Alipiri: The Gate Way to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Alipiri is the place at the foot of the seven hills in Tirupati where the ancient walking route to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple begins. Sitting at the base of the Seshachalam range, it is the point where the stepped footpath (the Alipiri Mettu) and the ghat roads to Tirumala converge, which is why it is popularly called “The Gateway to Tirumala.” Every pilgrim who chooses to climb to the hill shrine on foot from the Tirupati side starts their journey here, passing the Padala Mandapam shrines and the towering Gali Gopuram on the way up.
Where is Alipiri and what does the name mean?
Alipiri lies within Tirupati city, roughly 4 km from the Tirupati bus stand and railway station, at the foot of the Tirumala hills. TTD-run free buses connect the bus stand and railway station to Alipiri, and any Tirumala-bound bus also stops here. The name Alipiri literally means “resting place.” In earlier centuries, when the only way to reach the shrine was to climb all seven hills on foot, pilgrims arriving from distant villages would halt here to cook, eat and rest before beginning the long ascent. That custom gave the spot its enduring name.
Alipiri is also known as Alipiri Padala Mandapam, after the cluster of temples located here. It is where two ghat roads (one for the journey up and one for the descent) and the footpath all meet, making it the single gateway through which foot pilgrims from Tirupati pass.
The Alipiri footpath (Alipiri Mettu)
The stone stairway that climbs from Alipiri to Tirumala is known as the Alipiri Mettu. It consists of about 3,550 steps and threads through the seven hills of the Seshachalam range. The total walking distance is commonly cited at roughly 9–12 km depending on the source, and a typical climb takes about 4 to 6 hours, varying with a walker’s pace, fitness and rest breaks.
The path is designed with pilgrim comfort in mind. Almost the entire route is covered with a roof to shield walkers from sun and rain, it is lit for evening and early-morning use, and drinking-water points are placed at frequent intervals along the climb. There are four gopurams (temple towers) spread along the way, and refreshment stalls are available near the Gali Gopuram, which walkers reach after roughly 1,800 steps. The Gali Gopuram is a prominent landmark visible from a considerable distance around Tirupati and serves as a natural resting point on the ascent.
Alipiri is not the only footpath. The shorter Srivari Mettu route, about 2 km away, was renovated and reopened for pilgrims in 2008 and has around 2,388 steps. Alipiri remains the longer, more historic and more widely used of the two.
Alipiri footpath at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Foot of Tirumala hills, Tirupati (~4 km from bus stand / railway station) |
| Number of steps | Approximately 3,550 |
| Distance | Roughly 9–12 km (varies by source) |
| Time to walk | About 4–6 hours, depending on pace |
| Path features | Fully roofed, lit, water points at regular intervals, four gopurams |
| Major landmark | Gali Gopuram, after about 1,800 steps |
| Luggage | Free deposit and transfer to a counter near the Tirumala temple |
| Alternative footpath | Srivari Mettu (~2,388 steps, reopened 2008) |
Timings and the exact status of the footpath can change with weather, crowd control or wildlife-safety measures, so it is best to confirm the current position on the official TTD portal before you travel.
Padala Mandapam and the shrines at Alipiri
Alipiri is a place of worship in its own right, not merely a starting line. The best known shrine is Srivari Padala Mandapam, dedicated to Padala Venkateswara Swamy. According to tradition, Lord Venkateswara, after his Ekantha Seva at Tirumala, would descend to visit his consort Padmavati at Tiruchanur and leave his footwear at this spot, giving the shrine its name (padalu means “foot” in Telugu). Many foot pilgrims begin their yatra here by carrying the Srivari Padukalu, a representation of the Lord’s footwear, on their heads.
Within the same Padala Mandapam complex there is also a temple to Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy, and a Sri Vinayaka (Ganesha) shrine located on the second ghat road, where pilgrims travelling by road often stop to pray before starting the climb up the hills. These shrines are administered by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
A festival called Metlotsavam, organised by TTD’s Dasa Sahitya Project, is held periodically to honour the Alipiri stairway; groups of devotees trek to Tirumala singing devotional hymns.
The Alipiri toll gate and security checkpoint
Alipiri is also the entry point for vehicles using the ghat road. In 2009, following security concerns, TTD established the Sapthagiri Security Zone here to screen vehicles and pilgrims entering Tirumala. Vehicles pass through a security check and a toll station near Alipiri, where an entry token is issued after screening; that token is checked again at the Tirumala end. Foot pilgrims and their belongings are also screened at Alipiri. The checkpoint exists to protect the hills and the shrine, and pilgrims should carry a valid government photo ID and cooperate with the screening.
Divya Darshan for walking pilgrims
Devotees who climb to Tirumala on foot are eligible for Divya Darshan (also called Divya Darshanam or footpath darshan), a special facility that gives walkers a dedicated darshan queue as recognition of their effort. Tokens for the Alipiri route are issued at the Bhudevi Complex near the Alipiri bus station. The token is free of cost, and registration is biometric: your photograph and fingerprints are captured and linked to the token, so you must carry your original Aadhaar or another government-approved ID.
Divya Darshan tokens are not sold or booked online; they are issued only to devotees who actually walk. Daily token numbers, issue timings and queue rules are set by TTD and can change with demand and crowd management, so verify the current process and timings on the official TTD portal before you set out. A free luggage-transfer service at Alipiri lets you deposit your bags and footwear and collect them at a counter near the temple in Tirumala.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps are there on the Alipiri footpath?
The Alipiri Mettu has about 3,550 steps climbing through the seven hills of the Seshachalam range to Tirumala.
How long does it take to walk from Alipiri to Tirumala?
Most pilgrims take around 4 to 6 hours, depending on their pace, fitness and how often they rest. The path is roofed and has water points, which makes the climb more comfortable.
Is the Alipiri footpath the same as Srivari Mettu?
No. They are two separate footpaths. Alipiri (~3,550 steps) is the longer, historic route; Srivari Mettu (~2,388 steps), about 2 km away, is shorter and was reopened in 2008.
Do foot pilgrims get a special darshan?
Yes. Walking pilgrims are eligible for free Divya Darshan. Tokens for the Alipiri route are issued at the Bhudevi Complex near Alipiri with biometric registration, so carry original government photo ID. Confirm timings and rules on the official TTD portal.
Can I leave my luggage before climbing?
Yes. There is a free luggage-deposit and transfer service at Alipiri. You can drop bags and footwear there and collect them at the counter near the Tirumala temple.
Why is there a checkpoint at Alipiri?
The Sapthagiri Security Zone, set up in 2009, screens vehicles and pilgrims entering Tirumala to safeguard the hills. Vehicles get a toll-gate entry token after the security check; foot pilgrims and their bags are screened too.
Sources & last verified (July 2026)
- Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams official portal — tirumala.org and tirupatibalaji.ap.gov.in
- Wikipedia — Alipiri (steps, Padala Mandapam shrines, Sapthagiri Security Zone, Metlotsavam)
- Reported Divya Darshan token and footpath details cross-checked against widely published TTD pilgrim guidance
Timings, token numbers and darshan rules are set by TTD and can change; always confirm the latest details on the official TTD portal before travelling.
Tirumala Tirupati Online is an independent pilgrim-information guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) or any temple or government body. For official bookings and confirmations, use only the official TTD portal.
Last reviewed: July 7, 2026
