Tirupati to Tirumala Reaching by foot...

Reaching Tirumala by foot ...   

Pedestrian Trail, Alipiri Gate to Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh....

Many pilgrims prefer to go on foot from the Tirupati to Tirumala to have the Darshan of the Lord. It is also part of Sankalpam (commitment).

For those who would like to climb the hills to Tirumala to fulfil a vow, there are two well-laid stone footpaths leading to Tirumala. These paths are called sopanamargas. The more ancient of the two sopanamargas which starts from Alipiri at the foot of the hills, is about 11 km in length, and is the commonly-used route. The other sopanamarga from Chandragiri, though only about 6 km in length, is a more difficult route. It is mainly used by the local people and traders.

Several facilities are provided to the piligrims who walk up the hills to Tirumala, by the administration.

    * Free transport of the Pilgrims luggage from the bottom of the hill to the Top.
    * Well cemented steps with hand rails for support.
    * Supply of potable water along the way.
    * Toilets for both ladies and Gents.
    * Well lit path way and security guards to ensure safety of the pilgrims.
    * Small restaurants along the way for refreshments and snacks.

The pilgrims have to get to Alipiri toll gate ,where the steps to the Tirumala begins.This is 4 K.Ms away from the railway station.They can then deposit their luggage at the T.T.D transport office and obtain a receipt.On reaching the top, they can redeem their luggage after producing this receipt. The foot way is 16 Kilometers in distance.It takes roughly between 3 to 4 hours to reach Tirumala by this way.

The natural beauty along the way is breath taking.Though the steps at the start are a bit steep, the rest of the way is quite even and one wouldn't need to strain much.All along the way one can see pilgrims of every age climbing the steps with equal gusto. There are small mandapams along the way where pilgrims can take rest.Though the journey is physically tiring, it is a spiritually satifying one.

Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs two free buses from the Tirupati Railway station to Alipiri, with a frequency of 30 minutes. Pilgrims who intend to walk up the hills to Tirumala can use these buses.

Attached is the shape of 7 hills in the form of lord's face when turned vertical.

adwaita:
Devotional activities for the Lord    

Tonsure and Tirumala go together. Devotees vow and offer their hair to the Lord - a symbolic sacrifice of the ego. Tonsure is done at Kalyana Katta, a massive four floor building operating round the clock. Fee for tonsure near the cottages is Rs.10/- per head. Tonsure is followed by a holy dip in the Pushkarini and the devotees then proceed to the Temple for darshan.

    * Tonsuring (Getting your head shaved)

      The objective behind tonsuring (shaving one's head for the Lord) is to demonstrate that he/she completely surrenders his/her ego at the feet of the Lord. Pilgrims can have their heads tonsured at the Kalyanakatta (opposite the Annanadanam Complex). There are seventeen sub-centers for tonsuring. Pilgrims can also request to be tonsured at the cottages where they are staying.
    * Walking up the Hills

      Many pilgrims walk up the hills to fulfill vows they have taken, for which Tirumala - Tirupati Devsthanam has constructed a footpath from Alipiri to Tirumala. It takes approximately two and a half hours to walk up the hill.
    * Angapradakshinam

      Angapradakshinam is when pilgrims lie prostrate, and then roll around the temple, chanting the Lord's name. The objective is to show their devotion to the Lord, and thank Him for protecting them. It is performed in the Vimana Pradakshinam, one of the pathways around the temple.

      Pilgrims who wish to undertake the Angapradakshinam have to take a dip in the Swami Pushkarini, and reach the Main Temple Complex by 0200 hrs (through a special queue that starts from the PPC Sheds).

