For millions of devotees who travel to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala, the journey is as sacred as the destination. Recognising this, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has unveiled a transformative plan to enhance the spiritual ambience of key pilgrimage entry points — the Tirupati airport and the iconic Alipiri arch — making them extensions of Tirumala’s sanctity.
According to officials, the Tirupati airport currently lacks any visual or cultural cues that reflect the legacy of the temple town. Besides a solitary mural inside the terminal, the space offers little spiritual resonance. With thousands flying in daily, officials say this is a missed opportunity to immerse visitors in Tirumala’s divine atmosphere from arrival.
The TTD has submitted a proposal to the Union Aviation Ministry to completely revamp the airport, with the redesign inspired by the architecture of the Tirumala temple itself. Expect intricately carved facades, sculptural elements echoing the temple’s vimanas (towers), and aesthetic details that invoke reverence. This isn’t just a facelift — it’s an attempt to create an environment where spiritual energy greets visitors at the terminal.
Equally significant is the overhaul of the Alipiri arch—the monumental gateway where devotees begin the trek to the Tirumala shrine. The redesign will reimagine the structure as a Maha Mandapam—a grand hall in traditional South Indian temple architecture. As per designer Anand Sai, the arch will be clad entirely in stone, employing age-old temple construction techniques. It is being built to endure for the next 500 years as a symbol of strength and devotion.
The Alipiri footpath, which sees tens of thousands of pilgrims climbing barefoot as an act of faith, is also part of the comprehensive redesign. Planned upgrades include:
Shaded resting areas
Enhanced greenery along the route
Thematic art installations depicting stories from the life of Lord Venkateswara
Spiritual markers and interpretative panels that narrate sacred legends
This initiative aims to transform the trek into a spiritually immersive experience rather than a mere physical climb.
(With inputs from multiple sources)
