Tirupati to Tirumala drive

Tirupati is the town located at the base of Tirumala or Seven Hills which is the abode of Lord Venkateswara or Venkatachalapathi or Balaji as he is known in North India. We left the TTD Guest House Vishnu Nivasam - Tirupati  at 6.00 am. We embarked in a Toyota Innova seven seater station wagon.In a short while we reached the Sapthagiri check post which is the entry point to the ghat road for Tirumala. Pilgrims are asked to disembark while the car undergoes a thorough check. Baggage undergoes screening and pilgrims subjected to body check. Vehicles have a pay a toll fee depending on the classification of the vehicle. The fee receipt is computer issued and reflects the Registration number of the vehicle and the time of departure. To avoid over speeding and rash driving vehicles are timed when they report to Tirumala check post. If they have clocked in before 28 minutes the drivers are penalized and the vehicle confiscated. Such a rule has a sobering effect on all drivers and they make sure that do not complete the 15 Kms ascent up the ghat road in less than 28 minutes. A most brilliant and innovative rule. The drive was cool comfortable and picturesque.  Once we reached Tirumala we drove straight to "Sarangi" restaurant for break fast of idli/vada/dosa and coffee.All picture credits to Samsung Galaxy Smartphone :)

Clicked at 6.am at Vishnu Nivasam before departure for Tirumala - wife and son in the middle flanked by my friend and his wife. Yours truly was clicking the picture.

Sunrise at Tirupati

Sapthagiri Checkpost

One must be careful to carry sufficient fuel in the tank

Massive well equipped and fully computerized check post

Toll Rates

View of Sapthagiri Hills from Checkpost

Breakfast point