When I heard about the recent controversy surrounding the Tirumala Laddu, I felt deeply saddened. I’m not sure if the allegations are true or not, and it's best to leave that to the law to decide. However, as someone who holds deep faith in God, it is painful to see something so sacred to us becoming part of a public dispute. Only God knows who is responsible and why. For me, the Tirumala Laddu is more than just prasadam. It invokes cherished memories from my childhood. I can still vividly recall my visits to Tirumala as a child and many times since then as an adult. Each visit has always been a family affair, with at least seven or eight of us traveling together. The excitement I felt knowing I would be on a train the next day is indescribable.
We would wake up around 6 AM, although our parents had been up since 3 AM, busy with all the packing. By 5:30 AM, we would be at the train station, even though the train wasn’t due until 9 AM! Waiting never mattered to us children—we were captivated by the trains passing by, buying snacks, playing together, and constantly peering at the tracks, wondering when our train would arrive.
When the train finally pulled in, our parents would have to fight for seats, as reservations weren't available back then. My father always ensured we all had seats, and as a large group, we would occupy an entire section of the compartment. The journey was magical—sitting by the window, gazing at the passing landscapes, marveling at how vast the world seemed. We would enjoy home-cooked food and snacks, while the adults passed the time with conversation. By 8 PM, we would arrive in Tirupati, but the real adventure had only just begun.
Carrying our luggage, we’d walk from the station to the choultry, where we would wait in long lines for free rooms. We’d spend one night in Tirupati and head to Tirumala the next day. The sight of the seven hills always made me feel as if I had entered a different world. As the bus slowly climbed the winding roads, we’d stare out into the dense Seshachalam forests, always hoping to spot a tiger—though one never appeared.
Upon reaching Tirumala, there would be another long wait for rooms, but we didn’t mind. The atmosphere was incredible. Devotional songs dedicated to Lord Venkateswara played everywhere, and it felt like we were in a spiritual sanctuary. At night, we’d sit by the roadside, soaking in the chanting and the constant hum of pilgrims—some who had traveled thousands of kilometers, carrying their children and heavy luggage—just for a brief glimpse of the deity. The sheer devotion that drives people to stand in queues for days, all for a momentary darshan of the Lord, is awe-inspiring.
After the darshan, the next challenge was getting our hands on the famous Tirumala Laddu. As a child, I remember it being large, dripping with ghee, and packed with nuts. No other sweet compares to the taste of the Tirupati Laddu because we believe it’s not just food—it’s a blessing from God. I can still recall having darshan in the early morning hours and savoring the Laddu at 3 AM, an unforgettable experience.
However, during my recent visit to Tirumala, I noticed many changes. There are now countless new buildings surrounding the temple, and the forests are being cleared to make way for more roads and cottages. While I understand the need to provide better infrastructure for the growing number of devotees, I feel uneasy about this expansion at the cost of the Seshachalam forests. I fear that if this continues, Tirumala will lose its unique spiritual essence and become just another city filled with concrete buildings.
Tirumala should remain a sacred place where people can find spiritual strength, a place where families can bond, and a sanctuary for the entire Hindu community to feel the divine presence of God.
I hope that Tirumala remains sacred for countless generations to come, preserving its sanctity and serenity for all who seek solace in its spiritual embrace.
Om Namo Venkateshwara Namaha
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