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.
Sri Srinivasa Divyanugraha Homam is the latest sacred offering from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams for the devotees seeking the Lord’s divine blessings.
The Homam was formally inaugurated in November 2023, marking the auspicious occasion of Utthana Ekadasi in the sacred Kartheeka month under the aegis of TTD Trust Board Chairman Sri Bhumana Karunakar Reddy and TTD Executive Officer, Sri A.V. Dharma Reddy, I.D.E.S.
Homam
‘Homam’ is a sacred ritual that has an important role in invoking the blessings of the Lord Almighty through Agni, according to Hindu Dharmic scriptures. For the devotees visiting Tirupati, having an eyeful of darshan at Tirumala gives them enough contentment and they feel blessed for a lifetime.
However, participating in a sacred ritual like a ‘Homam’ at the lotus feet of Lord Venkateswara that directly invokes the blessings of the Almighty takes the spiritual bliss to an all-time high.
At Alipiri
It was with this intention that the TTD management came up with the idea of conducting a ‘Homam’ at Alipiri, Tirupati by roping in Sri Venkateswara Vedic University. Performing a Homam is usually an expensive custom for an individual, but when it is a ‘Samoohika Homam’, i.e., performed collectively by a group, it turns out to be economical as the cost is shared by all the beneficiaries.
When such a Homam is performed by none other than the TTD, the custodian of Lord Venkateswara, it also gets an enhanced devotional fervor.
For this Homam, teaching staff from the Department of Vaikhanasa Agama, Sri Venkateswara Vedic University, Tirupati are conducting the Homam in tune with the doctrine of Vaikhanasa Agama. The process includes the conduct of Viswaksena Puja, Punyahavachanam, Sadhyonkurarpana, and tying of ‘Raksha Sutram’ or ‘Deeksha Kankanam’ to the deity of Sri Venkateswara.
Sri Srinivasa Divyanugraha Homam
Sankalpam
‘Sankalpam’ will be performed after reading out the ‘Gotra Nama’ of all the participants. ‘Nava Kundams’ are arranged at the spot, dedicated to each of the Lord’s nine divine forms such as Vishnu, Purusha, Satya, Achyuta, Aniruddha, Kapila, Yagna, Narayana and Punya.
With Chaturveda and Sastra Parayanam, ‘Kumbhaaradhana’ will be performed, and ‘Ashtothara Namavali’ will be read out while offering ‘Harathi Samarpana’ to the deity as well as the Kundams. Hymns from the Panchasuktam will be read out, along with ‘Ekakshara Suktam’, which is mentioned in Vaikhanasa Agama.
Similarly, ‘Paaramatmika Upanishad’ found in the form of 108 Mantras in Vaikhanasa Agama is read out, narrating the divine qualities of Maha Vishnu, the glory of His Dasavatharas, details of the universe, and the five elements ‘Panchabhuta Tattva’.
Sri Srinivasa Divyanugraha Homam – Venue
Sri Venkateswara Saptha Go Pradakshinasala at Alipiri, Tirupati has been chosen as the venue for the event, so that the academics from the nearby Vedic University are accessible for the daily event. Apart from the seven existing faculty members, the university has appointed four more academicians to conduct the ritual.
Sri Srinivasa Divyanugraha Homam also serves as an internship opportunity for the senior students of the Vaikhanasa Agama Department, who get hands-on training in the ritual. Devotees feel that participating in the Homam and getting the divine grace showered on them makes their pilgrimage complete a full circle.
Let us participate in this Divine Homam and be blessed by Lord Srinivasa.- Booking Process
More details
Sri Srinivasa Divyanugraha Homam is performed between 9 am and 11 am daily. The participation is restricted at present to 200 Grihasthas (400 persons) at a time, for which 150 tickets are reserved online and 50 made available offline for the devotees at Alipiri in Tirupati.
The TTD plans to expand it to 500 tickets a day soon, for which a bigger ‘Homa Vedika’ will be built close by. Participants at this Homam will get an opportunity to buy Rs.300 tickets for darshan at Tirumala.
