Alipiri

Coordinates: 13°38′49.46″N 79°24′21.3″E / 13.6470722°N 79.405917°E

Alipiri entrance way

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^[1]

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.

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.

Etymology

Alipri literally mean resting place.

Temples

Garuda statue at Alipiri in Añjali Mudrā

Srivari Padala Mandapam

Alipiri Padala mandapam-Gopuram, Tirupati

Srivari Padala Mandapam is a temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara at Alipiri. The presiding deity is referred to Padala Vennkateswara Swamy.^[1] As per legend Lord Venkateswara after Ekantha seva at Tirumala will come visit his concert Padamavati 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).^[1] 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.^[1] The temple comes under Sri GovindarajaSwamy Temple circle and is being administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple

There is 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 west. It has sub-shrine dedicated for Andal.^[1]

Sri 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.^[1]

Footsteps

Alipiri Foot steps 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 11 km.There are Four Gopurams(Temple Towers) on the way. It is completely roofed and passes through seven hills which are part of Seshachalam Hills.^[2][3][4]

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.^[5]

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.^[6]

Reference lists

1. "Sri vari padala mandapam, Alipiri". Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
2. "Tirupati to Tirumala on Foot". Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams. Retrieved 2015-06-06.
3. "By Walk to Tirumala Hills". Go Tirupati. Retrieved 2015-06-06.
4. "Tirupati to Tirumala on Foot". Pedestrian path (foot way) to Tirumala. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
5. "Tirupati to Tirumala on Foot". Metlotsavam ends on a grand note. Retrieved 2015-08-26.
6. "New security set-up at Alipiri". Retrieved 22 June 2015.