When you walk on such stone slabs with not so smooth and flat surface, your feet will experience the acupressure treatment in all the pressure points there. Most of the path is made of long stone slabs which are firmly cemented. There is an advantage in going barefoot here. I would suggest you start taking the pedestrian path without any foot ware since this entire place is considered holy and sacred. Walking will usually take 2 to 4 hrs depending on your fitness. The luggage will reach Tirumala in less than 2 hours usually and the same can be collected by the pilgrims once they reach the hilltop upon producing the receipt obtained while depositing the luggage. Ensure to carry only wallet, camera, water bottles and any other valuables if you feel necessary with you. In this counter, you may opt to drop your belongings in locked baggage that you wish not to carry while taking the pedestrian path. At the very beginning itself you have a free luggage carry counter operated by TTD. If you are driving on your own, you can park your vehicle at Alipiri and proceed towards entrance point towards the steps. If your wish is to take the pedestrian path, you should reach a place called ‘Alipiri’ – which is the starting point, well connected by local transport from airport, railway station and bus stations. Tirupati city is well connected with all forms of transport modes via road, train and flights. Hope this will help when you plan to visit the temple next time :). I plan to cover the amenities provided by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) for such pedestrian pilgrims. This post is all about taking pedestrian path to reach the hilltop from Alipiri. The pedestrian path covers only 2 of these hills and the distance to be covered is around 9 kms. But when I go with friends and cousins, I prefer to take this pedestrian path since it is as good as any other trekking experience along with a bit of spirituality! The temple of Lord Balaji is located atop one of a range of seven hills – Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. But it was only once before with family members taking the pedestrian path to reach the Tirumala hill top from Tirupati foot hills.

We have been visiting Tirumala Tirupati Venkateshwara temple quite often since my childhood. It was my mother’s wish to visit Tirumala during Srivari Brahmotsavam.

Tirumala car parking area