Sri Srinivasa Divyaanugraha Homam is the latest sacred offering from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams for the devotees seeking the Lord’s divine blessings.
The Homam was formally inaugurated in November 2023, marking the auspicious occasion of Utthana Ekadasi in the sacred Kartheeka month under the aegis of TTD Trust Board Chairman Sri Bhumana Karunakar Reddy and TTD Executive Officer, Sri A.V. Dharma Reddy, I.D.E.S.
Homam
‘Homam’ is a sacred ritual that has an important role in invoking the blessings of the Lord Almighty through Agni, according to Hindu Dharmic scriptures. For the devotees visiting Tirupati, having an eyeful of darshan at Tirumala gives them enough contentment and they feel blessed for a lifetime. However, participating in a sacred ritual like a ‘Homam’ at the lotus feet of Lord Venkateswara that directly invokes the blessings of the Almighty takes the spiritual bliss to an all-time high.
At Alipiri
It was with this intention that the TTD management came up with the idea of conducting a ‘Homam’ at Alipiri, Tirupati by roping in Sri Venkateswara Vedic University. Performing a Homam is usually an expensive custom for an individual, but when it is a ‘Samoohika Homam’, i.e., performed collectively by a group, it turns out to be economical as the cost is shared by all the beneficiaries.
When such a Homam is performed by none other than the TTD, the custodian of Lord Venkateswara, it also gets an enhanced devotional fervor.
For this Homam, teaching staff from the Department of Vaikhanasa Agama, Sri Venkateswara Vedic University, Tirupati are conducting the Homam in tune with the doctrine of Vaikhanasa Agama. The process includes the conduct of Viswaksena Puja, Punyahavachanam, Sadhyonkurarpana, and tying of ‘Raksha Sutram’ or ‘Deeksha Kankanam’ to the deity of Sri Venkateswara.
Sri Srinivasa Divyaanugraha Homam
Sankalpam
‘Sankalpam’ will be performed after reading out the ‘Gotra Nama’ of all the participants. ‘Nava Kundams’ are arranged at the spot, dedicated to each of the Lord’s nine divine forms such as Vishnu, Purusha, Satya, Achyuta, Aniruddha, Kapila, Yagna, Narayana and Punya.
With Chaturveda and Sastra Parayanam, ‘Kumbhaaradhana’ will be performed, and ‘Ashtothara Namavali’ will be read out while offering ‘Harathi Samarpana’ to the deity as well as the Kundams. Hymns from the Panchasuktam will be read out, along with ‘Ekakshara Suktam’, which is mentioned in Vaikhanasa Agama.
Similarly, ‘Paaramatmika Upanishad’ found in the form of 108 Mantras in Vaikhanasa Agama is read out, narrating the divine qualities of Maha Vishnu, the glory of His Dasavatharas, details of the universe, and the five elements ‘Panchabhuta Tattva’.
Sri Srinivasa Divyaanugraha Homam – Venue
Sri Venkateswara Saptha Go Pradakshinasala at Alipiri, Tirupati has been chosen as the venue for the event, so that the academics from the nearby Vedic University are accessible for the daily event. Apart from the seven existing faculty members, the university has appointed four more academicians to conduct the ritual.
The ‘Homam’ also serves as an internship opportunity for the senior students of the Vaikhanasa Agama Department, who get hands-on training in the ritual. Devotees feel that participating in the Homam and getting the divine grace showered on them makes their pilgrimage complete a full circle. Let us participate in this Divine Homam and be blessed by Lord Srinivasa.
More details
The event is performed between 9 am and 11 am daily. The participation is restricted at present to 200 Grihasthas (400 persons) at a time, for which 150 tickets are reserved online and 50 made available offline for the devotees at Alipiri in Tirupati.
The price of the ticket is fixed at Rs.1000/- on which two persons will be allowed.
The TTD plans to expand it to 500 tickets a day soon, for which a bigger ‘Homa Vedika’ will be built close by. Participants at this Homam will get an opportunity to buy Rs.300 tickets for darshan at Tirumala.
