Tirpathi Miracle

Another adventure. It was more than three years that I had pledged to donate my hair to Lord Balaji. My niece said there were senior citizen package where darshan is within 45 mins. Chanced to see a Balaji Tour package provided by Seabird Tourist. Called them and was informed that I was to book a month in advance.I was supposed to book on June 15 for July 15 trip. Requested on Whatsapp to remind me on June 15 since I may forget to contact. On June 14 I contacted the travels and wa shocked and surprised to get message that there was a seat for June 15. It was a miracle and I immediately made my booking. The boarding was at 10.30 pm. at Gandinagar quite far away from my place. Booked a cab at 7 feeling anxious about Bangalore traffic. The driver a very helpful man and told me the address was not proper and will take me to the address I said. Dropped me at the venue and left. It took only 1 and half hr to reach. Went to the office and showed my ticket. The receptionist looked at it and said my boarding was from a different branch. Luckily I was early. A staff arranged an auto for me with instructions. Got down at the venue. Showed by booking and was told bus is an hr late. I got the bus number. Walked into the waiting room welcmed by the sweet fragrance of insence. On a TV placed inside , there were images of Lord Balaji and his consort Goddess Padmavati being showed. It was a divine feeling. As it was time for dinner, placed my bag and went out in search of a hotel. Fortunately found one at a short diatance. Walked in and ordered a plate of vada. Was told no sambar, only chutney. I said OK. Took the token and gave at counter. Was surprised to see sambar served and thanked the staff at the counter. After washing down with a hot cup of coffee, I went back to the office. It was sometime later than the passangers started puring in and soon the whole room was houseful.There were also youngsters as well as sr citizens. Soon a family consisting of a young husband, his wife and baby with another person entered. Never knew the husband, wife and the other person were in fact angels sent to protect me. Lord Balaji's grace. Thet were also travelling by the same bus as it was the same bus number. Saw buses coming and going.Went to ask about my bus and was told will be coming soon.After a long wait at 12am the bus came. I sat on my alloted seat. The young husband came and asked if there was anyone sitting beside me. I said I was travelling alone.What he said warmed my heart. He said Don't worry I am your son and till you u reach Tirupathi and back to Bangalore, you are under my care. His wife too looked at me and smiled. I came to know he too was donating his hair as well as his 9 month year old baby's. I was very happy to know I was having company. It was a good hotel we were taken to. I had my own room to freshen up in one hour to have darshan. The bus though having started late was early. We had arrived at 5am. Aftr a suptuous complimentary breakfast, and leaving my bag in the luggage room, we went to board bus. Soon the people donating hair were seperated and made to travel by another vehicle. I stuck to my new friends. After donating hair and a warm head bath we got into the bus and had to have a securuty check. I could not see the family so went alone. The wife saw me and asked me where I had gone as they were all seraching for me.. After visiting Varaha temple which was jam packed, we walked to lord Balaji Shrine. The guide had given us instructions and a slip with number and venue to meet if anyone got lost. The young husband gave instructions to the other person (I came to know was his BIL) that he has to be with me and not let me go alone. Hewas my bodygaurd staying with me, even in the crowd, he used to keep an eye on me. Though it was quite a difficult darshan, i was blessed to have the darshan amidst the teeming crowd. When walking on the premises to the temple, the scorching path literaaly brought blisters under my feet. I was feeling heplpless jumping in pain holding on to mt angel's hand. The 50 rupees bottle of water bought for drinking I used to pour on my feet to cool it. It was getting late. Luckily Sr citizens were given laddus soon. When we came to the venue the wife looked panicky asking us why we were so late. The husband came and said he had already gone to the place 10 times in search of us. The reason was we had taken the wrong line and darshan was late. We were supposed to have a complimentary lunch. As no one had lunch . the driver said dinner was packed and kept on seats. We were all tired. As I got into my saet the young husband came inviting me to the back seat where they were having dinner. He said it will be easy to serve. So I went and sat with the. It was like family with the wife serving dinner and coaxing me to eat. I was supposed to get down at the boarding venue when Madhavan, the husband's name told me the last stop was IPTL. nevr heard of the name and was getting panicky as it would be late night. Madhavan was getting down at Indira Ngar. Seeing my woebegone face he went to the conducter to enquire. I saw him taliking to a passangar. He came to me and said the passanger with his wife too is going to electronic city and I can join them. It was God sent. But they too were getting down at Indira Nagar. Soon all of us got down at Indira Nagar. I had called up my son asking him to inform the security as it was an odd hr. Madhavan courteously invited us to his house as it was so late. But the other passanger refused politely. Soon an ola auto came. I told thhem to find out if the driver can drop me after dropping them,The driver was willing and said 400 extra.I said no problem. What shocked me was when the auto crossed electronic city and went all the way to my address and dropped me at my gate. I asked the couple they should not have bothered when the wife said it it late so a little help on their part. I thanked them and paid the driver. Was happy to see the gate open and the securuty all awake and waiting. It is because of such positive minded people that the world survives. Madavan was indeed Madhavan to me. All Lord Balaji's blessings.