Feb 26, 2013 09:26 PM
27167 Views
I went to Tirupati on 22nd Feb 2013 .Intent of writing this review is not to bring out my frustration but to make sure that others don't get tortured with rajesh travels. I have been to tirupati multiple times and every time through APSRTC only. This is the first time I have gone through their package (1650/-).
It has been a worst experience so far. Will write my experience in chronological order so that it will cover all good and bad things.
My pick up was at 9:45 from Tin factory and bus came on time .
Bus was ok . APSRTS bus was more cleaner though RT (rajesh travels) has provided a bottle of water and blanket.
We reached tirupathi at 2:30 AM and were given a room to freshen up . We were asked to come back in 30 minutes. Just imagine how is it possible for two persons to freshen up and take bath in 30 minutes . (APSRTC in my ealier trips have provided atleast 1 hour). RT has multiple buses coming from Bangalore in half an hour diff and they want to make sure that not a single group will take more than 30 minutes . Room doesn't even has washbasin so its really difficult for 2 people to get ready in 30 mins.
They provided breakfast - Idli , Vada , Pogal . You were not allowed to take team with break fast . only after finishing breakfast you can have tea (This is what the idiot who was serving breakfast told me.)
After this we realized that they have NOT purchased our darshan ticket (which is something was told at the time of booking ) . They given us our 300rs back and asked us to stand in a line to purchase a ticket. APSRTC has never done this, they purchase tickets well in adnace for you and their guide will even collect laddus for you . Here you have to collect ticket and then manage everything yourself.
We started in ticket line at 5:30 AM and got our ticket at 8:45 AM . I reached to familiar spot from where I used to enetr at 8:50 that means if these guys wud have kep their promise then my 3 hours wud not have been wasted.
Ok finally I completed darshan and collected laddus by 10 AM. Then we started back at 11:30 to tirupati town.
After reaching town driver stopped the vehicle on road without any reason after some time we found out that since he want us to take for lunch and there is no seating available as other batch of pilgrims is having lunch at their hotel hence we were waiting . Again wasted 30 minutes.
We reached hotel for lunch , it was ok lunch , only plates were provided no bowls, spoons for dal , sambhar and curry . Reason "We have 5000 people coming daily and who will wash utensils" . So ultimately they made mess of the plate.
After having one chapati I asked went for refill and that guy simply refused . "You can have only one chapati if you are still hungry eat rice" . Ok after this ridiculous excuse I gone ahead with rice (which I don't eat). He put rice and some daal over it , I went again and asked if he can put some more daal they said "Finish what you have in your plate then only you are allowed to take more food" . This is the most bulllshit experience I had after a long tired morning.
Ok after all this nonsense we went to padmavati and driver told that since we are getting late you should purchase special darshan ticket work 100 so we can finish in 30 minutes . (Because of thier mistake we got late).
After finishing darshan we boarded our bus and thought that we will start for bangalore but to our surpriser he took us to Tirupati Bus stand and made bus stand there for 40 minutes .(Reason - there were some emply seats in bus and some pilgrims want to stay back in tirupati and hence they want to fill them with bangalore passengers and make quick buck out of it ) .Again wasted our time.
Overall had worse experience and will NOT RECOMMEND to anyone. APSRTS & KSRTC are far better (as they don't have vested interests). They charge some 50 rs extra and will not provide you food but thats ok . You will not have to go through torture and you will save your time when you are damn tired.
Such a shame ...
