Alipiri Pathway, Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Alipiri Padala Mandapam or Alipiri is the
place at foot of seven hills in Tirupati, the pilgrim city of Sri Venkateswara Swami, in the state of Andhra
Pradesh, India. One Footstep way and two road ways, one up and one down, leading to Tirumala through seven hills starts from Alipiri and hence
it got the name "The Gate Way to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple".
Etymology
Alipiri means “Resting Place”. In older days pilgrims
used to climb all the seven hills only through the stepped way on foot, as there
was no other option. Hence the pilgrims came from long distances used to take
rest for some time there, cooked their food, eat there. After taking rest, they
started to climb the steps. And hence this place has got its name for this
custom.
The place at the foot of the hill is called “Adivaram”
by Tamilians. The orthodox people call it ‘Adipadi’ (First Step). But today it
is well known as Alipiri. There is a story behind the word Alipiri, there is a
big Tamarind tree with the entity of Adisesha. The importance for Tamarind tree
is more in Vaishnava. Nammalwar used to give Dharshan for a long time, staying
in the hole of tamarind tree. As there is a Puliyamaram (tamarind tree) in
Adivaram, it is established as Adipuli and in course of time it is transformed
into Alipiri.
Alipiri
Path Way
Alipiri Path Way consists of a total 3550 Steps which
makes a distance of 11 Kms. There are Four Gopurams (Temple Towers) on the way.
It is completely roofed and passes through seven hills which are part of
Seshachalam Hills. Nowadays all the stepped way is covered with roof to protect
the pilgrims from sun light and rain. The lights are also provided. Special
privilege is provided to the pilgrims who came on foot for the visit of the
god. For people who are going through walk from Tirumala, can drop their
luggage here in the luggage counter and can walk.
The luggage can be collected in the Luggage center in
Tirumala, which will be transferred in two hours. There is an ancient footsteps path to
Tirumala, that starts from Alipiri known as Alipiri Mettu. The Devotees to
fulfil their vow to Lord Venkateswara will take this path to reach Tirumala on
foot from Tirupati. Water Facilities are available in every 50 steps and Hotels
near Gali Gopuram (After 1800 steps). TTD will issue Divya darshan Tokens at
Gali Gopuram at step no 2083.
Places
of Interest in Alipiri Pathway;
Srivari
Padala Mandapam:
Srivari Padala Mandapam is a temple dedicated to
Lord Venkateswara at
Alipiri. The presiding deity is referred to Padala Venkateswara Swamy. As
per legend Lord Venkateswara after Ekantha Seva at Tirumala will come visit his
consort Padmavati at Tiruchanur, down the hill through Alipiri Steps path and
will leave his footwear at this place and hence the name "Padala
Mandapam" (Telugu : Padalu refers to Foot). Devotees going on
Tirumala Yatra from Tirupati will offer prayers here first by carrying
"Srivari Padukalu" (believed to be footwear worn by Lord Venkateswara
himself) on their heads. The temple comes under Sri Govindaraja Swamy
Temple circle and is being administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Lakshmi
Narayana Swamy Temple:
Lakshmi Narayana Temple is a sub-temple of Srivari Padala
Mandapam situated in the eastern side of the Alipiri Padala Mandapam Temple
complex. This temple was renovated and samprokshanam was conducted on 30th
of January 2005. The temple entrance and the deity faces towards west. There
are shrines for Andal and Periyalvar in the Temple premises.
Vinayaka
Swamy Temple:
There is also temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha in the Alipiri Padala Mandapam Temple complex
which lies on the 2nd Ghat Road leading from Tirupati to Tirumala. Devotees going
by Road will offer prayers at this temple before starting Tirumala Yatra.
Mysore
Gopuram:
Mysore Gopuram is the first Gopuram on Alipiri Path. There
are Four Gopurams
(Temple Towers) on the Alipiri way.
It is completely roofed and passes through seven hills which are part of Seshachalam
Hills.
