Kishan Reddy hails 116-yr-old devotee's Tirumala climb
Synopsis
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy on 6 July 2026 paid tribute to Smt. Navaneethamma, reported to be 116 years old, who climbed all 3,550 steps of the Tirumala footpath on foot, calling her faith a source of inspiration for millions.
Key Takeaways
Kishan Reddy , Union Coal and Mines Minister and BJP Telangana president, posted a tribute on 6 July 2026 to devotee Smt.
Navaneethamma is reported to have climbed 3,550 steps of the Tirumala footpath on foot at the reported age of 116 years .
The Tirumala footpath, known as Alipiri Mettu , is a centuries-old stone stairway used by pilgrims as an act of devotion to Lord Venkateswara .
The minister's post, tagged #Tirumala and #SpiritualIndia , was accompanied by a video of the climb and drew widespread attention online.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) administers the temple and maintains pilgrim amenities along the footpath route.
The episode has renewed public focus on facilities and support available to senior pilgrims on the Tirumala footpath.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Monday, 6 July 2026, paid tribute to Smt. Navaneethamma, a devotee reported to be 116 years of age, who climbed the 3,550 steps of the Tirumala footpath on foot to reach the Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh.
Context
Posting on X, Kishan Reddy wrote: 'Watching this, one can only say Govinda Govinda! Smt. Navaneethamma, at 116 years of age, scaling the steep 3,550 steps of Tirumala on foot. Her unwavering belief didn't just climb a mountain, it moved millions of hearts, including mine.' The minister added a prayer for her good health and long life, and expressed hope that her spirit would 'continue to guide and inspire us all.'
The post, tagged #Tirumala and #SpiritualIndia, was accompanied by a video of the devotee's climb. The exclamation 'Govinda Govinda' is a traditional invocation of Lord Venkateswara, chanted by pilgrims ascending the Tirumala hill.
Policy Backdrop
Tirumala, situated in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, is among the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. The traditional footpath — a stone stairway of 3,550 steps known as the Alipiri Mettu — has been used by devout pilgrims for centuries as an act of devotion, with many completing the ascent barefoot.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the statutory body that administers the temple and its facilities, maintains the footpath route and provides amenities for pilgrims undertaking the climb. The pathway draws tens of thousands of walkers daily, spanning all age groups.
Stakeholders and Impact
Indian elected representatives routinely share devotional content on social media, particularly around high-visibility pilgrimage sites such as Tirumala, to signal personal faith and cultural solidarity with voters. Kishan Reddy, who also serves as BJP Telangana state president, has a consistent record of engaging with religious and cultural themes in his public communications.
The video of Smt. Navaneethamma's climb drew widespread attention online, with the minister's post amplifying her story to a national audience. For elderly pilgrims and their families, such visibility can prompt conversations about the accessibility and safety infrastructure available on the Tirumala footpath.
What's Next
The TTD has not issued a formal statement in response to the viral footage as of publication. Observers will watch whether the episode prompts any review of facilities and medical support available to senior pilgrims on the Alipiri Mettu route. Smt. Navaneethamma's feat, whatever the precise details, has renewed public focus on the enduring spiritual draw of Tirumala and the extraordinary acts of faith it continues to inspire.
Point of View
Particularly in the southern states where Tirumala carries deep cultural weight. As BJP's Telangana state president, Reddy's engagement with a story rooted in Andhra Pradesh also signals cross-regional cultural outreach at a time when the party is focused on consolidating its presence in southern India. The viral nature of the footage gave the post an organic reach that purely political messaging rarely achieves. The episode subtly raises a policy question — the adequacy of TTD's support infrastructure for elderly pilgrims — that could draw administrative attention in the weeks ahead.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Smt. Navaneethamma and what did she do at Tirumala?
Smt. Navaneethamma is a devotee reported to be 116 years old who climbed the 3,550-step Tirumala footpath on foot to visit the Venkateswara Temple, an act that went viral and was praised by Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy.
How many steps does the Tirumala footpath have?
The Tirumala footpath, known as Alipiri Mettu, has 3,550 steps and is a traditional stone stairway used by pilgrims for centuries as an act of devotion to Lord Venkateswara.
What did G. Kishan Reddy say about the Tirumala devotee?
Kishan Reddy posted on X that Navaneethamma's 'unwavering belief didn't just climb a mountain, it moved millions of hearts, including mine,' and prayed for her good health and long life.
Who manages the Tirumala Tirupati temple and its footpath?
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is the statutory body that administers the Venkateswara Temple and maintains pilgrim amenities, including the Alipiri Mettu footpath.
Why do politicians often post about Tirumala on social media?
Tirumala is one of India's most visited pilgrimage sites and holds deep cultural significance, making it a focal point for politicians seeking to signal personal faith and cultural affinity with voters, especially in southern India.
