Restoration of the Padalamandapam in Alipiri in Tirupati set to begin in November

A major heritage restoration effort is set to unfold at the sacred foothills of Tirumala, as the Pune-based Lord Venkateswara Charitable and Religious Trust, prepares to undertake the scientific restoration works of the centuries-old Padalamandapam at Alipiri in Tirupati, a Vijayanagara-era structure that welcomes pilgrims trekking to the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara. 

The initiative comes in the wake of a proposal for dismantling the mandapam and the follow up controversy that triggered a State-wide heritage debate.  

Speaking to The Hindu Director (Epigraphy) Archeological Survey of India (ASI), Mysuru, K. Muniratnam Reddy said that rigorous conservation methodologies will be adopted in the restoration of the ancient structure.

Every architectural component, including pillars, beams, slabs and floor stones will be carefully numbered and documented both in soft and hard copies using modern techniques like Auto CAD. The interiors and exteriors of the entire structure will be thoroughly photo and video documented employing HD Cameras, drone and Photogrammetry prior to its removal. The stones will then be scientifically dismantled, stacked, and reset on a traditionally designed foundation, adhering strictly to their original orientation and elevation. The roof will also undergo traditional waterproofing to ensure longevity, while broken historic stones will be mended rather than replaced, with new material used only in unavoidable gaps.

The work, however, comes tainted by controversy. In late 2023, the TTD faced intense criticism from heritage activists and political groups, who alleged that a decision for dismantling the ancient mandapam was arrived at, without mandatory oversight from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Activists argued that structures older than 75 years require archaeological supervision, warning that unilateral actions could erase irreplaceable cultural memory. The issue escalated after similar criticism over the Paruveta Mandapam (in Tirumala) restoration, deepening mistrust.

The TTD defended its decision, citing structural instability and pilgrim safety, but subsequently invited the ASI to intervene to permanently pull the curtains down on the controversy.  A Central team has since inspected the site and now leads the conservation blueprint, with TTD pledging full compliance.

Mr. Reddy said that the preliminary phase of the restoration works is expected to begin by the second week of November as the TTD has already sent the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for finalisation to the Pune-based Charitable Trust which has volunteered to fully fund the project as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. 

Chairman of the trust B. Venkateswara Rao has previously executed major heritage restoration works including a ₹ 7 crore conservation project at SriKalahasti and ₹5 crore works at both Simhachalam and Srisailam besides expressing his willingness to support the upcoming restoration works in Bhadrachalam and Manyamkonda in Telangana as well as Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu all of which are multi-crore heritage interventions.