Thirupathi Trip

  Most people, in India, will know about Thirupathi. That’s a famous temple up on a hill in AP. Rumor has it that it is the second richest holy place in the world, next only to Vatican. Rich, because of the offerings of the many devotees who throng the temple each day. To get to the main deity, on your worst day, there could be a wait time of 72 hours! Considering that we were pretty lucky! Had to wait only for 6 hours in a room that resembled a cage!

  My friend and I took a package tour to Thirupathi from Bangalore. I learnt an important lesson on how package tours work. They often hide facts! We were told in the beginning that it would cost us about Rs. 1100 for the entire trip, which is inclusive of a room for four hours at a restaurant, breakfast and lunch. After that we were to have Dharshan (face to face with the main deity) and head back to Bangalore.

  Well so much for the plan. What actually happened is the following. After four hours at the restaurant they told us that before the Dharshan they would take us to another place. For this trip we have to pay!! So we asked them what happens if we don’t go for that. They said that cannot be done because there is nowhere else they can put us up during that time. So we went paying the extra money.

  Once back they said there is further delay and we will have to take up a room at the hotel. If we don’t we would have to sit in the bus or by the highway as the dharshan is delayed. So we were forced to pay for this too.

  Numerous hidden expenditure such as the ones specified is included in almost every package tour, weather it’s a one day trip to the zoo or a round trip around the world. What you need to do before embarking on such a trip is to find out if someone else has taken the same trip and the experience they have had.