The journey from Bangalore to Tirumala is smooth and uneventful, punctuated once with a highly satiating breakfast at Woody’s.
It is not about the chaos of the unruly crowds or the mismanagement of the world’s richest temple. It is also not about how having a valid darshan ticket, ensures you the added benefit of a human sauna and body massage.
Before the utter devout (read: ready to lash out at anything remotely non-religious) start being judgmental about my post, let me tell you what this post is about.
This post is about the peace before the storm, about the wondrous beauty of the Tirumala hills, about how truly magical that drive from the base (Tirupati) to the temple at the top is.
You can be religious, pious, devout, a believer or you can be agnostic, cynical or an atheist. But when such a drama of nature enfolds in front of your eyes, all you can do is stand in awe and wonder how can a place feel so mystic.
The drive lasts for 30 minutes. The scenery is dramatic.
White, cotton like clouds mell pell in the clear blue sky and rocky mountains till as far as you can see. The terrain is rocky, tree cover is moderately dense and there are small waterfalls gushing down the rocks adding to the beauty. I will let the pictures do the talking.
The views get better as you reach the top and then suddenly you are ushered in a concrete mesh.
The experience is extremely spiritual. Something I’d trade the chaotic experience in the temple for, any day. For me, during the entire drive uphill and downhill, the connect with the Almighty was the strongest. It is all his artwork, after all.
This post is part of the Southern Road trip series I am documenting. Stay tuned for further posts in this series.
Great captures!
Thanks Rashmi!
I took that journey too, just that never captured the beauty 😊
This is one drive I absolutely loved. Chaos up chaos down but this journey was serene.
Wow. Only you could have done justice to such lovely green hills.
Thanks Svetlana! <3 You are way too kind 🙂
Love your writing and the fantastic photos
Thanks Doreen! 🙂
Agreed that such stunning nature is in itself a spiritual experience. Your amazing photos make me want to see these wonders for myself. Gorgeous imagery.
Thanks so much Sue! 🙂 glad you liked them!
Lovely captures! And now you’ve enticed me to plan a trip :p
Thanks Anmol 🙂
The place looks truly beautiful through your lens!
Yes, Thirumala is blessed by the natural beauty.Thanks for sharing!
Ah the beauty of the hills! Untouched, raw – the calm and the greens!
I love Tirumala sans the crazy line and commercialized angle of Tirupathi temple.
Stunning pics Divsi 🙂
Great pics Divyakshi and I like the way you’ve brought it together. Have fun on this trip and more to come.
amazing view and beauty 🙂
Truly amazing – the waterfalls especially. Gosh, that’s spectacular!
Gorgeous captures of the hills!! Remember visited Tirupati during school days, your pictures brought back all the memories of the journey :).
Impeccable captures, and brilliantly summed up with your words! Brought back alot of memories.
Divine beauty, indeed! I have always loved that ride up – so peaceful and serene and I could feel all those things again, right now as I browsed through your post. Terrific captures, Divsi and equally complemetned through words.
You made it desirable. Look your pictures. You had me at the breakfast. For me, a big part of travel is to eat out.
Thanks so much Saru! 🙂
Wow, very beautiful hills and a stunning photography… Keep up the good work and enjoy travelling.
Amazing view and beauty! The hills look very similar to if you go towards Madnapalle in AP from Bangalore. 🙂
Such lovely pictures, Divsi! The greenery around the mountains and the blue skies are complementing each other so very well. Thanks for the virtual tour! 🙂
Thanks Saumya 🙂 The place is indeed very beautiful 🙂 Treat for any photographer!
Beautiful ! I’m a nature lover and this place seems just perfect for me, next time when I plan a trip here, I know where to get the required info from 😉
Beautiful picturization… many just viist temple and go back, without noticing the nature..
The waterfalls is Talakona?
Much Beautiful Photos… i am highly impressed with your writing skills..kep it up…
nice article……….keep it up…
Just what I felt….the journey from foothills to the Tirumala is mindblowing….the serenity and stunning beauty of the Tirumala hills are truly mesmerizing…wish the TTD could do justice to the pilgrims for harrowing experience they offer after such a journey
Beautiful. I was hoping for a little more detail on the breakfast at Woody’s 🙂