Alipiri Pathway, Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

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.

Location

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 30^th of January 2005. The temple entrance and the deity faces towards west. There are shrines for Andal and Periyalvar in the Temple premises.

Location

Vinayaka Swamy Temple:

There is also temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha in the Alipiri Padala Mandapam Temple complex which lies on the 2^nd 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.

Location

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 2180^th step in alipiri path.

Location

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.

Location

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.

Location

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).

Location

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple:

Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is situated on Alipiri Pathway before Mokala Parvatham.

Location

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.

Location

Ramanuja Shrine:

There is a Ramanuja Shrine in the Alipiri Path after Mokala Parvatham.

Location

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.