Our Tirupathi Yatra cannot complete without visiting the Tiruchanur Temple where Padmavathi Thayar always bestows Her grace to Her Devotees.
Tiruchanoor, also known as Alamelumangapuram, is about 5 km from Tirupati. The temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi, the consort of Lord Sri Venkateswara is situated here. It is said that a visit to Tirumala is fruitful only after visiting the Sri Padmavathi Devi temple.
You may wonder why Sri Padmavathi Devi's temple is away from Lord Sri Venkateswara's. Legend has it that the Lord (Sri Maha Vishnu, who later took on the incarnation of Sri Venkateswara) showed his reverence towards the sage, Bhrigu Maharshi, even though the sage had insulted Vishnu by kicking Him on the chest.
In anger, Sri Maha Lakshmi (the Lord's consort) reached Patala Loka, where she heard a divine voice stating that a pushkarini was dug on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi, and here She immersed herself in penance for 12 years.
In the 13th year (during the month of Karteeka, on Panchami day in the last fortnight, highlighted by the nakshathram Uttarashadha), Sri Padmavathi emerged from a golden lotus. It is believed that Goddess MahaLakshmi herself emerged as Sri Padmavathi.
Tiruchanur Padmavati Temple:
Tiruchanur
There are several deities housed within the temple. However the most admirable is definitely that of Sri Padmavathi Thayar. Padmavathi is the consort of Lord Venkateshwara, the presiding deity of Tirupati. She is shown as sitting in Padmasana holding two lotuses in her upper hands. Her posture evokes a lot of love and respect. The lower hands represent fearlessness and benediction. The Deities of Sri Krishna, BalaRama, Sundararaja Swami, and Surya-narayana Swami are also quite beautiful.
Interestingly a lot of importance is also attached to the elephant who is the favorite celestial carrier of the goddess. The flag which is hoisted from the temple bears the image of an elephant.
Goddess Padmavati is believed to be a very benevolent goddess who readily forgives her devotees if they are repent. One is showered with plenty as soon as they receive her blessings.
An inscription in the Padmavati Temple tells you the history of Tiruchanur. Originally there was a temple dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. It was difficult to perform the rituals due to space shortage. So they decided to move it elsewhere. In the 12th century, the Yadava kings built the Shri Krishna Balaram Temple. In the 16th and 17th century, two additions were made. The deity of Sundara Varadaraja was installed and a separate temple was built for Goddess Padmavati.
Temple of Sri Padmavathi Ammavari is just 5 kms from Tirupati. Bus Transportation is available from all prominent points. A Taxi or a cab can also be taken.
Karthikai Brahmotsavam is very important festival for Alarmelmangai Thayar.
The Next important Temple is Sree Govindaraja perumal Koil at lower Tirupathi.
Sri Govindarajaswami Temple
In Tirupati, Sri Govindrajaswamy Temple is the most visited temple, after Sri Venkateswara. The impressive temple captures the attention of everyone with its colossal size. Its presiding deities are Lord Vishnu and his incarnation, Lord Krishna.
Sri Govindarajaswami is the elder brother of Lord Balaji. His temple is the main landmark of Tirupati town. It has an imposing Gopuram that can be seen from a distance.
The annual Brahmotsavam in this temple is celebrated in the month of Vaisakha every year. This temple complex includes museum and a cluster of shrines like those of Sri Parthasarathy, Godadevi Aandal and Pundarikavalli.
The sub-temples in its premises are:
· Sri Parthasarathiswami Temple
· Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple
· Sri Andal Temple
· Sri Salai Nachiyar Ammavari Temple
· Sri Ramanuja Temple
· Sri Vyasaraya Anjaneyaswami Temple (Near Dwajasthambham)
· Sri Tirumangai Alwar Temple.
· Sri Kurath Alwar Temple
· Sri Madhurakavi Alwar Temple
· Sri Chakrathalwar Temple.
· Sri Mudal Alwar Temple.
