Venkatesa Samam Sthanam Brahmaande Naasti Kinchanah
Venkatesa Samo Devo Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati
You will completely forget yourself and get immersed in a divine world when you hear the reverberating chants of Om Namo Venkatesaya, Om Namo Narayana and Annamayya Keertanalu. The atmosphere from Alipiri steps to Tirumala Hills is spread with positive / divine vibes which fills your mind with divine / positive thoughts and recharges your mind, body and soul.
Free transport run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and APSRTC, is available from Tirupati Railway Station to Tirumala Uphills. Buses ply frequently from railway station Uphills.
It's a wonderful divinely experience to climb / trek the 7 hills of Tirumala. Before we start climbing the 7 hills of Tirumala, let's know about the names of these hills.
TTD provides the following facilities to the pilgrims who climb the hills by foot:
Saint Annamayya's song 'Kattedura Vaikunthamu' gives a detailed description of Tirumala hills.
Climbing the 7 hills is considered a festival or utsav for some sects who call it as Mettlotsavam. Pilgrim who take a vow, perform metla pooja while climbing the steps. These include burning camphor on each and every step or smearing of turmeric paste and applying kumkuma. There are very few pilgrim who undergo hard penance and climb the hills (only the 7th hill) on their knees.
It is believed that the aerial view of the range of seven hills of Tirumala appear like a coiled serpent with seven peaks. Hence it got its name as Seshachalam from the Adi Seshu (the Divine Serpent) with seven hoods that makes the mattress / couch for Sri Maha Vishnu.
Round the year, climbing the steps in enjoyable. However, it is difficult in summer months of April / May. It is enjoyable in the rainy season when you can have the thrill of walking through the clouds on the cloud-clad hills. If you like the chill winter, you can enjoy walking through the mist in the winter as well. During other seasons it is better to start your journey in the mornings as it takes around 3.5 to 4 hours or even more depending on your fitness and the pace of your climbing up the steps. There are around 3650 steps with a stretch of over 2 Km plain road. Climbing Alipiri steps is the toughest part of the journey where much of your energy is exhausted, If you are a first timer, you will doubt whether you can successfully climb the hills or not.
As you reach Gali Gopuram, you have reached the final point of 1st hill. Climb the steep steps of the 1st hill at a comfortable pace. Before you start your trekking, pray the Lord of Seven Hills with full devotion and seek His blessings and start your journey by chanting His name.
Yedu Kondalavada Venkataramama
Govinda!! Govinda!!
On the way, you come across groups of people running up the steps with a competitive spirit. Of course, at times running up the steps with a competitive spirit might make you forget your tiresomeness but not always. Make sure to climb the steps at your own pace which helps you in overcoming the strain.
To overcome strain / tiresome of climbing the steps:
If you happen to climb the hills in the evening, the beauty of the panoramic view is indescribable as you can set the city in lights and you can also enjoy the sun set in between the hills.
At this point, you will find a row of food stalls on both the sides where the local people sell hot hot mouth watering local foods like attu, dosa, idli, delicious mirchi bajji etc. Here you can sit for a while under the shady trees and have refreshments if you wish. You can even find some typical local beds for a relax amidst the nature.
Remember not to enjoy too much of resting here as you have more to walk ahead. Just relax for a some time, refresh and resume your journey. From this point your journey would be quite easy with flat less steps and much of walking all the way. When you walk barefooted, though the way is smooth enough, you can feel the pressure in the bottom of your foot like acupressure which helps in rejuvenating the body cells.
As you walk further ahead, you will be marveled to see the gigantic standing figure of Lord Hanuman. At this point you can stop for a while and refresh in the few stalls before you continue with your walking. By this point you have almost completed two-third of your journey and almost nearing Tirumala hills. All along the way while climbing the steps you can enjoy Annamayya Keertanalu and other religious / devotional chanting in the mikes.
Further ahead, you reach the Yoga Narasimha Temple. It is cool here, so you feel like resting for a while at this spot. There are big shady trees on either side of the steps. and to your left while climbing up, you can see a beautiful colorful statue of Lord Krishna. From this place you have to walk down a bit when you come across the road of the ghats. Here you have to walk on the walkways of the road which is around 2 Km in distance.
