Udayastanam Darshan at Tirupati

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We had been to Tirupati for Darshan. We were  fortunate to get Udayastanam darshan. We  could sit in the temple for forty minutes for the Morning Puja. Udayastanam means from Suryoday to Suryaast i.e. from sunrise to sunset. This Darshan does not find mention in the official website. At Tirumala, everything is pretty systematic and computerised. Darshans can be booked online. If I try to book for Udaystanam now, my chance in the queue will come after 40 years or so, they say. Lovely weather in Tirumala in early April. Spring had just set in. The flowers were blooming on most trees. The hill top is so clean and so green in spite of the construction of guesthouses and marriage halls for the pilgrims. Its an auspicious place to have a wedding. I thought it was a beautiful place to get married. I have been thrice earlier and I can definitely say that the place has not deteriorated. They have improved it over the years. Thank God and all those people who are working well. Saturday is the auspicious day for Lord Balaji. Lot of people do not wear shoes the whole day. I remembered in Jharia, we never bought shoes on a Saturday and no hair cuts or shaving for men on Saturdays. We did not cut nails on Saturdays. It is Shani Bhagwan's day is what Bai, our grandmother, used to tell us.

In the line for Suprabhatam, all were chanting the prayers 'Suprabhatam shlokas' and most had carried a book to read it from. At this time the curtain is put near the Garbh Griha. The Pandits or the priests are taking water in silver pots to the main shrine. There is lot of movement of priests and musicians who carry things inside for the Morning Puja of  opening the temple gates, lighting the lamps, waking up the Deity etc. Three keys to the main shrine opened by three different personnel from different departments. A fascinating movement with celebratory live band which escorts all the priests inside. While Suprabhatam is chanted, the curtains are there on the main shrine. After Suprabhatam, the 300 pilgrims are allowed to visit inside for Darshan. I was towards the end of the room and could not see if the curtains had opened and could one see the Deity.  The joy is to be able to see the Lord in the Garbh Griha with only oil lamps shining. And as one walks the distance of the crowded room, one keeps looking at the Lord. There is no question of closing your eyes. The vision is so divine that you might miss it if you shut your eyes. Slowly as we weave in with the pilgrims, the view of the Deity becomes clearer and brighter.

I tapped a man to my right who was more in the centre of the room. I wanted to know if from this distance, He could see the main Idol of Lord Venkateshwara. For Suprabhatam, all men wear the traditional white South Indian Mundu and Veshti, Lungi with shirts and an 'angvastram'.  This man was dressed in the traditional way and had just shaved his head.Men and women donate their hair before darshan. They go bald at Tirumala before they come for darshan. It is a belief. He had a small boy with him. When I tapped his shoulders, both turned to look at me. The small boy could not understand Hindi and had wide innocent eyes. He, of course, could not see anything except the silk saree of the lady ahead of him. I looked up at the man and asked him my question. And then I looked at him. The man was blind. The young child was his guide. My question was out of my mouth. I could not take it back. I saw him. God touched me that time. I was quiet for once. All thoughts were wiped out in his one look.I was shaken to the core. I did not even realise that my eyes were moist and my throat was choked. I could feel Bhakti all around me. I could see life all around me and in all its facets.

Grateful for the Darshan and to the people who made this Darshan possible for us. 

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