Tirupati – Kalahasthi

 Day 1 – Tirupati Temples

Our trip commenced as we reached Tirupati railway station,We directly went to ISKCON Tirupati, where we were staying. The room view was nothing less than incredible — the grand ISKCON temple in front and the tranquil Tirumala hills was priceless. Such a backdrop makes you overlook anything else.

We cleaned up and went to Guru Pooja at the temple, a wonderfully grounding experience to begin the day. Following a fulsome South Indian breakfast, our intention was to go to the local temples.

We started at the Kapileshwara Swamy Temple, the lone Shiva temple in Tirupati, situated at the foot of the hills with a holy waterfall running nearby. We then went to the Padmavathi Ammavaru Temple in Tiruchanur, the divine consort of Lord Venkateswara — one is said to have to first take her blessings in order to visit Tirumala.

Then, we went to the Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple, where Lord Rama is prayed to along with Sita and Lakshmana, and Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Temple in Srinivasa Mangapuram — sacred for newlywed couples and those who seek marriage.

We went back to ISKCON for lunch and rest, after which we took a serene evening walk about Tirupati's streets before we concluded the day with a visit to the stunning Govindaraja Swamy Temple, one of Tirupati's biggest temple complexes. Then we dined out for dinner and called it a day.

 

Day 2 – To Tirumala

The day of waiting — darshan at Tirumala. We climbed the sacred hills and settled into our place of stay. Having 4:30 PM darshan, we spent the day discovering the divinely infused atmosphere of Tirumala. The air itself was divine, peace was tangible, and the weather provided an overlay of bliss.

We explored a couple of temples prior to the main darshan:

•          Varaha Swamy Temple, where the Lord gave land to Venkateswara.

•           Sri Krishna Swamy Temple, a quaint, tiny temple with strong vibrations.

•           Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple, where the fierce but protective Lord bestows courage and clarity upon devotees.

And then there was Vengamamba Annadana Satram — my favorite. Oh, how I missed that prasadam! The usual menu of sambar, rasam, coconut chutney, curry, and a sweet was like a hug. Nothing can match that temple food — both in terms of taste and energy it bears.

Finally, the moment — darshan of Lord Venkateswara. The waiting, the surrender — all of it melted away as we stood before the Lord of the Seven Hills. That moment… it's difficult to put into words. It was approximately 8 PM when we sat outside the temple, absorbing it all — the golden lights, the Govinda chants all around, the air. It was timeless.

 

Day 3 – Mada Streets & Kalahasthi Call

We got up early and proceeded close to the temple grounds for a pradakshina along the Mada streets. The background hill, the quiet surrounding, and the morning breeze made it contemplative. We attended the morning aarthi at Krishna Temple, remained silent for a bit, chanting, imbibing everything around us.

And naturally — breakfast once more at Vengamamba. Because why not make the most of it while we were there?

We had a good amount of time before we could board our train so we thought — to go to Sri Kalahasteeswara Temple, which was hardly 2 hours from Tirumala,Tirupati. We packed up and left by 11:30 AM.

          

Situated by the banks of River Swarnamukhi, Sri Kalahasti is one of the most significant Pancha Bhoota Sthalams that symbolize the air element (Vayu). The lord, Lord Shiva as Kalahasteeswara, is revered here in a self-manifested state. Standing next to him is Sri Gnanaprasunambika Devi, the merciful goddess.

One of the rare aspects of this temple is the Graha Dosha Nivarana Pooja, which is conducted for individuals suffering from Rahu–Ketu doshas, Sarpa dosha, and other planetary diseases. Worshippers from all over India visit for the ritual, and it's said to bring tremendous relief and clarity.

The interiors of the temple seemed old, strong, and mystically full. The Jyotirlinga replicas, the fine carvings, and the stillness inside took us back in time. The darshan was without hassle, not crowded, and most fulfilling. Having enjoyed pulihora and vada prasadam, we headed back to the station for our return home.

 

A Trip Beyond Time

Tirupati and Kalahasthi are not pilgrimages alone — they're pilgrimages within. From the early morning chants of ISKCON to darshan of Lord of the Hills, from calm of Mada streets to energy of Kalahasteeswara Swami Temple this journey was a lovely mix of bhakti, spontaneity, and surrender.

At times, memories are created best on roads traveled by faith.