Cow worship is always considered a sacred activity for Hindus. It is revered as a symbol of prosperity as Goddess Maha Lakshmi is believed to live in the animal, thus bestowing health and wealth to Her devotees.
Since time immemorial, all the dynasties that were part of the Bharata Varsha patronized cattle worship and even promoted cow-based products not only to ensure the citizens’ health but also to distribute wealth among the masses.
A quick look at our hoary mythology and ancient history reveals that the prosperity of a kingdom used to be measured by its cattle wealth. The cow was hence considered not only as the sole breadwinner in many households but also as the living god of a village.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has been a champion in preserving, propagating, and promoting native cows (Go-Matha) at its Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshanasala and mobilizing donations through its Sri Venkateswara Gosamrakshana Trust.
Though the TTD is a pioneer in cow protection and propagation activities, it has taken steps to make cow worship a regular part of its series of activities.
Alipiri, the foot of Tirumala hills, has a new landmark for cow worship, which is called ‘Sri Venkateswara Saptha Go Pradakshina Mandiram’. The idea behind the TTD coming up with the concept is to let the pilgrims do ‘Pradakshana’ to seven ‘Desi’ cows and calves.
The magical number ‘seven’ here is synonymous with the seven hills of Tirumala and is considered a good omen for people to start their holy trek to the hill shrine after praying to the cows arranged in a pattern.
There will be 25 to 30 at any point of time on the premises, from which seven cows will be made to stand at the altar at the center. Devotees walking in will perambulate around the cows as a form of worship. This act, done with a noble heart and with due sincerity, is believed to remove all sins committed in previous births.
A view of Sri Venugopala Swamy at Alipiri Sri Venkateswara Go Pradakshina Mandiram
Feed donations to be made in Go-Mandiram
Grain/Cereals
Planetary positions
Wheat and jaggery
Suryagraha Shanti
Paddy
Chandragraha Shanti
Red gram and jaggery
Kujagraha Shanti
Black gram and jaggery
Rahugraha Shanti
Chickpea
Gurugraha Shanti
Sesame seeds
Sanigraha Shanti
Green gram
Budhagraha Shanti
Horse gram
Kethugraha Shanti
Cowpea
Sukragraha Shanti
4 Acre Campus
The four-acre campus is strategically located close to the footpath and also the toll gate on the second ghat road leading to Tirumala hills. This facilitates both the trekking public as well as the motorists using the ghat road to make a stopover at Alipiri, pray to the cows, and then embark on their holy pilgrimage to the abode of Lord Venkateswara.
The complex also has a temple with the deity of Sri Venugopala Swamy, where Puja will be offered every day as prescribed in the religious doctrines. It may be recalled that Lord Sri Krishna, as a cowherd, always holds cow close to his heart and can be mostly seen in the company of cattle, which sway to the tune of the mellifluous music emanating from his flute.
Sapthagopradakshana Shala
Go-Thulabaram
Another major attraction here is a ‘Go Thulabaram’, which is similar to the one used by pilgrims to weigh products against their weight, to be donated as part of the fulfillment of their vow. The difference in this case is that the products donated to the temple are weighed against the weight of a cow.
A cow is made to stand on one side of the ‘Thulabaram’ and consumable products like rice, jaggery, haystack, nuts and cereals, sugarcane, groundnut husk, etc. are added in gunny bags on the other side, till both sides strike a balance. The philanthropist then donates the same to the TTD, which in turn uses it to feed the cattle not only at the ‘Go Mandiram’, but also at the various Goshalas under its management.
To hold the weight of a cow as well as the products, the ‘Thulabaram’ is specially ordered from a firm in Madhya Pradesh, which made it with cast iron with a heavy gauge. Apart from the temple and a cattle shed to house thirty cows, there is a vast grazing field, where the cattle will be let out.
Animals moving around and grazing in the pasture will naturally gain strength and immunity, compared to the ones that are fed manually. This is the idea behind developing a grazing field with fodder crops.