Gali
Gopuram:
Gali Gopuram is visible for 40 Kms around Tirupati. It
is the resting point for Devotees, who is walking to Tirumala through Alipiri
Foot Path. It is also called as Kali Gopuram at it has a statue of Kali Devi
here. The elders say that there are two reasons for getting the name Gali Gopuram.
When there is a temple, there must be an idol. But here there is neither a
temple nor an idol. This being an empty tower, has become Gali gopuram in
regular usage. It is located in 2180th step in alipiri path.
Krishna
Temple
Krishna Temple is situated just opposite to the Deer
park in the Alipiri path. It is located on the way to Tirumala intercepted by Alipiri
Pathway and Tirumala Down Road.
Tirumala
Deer Park Reserve:
Tirumala Deer Park Reserve is situated on the way to Tirumala
by foot path from Alipiri. Deer Park is one of the best nature parks in Tirumala
offering dramatic landscapes along a wide range of flora and fauna maintained
by TTD and there are hundreds of Deer of different ages and no one is allowed
into the park which is fenced well. It is a tourist-friendly park allowing you
to enjoy nature as well as engage in amusement with deer.
Bhadra
Anjaneya Statue:
Bhadra Anjaneya Statue is located
on the way to Tirumala intercepted by Alipiri Pathway and Tirumala Down Road. All
use to relax here for some time. TTD arranged a health care centre for
pilgrims, nice place to get refreshment with small restaurants here. There is a
Deer Park nearby. It is situated on Anjanadri hill. The Statue height was about
40 Feet (Idol was 30 feet high and Basement was 10 high).
Lakshmi
Narasimha Swamy Temple:
Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is situated on Alipiri
Pathway before Mokala Parvatham.
Mokala
Parvatham:
Mokala Parvatham is a hill area with highest steep steps
on the Alipiri foot path to Tirumala. It is also called as Mokallamudupu /
Mokallamettu. This is regarded as the last lap by the pilgrims, this marks the
start of a set of 300-400 steep steps, which culminate at the entrance of
Tirumala itself. The Mokalla Parvatham unlike the other steps and path in this
way is little bit difficult to climb as it will too steep and also will be continuous
sequence of steps. But there are facilities for water and resting shades.
The name Mokalla Parvatham signifies the steepness of
the hill. There is a saying that, anyone climbing up this hill will have to
hold on to his knees as it is so painful, due to extreme steepness and also
when climbing it is said that in olden days people use to hit their knees to
the step above due to its steepness. But as of now, the Mokalla Parvatham is not
that much steep compared to what we expect from Olden days. This might be the
reason for naming it as Mokallamudupu.
The Mokalla Parvatham starts from the Step No. 2910 and
after the Road side walk. The total number of steps that comes in Mokalla Parvatham
will be approximately 300 steps. These steps directly take one to the entrance
of Tirumala and once you complete Mokalla Parvatham climbing then you it is
considered as completion of walk and also you will reach the entrance of Tirumala.
Ramanuja
Shrine:
There is a Ramanuja Shrine in the Alipiri Path after
Mokala Parvatham.
Festivals
All Vaishnavite festivals will be celebrated at Padala
Mandapam Temple. Famous are Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Ratha Sapthami and Metlotsavam. Metlotsavam
is the festival which will be held once in three months, to the Alipiri
footsteps leading to Tirumala. It is organized by Dasa Sahitya project
under Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. The festival includes group of devotees taking a trek
to Tirumala singing spiritual songs.
Sapthagiri
Security Zone
At Alipiri, a security zone was established, in 2009, to
screen vehicles and pilgrims entering Tirumala, to safeguard the hills from
terrorists and anti-social elements.
Alipiri
Pathway Timings
This pathway remains open for 24 hours.
Connectivity
Alipiri Pathway is located at about 200 meters from
Alipiri Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Tirupati Railway Station, 4 Kms from Tirupati
Central Bus Station, and 22 Kms from Tirupati Airport. TTD provides free Bus
called “Dharma Radhalu” from Bus stand, Railway Station, and from all TTD cottages
located in Tirupati to Alipiri Mettu. Also, Devotees can get in to any Tirumala
bus and can get down at Alipiri.
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