The walkway is covered with shade and while you walk, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the lush green valleys on side and the windmills moving atop the Tirumala hills. On the other side you can see the high raised rocky slopes with water falls. However, you won't find much of water fall in the summer season. And as you walk ahead you come across a small temple under the slopes which is known as the Temple of Seven Sisters / Yeduguru Akkachellala Gudi dedicated to the seven hills.
Enjoy the natural breeze and fresh fragrance of the forest plants which gives you a refreshed feeling. As you approach the final point, you will find a huge Gopurarm and Aw! once again steep steps to climb. Don't worry at this point. This is the final point and you will reach Tirumala on climbing these steep steps. Anyway, by this time your body will be used to much of climbing and walking, so you don't find it much difficult to climb these steep steps which are not as difficult as Alipiri steps.
You will reach the final destination soon. Concentrate on Lord Venkateswara and keep climbing without feeling the strain. Aha! Govinda! Wow! you will be much delighted when you reach the Narayana Vanam at the entrance of Tirumala where you can feel the divine vibes.
Govinda! Govinda! A sigh of relief! you won't belief yourself how you could succeed in climbing all the seven hills. Yes, Lord Venkateswara is the driving force and the Ultimate Energy.
Climbing the seven hills not only helps in the spiritual elevation of mind but also it helps in weight reducing and in maintaining body fitness. The journey of climbing the 7 hills is a delightful experience.
Venkatesa Samo Devo Na Bhooto Na Bhavishyati
You will completely forget yourself and get immersed in a divine world when you hear the reverberating chants of Om Namo Venkatesaya, Om Namo Narayana and Annamayya Keertanalu. The atmosphere from Alipiri steps to Tirumala Hills is spread with positive / divine vibes which fills your mind with divine / positive thoughts and recharges your mind, body and soul.
Free transport run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and APSRTC, is available from Tirupati Railway Station to Tirumala Uphills. Buses ply frequently from railway station Uphills.
It's a wonderful divinely experience to climb / trek the 7 hills of Tirumala. Before we start climbing the 7 hills of Tirumala, let's know about the names of these hills.
- Vrushabhadri
- Anjanadri
- Neelaadri
- Garudaari
- Seshaadri
- Narayanaadri and
- Venkataadri
TTD provides the following facilities to the pilgrims who climb the hills by foot:
- Free APSRTC buses from Tirupati Railway Station to the foothill of Alipiri. Buses ply very frequently at every half-an-hour. There is also private / paid transport to reach the 'sopana margalu'.
- Bio-metric counters at the entrance of footpaths for free accommodation in the uphills, free darshan of the Lord and free food at Annadanam.
- Token counters at the entrance of these footpaths for ticket darshans.
- Free transport of luggage to Tirumala. This is one of the best facilities provided by the TTD. Pilgrims can deposit their luggage at any of the choultries in Tirupati or at the Toll Gate or at the entrance of footpath at Alipiri and walk up the steps happily. However ensure that the baggage is locked as unlocked baggage is not accepted. It is advisable not to leave valuables in the baggage. A token / receipt is given on handing over the luggage at the counters. This has to be produced at the luggage counter close near the Central Reception Office (CRO) in Tirumala for the delivery of luggage. It takes less than 2 hours for transporting the luggage.
- Drinking water taps all along the way.
- Well maintained toilets at certain points on the way.
- Shelters at some of the important places on the way.
- Continuous patrolling of security forces.
- 24-hours medical assistance all along the way.
- Canteens run by private people for supply of fresh foods.
General information
The 7 hills of Tirumala are considered highly sacred by Hindus. It is believed that each stone on these sacred hills is a form of Saligramam (a highly sacred stone for Hindus. It is spherical in shape and black colored fossil stone which is believed to be a representation of Lord Vishnu). Each tree on these hills represent the great sages of the past which continuously chant Omkara mantra. These trees have high medicinal value.Saint Annamayya's song 'Kattedura Vaikunthamu' gives a detailed description of Tirumala hills.
