The sacred atmosphere of Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, took on a profoundly mystical quality at dawn today as a blanket of dense fog descended upon the hill town. The sudden and heavy mist enveloped the ghat roads leading up to the temple and the temple surroundings, drastically reducing visibility and creating a truly enchanting, yet challenging, start to the day for thousands of devotees.
Travel Advisory on Ghat Roads
The thick fog caused visibility to drop significantly, particularly along the winding ghat roads that serve as the main arteries for pilgrims travelling from Tirupati to Tirumala.
- Low Visibility: Motorists were compelled to slow down to a crawl, navigating the hairpin bends with extreme caution due to the near-zero visibility conditions.
- TTD Advisory: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials promptly issued an advisory, urging drivers of cars, buses, and two-wheelers to be extra vigilant and use fog lights to ensure pilgrim safety.
- Safety Measures: Vigilance and engineering staff were reportedly placed on alert to manage the slow-moving traffic and prevent any untoward incidents.
Temple in the Mist
The area immediately surrounding the Sri Venkateswara Temple also experienced a surreal transformation, with the dense fog shrouding the tall gopurams (temple towers) and the inner precincts in an ethereal haze.
- Mystical Aura: The low temperatures and the dense, moist air added a unique charm to the already serene environment, with devotees witnessing a rarely seen, almost mythical version of the sacred hills.
- Pilgrim Experience: Despite the cold and the visual obstruction, many pilgrims appreciated the change in weather, taking in the unique, misty beauty of the Seven Hills before proceeding for Srivari Darshan.
This seasonal phenomenon, often experienced in the hilly region during cooler or wet weather cycles, reminds visitors of the natural beauty and occasional challenges that accompany a pilgrimage to this revered destination.