      Angapradakshinam is generally restricted to the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). It is also restricted when there is heavy in flux of pilgrims.
    * Tulabharam

      Tulabharam is offering one's weight in coins or other items such as sugar, candy according to one's vows to the Lord. Tulabharam is generally performed for children. Pilgrims can weigh their offerings in the temple complex. The coins can be deposited in the temple hundi and other items can be handed over to the temple authorities present. The queue for Tulabharam is the regular queue that starts from the Vaikuntham Queue Complex or PC Queue Complex.
    * Niluvudopidi

      Niluvudopidi is offering to the Lord the ornaments, etc., that one is wearing when one takes the vow. The objective is to sacrifice one's belongings to the Lord, with the philosophy 'what is mine is the Lord's'.
adwaita:
Sri Vaari Prasadam

In  previous days  rice prasadam  was offered  Lord Venkateswara as Naivedyam. It was called as ’Manoharam’. Rice powder and jaggery’s juice was mixed and prasadam was made. There was much patronage from devotees for this prasadam. There was much patronage from devotees for this prasadam.  The preparation of  kondantha (just like hill) laddu started in a funny way. In 1940 the puja , Lord Venkateswara’s Nithya kalyanam started. As per Hindu custom Laddu will be served in marriage lunch / dinner in ever body’s house. As per the custom , Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanam(TTD) management Laddus were prepared with sugar and offered to Swamy . From 1943 the laddus were offered as prasadam  for those participated in Kalyanothsavam.  The laddus were prepared of cashew, Elachi  etc. The prasadam was distributed once to devotees who visited the temple the temple  on Saturdays. Later the management of the temple felt that it was not fair to distribute the same type of laddus to both participating in Kalyanamahotsavam and for those in Dharma Darsanam. Big size laddus were given to those participated in Kalyanamahotsavam. There was demand from devotees that should be offered for sale Due to this demand sale of laddus started daily. From that time Lord Venkateswara’s laddus are getting unprecedented liking from devotees.  Though there was change in sizes and tastes of laddus no difference in sales is observed. That is the staunch belief of devotees.

Mirasi System in the starting :  In the initial starting for preparation and supervision of laddu prasadams the Mirasi’s system was there.  Those who were preparing laddus in the kitchen (Potu) were called as Gamekar Mirasis.Out of the lot of 51 laddus 11 laddus  were given to Mirasi Brahmin families. TTD management  went to  courts upto supreme court on Mirasi system and after  a long fight succeeded.  Mirasi system was abolished. The total rights on laddus were achieved by TTD.

In the kitchen Prasadams were prepared using fire wood. From 1984 consumption of gas was started . During Mirasi period 200 to 300 people were working. At present the staff of TTD kitchen (Potu) are  only about150 .  Previously only 65000 to 75000 laddus were prepared. This number of laddus was less than half of the demand from devotees.  Another kitchen was started by floating tenders. There also another 65000 to 70000 laddus are prepared and the demand from devotees is met. On  special occasions like UGADI the staff of kitchen (Potu) prepare special laddus and offer to God.  Till now the biggest laddu offered to  Lord Venkateswara was of 32 Kgs weight.

The list of ingredients and the proportion in which they are to be used is called Dittam. six times changes were made in Dittam.  At present the cost of preparation of  each laddu   is 13 Rs.   Though many modern methods were implemented in the speedy and quality preparation of laddus  ,they have not yielded good results. Some old techniques are also still followed.

Problem of storing laddus:   Apart from preparation of laddus ,storage of laddus is a real problem.  As Tirumala is a cold place , the humidity in air is high . Laddu can not be stored for long time. Due to heavy demand laddus are sent to sales counters immediately after preparation.  In the kitchen  of old times built in the temple laddus preparation is going on till now.  This is also causing inconvenience. TTD is studying the feasibility of shifting the kitchen and changes to improve the quality.
Whatever  may be the actions of managing committee of  TTD , people want tasty laddus.  The important responsibility of TTD is to tasty laddu with quality that remains as a sweet memory to Devotees.                

Laddu, or Ladoo, is one of the most important offering and prasadam given to devotees at the Tirumala Tirupati Lord Venkateswara Temple. Tirupati Laddu is a spherical-shaped sweet made of flour and sugar. In fact, Tirupati and the huge laddus are synonymous. It is a customary duty of a devotee returning from Tirupati Balaji Temple to distribute ‘laddu’ as prasadam to his neighbors, friends and relatives.

