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. It is a neighbourhood of Tirupati city.
Alipiri is one of two ways to reach Tirumala on foot,[1] and it was until recently the only one in modern times. Srivari Mettu, about 20km away, is the original one that was renovated and brought back to use in 2008. Alipiri is the longer route with 3550 steps,[2] Srivari Mettu is shorter with 2388 steps.
A long time ago, pilgrims used to climb all Seven Hills through the stepped way on foot because there were no other options. Pilgrims would visit from far away, cook and eat there and rest for some time. After resting, they would start to climb the steps.[4]
Now the entire stepped way is covered with a roof to protect pilgrims from sunlight and rain. Lights are also provided. Special privilege is provided to the pilgrims who came on foot to visit the Lord. [citation needed]
Srivari Padala Mandapam is a temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara at Alipiri. The presiding deity is referred to Padala Venkateswara Swamy.[3] As per legend, Lord Venkateswara, after Ekantha Seva at Tirumala, would come visit his consort Padamavati at Tiruchanur, down the hill through Alipiri Steps path and would leave his footwear at this place and hence the name "Padala Mandapam"(Telugu: Padalu refers to Foot).[3] Devotees going on Tirumala Yatra from Tirupati offer prayers here first by carrying "Srivari Padukalu"(believed to be a representation of the footwear worn by Lord Venkateswara himself) on their heads.[3] The temple comes under Sri GovindarajaSwamy Temple circle and is being administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple
There is a sub-temple dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narayana in the Alipiri Padala Mandapam Temple complex which lies east of Padala Mandapam. The temple entrance and the deity faces towards the west. It has a sub-shrine dedicated to Andal.[3]
Sri Vinayaka Swamy Temple
There is also a 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.[3]
Footsteps
Alipiri Footsteps leading to Tirumala
There is an ancient footsteps path to Tirumala, that starts from Alipiri known as Alipiri Metlu. The Devotees to fulfil their Vow to Lord Venkateswara will take this path to reach Tirumala on foot from Tirupati. It consists of a total 3550 Steps which makes a distance of 12km. A public service allows devotees to drop their luggage and footwear at the beginning of the steps to be collected once they reach the end of the steps free of cost.[6] There are four Gopurams(Temple Towers) on the way. It is completely roofed and passes through seven hills which are part of Seshachalam Hills.[7][8][9]
Festivals
All vaishnavite festivals will be celebrated at Padalamandapam Temple which includes Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Rathasapthami.
Metlotsavam
Metlotsavam is the festival which will be held once in three months, to the Alipiri footsteps leading to Tirumala. It is organised by Dasa sahitya project under Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. The festival includes group of devotees taking a trek to Tirumala singing spiritual songs.[10]
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.[11]
Venkateswara, also known as Venkatachalapati, Balaji and Srinivasa, is a major deity in Hinduism. Described as an avatar of Vishnu, he is the presiding deity of Venkateshwara Temple, Tirupati. His consorts, Padmavathi and Bhudevi are avatars of Lakshmi.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is an independent government trust in India which manages various temples, including the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh. The trust oversees the operations and finances of the richest and the most visited religious center in the world. It is also involved in various social, religious, literary and educational activities. TTD is headquartered at Tirupati and employs about 16,000 people. Srivani trust was set up by TTD in 2019 to promote Sanātana Dharma by constructing temples in SC-ST-BC habitations, renovating ancient temples, and providing funds under Dhup-Deepa-Naivedyam Scheme to those temples facing financial difficulty. By January 2023, TTD has taken up construction of 2,068 temples in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Pondicherry and Karnataka. TTD's main source of income is Srivani darshan tickets which were earning it Rs 1 crore per day in January 2024.
Tirumala is a spiritual place in Tirupati district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the neighbourhoods of the Tirupati city. The town is a part of Tirupati Urban Development Authority and located in Tirupati (urban) mandal of Tirupati revenue division. It is a hill town where Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is located, a popular shrine of Vishnu. The town is strictly vegetarian.