Go-Pradakshina Seva
Devotees can have Go-pradakshinam at this Go-Mandiram before offering prayers to Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala.
Go-Vignana Kendram
Also abutting the ‘Go Mandiram’ is a massive building ‘Go Vignana Kendram’ housing a meditation hall and a photo gallery depicting TTD’s cow-related activities. After praying to the cows, people intending to sustain the devotional fervor for a few more minutes can sit down for meditation and chant the holy names of the Lord.
There is also a children’s play area, where the kids will be allowed to roam around when the elders pray. It will also be an occasion for the children to engage in fruitful time with the cows and attain a spiritual and compassionate bent of mind. The building also has a gallery to display the TTD’s programs on cow protection, apart from the donation schemes available to the public.
This will not only help more benefactors join the cause of cow protection but also provide a window to let the TTD’s activities on this front spread far and wide. As the area is surrounded by forest, where the movement of carnivorous animals cannot be ruled out, the TTD management intends to provide electric fencing to ensure the safety of the cows. Deployment of guards with light arms is also under contemplation to scare away such wild animals from the vicinity.
Devotees can offer various grains of their choice to the cows and may donate the grains and cereals that suit the planetary positions and movement.
For example,
wheat and jaggery are known to please the Sun God, which the devout can donate to Suryagraha Shanti.
Similarly, paddy is suited for Chandragraha Shanti,
red gram and jaggery for Kujagraha Shanti,
black gram and jaggery for Rahugraha Shanti,
chickpea for Gurugraha Shanti,
Sesame seeds for Sanigraha Shanti,
Green gram for Budhagraha Shanti,
horse gram for Kethugraha Shanti and
cowpea is donated for Sukragraha Shanti.
Devotees can donate the above grains according to the weights of the various cows mentioned at the ‘Go Thulabharam’, or pay the equivalent in cash drawn as a demand draft. T.T.D. took up the noble cause of popularizing the concept of cow worship and propagating the importance of ‘Go Matha’ in a great way.
Dasa Sahitya Project to conduct “Metlotsavam” – In the Memory of Sri Vyasatirtha
Tirumala – the sacred abode of Sri Venkateswara Swamy is unparalleled in its spiritual glory. As per Bhagawan Vedavyasa, a holy place like Tirumala and a God like Sri Venkateswara never existed in the past nor will there be in the future. Such is the grandeur and splendor of this kshetra.
Only by climbing hills on foot
From time immemorial, devotees be it Devatas or humans, are longing to come to this holy place and also are longing to sing paeans on God Venkateswara. While the Devatas descend from the upper worlds, humans have to make physical effort to travel by traversing a variety of landscapes that exist from their origin and up to the destination.
Both the Puranas and historical records affirm that the mode of travel to reach the hill shrine was only by climbing the hills on foot. There were no other modes of transportation ever recorded in the scriptures or historical accounts.
Lord Himself climbed the hill
God Srinivasa Himself is said to have climbed the hill on foot twice, once before marrying Goddess Padmavati and the second time after the holy marriage with the Goddess. Thus, it is the Supreme Godhead Himself who introduced ‘walking on foot’ as the only mode of transportation to the hilltop.
Hence, for the last many millennia, devotees from all corners of the world are coming to the hill temple on walk.
Horizontal and Vertical view of Seven Hills – Tirumala
The glory of Tirumala hill
Bhavishyottara Purana beautifully describes the spiritual glory of Tirumala Hill by narrating the story of a Brahmana named Madhava. At the beginning of Kaliyuga, there was a Brahmana by the name Madhava who lived in Kalahasti, Andhra Pradesh. He was well-versed in all Vedas and Shastras. He was married to a beautiful woman called Chandralekha.
One day, due to the effect of bad Karma, he left his duly wedded wife and started living with a wretched woman.
After the death of his second wife, Madhava lost his interest in life and became a tramp. Soon he found his way to Tirumala hill. The mere darshan of the holy hill made him recollect and repent for his past deeds. As he touched the foot of the hill, all his sins were cleansed.
