I am back here. After taking a break for sometime, it is time to document the most hectic of all the travels I have had in the past year or more. A full week of travel without proper food, sleep and a clogged mind, most of all. Some events happen out of the planned schedule and this time, as usual they were here uninvited. Right from the start, it was always a very demanding journey. With the Moon in the waning phase, there would be a lot of physical exertion as well. So, how did it go?
The journey began with a sleepless night behind and thus, the start was postponed from morning to evening of the 30th of November. I had fallen asleep till evening and it was a race against the clock to reach you. I had picked up my baggage and this time it was time for my trusted companion to take me nonstop to you from the place of departure. With signs of a clogged fuel pump, I took it easy on the ghat section and once out on the flat terrain, it was a piece of cake to reach you before midnight of the same day, err... same night to be specific. Just an hour before midnight, I was doing my routine near you and Voila!, you made the visit to altar exactly at the same time. That gave me a great sense of joy despite the journey ahead.
This journey was already a week late. I had to start by the beginning of the week and the ticket I had booked had to be ignored with a heavy heart pulling me down altogether on the 26th, November just minutes before departure. After efforts to pull myself together, it was happening now and I had begun the journey with a bang. Now, I had a couple of hours to start my travel without the 'lorry'. I hurried back to the place where the 'lorry' would be parked and I took a quick shower and was all set for the day long trip to Tirumala Tirupati.
I waited till 2A.M to give some rest to my back and sort out my luggage and set out to take the bus with the fog covering everything and the night so dark and everyone spending it sleeping peacefully. I had taken only four hours of sleep in the past 48 hours now. I could sense my eyes becoming tightened and the vision becoming a lot more strained. I had reached the usual boarding point and owing to the excellent bunch of fools who handle the governance in this state, I had to spend another two full hours trying to figure out where the bus starts to Tirupati. Even the staff had no idea and they suggested me to travel 50Kms from this city to try and catch a bus plying through. So, I spent a full hour standing in the fog as it began to dawn and the daylight emerged slowly and I was spending that hour reminiscing of the family visit to the temple last year that we made in the month of October to the family deity.
By the time I was done living the experience, a bus was making its way through the traffic. All the seats were taken and that did not stop me from taking the bus. I spent the next hour travelling with the cold breeze adding to the irritation to my eyes. By now, fatigue had set in and the moment I got a seat, I was fast asleep and when I opened my eyes, it was time to alight and proceed to the first temple. After a refreshing face wash at the temple tank, I got the best of all darshans at the temple and had a sumptuous breakfast to prepare myself for the hillclimb ahead. By 11:45A.M, I was standing totally confused at the foot of the hills because the tokens for the day were expended before Noon and that meant I had to spend another day to visit Tirumala. To return back was never an option, not in my books.
A friendly cop elaborated on a new system that could let me visit the temple on the same day. It was an important and a very important day for you. 1st, December. Yes, to know its significance, you can refer to the DM at IG, Bubbles \(^_^)/. *Winks* So, I made a quick visit to the temples at the foot of the hills and rushed to the spot to see if I could grab a token for darshan on the same day. It just happened. I had a token for 7P.M darshan. I felt elated. All the fatigue had faded and the divine presence made me feel all pumped to hurry through the hillclimb. A full 10 to 14Kms across seven hills, by walk. Ah, I have done this 85+ times in the past seven years during my 100+ visits to this temple.
I took one step at a time and completed the first 2000 steps in just an hour. I had a full 6 hours left and I was careful not to over-exert myself and find myself dehydrated during darshan. I took amla, lemon soda with glucose and loads of drinking water. The next six hours went trekking the hills and every person I saw appeared like you, I even had visuals of you smiling and walking along with me. That kept me going. The last 500 steps were left out. I usually climb the Mokaala Parvatham with my knees. I went on and climbed the 100 steps with my knees and it was one of the most energetic and fastest climbs ever. I must admit, this part will pain a lot. But, the significance of the day and your presence around me, it gave me the superhuman feel.
By 7P.M, I had entered the temple premises and it was only by 2 A.M, I could finish all the proceedings and have my dinner. I was leaving Tirumala Tirupati with a battered physique but a refreshed mind. As 2nd, December was dawning, I was back to the place where it all happened. Then, I rushed to the 'lorry' and took a full day's rest to recover from the fatigue. After few hours, I realised I had to be careful with my left leg for the remainder of the journey as it was giving me some troubles even if disturbed slightly. A visit to the astrologer to know about your horoscope had to be cancelled partly because he was not available and partly because I was not in full fitness. 3rd December went towards 'lorry''s general checkup and the entire day was spent at the service centre. By the time I had mounted myself to start the return journey, it had begun to rain and to add to my woes, I had to be double careful not to lose sight of the potholes on the highway. I waited till darkness emerged to have the full effect of the headlamps and the 'lorry' was feeling at home running this stretch with ease.
At a lonely cafe on the highway, I usually spend some time during these trips to analyse, evaluate and discover so many things in Life from the city behind me and the city ahead of me. It makes me feel more lonely because, my Love is one side and other family members are on the other and I am spending the entire night stuck in between. Every time I see the 'lorry' beside me at that hour, it takes me closer sentimentally. I had a dinner to attend by 9P.M but my clogged mind kept me seated in the cafe for longer than expected. I cancelled my presence at the dinner and sat back and spent the youth of the night with thoughts about us. It has been a year now. I know you are busy preparing for your exams. I had informed of delivering a final punch but, I will keep quiet now for your exams to get over. I spend my days away from the altar and the nights I stay awake so that I will keep the words at a minimum and not give you any distraction. By far, the most hectic travel I have ever had. Five different days, five different places.
29, Nov- Bengaluru
30,Nov- Chennai
1, Dec- Tirupati
2, Dec- Chennai
3, Dec- Bengaluru
So, that is how those five days had kept me switching places. As for now, trying to recover from the leg injury so that I have to be ready for a lot more of travel in this month as well. As for you, I hope you are done preparing and you have started revising. If possible, I will see you soon. *Triple Winks* -rPhoenix
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