Tirupathi Pilgrimage

Earlier we had covered the temples and other places of interest, that you can visit at Tirumala. Now when you reach the foothills, Tirupathi, there are more religious places to visit around the temple town of Tirupathi. Most of these places are connected by Andhra Pradesh State Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses. Here is a brief about the various temples:

Srikalahasti:

This place is around 36kms from Tirupathi and situated on the banks of the river Swarnakmukhi. It is dedicated to ‘Vayu Deva” (Wind God), which is unique in India. The diety is a unique sivalingam in white stone. Legend has it that the linga was worshipped by Spider (sri) by spinning a web over it, Kala (snake) by placing a gem on the lingam and Elephant (hasti) by washing lingam with water from the trunk. Thus the name SriKalahasti. One can also view the Pathala Vinayagar in the temple complex, which is several feet underground. Devotees literally crawl to have a glimpse of this unique Vinayagar.

Tiruchanur:

Also known as Alamelumangapuram, named after the presiding diety Alamelumangamma, it is just 5 kms from Tirupathi. A visit to Tirumala is cosidered incomplete unless we visit this godess. Alamelumanga is the incarnation of Lord Mahalakshmi. She is also called Sri Padmavathi Ammavari.

The other temples inside this temple complex are Sri Suryanaraya Swamivari Temple, Sri Krishnaswamy temple, Sri Sundara Rajaswamivari temple.

Srinivasa Mangapuram:

Situated at a distance of 12 km on the Tirupathi Madanapalli road, the deity in this temple is called Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy. According to legend, after his marriage with goddess Padmavathi, Lord Venkateswara Swamy had stayed here, on the banks of river Kalyani, for six months before proceeding to Tirumala.

About 40 kms from Tirupahti, in Narayanavanam, there is another KalyanaVenkateswaraswami temple. Lord Sri Venkateswaraswami and Sri Padmavati Devi,daughter of Akasa Maharaja were married here.

Sri Kondandarama Swamy Temple:

It is said that this temple, which is dedicated to Rama, was built to celebrate the visit of Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita to Tirupathi, when returning from Lanka. It is at a distance of about 1km from Tirupathi.

Kapilatheertham:

It is the only temple in Tirupathi dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has a sacred tank, which is one and half miles from Tirupathi. It is said that Lord Shiva had blessed Sage Kapila with a vision of himself and his concert here. It is believed that one should take a dip in Kapilatheertham before going to the holy hills.

Govindaraja Sway Temple:

The temple is dedicated to Govindaraja Perumal. Legend has it that Lord Srinivasa after borrowing huge amounts from Kubera to marry Padmavathi had agreed to repay intrest in Kaliyuga and the principal in the next yuga. Accordingly he called his brother Govindaraja to recieve the money and start spending on his marriage. Govindaraja had a special wealth line in his palm which will recieve 4 times of what he spends. Govindaraja got so tired counting the ser that he slept with the ser as a pillow.

Sri Prasanna Venkateswaraswami Temple:

Around 4 kms from Tirupathi is the Sri Prasanna Venkateswaraswami temple in Appalayagunta. It is believed that Sri Venkateswaraswami, after marrying Sri Padmavati Devi, blessed Sri Siddeswara and other sages here.

Gudivanka:

Gudi (Temple) and Vanka (stream) is on a hillock at a distance of 16 kms from Kuppam on the borders of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The diety is Lord Subramanyam Swamy. During Adi kirthika, lot of pilgrims visit this temple.

Mogili:

This Shiva (called Abbreswara – sanskrit form of Mogileeswara) shrine is 30 kms from Chitoor. There is a pushkarani with perennial water flow from the mouth of Nandi. This water is used for drinking and irrigation. This temple attracts a lot of devotees during Mahasivarathri.

Kanipakam:

13 kms from Chitoor on the northern bank of Bahuda river is Kanipakam famous for the shrine of Varasiddhi Vinyaga. It is believed that the diety is swayambhu (self manifest)is located on the northen banks of the river Bahuda. “Kani” means wetland and “Pakam” means flow of water into wetland. According to legend, there were three brothers and each of them had a handicap i.e.deaf, dumb, blind. They were cultivating their small piece of land using water drawn from a well. One day they found that the well had dried up and so one of them got into the well and started digging it. They came across a stone while digging the well and soon saw blood oozing out. The entire water turned red in colour and suddenly they found all their deformities had disappeared. The self manifested vinaya idol appeared. Even today the idol is in the original well. The springs of the well are pernnial and eternal. Also it is reported that the idol is growing in size. The armour which was made fifty years ago does not fit the idol today. The holy water from the well is offered as theertham to devotees. The idol is considered as a upholder of truth. People conforonted with a dispute have a holy dip in the temple tank and swear before the lord. It is believed that the lord dawns on the sinner and make him repent and feel guilty for his sinful acts.

Gudimallam:

The Parsurameswara Temple in Gudimallam is well known for its unique Sivalinga. An inscription dated 1127 A.D. belongs to the period of Vikrama Chola records the reconstruction of the temple in stone. The diety is a unique Linga square at the bottom, seven sided in the middle and nut shaped at the top, corresponds to the errect of male organ containing the standing figure of Sivaparameswara over a stumpy dwarf figure in the front side. At present the temple complex has main Parasurameswara shrine.Rarely the icons of Lord Siva are installed, but to see him in the form of male genital is unique.

Boyakonda:

The famous hill located in between Madanapalli – Punganur – Chowdepalli called Boyakonda. On this hill is the famous Gangamma temple. Because of location of on the top of the hill, attracted by devotees , mostly from karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. People will visit this place for praying Gangamma for getting the grievances redressed. Devotees test to see whehter their wish wil be fulfilled in a unique way here. They place a flower on the head of the diety. If it falls to the right it is positive and left it is negative.Many devotees who prayed the Goddess were blessed with kids.

Nagalapuram:

Nagalapuram Temple is said to have been built by Sri Krishnadeveraya in memory of his mother Nagamba. The sun festival is March is very important here. During the festival the first rays of sun falls on the feet of the first day, on the abdomen on the second day, and on the face on the face on the third day. The temple is maintained by the T.T.D and annual Brahmostavam is being celebrated in large scale.

Sompalyam:

Sompalli, which has got architectural importance, is situated in between Mulakalacheruvu and Thambalpalli civil road at a distance of 6 km from Mulkala Cheruvu. A temple of Chennakesava swamy is claimed as one of the finest temples in Andhra districts. A monolith of the most graceful proportions stand in front, presenting a beautiful spectacle.

Reddemmakonda:

Reddemmakonda, the famous Pilgrim center is situated on Madanapalli – Gurramkonda – Cherlopalli – Rayachoti – Cuddapah road. The presiding deity is Reddemma who lost her life in an attempt to escape molestation by Tippus lieutenants. When she had no way to escape she prayed for protection and the rock before her left a cleavage for her to enter. She entered and the opening closed. Ever since that time, people around started praying the sacrificed Lass Reddamma for begetting children.

Talakona:

Talakona is famous for the temple of Sri Siddheswara Swamy and the scenic and picturesque water falls in the midst of thich forest. Puranas says that those who do not have children come here and pray god for children and name their children as Siddaiah or Siddamma. The water falls are four km from the temple.

Enjoy your pilgrimage to the temple town of Tirupathi!!!