Malik ali at 12:34, 13 February 2026

2026-02-13T12:34:23Z

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{{more citations needed|date=August 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Alipiri
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = Telugu
| other_name =
| settlement_type = [[Neighborhood]]
| image_skyline = Tirupati 001.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Garuda]] statue at Alipiri in [[Añjali Mudrā]]
| nickname =
| image_map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Andhra Pradesh
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|13|38|49.46|N|79|24|21.3|E|region:IN|display=title}}
| subdivision_type = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Indian state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[City]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Tirupati]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
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| elevation_m =
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| population_as_of =
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| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
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| demographics_type1 = [[Languages]]
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 517501
| registration_plate = AP 03
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Tirupati (Lok Sabha constituency)|Tirupati]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Tirupati (Assembly constituency)|Tirupati]]
| website =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Alipiri Padala Mandapam''' or '''Alipiri''' is the place at the foot of seven hills in [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]], near the [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]], in the state of [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]. It is a neighbourhood of Tirupati city.

Alipiri is one of two pathways to reach Tirumala on foot,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2011/sep/24/srivari-mettu-shorter-arduous-path-to-tirumala-294134.html | title=Srivari Mettu: Shorter, arduous path to Tirumala }}</ref> and it was, until recently, the only one being used in modern times. Srivari Mettu, about 2 km away, is the original one that was renovated and brought back in to use in 2008. Alipiri is the longer route with 3550 steps (over 9 km),<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://tirumalatirupationline.com/sri-vari-mettu-shortest-route-tirumala-walk/ | title=Srivari Mettu: Distance | Location | Timings | History | Steps Count | Starting Point | date=6 April 2020 }}</ref> whereas Srivari Mettu is shorter with 2388 steps (spanning about 2 km).

Alipiri is also the foot of [[Tirumala ghat roads|two road ways]], one up and one down leading to [[Tirumala]] through the Seven Hills. It is therefore called "The Gateway to [[Tirumala Venkateswara Temple]]".<ref name=ttd>{{cite web|title=Sri vari padala mandapam, Alipiri|url=http://www.tirumala.org/TemplesAtTirupathi.aspx#id2|publisher=Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams|access-date=2015-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009144147/http://www.tirumala.org/TemplesAtTirupathi.aspx#id2|archive-date=9 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-06 |title=Alipiri Steps: Count, Opening Timings, Distance - TTD Seva Details |url=https://ttdsevadetails.in/alipiri-steps/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |language=en-US}}</ref>

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|date=August 2024}}

==Etymology==
Alipiri literally means "resting place".<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://tirumalatirupationline.com/tirumala-alipiri-timings-route/ | title=Alipiri | Reach Tirumala by Walk | Tirumala Foot Steps Timings, Luggage Counter | date=25 March 2020 }}</ref>

==Temples==
[[File:Alipiri Padala mandapam-Gopuram Tirupati.jpg|thumb|left|Alipiri Padala mandapam Gopuram, Tirupati]]

===Srivari Padala Mandapam===
Srivari Padala Mandapam is a temple dedicated to Lord [[Venkateswara]] at Alipiri. The presiding deity is referred to Padala Venkateswara Swamy.<ref name=ttd /> As per legend, Lord Venkateswara, after Ekantha Seva at Tirumala, would come visit his consort Padamavati at Tiruchanur, down the hill through Alipiri Steps and would leave his footwear at this place and hence the name "Padala Mandapam" ([[Telugu Language|Telugu]] : Padalu refers to Foot).<ref name=ttd /> Devotees 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.<ref name=ttd /> The temple comes under Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple circle and is being administered by [[Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams]] (TTD).

===Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple===
There is a 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 face towards the west. It has a shrine dedicated to [[Andal]].<ref name=ttd />

===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 [[Tirumala ghat roads|Ghat Road]] leading from Tirupati to Tirumala. Devotees going by Road offer prayers at this temple before starting their Tirumala temple journey.<ref name=ttd />

==Footsteps==
[[File:Divotee climbing steps at alipiri.JPG|thumb|Alipiri Footsteps leading to Tirumala]]
There is an ancient stairway to [[Tirumala]] that starts from Alipiri and is known as Alipiri Metlu. The Devotees, to fulfill their vow to [[Venkateswara|Lord Venkateswara]], take this path to reach Tirumala on foot from Tirupati. It consists of a total 3550 steps which makes a distance of 12 km. A free of cost public service allows devotees to drop their luggage and footwear at the beginning of the stairway to be collected once they reach the end of the steps.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (Official Website) |url=https://www.tirumala.org/TirumalatoTirupathiOnFoot.aspx#:~:text=Transportation%20of%20luggage,%20free%20of,Reception%20Office%20Counter%20at%20Tirumala.&text=Drinking%20water%20along%20the%20footpath. |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=www.tirumala.org}}</ref> There are four [[Gopuram]] (Temple Towers) on the way. It is completely roofed and passes through the seven hills which are part of [[Seshachalam Hills]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tirupati to Tirumala on Foot|url=http://www.tirumala.org/TirumalatoTirupathiOnFoot.aspx|publisher=Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams|access-date=2015-06-06|archive-date=13 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613181602/http://www.tirumala.org/TirumalatoTirupathiOnFoot.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=By Walk to Tirumala Hills |url=http://gotirupati.com/by-walk-to-tirumala-hills/|publisher=Go Tirupati|access-date=2015-06-06}}</ref><ref name="tirumala footway">{{cite web|title=Tirupati to Tirumala on Foot|url=http://www.mytraveltalk.com/2011/03/pedestrian-path-foot-way-to-tirumal.html|work=Pedestrian path (foot way) to Tirumala|access-date=19 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025112922/http://www.mytraveltalk.com/2011/03/pedestrian-path-foot-way-to-tirumal.html|archive-date=25 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Festivals==
All [[Vaishnavite]] festivals are celebrated at Padala Mandapam Temple. These include [[Vaikuntha Ekadasi]], and [[Rathasapthami]].

===Metlotsavam===
Metlotsavam is the celebration held once in three months, to the Alipiri stairway leading to Tirumala. It is organised by Dasa sahitya project under [[Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams]]. The festival includes group of devotees trekking to Tirumala singing sacred religious hymns.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tirupati to Tirumala on Foot|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/metlotsavam-ends-on-a-grand-note/article7517506.ece|work=Metlotsavam ends on a grand note| date=8 August 2015 |access-date=2015-08-26}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite web|title=New security set-up at Alipiri| website=[[The Hindu]]| url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/new-security-setup-at-alipiri/article188746.ece|access-date=22 June 2015}}</ref>

==External links==
* [https://www.tirumala.org/ Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams]

== Reference lists ==
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala}}
{{Tirupati topics}}
{{Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh}}

[[Category:Tirupati| ]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Tirupati]]
[[Category:Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams]]

Alipiri - Revision history

Malik ali at 12:34, 13 February 2026