Mokalla Parvatham Steps. Final Steps

Mokalla Parvatham (also written Mokalla Metlu) is the final, steepest flight of steps on the Alipiri footpath to Tirumala. It is the short but demanding last leg of the roughly 3,550-step Alipiri climb, made up of a continuous run of very steep steps that lead straight to the Tirumala hilltop entrance. Pilgrims traditionally say the incline is so sharp here that a climber almost touches his own knees at every step — which is exactly what the Telugu name suggests. If you are walking up to see Lord Venkateswara, this is the stretch that tells you the darshan is finally close.

What is Mokalla Parvatham?

The Alipiri Mettu is the ancient stone stairway that connects Tirupati (at the foot of the Seshachalam hills) with Tirumala at the top. It runs to about 3,550 steps over a distance of roughly 11 km, is completely roofed, lit at night, and open 24 hours. Along its length you pass four gopurams (temple towers), drinking-water points, rest shelters, canteens and round-the-clock medical posts.

Most of that climb is a steady, manageable gradient. Mokalla Parvatham is the exception. It is the hill section carrying the steepest steps on the whole route, and it comes near the very end — the last set of a few hundred steps before you reach the Tirumala entrance. Because the steps rise almost vertically and follow one another without a break, this short stretch is widely regarded by regular pilgrims as the hardest part of the entire walk.

What the name means

“Mokalla” comes from the Telugu word for knees (mokallu), and “Parvatham” means hill or mountain. Put together, the name points to the steepness: local tradition holds that anyone climbing this hill has to bend so far forward, or lift the leg so high, that the knees come up towards the chest or the hands rest on the knees for support. In older times, before the steps were widened and roofed, the incline was said to be even more punishing. The name has stuck as a plain-spoken warning of what the last climb feels like.

Where exactly is it on the route?

Mokalla Parvatham sits in the upper third of the Alipiri climb, after you have passed Gali Gopuram and are approaching the Tirumala plateau. On the Alipiri route the key markers, in order, are the token and security check near Alipiri, then Gali Gopuram at around the 2,000th step (where footpath pilgrims complete their photo and biometric ticketing), and finally the steep Mokalla Parvatham stairs that empty out at the Tirumala entrance. Reaching the top of this flight effectively marks the end of the on-foot pilgrimage.

Why pilgrims value this stretch

For devotees, climbing to Tirumala on foot is itself an act of faith — a vow (mokku) offered to Lord Venkateswara, with each step treated as a small penance. Mokalla Parvatham carries special emotional weight because it is the last and hardest part of that offering. Getting through it, tired legs and all, is the moment many pilgrims describe as the true completion of their journey, just before they step onto the sacred hilltop. That sense of “the final push before darshan” is why the section is remembered so vividly by anyone who has done the Alipiri walk.

The footpath (Divya Darshan) token you should know about

Pilgrims who walk up via Alipiri are eligible for TTD’s footpath darshan, officially called Divya Darshanam. It gives on-foot pilgrims a dedicated, usually faster darshan queue compared with the general Sarva Darshan line. The token is free of cost. On the Alipiri route it is issued near the start of the climb (the Bhudevi Complex area near Alipiri), and pilgrims complete a photo and biometric verification at Gali Gopuram before continuing up through Mokalla Parvatham to the top. Carry an original government photo ID (such as Aadhaar) for the biometric step. Token quotas, exact issue points and timings are managed by TTD and can change, so confirm the current position on the official TTD portal before you travel.

Tips for climbers tackling Mokalla Parvatham

• Pace the early steps. The first two-thirds of the Alipiri climb are gentler — don’t burn out early, because the steepest part is saved for the end at Mokalla Parvatham.
• Hydrate as you go. Drinking-water points are placed frequently along the roofed path; sip regularly rather than waiting until you are exhausted.
• Use the rest shelters. Short, planned breaks on the final steep flight are far more effective than pushing straight through.
• Wear grippy footwear and travel light. Deposit heavy bags at the free luggage counter at the base; TTD transports luggage to Tirumala for collection.
• Start early or climb after dusk. The path is lit and open 24 hours; many pilgrims prefer early morning or evening to avoid midday heat on the exposed upper steps.
• Know where help is. Medical posts and security patrols run along the route — if knees or breath give out on the steep section, rest and ask for assistance rather than forcing the pace.
• Mind children and elders. The continuous steep steps are the toughest test on the walk; support anyone who needs it, and consider the shorter Srivari Mettu route (about 2,388 steps) if the full Alipiri climb is too demanding.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Mokalla Parvatham on the Alipiri footpath?

It is in the upper part of the climb, after Gali Gopuram, forming the last steep flight of steps before the Tirumala hilltop entrance.

Why is it called Mokalla Parvatham?

The name comes from the Telugu word for knees. The steps are so steep that climbers feel their knees rise towards the chest, or lean on their knees for support — hence “knee hill.”

How many steps is the Mokalla Parvatham section?

It is commonly described as a continuous run of roughly 300 steep steps forming the final lap of the full Alipiri climb of about 3,550 steps.

Is Mokalla Parvatham the hardest part of the Alipiri walk?

Yes. While most of the route is a steady gradient, this section has the steepest, non-stop steps and is generally considered the toughest stretch of the entire footpath.

Do walking pilgrims get a special darshan?

Yes. On-foot pilgrims are eligible for TTD’s free footpath darshan (Divya Darshanam), which offers a dedicated queue. Token issue points, quotas and timings are set by TTD and should be confirmed on the official portal.

Is there an easier route to Tirumala on foot?

The alternative Srivari Mettu path is shorter, at about 2,388 steps, and may suit pilgrims who find the full Alipiri climb — and its steep Mokalla Parvatham finish — too strenuous.

Plan the full walk

See also our detailed guide: Tirumala Alipiri footpath — timings, route, steps and luggage counter.

Last reviewed: July 7, 2026