Chandragiri is a suburb and neighbourhood of Tirupati and located in Tirupati district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a part of Tirupati urban agglomeration and a major growing residential area in Tirupati It is the mandal headquarters of Chandragiri mandal in Tirupati revenue division. It also falls in the jurisdictional limit of Tirupati Urban Development Authority. Chandragiri is the southwestern entrance of Tirupati for vehicles coming from Bangalore, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kalyana Venkateswara Temple, Srinivasamangapuram is located next to Chandragiri through which well-laid stone footpaths called Srivari Mettu are available to reach Tirumala on foot.
Tirupati is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of the Tirupati district. The city is home to the important Hindu shrine of Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple and other historic temples. It is located at a distance of 150 km from Chennai, 250 km from Bangalore, 406 km from Amaravati. It is one of the eight Svayam vyakta kshetras dedicated to Hindu deity Vishnu. Tirupati is a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Tirupati (urban) mandal, Tirupati (rural) mandal, and the Tirupati revenue division.
Sri Venkateswara Swami vari Brahmotsavam or Srivari Brahmotsavam is the most significant annual fête celebrated at the Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala-Tirupati, Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The feast lasts for one month during the Telugu - Hindu calendar month of Ashwayujamu, which falls between the Gregorian calendar months of September or October.
The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the hills of Tirumala at Tirupati in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared on the earth to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. Hence the place is also known by the name Kaliyuga Vaikuntha and the deity here is referred to as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam. The temple is also known by other names like Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple and Tirupati Balaji Temple. Venkateswara is known by many other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa. The temple is run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which is under control of Andhra Pradesh Government. The head of TTD is appointed by Andhra Pradesh Government.
Malayappa Swami is the current utsava murti in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala. Malayappa Swami is worshipped during religious ceremonies and processions wherein it would be inappropriate to use the main deity. The two deities are worshipped equally and believed to be non-different in personality.
Sri Venkateshwara Swami Temple is a landmark vaishnavite temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala at Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to be appeared here to save mankind from the trials and troubles of Kali Yuga.
Konetirayala Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple of Lord Venkateswara in the town of Keelapatla, Palamaner, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Devuni Kadapa is a part of Kadapa City and a historical site. It is also known as Patha Kadapa, meaning Old Kadapa. It is famous for its temple of Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swami.
Padmavathi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Padmavathi (Alamelumanga), the consort of Venkateswara. The temple is situated in Tiruchanur area of Tirupati city in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Venkateswara Temple is an important Vaishnavite temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala in Tirupati of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared here to save mankind from the trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. The temple is situated at a height of 853 m (2,799 ft) on Tirumala Hills which are part of the Seshachalam Hills and is constructed in Dravidian architectural style.
Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple is a temple at Appalayagunta, Tirupati located in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Venkateswara, referred to as Prasanna Venkateswara. Unlike other typical Venkateswara temples, the presiding deity has its right hand in Abhaya posture.
Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple is an ancient Hindu Vaishnavite temple situated in the heart of Tirupati city in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh in India. The temple was built during 12th century and was consecrated in the year 1130 AD by Ramanuja. The temple is one of the earliest structures in Tirupati and also one of the biggest temple complexes in the district. The Tirupati city is built around this temple. The temple is currently administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Kalyana Venkateswara Temple is an ancient Hindu temple at Srinivasamangapuram in Tirupati. It is located in Tirupati District of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to the god Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu and is referred to as Kalyana Venkateswara. The temple is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance.
Tirumala ghat roads are two asphalt steep natural slopes ghat roads between Tirupati and Tirumala. They are in Seshachalam Hills range in Pūrva Ghaṭ.
Venkateswara Temple is a Vaishnavite temple situated in the town of Dwaraka Tirumala of Eluru district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu. The temple is also known by other name like Chinna Tirupati meaning Small Tirupati.
Venkateswara Temple is an important Vaishnavite temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, built by a Tamil king Tondaiman and later expanded and renovated under the Chola and Vijayanagara Empire. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared here to save mankind from the trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. The temple is situated at a height of 853 metres on Tirumala Hills which are part of Seshachalam Hills and is constructed in South Indian Tamil Architectural Style.
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