Brahmadeva appeared before Madhava and advised him to climb the hill. He further advised him to leave the present physical body after taking the darshan of Varaha Swamy.
Thus, Madhava climbed the hill, prostrated before Varaha Swamy, and left the mortal coil in the Yogic method. In his subsequent birth, Madhava became Akasha Maharaja, the father of Goddess Padmavati and father-in-law of God Venkateswara. This episode clearly shows the significance of climbing the hill with devotion and the fruits it reaps i.e., liberation from accrued sins.
View of Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple – Tirumala
History of Tirumala Temple
The history of Tirumala temple is replete with innumerable instances where the most rich and powerful emperors, queens, and nobles too have walked the whole path to reach God’s abode. Despite the comforts available to them at their beck and call, the rich and powerful of the bygone eras have always walked to Tirumala temple on foot with utmost devotion.
Then what about the spiritual Gurus and Acharyas? Would they be traveling by an elephant decorated with silk draping with gold embroidery or would they be riding a horse belonging to the world’s best breed? Never. All the Acharyas and Gurus have gone on a pilgrimage on foot to Tirumala from wherever they were camping. They came to Tirumala with their followers and disciples who too travelled on foot along with their spiritual masters.
Those followers and disciples never displayed their displeasure or discomfort to walk through the treacherous mountain ranges and dreaded forests. Instead, they begged and pleaded with their masters to undertake the Tirumala pilgrimage as many times in a year as possible.
Such was the attraction cast by Sri Venkateswara. Such was the spell of spiritual bliss offered by Tirumala Kshetra. Emperors such as Sri Krishnadevaraya, Achyutaraya, and Venkatapatiraya have traveled to Tirumala on many occasions on foot.
Similarly, great saint Sri Ramanuja has not only traveled to Tirumala on foot but also established a system for temple management that is running smoothly to this day.
Dvaita Siddhanta, Sri Madhvacharya carried a pilgrimage to Tirumala kshetra
Singing the glory of the Lord
Celebrated poet-composers such as Sri Purandaradasa, Sri Vijayadasa, Sri Gopaladasa, and Sri Jagannathadasa have made it a tradition to visit Tirumala 2-3 times a year and sing the glory of the holy place and the God.
Great saint, poet, and establisher of many charities, Sri Vyasatirtha of Dvaita philosophy has a unique association with Tirumala temple. He was asked to act as the overseer of the Tirumala temple administration from c.1486 to c.1498 by the then Vijayanagara emperor Saluva Narasimharaya. During his tenure as temple overseer and chief priest, Sri Vyasatirtha used to climb the hill on foot to perform all rituals to God Venkateswara.
Subsequently, he was climbing down on foot to attend to the mundane works that included attending to nature’s calls. This can be said as the highest example of utmost devotion and dedication toward the upkeep of the sanctity of the holy place.
There is another splendid narrative about Sri Vyasatirtha’s sacred association with Tirumala temple. Every time, the great saint was climbing the hill or coming down, he never set his foot on the holy hill. All the time and the whole way, he was climbing up or down the hill on his knees.
Because, for him, the whole mountain appeared as a huge, sacred Salagrama which is nothing but a rocky, physical form of Bhagawan Vishnu. One can imagine how challenging it could be to climb up and down a hill as tall as Tirumala on knees yet Sri Vyasatirtha continued to climb in this way for 12 long years.
Dasa Sahitya Project – Metlotsavams
The exemplary devotion of Sri Vyasatirtha who never took a rest for 12 years to climb up and climb down the Tirumala temple has become the inspiration for (devotees) Dasa Sahitya Project to conduct “Metlotsavam.” This unique program is dedicated to the sacred memory of Sri Vyasatirtha and all other such noble souls who walked to the hill with utmost devotion and dedication.
Since its inception in 1979, the Dasa Sahitya Project has been conducting Metlotsavams at regular intervals (4 times in a calendar year) in which thousands of devotees participate with the sole aim of worshipping Kaliyuga Daivam through Nama Sankirtana, Japa, and Parayana. Each spell of Metlotsavam begins with the arrival of the devotees (close to 3,500 per spell) at Tirupati which is followed by Akhanda Nama Sankirtana and Pravachanams.
