: Anoop ::)
Thanks Dude :)
If possible make a trip to 'talakona' on ur bike, lil closer to blr when compared to hyd. Yeah I do agree with the bike opinion. -
At 1:31 AM, January 04, 2008,
Kuttibalu sonnathu...
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(:: PK ::)
Hyd weather is pleasant now.
Oops chennai makkalukku ithu freezing thaan.
Intha climate la morning bike drive to kbr park, walk in joggers path, back home for a masala Tea, SS music and Hindu. Aahaa.. Ippadiyae iruntha Yenn Nallum Inimaiyae.. :) -
At 1:35 AM, January 04, 2008,
Kuttibalu sonnathu...
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(:: Shalini ::)
ThankQ.
Tirunalveliku Allva na Tirupathiku laddu thane.. yeppadi maraka mudiyum :) -
At 1:37 AM, January 04, 2008,
Kuttibalu sonnathu...
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(:: PK ::)Thanks, I am honored .
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At 1:47 AM, January 04, 2008,
Kuttibalu sonnathu...
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(:: Arun Sundar ::) Nice to hear from you. Just curious, how did you reach here ?
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At 12:33 PM, January 13, 2008,
Aarthi sonnathu...
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Omg..awesum pics..i'm really jealous...u like travelling and photography?????
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At 2:18 AM, January 14, 2008,
Kuttibalu sonnathu...
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(:: Aarthi ::) Yup I do. Thanks :)
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At 12:19 PM, June 14, 2010,
Tirupati Hotels sonnathu...
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Thanks.Tirupati trip is amazing. It is very peaceful and wonderful place. Every time i will plan my accommodation in one of the best tirupati Hotels is Grand World.
