In this age of Kaliyuga, our scriptures remind us that nāma sankirtana—chanting the divine name—is the simplest and most powerful path for inner upliftment. With that sacred conviction, our Sri Venkatesh Bhajana Mandali was founded fifty years ago. For five decades, every Saturday without break, the divine name has been sung with devotion. As part of our golden jubilee year, we undertook a spiritual yatra to Tirupati with more than 80+ people. What we experienced there cannot be described as just a journey—it was a living wave of devotion.
Organizing this trip involved advance planning, booking train tickets, online darshan tickes and accomodation, transportation etc for over 80+ people. We also visited Padmavati temple and Govindaraja Patna temple. Humble Gratitude to the organizers for great effort and coordination and the members for making this huge success. May Lord Venkateshwara bless us all. 🙏
One of the most intense parts of the yatra was walking barefoot from the foothills to the top of Tirumala. Nearly 3,750 steep steps, stretching across around 10 kilometers. The climb was not easy. The stone steps tested our strength. The legs grew tired, the breath became heavy. Yet the continuous chanting of “Srinivasa Govinda… Venkatesha Govinda…” carried us forward. People of all ages walked together—young, elderly, families—each step offered as prayer. Along the path, we saw statues of the Dashavatara and revered saints, silently reminding us of dharma and surrender. Gentle wild deer appeared along the greenery, adding to the sacred beauty of the journey. The entire path felt alive with divine presence.
As we climbed, we began to understand how pilgrims of old undertook long journeys with only faith as their support. The Lord’s name became our strength. Whenever the body felt weak, chanting gave new energy. There was chaitanya in every step. When we finally reached the top, there was deep joy—not merely because the climb ended, but because we felt inwardly cleansed and uplifted.
But what happened inside the temple complex was even more powerful.
While waiting patiently for darshan, something extraordinary unfolded. Without planning, without instruments, without books or microphones, one voice began a bhajan. Another joined. Within moments, our entire group was singing. One bhajan flowed into another—full of devotion, depth, and surrender. The divine names echoed strongly yet sweetly. It was not performance. It was offering.
The atmosphere became electric. Our voices rose with emotion. The rhythm united our breathing. The melody dissolved our individuality. Gradually, we were no longer seventy separate people—we became one collective heart calling out to the Lord. Around us, hundreds of devotees stopped, sat down, and listened. Some closed their eyes in tears. Some joined softly. Some folded their hands in silence. It felt as though even the temple walls were absorbing the vibration.
As we sang, something transformed within. The mind became still. Worries faded. The ego loosened its hold. A blissful energy rose from within—so pure that the body felt light, almost ready to dance. There were moments when tears flowed without reason. It was not sadness. It was fullness. In that state, there was no singer and no listener. There was only devotion. We were not waiting to see the Lord—He was already present in that collective chanting.
That spontaneous bhajan experience became the true celebration of our golden jubilee. It reminded us that sincere devotion needs no arrangement. When the Lord’s name is sung with unity and surrender, the heart itself becomes Tirumala. Step by step on the hill, and song by song in the temple, we felt carried by His grace—until devotion itself became the destination.
#tirupatitrip #SriVenkateshwara #SVBM #SriBalaji