Climbing the 7 hills is considered a festival or utsav for some sects who call it as Mettlotsavam. Pilgrim who take a vow, perform metla pooja while climbing the steps. These include burning camphor on each and every step or smearing of turmeric paste and applying kumkuma. There are very few pilgrim who undergo hard penance and climb the hills (only the 7th hill) on their knees.
It is believed that the aerial view of the range of seven hills of Tirumala appear like a coiled serpent with seven peaks. Hence it got its name as Seshachalam from the Adi Seshu (the Divine Serpent) with seven hoods that makes the mattress / couch for Sri Maha Vishnu.
Do's and don'ts for climbing the 7 hills
- Have a refreshing bath before climbing.
- Climb the hills bare foot. The entire range of hills is considered highly sacred.
- Do not take non-veg food, tobacco or alcoholic beverages.
- Concentrate on the Lord and keep chanting the hymns of god / sing devotion songs.
 |
| Courtesy: Google Images |
Useful tips for the journey
.jpg) |
| Courtesy: Google Images |
As you reach Gali Gopuram, you have reached the final point of 1st hill. Climb the steep steps of the 1st hill at a comfortable pace. Before you start your trekking, pray the Lord of Seven Hills with full devotion and seek His blessings and start your journey by chanting His name.
Yedu Kondalavada Venkataramama
Govinda!! Govinda!!
On the way, you come across groups of people running up the steps with a competitive spirit. Of course, at times running up the steps with a competitive spirit might make you forget your tiresomeness but not always. Make sure to climb the steps at your own pace which helps you in overcoming the strain.
.jpg) |
| Courtesy: Google Images |
- Go in groups.
- Keep yourself engaged in jovial talks with your family / friends.
- Sit on the paves and rest for a while after climbing a distance. Do not sit for too long a period as this will make you lethargic to resume climbing.
- Do not drink soft drinks while climbing the steep steps as this will bloat your tummy, make you feel uncomfortable and you find difficulty in breathing.
- Take glucose water or some energy drink to cope up with the situation.
- Avoid consuming too much of water or drinks as this will bloat your tummy.
If you happen to climb the hills in the evening, the beauty of the panoramic view is indescribable as you can set the city in lights and you can also enjoy the sun set in between the hills.
At this point, you will find a row of food stalls on both the sides where the local people sell hot hot mouth watering local foods like attu, dosa, idli, delicious mirchi bajji etc. Here you can sit for a while under the shady trees and have refreshments if you wish. You can even find some typical local beds for a relax amidst the nature.
 |
| Courtesy: Google Images |
 |
| Deer Park |
 |
| Courtesy: Google Images |
Further ahead, you reach the Yoga Narasimha Temple. It is cool here, so you feel like resting for a while at this spot. There are big shady trees on either side of the steps. and to your left while climbing up, you can see a beautiful colorful statue of Lord Krishna. From this place you have to walk down a bit when you come across the road of the ghats. Here you have to walk on the walkways of the road which is around 2 Km in distance.
The walkway is covered with shade and while you walk, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the lush green valleys on side and the windmills moving atop the Tirumala hills. On the other side you can see the high raised rocky slopes with water falls. However, you won't find much of water fall in the summer season. And as you walk ahead you come across a small temple under the slopes which is known as the Temple of Seven Sisters / Yeduguru Akkachellala Gudi dedicated to the seven hills.
 |
| Courtesy: Google Images |
You will reach the final destination soon. Concentrate on Lord Venkateswara and keep climbing without feeling the strain. Aha! Govinda! Wow! you will be much delighted when you reach the Narayana Vanam at the entrance of Tirumala where you can feel the divine vibes.
Govinda! Govinda! A sigh of relief! you won't belief yourself how you could succeed in climbing all the seven hills. Yes, Lord Venkateswara is the driving force and the Ultimate Energy.
Climbing the seven hills not only helps in the spiritual elevation of mind but also it helps in weight reducing and in maintaining body fitness. The journey of climbing the 7 hills is a delightful experience.