HH Chinna Jeeyar’s Thirumala Pada Yathra ... A recount by Dr. Chitra MadhavanJi

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Asmath Gurubhyo Namaha

Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha

 

HH Chinna Jeeyar’s Thirumala Pada Yathra

 

Wednesday Nov 23rd 2005 a day to be remembered in history, which was the day

the largest group of people gathered at the foot hills of Thirupathi with the

sole purpose of accompanying their Acharya HH SriSriSri Tridandi Srimannarayana

Chinna Ramanuja Jeeyar Swami on a Pada Yathra to Thirumala (after a two year

absence). There had been millions gathered in the past to get dharshan of the

Lord of the seven Hills, but never as a large group. Most of the readers would

know the reason for HH’s absence from Thirumala Hills. To remind others, the

Thousand pillar Mundapam (a large hall supported by 1000 pillars) which was

built over 500 year’s ago was demolished and turned to pieces for improvements

near the Temple. HH along with the support of His devotees tried to rectify the

happenings and return Thirumala Hills to its old glory. After a lot of

enquiries, and committees which conducted interviews, unanimous decision was

made by the wise members of TTD Board to rebuild

the Thousand Pillar Mundapam, and not to add an extra prakaram. This is a hard

won battle, for both histories and HH who was supported by hundreds of

thousands of devotees who wrote “OM NAMO VENKATESAYA” daily, and out of 1100

plus crores already 900 plus crores had been reached.

 

HH and His Acharya Seva Yathra group started from Guntoor on that morning after

finishing their daily rituals (which included Ramayana Parayanam, Homam and

Purnahathi), around 10:00 am by road towards Thirupathi. The other devotees

were already starting to gather at the foot hills by different modes of

transportation which included trains, planes, buses, cars, walking etc. Heavy

rains, damaged roads, broken bridges by floods didn’t deter the devotees from

joining their dearly loved Acharya on this holy mission i.e.: accompany HH on

His Pada Yathra to Thirumala from Alampiri. People from all walks of life

joined HH, both young and old, male and female, able and disabled, locals and

foreigners; there was no differentiation of caste or creed. All were there for

the sole purpose of serving their Acharya, who had shared the pain of the

happenings at Thirumala and this was a way of celebration and thank the Lord in

person for His grace.

 

The initial view of Thirumala Hills was breath taking; nature was putting on a

majestic show to welcome HH and His devotees. The peak of the Hills was covered

with clouds, and underneath it, the forests were lush green, with a number of

cascading falls jumping from top to bottom, it almost looked like milk was

flowing, (the contrast of green and heavy falls which made water look like

milk), thus painting a stunning portrait. Once we reached the foot hills it was

a sight to behold! The place was filled with ocean of faces, and the atmosphere

was charged with energy. Everyone was craning their neck to see the arrival of

their beloved Acharya and turning with disappointment when the vehicles were

arriving without HH. This crowd could be compared to “SriVaikunta Ekadasi in

SriRangam, Brahmothsavam in Thirumala, Garuda Seva at Kanchi or Vairamudi Seva

at Melkote, with the great difference being that people are gathered here for

their venerated Acharya HH Chinna Jeeyar Swami.

 

After getting the grace of divine mother Padmavathi Thayar HH and His group

arrived at the foot Hills and crowd’s joy was unparallel, the noise was

deafening with chantings of “Jai Srimannarayana” and “Govinda”. It was felt

Lord Srimannarayana from above could hear and feel the enthusiasm of the crowd.

HH was welcomed by EO and few other members of the TTD board, and after

answering questions by the media HH briefly addressed the gathered devotees and

started the PADA YATHRA. The emotion felt by everyone at that time was one of

profound joy, commitment and devotion. With people crying, laughing and singing

it was a sight that only could be witnessed and not expressed in words. When HH

started the climb, The Lord of the Seven Hills welcomed His favorite son by

sending Varuna Deva with intermittent showers (to cool the steps) and it felt

like Perumal Himself was shedding joyous tears in the form of rain to receive

His long lost child and at times even He got too emotional by shedding heavy

happy tears of rain.

 

Accompanied by thousands of devotees the Pada Yathra with HH is unforgettable.