Later, on a specific day of Metlotsavam, all the devotees congregate at Alipiri Padala Mandapam to commence their travel on foot towards God’s abode.
Brahma Muhurtham
The congregation takes place at Brahmi Muhurtham i.e., at 4:00 AM. A grand Puja is conducted with the participation of senior officials of TTD and spiritual personalities. Later, the devotees will start climbing the holy hill of Tirumala by singing the glories of Sri Venkateswara and chanting his sacred names. There will be short discourses by eminent scholars at specific places along the footpath where the devotees take brief rest.
After reaching Tirumala, the devotees are allowed to have the darshan of Sri Srinivasa Parabrahma and subsequently offered Annadanam. Subsequently, the devotees will climb down the hill and reach Tirupati from where they will be returning to their places with hearts filled with the sacred memories of Sri Srinivasa and Tirumala kshetra (place).
As the years progressed, Metlotsavam started gaining popularity due to its ability to offer unique spiritual experiences to the participants. Today, Metlotsavam has become an unforgettable divine event for thousands of devotees.
Article published in Sapthagiri Magazine “Metlotsavam – Sri Anandatheerthacharya”
In Alipiri, on the way to Tirumala, we find the huge Statue of Garuthmantha in all his majesty. It is suggestive of “I am here to carry forward all your requisitions to Lord Srinivasa.
Brahmotsavams and on Purnima Day
Among all Vahana sevas performed to Sri Venkateswara Swamy, Garuda Seva is very important and special. Lakhs of people anxiously wait for the Darshan of the Swamy in Garuda Vahana Seva, which is performed on the fifth day of Annual Brahmotsavams.
In addition to this, Sri Venkateswara Swamy showers His blessings on His devotees every month on the Purnima day on Garuda Vahana and by going on a procession along the four Mada Streets. By witnessing this seva of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the people feel that their life is blessed.
Eulogised the Lord
Even the Alwars and the Sankeerthanaacharyas worship and praise the Lord filled with extreme happiness.
On witnessing Sri Mannarayana on Garuda Vahana, Periyaalwar began singing…
“PALLAANDU..PALLANDU.”.
Bhaktha Ramadas worshipped him with the song
The pathway leading to the hill shrine of Tirumala starts from ‘Alipiri’, Tirupati. It is called ‘Adipadi’ meaning the steps at the bottom. The word is in vogue in both Telugu and Tamil. After the advent of the motor facility in the twentieth century, a motor road was opened in 1945.
This facilitated two-way traffic was used between Tirupati and Tirumala. In 1972 another metal road was constructed and opened for one-way traffic to Tirumala.
The old one was commissioned to reach Tirupati from Tirumala. All three ways begin from Alipiri, which can be reached by road from Chennai, Bangalore, and Kadapa.
Alipiri Circle
Pilgrim facility center
A pilgrim facility center has been established here. Parking spaces for vehicles, a Bus Station, and a Rest house have been provided here. Padala Mandapam(a small shrine for Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple to enthuse and bless the devotees who tread the pathway to Tirumala) is at the bottom of the hills from where the stepway begins. A newly renovated Temple housing Lord Lakshmi Narayana is also here to facilitate pilgrims to offer prayers.
The first Idol one will see at Alipiri is of ‘Garuda’ standing in ‘Anjali Hastha’ pose. Behind this the arch of Alipiri for vehicles. In between there is a pilon celebrating the 75th year (Diamond Jubilee) of T.T.D.Board of Trustees. All arches facing east. In the south towards Ruia Hospital, the statue of ‘Kannada Haridasa – Purandaradasa’ invites devotees to ascend the hills.
Lakumaiah Son of Kolala Kondaiah Prostrating before God at Alipiri
The pilgrim on foot has to pass through an underground passage beneath this Vigraha (statue) of Purandaradasa to reach Padala Mandapam.
