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Under the land swap deal, the disputed Alipiri land would return to TTD, while the tourism department would receive alternate land owned by TTD across the Alipiri-Cherlopalli road
The dispute traces back to November 2021, when then state government allotted nearly 20 acres at Alipiri, considered one of Tirumala’s seven sacred hills, to the tourism department for an Oberoi hotel. (Photo: News18 Telugu)
The long-standing controversy over the Alipiri land at the foothills of Tirumala has finally concluded, bringing relief to thousands of devotees who had opposed its commercial use. The sacred site, once earmarked for a luxury hotel project, will now remain under the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and be used exclusively for the benefit of pilgrims.
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The dispute traces back to November 2021, when then state government allotted nearly 20 acres of land at Alipiri—considered one of Tirumala’s seven sacred hills—to the tourism department for an Oberoi hotel. The decision immediately sparked outrage among devotees, religious leaders, and some organisations, who argued that commercial establishments at the very foothills of Lord Venkateswara’s shrine would dilute its sanctity. Massive protests followed, forcing the TTD Board to step in.
By November 2024, the Board passed a resolution urging the government to reclaim the land from the tourism department and hand it back to TTD. The turning point came in March 2025, when Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, during a visit to Tirumala, publicly assured devotees that no non-religious activities would be allowed on sacred land.
Acting on this assurance, officials worked out a land-swap deal. Under the arrangement, the disputed Alipiri land would return to TTD, while the tourism department would receive alternate land owned by TTD across the Alipiri-Cherlopalli road—an area already hosting several non-religious structures.
The agreement received final approval in July 2025 after multiple board resolutions. TTD has confirmed plans to develop pilgrim facilities on the reclaimed land, ensuring it serves the needs of devotees rather than commercial interests.
The decision has been widely welcomed, with devotees calling it a victory for preserving Tirumala’s spiritual essence. For many, it closes a chapter of anxiety over whether one of Hinduism’s holiest sites would lose its sanctity to urbanization pressures.
With the controversy settled, officials say the focus will now shift to improving infrastructure for the millions of pilgrims who visit Tirumala each year.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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