At 116, Karnataka Grandmother Climbs Tirumala On Foot; CM Chandrababu Naidu Left Awestruck

Andhra Pradesh: Age proved no barrier to devotion as a 116-year-old woman from Karnataka completed the challenging trek to Tirumala on foot to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. Her extraordinary act of faith has touched millions, with videos of her pilgrimage going viral across social media and drawing praise from devotees, temple authorities and political leaders alike.The elderly devotee, identified as Navaneethamma, travelled from Karnataka to Tirumala with her family to fulfil her long-standing spiritual wish. Despite being 116 years old, she successfully climbed the sacred hill on foot, a demanding route that thousands of devotees undertake every year as an expression of faith and devotion.Videos shared online show Navaneethamma making

her way up the hill with the support of her family, earning widespread admiration from social media users. Many hailed her determination, calling her journey a powerful example of unwavering faith, resilience and mental strength.

Recognising her remarkable dedication, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) arranged a special VIP break darshan for Navaneethamma and her family on Monday morning. The special arrangement ensured that the elderly devotee could have a smooth and comfortable darshan of Lord Venkateswara Swamy after completing the physically demanding pilgrimage.Her inspiring journey also caught the attention of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who praised her devotion in a post on X."Age is truly just a number when it comes to pure devotion! Absolutely awestruck by this 116-year-old grandmother from Karnataka who trekked all the way up to Tirumala on foot to have the divine darshan of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. Wonderful to see her family supporting her lifelong faith. Truly inspiring!" he wrote.

The Chief Minister's post quickly garnered thousands of reactions, with users echoing his admiration for Navaneethamma. Many described her pilgrimage as a reminder that true faith knows no age, while others praised her family's unwavering support in helping her complete the arduous journey. Several devotees also commended the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams for facilitating a special darshan, saying the gesture was a fitting tribute to her exceptional devotion.