There are mandapas on both sides of the gateway. To the right of this Padala Mandapam, after the connecting steps to the main tower ‘Pedda Gopuram’ is the newly renovated Temple, wherein Lord Lakshmi Narayana Swamy has been installed anew. One has to ascend the steps in between to reach the big gopuram, which invites devotees to ascend the hills.
On the way up one can rest at various mandapams and find Shanku, Chakra, and Namam gopuram at the end of the horizon. In front of Padala Mandapam, on the floor, one can see an embossed figure of a man. Now, a glass protective cage is set on this Moorthy. An epigraph in Tamil and Telugu, dating back to 1623 A.D. can be found on this stone slab. (It is the image of Lakumaiah, son of Kolala Kondaiah who was the overseer of the charities of Matla Kumara Anantharaja, though the reading of the inscription is wanting in some places.
Lakshmi Narayana Swamy temple
The Lakshmi Narayana Swamy temple is in the East of Padala mandapam, facing towards the west. It is a big Temple with all the characteristic features of a full-fledged Temple. There is a big open space inside the tall and heavy Prakara walls. In this open space, two small shrines are facing one another, that of Perialwar and his daughter Andal.
As such the entire Temple is recognised as Perialwar Temple. There is a vast mukha mandapam beyond these two Upa Aalayas temples.
A narrow Antarala leading to Sukanasi and Sanctum Sanctorum where Lord Lakshmi Narayana Swamy majestically dwells can be seen. Originally this Temple was dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimha, built by Saluva Narasimha Raya in 1483 A.D. (April 20).
This has been established in the inscription on the outer wall of the mukha mandapam to the south at a height of 6-7 feet (switchboard is there obscuring the worn-out inscription), but the place of the inscription is listed as “on the East wall, outer side south of the entrance in Perialwar’s ruined temple at Alipiri, foot of the hills of Tirupati.
To recognize this Temple as Perialwar’s temple is a bit far from reason Perialwar’s temple must have been constructed by the Tallapaka clan of poets at Pedda Chimugu-big waterfalls, near Kapila Theertham. This is only a name nowadays that too in the inscriptions of Tallapaka poets.
This was a temple constructed by Saluva Narasimha Raya dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimha has been corroborated by another inscription on the outer entrance of the same temple facing south. The inscription describes the stone stepped well constructed by Karaivetti puli Alwar, (A.D.1490 Jan. 25.) in Grantha lipi Tamil language.
The place of this well is – to the south of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple and the big gopuram-periya gopuram listed as the charity Saluva Narasimha Raya. (one can see this well at Alipiri behind the luggage counter-the north of the road leading to the security checking point at Alipiri).
The big tower in front of the hills at Alipiri was ruined in 1929. A big bolt from the blue stuck and bisected the tall tower vertically and the left and right sides stood supporting one another. The pilgrims used to go around avoiding it to reach the stepped pathway. This tower was renovated in 1978 and opened to pedestrians.
Padala Mandapam
The Padala Mandapam has an inner ambulatory pathway, is covered on three sides. It is believed that the lord comes down every night to visit Alamelumanga who is enshrined in Tiruchanur and leaves his slippers here. (the famous Telugu song – ‘Nadireyi ey Jamulo’ -aptly describes this legend of Lord visiting Tiruchanur Tayaru.)
Devotees willing to take a trek along the footpath take the sandals of the Lord kept in the temple and circumambulate the Garbhagriha.
The pathway that was used before might have been of a rough hue and chiseled here and there. This Prince constructed it afresh using cut stones and it went up to agra gopura– namala gopuram – (This Gali gopuram was renovated in the 21st century).
Divya Darshan Tokens
Nowadays who walk in this pathway will be given a Divya darshan token to join in the Divya darshan queue for free Darshan of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. but, at present, the Divyadarshan token tickets number was decreased by the T.T.D., due to a heavy influx of pilgrims.
Anyway, pilgrims coming through both the foot pathways will enter the Sarvadarshan Q-lines. Visit Lord Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala through these foot pathways and be blessed by the Lord.
*Data Source – Saptagiri Magazine
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