During the climb HH was tireless, chanting Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam

continuously. When people got tired and sat out His kind smile and encouraging

words were enough to recharge their sagging body and boost their system. The

climbers on the way up, saw deer’s roaming, peacocks dancing and monkeys

jumping and it felt like, that by keeping the devotees entertained they were

also participating in the Pada Yathra. They also passed a number of falls and

throughout the journey the steps were constantly kept cool by flowing water. HH

and a handful of devotees stopped at all the Temples on the way to pay their

respects. Ambulances and first aid services were available along the climb and

though a handful needed some attention, nobody needed hospitalization.

 

The Pada Yathra took about 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete for HH and most

of the devotees, though some took a little bit longer. At the end of their

Yathra everyone was totally drenched, but they all had a blissful smile on

their face, (it was a great feat to accomplish). After paying respects to

SriRama Sthupam and Veda Vedya Sthupm, HH along with His devotees proceeded to

Sri Lakshmi Varaha Sannidhi (who was the presiding deity of Thirumala Hills

until Lord Srinivasa came down). By now all the devotees have arrived at

Thirumala (either by walk or vehicles) and along with HH everyone entered

Vaikuntum Q complex, where including HH all gathered purchased Rs.100 ticket

and all the devotees of Lord Srinivasa was allowed to walk the lines without

wait. TTD board and committees were kind enough to stop the other visitors for

a little bit of time, so that HH and His devotees can get dharshan of the Lord.

 

Eventually HH was escorted to the inner sanctum of Lord Venkateshwara where HH

waited for all His devotees to get dharshan of the Lord. It was really a

blessing to see the Lord and Acharya at the same time. Afterwards HH went

around the sannidhi and paid obeisance to Swami Ramanuja who holds the esteemed

post of Acharya to the Lord Himself. By now it is 9:00pm and HH and the

devotees are still in their wet soggy clothes, but they all have radiance

around their faces, and HH’s happiness had no bounds.

 

By now most of the devotees are starting to depart. HH went to the mutt to give

Mangalasasanams to the mutt employees and the other devotees gathered there and

left for Tondawada (near Chandragiri) to finish second half of Ramayana

Parayanam and Homam which He completed around 2:30 am. Words are inadequate to

explain the ecstasy and profound joy felt by all gathered to do the Yathra with

HH.

 

HH was also accompanied by few other Jeeyars namely, HH Vrathadhara Ramanuja

Jeeyar of Hyderabad and HH Ahobhilam Ramanuja Jeeyar. No words can express the

gratitude the devotees feel for some of the organizers of the Yathra, namely

Sri Rameshwara Rao, Smt Ananda Kumari, Sri Ramachandra Reddy, Sri Rama Rao, Sri

Thirukoshtiyur Madhavan and other members of JET and VikasaTharangini,

employees of the mutt who worked tirelessly to feed the hungry, and give

shelter, and last but not least employees of TTD to make this Pada Yathra event

an unforgettable one.

 

To conclude one can’t definitely conclude who was the happiest………………………

1) Is it Lord Srinivasa to see HH after a two year absence?

2) Is it HH to see Lord of the Seven Hills accompanied by His devotees?

3) Is it the devotees to see HH return to Thirumala and have dharshan of

the Lord and Acharya at the same time/

 

Adiyen would definitely vote for the third and am sure that all the devotees

would agree whole heartedly.

 

After the Yathra was over Adiyen had an opportunity to interview HH about this

Yathra. HH said that because of His heavy schedules He couldn’t visit Thirumala

Hills and during Acharya Seva Yathra, He happened to pass through Thirupathi,

He added Thirumala to His agenda.

 

When asked about the unusual sight of the Seven Hills and the falls, HH got

misty and quoted few songs from Azhvar Divya Prabhandam “Vinneela MelAppu”

(cloud covered Hills), “Kulir Aruvi”, “aruvi chor Venkatam”, and “Thennirai

chunai neer ThiruVenkatathu”. He went on to explain that never in His previous

visits had He seen such a sight with all the tanks filled, and many falls

flowing. Having been contaminated by a lot of sins The Lord of the Seven Hills

is washing them away with water. HH also said that on the way up, all the steps

were filled with gushing water that was more than ankle high and during the

month of Karthi where all the Devas visit Thiruparkadal, He said, that was how

it felt, wading through foamy waters that took on a look of milk. HH also

wanted to let all the devotees know that though only a few could join Him on

this Yathra He carried all of us in His heart and He sends Mangalasasanams to

one all.

 

Azhvar Emperumanaar Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam.

Chinna Jeeyar Thiruvadigale Saranam.

Adiyen Chitra Ramanuja Dasi