Some quick facts about Tirupati Laddu

    * Around 150,000 laddus are made daily.
    * One laddu is given free to each devotee; the number of daily devotees that visit the temple is around 50,000.
    * A devotee can buy extra two laddus – a laddu costs 5 rupees.
    * The revenue from the sale of laddu annually is more than 11 million rupees.

    * Each laddu weighs around 100gms and is huge when compared with the normal laddu found in shops.
    * There is a super huge Tirupati Laddu known as Kalyana Laddu and it weighs around 500gms – ½ a kilogram.
    * Single largest laddu made is said to have weighed 32 kg.

    * The tradition of Tirupati Laddu is nearly 300 years old.
    * It is prepared by special hereditary priests known as archakas in special temple kitchen known as ‘potu’.

    * Ingredients used in Tirupati Laddu are Besan flour (kadalai mavu), Sugar, Cashew nuts, Cardamom, Ghee, Oil, Sugar candy, Raisins and Almonds.

On a day around 5000 kg of Besan flour is used.
Sugar around 10000 kg.
Cashew nuts around 600 kg.
Cardamom 150 kg
Ghee 300 liters
Sugar candy 400 kg
Raisins 540 kg

    * The ingredients are bought at the auction at the Commodities and Spices Exchange in Kochi.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTDs) the administrating body of the temple is planning to patent the Tirupati Laddu to stop counterfeits

adwaita:
108 Names of Lord Venkatesa

Venkatesaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Seshadhri Nilayaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Vrushadhrug Gocharaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Vishnave Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sadanjana Gireesaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Vrushadhri Pathaye Nama Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Meru Puthra Girisaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sarasswamy Tadee Jushe Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Kumaara Kalpa Sevyaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Vajridhrug Vishayaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha

Suvarchalaa Suthanyastha Sainaapathya Bharaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namah
Raamaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Padmanabhaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sadaa Vaayu Stutaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Tyakta Vaikuntta Lokaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Girikunja Vihaarine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Harichandana Gothrendhra Swamine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sankha Raajanya Nethraabhja Vishayaaya Sri Venaktesaya Namaha
Vasoo Parichara Thraathre Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Krishnaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha

Abdhi Kanyaa Parishvaktha Vakshase Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Venkataya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sanakaadhi Mahaa Yogi Poojithaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Devajith Pramukha Anantha Daitya Sangha Pranasasine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Svetha Dhveepa Vasan Muktha Poojithaangri Yugaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sesha Parvatha Roopathva Prakaasana Paraaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Saanu Staapita Taarkshyaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Taarkshyachala Nivasine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Maaya Gooda Vimana Venkatesaya Namaha
Garuda Skandha Vaasine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha

Ananta Sirase Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Ananthakshaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Ananta Charanaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Srisaila Nilayaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Dhaamodaraya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Neelamegha Nibhaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Brahmmadhi Deva Durdarsa Visvaroopaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Vaikunttaagatha Saddhema Vimaana Antargataaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Agasthyabhyartitaa Sesha Jana Dhrug Gocharaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sri Vaasudevaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha

Haraye Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Theertha Panchaka Vaasine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Vaamadeva Priyaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Janakeshta Pradhaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Maarkandeya Mahaa Theertha Jaatha Punya Pradhaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Vaakpathi Brahmadhathre Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Chandra Laavanya Dhayine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Naarayana Nagesaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Brahma Klupthothsavaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sankha Chakra Varaanamra Lasath Karatalaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha

Dravan Mriga Madhaasaktha Vigrahaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Kesavaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Nithya Youvana Moorthaye Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Artithaarta Pradhathre Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Visva Teerttha Agha Haarine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Theertaswamy Saras Snatha Janabhishta Pradhayine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Kumara Dhaarikaa Vaasas Skandhabheeshta Pradhaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Jaanu Dhagna Samudhbhutha Pothrine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Koorma Moorthaye Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Kinnara Dhvandhva Saapaanta Pradaathre Sri Venkatesaya Namaha