· Sri Manavala Mahamuni Temple.
· Sri Vedantha Desikar Temple.
· Sri Woolu Alwar Temple.
· Sri Anjaneyaswami Temple
· Sri Nammalwar Temple.
· Sri Sanjeevarayaswami Temple
The important festivals conducted in Sri Govindarajaswami Temple are:
- Vaisakha Festival (Brahmotsavam)
- Float Festival
- Rathasapthami
- Bugga and Ponnakalva Utsavam
- Sri Andal Margalineerattam Festival
- Sri Salai Nachiyar Panguni Uttara Festival
- Sri Bhashyakarla Utsavam
- Sri Nammalwar Utsavam
- Jestabhishekam
- Thiruvadipuram Festival
- Thirumala Nambi Festival
- Adhyayanotsavam
- Thiru Nakshatram of alwar
- Manavalamahamuni Asthanam
- Vedantha Desikar Utsavam
The Papa Vinashanam (cleanser of Sins)
About 5 Kms north of the Tirumala temple is a deep bowl formed by the surrounding hills that created a reservoir ages ago and ago and many a mountain stream emptied into it. This came to be known as the Papavinashanam (The Cleanser of sins). Its waters were initially used for worshipping purposes but abandoned later because of the distance from the temple. It is still used for special occasions.
To conserve water forever increasing number of pilgrims and therefore, the temple township, a dam was constructed across but the pilgrims, thus preserving the tradition, provided a bypass for bathing. It is believed that the holy waters of this place dissolve the sins of the devotees. Hence this place is known as Papavinashanam. A dam constructed here regulates the water flow
Sri Varahaswami Temple
The famous temple of Sri Varahaswami in Tirumala is to the north of the Sri Venkateshwara temple, on the banks of Swami Pushkarini. The presiding deity is Varaha Swami, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in the form of a boar that was staying on the hills when The Lord descended unto earth. HE had to take permission from Lord Varaha to stay here and grant HIM (Lord Varaha), the privilege of first view by the visiting pilgrims and first Naivedyam (sacred offering of food to Lord for consecration) in return. Thus it is imperative that pilgrims visit Sri Varaha Swami first and The Lord, only later. According to legend, Tirumala was originally the Adi Varahakshetra (place belonging to Sri Adi Varahaswami). Lord Sri Venkateshwara took up residence here, with the permission of Sri Varahaswami. According to Brahmapurana, Naivedyam (food offered to God) should first be offered to Sri Varahaswami. Pilgrims should visit Sri Varahaswami temple prior to Sri Venkateshwara temple. According to Atri Samhita - Varaha Avatara is worshipped in three ways as Adi Varaha, Pralaya Varaha, and Yajna Varaha. The idol of Sri Varahaswami in Tirumala is that of Adi Varaha, as it resembles the description of the Adi Varaha Murti in Vaikhanasa Agama texts.
The Great Geological Arch (Shila Thoranam)
During excavations in the 1980`s on a mound of earth in the jungles 1 km. North of the temple where it was believed that some information lied buried about the Lord`s transformation into rock, a very rare phenomenon of two different sets of rocks connected together in the form of a thin link was found. This formation is known to exist elsewhere only at the 4 fingers of Texas and somewhere in Australia. This is pretty small in size relatively but what makes it unique and astounding is that nowhere in rock formations known to exist on the Indian soil have been found to be of this type and also, the height of The Lord confirms exactly to the distance of the pinnacle of the arch from the foot of the same! Also, two other formations excavated along with resemble the celestial conch and the discus that are the Lord`s possessions. These have not been carved even remotely. They are formed naturally very mysterious indeed! This geological arch is a very rare spectacle in the world. This arch (older than the Jurassic age) is 25ft in length, l0ft in height. Pilgrims must make it a point to visit this wonder of the world during their Tirumala trip. No buses are available. A private vehicle or a 20-minute walk from Sri Varahaswamy Temple brings you here.
Edited by R.JAGANNATHAN.
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