My Yatra Diary...

A Melbourne Halloween And An Indian Diwali!

Arti October 31, 2013

The street was lined with a row of houses – one after another. But what was the use? All the doors were closed. Giving the street a deserted look. Not a single soul in picture. I was walking but I had lost my way. I needed someone whom I could ask for directions. A few more paces and finally, there was some noise. One of the doors had just creaked open. A lady, w…

My Yatra Diary... Goes Melbourne!

Arti October 19, 2013

“The chance which seems lost may present itself at the last moment" – Jules Verne, Around the World in Eighty Days From where should I start this piece? It’s difficult to catch a reference point for some articles, some days. Hmm... let me try. ... It’s been one whole entire year to get to where I am now. Since winning the coveted all expenses pa…

Tirupati Balaji Temple - Where Wishes Come True AND The Cry Of Govinda!

Arti October 15, 2013

It’s a sun dappled afternoon, 1 pm on the clock, and with our darshan slated for 2 hrs. from now, that is, for 3 pm, we are well on time. The Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam (TTD) trust (responsible for administering the place and they do it efficiently!) managed state bus starts with a sudden jerk and a chorused cry of ‘Govinda Govinda’ erupts out of the window. …

Where to stay in Tirupati: ISKCON Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Arti October 07, 2013

Tired from the overnight train journey from Kannur to Tirupati via Chennai, it came as a huge relief when we finally cooled our heels and unpacked our luggage in the room of ISKCON Temple, Tirupati . Entrance to ISKCON Temple in Tirupati What added to our joy were the sights and the ambiance of the location that we were greeted to: Spacious complex al…