Vibhave Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Vaikhaanasa Muni Shreshtta Poojithaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Simhachala Nivasaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sriman Naarayanaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sadhbhakta Neelakanttaarchya Nrusimhaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Kumudhaksha Gana Sreshta Sainapatya Pradhaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Durmedha Praanahartre Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sridharaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Kshatriyaantaka Raamaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Mathsya Roopaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha

Paandavaari Praharthre Sri Venkatesaya Nama
Srikaraaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Upatyakta Pradesastha Shankara Dhyaata Moorthaye Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Rukmaabja Saraseekoola Lakshmeekrita Tapasvine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Lasalakshmi Karambhoja Dhattha Kalharaka Sraje Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Saalagraama Nivaasaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sukha Dhrig Gocharaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Naarayana Artitha Asesha Jana Dhrig Gocharaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Mrigayaarasikaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Vrishabhasura Haarine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha

Anjanaa Gothra Pathaye Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Vrishabhaachala Vaasine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Anjanaa Suta Dhaathre Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Maadhaveeya Agha Haarine Sri Venkatesaya Nama Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Priyangu Priya Bhakshyaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Svetha Kola Varaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Neela Dhenu Payo Dhaaraa Seka Dehotbhavaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sankara Priya Mithraaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Chola Puthra Priyaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Sudharminee Suchaitanya Pradhaathre Nama Sri Venkatesaya Namaha

Madhu Ghaatine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Krishnaakhya Vipra Vedantha Desikathva Pradhaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Varahachala Naataya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Balabhadraaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Thrivikramaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Mahathe Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Hrisheekesaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Achyuthaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Neeladhri Nilayaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Ksheeraabdhi Naataaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha

Vaikuntaachala Vaasine Sri Venkatesaya Namah
Mukundhaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Ananthaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Virinchaabhyartithaaneetha Soumya Roopaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Suvarna Mukhari Snaatha Manuja Abheeshta Daayine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Halaayudha Jagath Theerttha Samastha Phala Dhaayine Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Govindaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha
Srinivaasaaya Sri Venkatesaya Namaha

adwaita:
Sri venkatesha suprabatam


Kausalyaa suprajaa raama poorvaa samdhyaa pravartate
Utthishtha nara Saardoola kartavyam daivamaahnikam (Twice)

Utthishthotthishtha govimda utthishtha garuda dhvaja
Utthishta kamalaa kaamtaa trailokyam mamgalam kuru (Twice)


Maata ssamasta jagataam madhukaitabhaareh
Vaksho viharini manohara divya moorte
Sree svaamini Srita jana priya daana seele
Sree vemkatesa dayite tava suprabhaatam


Tava suprabhaata maravimda lochane
Bhavatu prasanna mukha camdra mamdale
Vidhi samkaremdra vanitaabhirarcite
Vrsha Saila naatha dayite dayaanidhe

Atryaadi sapta Rshaya ssamupaasya samdhyaam
Aakaasa simdhu kamalaani manoharaani
Aadaaya paada yuga marchayitum prapannaah
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam


Pamchaana naabjabhava shanmukha vaasavaadyaah
Traivikramaadi caritam vibudhaa stuvamti
Bhaashaapatih pathati vaasara Suddhi maaraat
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam


Eeshat praphulla saraseeruha naarikela
Phoogadrumaadi sumanohara paalikaanaam
Aavaati mamda manila ssaha divya gamdhaih
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam


Unmeelya netrayuga muttama pamjarasthaah
Paatraa vasishta kadalee phala paayasaani
Bhuktvaa saleela matha keli Sukaah pathamti
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam


Tamtree prakarsha madhura svanayaa vipamcyaa
Gaayatyanamta caritam tava naaradopi
Bhaashaa samagrama sakrt kara saara ramyam
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam

Bhrmgaavaleecha makaramda rasaanu viddha
Jhamkaara geeta ninadai ssaha sevanaya
Niryaatyupaamta sarasee kamalodarebhyah
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam


Yosha ganena vara dadhni vimathya maane
Ghoshalayeshu dadhi mamthana teevraghoshaah
Roshaatkalim vidadhate kakubhascha kumbhaah
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam


Padmesa mitra Satapatra gataali vargaah
Hartum sriyam kuvalayasya nijaamga lakshmyaa
Bheree ninaada miva bibhrati teevra naadam
Seshaadri sekhara vibho tava suprabhaatam


Sreemannabheeshta varadaakhila loka bamdho
Sree Sreenivaasa jagadeka dayaika simdho
Sree devataagrha bhujaamtara divya moorte
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam


Sree svaami pushkarinikaaplava nirmalaamgaah
Sreyorthino hara virimchi sanamda naadyaah
Dvaare vasamti vara vetra hatottamaamgaah
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam


Sree seshasaila garudaachala vemkataadri
Naaraayanaadri vrshabhaadri vrshaadri mukhyaam
Aakhyaam tvadeeya vasate ranisam vadamti
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Sevaaparaa Siva suresa krsaanu dharma
Rakshombu naatha pavamaana dhanaadi naathaah
Baddhaamjali pravilasa nija Seersha desaah
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam


Dhaateeshute vihagaraaja mrgaadhiraaja
Naagaadhiraaja gajaraaja hayaadhiraajaah
Svasvaadhikaara mahimaadika marthayamte
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam


Sooryemdu bhauma budha vaakpati kaavya Soori
Svarbhaanu ketu divishat parishat pradhaanaah
Tvaddaasa daasa charamaavadhi daasa daasaah
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Tvatpaada dhooli bharita sphuritottamaamgaah
Svargaapa varga nirapeksha nijaamtaramgaah
Kalpaagamaa kalanayaa kulataam labhamte
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam


Tvadgopuraagra sikharaani nireekshamaanaah
Svargaapavarga padaveem paramaam srayamtah
Martyaa mnushya bhuvane mati maasrayamte
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam


Sree bhoomi naayaka dayaadi gunaamrtaabdhe
Devaadi deva jagadeka saranya moorte
Sreemannanamta garudaadibhi rarchitaamghre
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Sree padmanaabha purushottama vaasudeva
Vaikumtha maadhava janaardana chakrapaane
Sree vatsa chihna saranaagata paarijaata
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam


Kamdarpa darpa hara sumdara divya moorte
Kaamtaa kuchaamburuha kutmala lola drshte
Kalyaana nirmala gunaakara divya keerte
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam


Meenaakrte kamatha kola nrsimha varnin
Svaamin parasvatha tapodhana raamachamdra
Seshaamsa raama yadunamdana kalki roopa
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam


Elaa lavamga ghana saara sugamdhi teertham
Divyam viyat sariti hema ghateshu poornam
Dhrtvaadya vaidika sikhaamanayah prahrshtaa
Tishtamti vemkatapate! Tava suprabhaatam


Bhaasvaanudeti vikachaani saroruhaani
Sampoorayamti ninadaih kakubho vihamgaah
Sree vaishnava ssatata marthita mamgalaaste
Dhaamaasrayamti tava vemkata! Suprabhaatam

Brahmaadaya ssuravara ssamaharshayaste
Samta ssanamdana mukhaa stvatha yogi varyaah
Dhaamaamtike tavahi mamgala vastu hastaah
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam

Lakshmee nivaasa niravadya gunaika simdhoh
Samsaara saagara samuttaranaika seto
Vedaamta vedya nija vaibhava bhakta bhogya
Sree vemkataachala pate! Tava suprabhaatam


Ittham vrshaachala pate riha suprabhaatam
Ye maanavaah prati dinam pathitum pravrttaah
Teshaam prabhaata samaye smrti ramga bhaajaam
Praj~naam paraartha sulabhaam paramaam prasoote!