TTD to christen Tirumala streets after religious personalities, philosophers

In a move to exalt the spiritual ecosystem of the hill temple, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is contemplating christening the streets atop the sacred town after illustrious Saints, Alwars, philosophers and benevolent monarchs, whose devotion and contributions shaped the enduring heritage of Lord Venkateswara’s abode.

Despite Tirumala’s pre-eminence as the foremost Hindu pilgrimage centre, most of its internal pathways currently bear only functional identifiers based on cottage complexes such as ATC, MBC, ATGH, HVC, HVDC, and Surapuram Thota, barring the iconic mada streets.

In a bid to infuse sanctity into even the arterial network of the temple town, the administration has embarked on a transformative plan to endow every thoroughfare with names drawn from the temple’s luminous spiritual history.

Speaking to The Hindu, TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary revealed that the names of over 50 exalted personalities had already been shortlisted.

Visionary spiritual reformer Sri Ramanujacharya, saint-composer Annamacharya, mystic poet Purandhara Dasa, revered Kulasekhara Alwar, ardent devotee Anandalwar, and the legendary Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya are among the first names proposed for the mapping initiative.

Mr. Chowdary said the endeavour was not merely administrative but devotional, an homage to those who offered their scholarship, artistry, wealth, and unwavering surrender at the feet of the Lord.

The TTD seeks particularly to honour the great Alwars of Sri Vaishnava tradition, whose hymns, service and philosophy remain inseparable from the temple’s spiritual fabric.

Sounding optimistic, he opined that the initiative would trigger curiosity among the pilgrims, inspiring them to learn about the saints whose lives radiate Bhakti and whose legacies continue to illuminate Tirumala.

The divine nomenclature such as Sri Ramanujacharya Marg, Goda Devi Marg, Annamaiah Circle and the like is expected to subtly immerse visitors in a heightened spiritual consciousness from the moment they ascend the sacred hills, allowing them to traverse not just physical paths but the very footsteps of saintly luminaries.

As India’s premier pilgrimage destination, Tirumala’s streets — once renamed — are poised to become living corridors of devotion. With every turn echoing the memory of a divine associate of Lord Venkateswara, the TTD hopes that devotees will feel naturally enveloped in transcendental serenity, enhancing the ethereal experience that every pilgrim seeks on the sacred summit.