Spriritual trip. Review on Tirupati

Since we could not get booking in any train from Mumbai we had taken the night train which reached early at 12.15 am at Renigunta. We had done the darshan (50/-) booking and 1 day room at top (100/-) and 1 day room at the ST stand (down) (200/-) in advance from Matunga. We took a bus from the station but were not aware that the gates to start the uphill journey opens only at 3.00 am. Our bus reached the gate at around 1.00 am where there was already a long queue of buses and four wheelers but we had to sit in our bus till 3.00 am. This was the worst part as there are no toilets, no vendors, etc.near the gate and kids and ladies had to wait for 2 hrs on the road after already spending a night in the train.

My request to TTDS would be that let people wait at the station where atleast they have all the facilities and start the bus from the station only after 2.00 am so that they do not have to wait near the gate. We had no option because for the first day we had done the room booking uphill. Finally we reached the top at 3.45 am and got a room at Rambageecha (supposed to be the best). We had a nice sleep and got up for the darshan which slot was from 10 to 11 hrs. All the arrangement including security is excellant and without any goof-ups and unnecessary harassment to tourist. We got a darshan after 2 and a half hrs. which was really a satisfying one. After taking laddoos (4 for Rs.100) we proceeded to rest and in the evening went downhill and checked-in at Srinivasan (Trust). I was apprehensive of booking cheap rooms but all my fears were set to rest as all the rooms of the trust are very neat and clean including the bathrooms which I cannot compromise with.

The bedsheets and pillows are spic and span. Because of time constrains we could not go anywhere for sightseeing. Had our dinner at a restaurant on the groundfloor which was dirt cheap for the quality and quantity they served. Would advice all to book the rooms and darshan in advance to avoid hassles after reaching and to take midnight train only if you are booking a room downhill for that night or have a sleepless night on the roads.