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| OTHER TEMPLES TO VISIT |
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Sri Vari Temple at Tirumala |
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A Sacred Monument
Considered as the most sacred and the richest temple in the world, Tirupati temple is situated in the town of Tirupati. It is located 67-km away from Chittoor in Chittoor district of southern Andhra Pradesh. Also known as Tirupati Balaji Temple, it is a major pilgrimage center of south India. Besides, Tirupati also focous on other attraction of this place, the ancient and famous shrine of Sri Venkateswara, the Lord of Seven Hills are worth a viist.
The temple is located on a hill at Tirumala. It is a conglomeration of seven hills known as Seshachalam or Venkatachalam having an height of 853m (2,800ft.) above the sea level. The temple boasts of a vibrant and colorful culture also speaking volumes about its grand past. It is an important pilgrimage center, where devotees stand for long hours waiting to get a glance of the presiding deity.
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Highlight of The Temple |
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The temple is the most popular and most visited temples in India. Being situated on a hill of Tirumala, it is climbed up by pilgrims, which is not an easy task.
Sri Venkataswara temple or the Tirupati temple is the richest temple in India. It is said that people drop bags of diamonds at the feet of Sri Venkataswara. Devotees flock this temple in huge numbers. In fact there are two lines to enter the temple, one is a free line, where you don' t pay anything to get a view of the deity. But, for the second line, which takes less time to get a glance of the deity, you have to pay a minimum amount of Rs. 50. |
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Temple Architecture |
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The ancient Tirupati temple follows the Dravidian style of architecture. The gopuram of this temple is its highlight. The 'Vimana' or Cupola, named the "the Ananda Nilayam" is placed over the sanctum sanctorum. It completely veiled with gold plate.
There are three 'Prakarams' or enclosures in the temple, among them the outermost enclosure boasts of the 'Dhvajastambha' or the banner post. Apart form these, other highlights of the temple are the statues of Vijayanagara king, Krishnadevaraya and his spouse. There is also an idol of Todarmal, the minister of Akbar.
The image of the temple deity represents both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Lord Vishnu is considered as the preserver whereas the Lord Shiva is considered as the destroyer in Hindu religion. |
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Sri Padmavathi Ammavari, Tiruchanoor(Alamelumangapuram) |
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The Temple of Sri Padmavathi Ammavari is located at Tiruchanoor ? also called Alamelumangapuram after the local deity. Tiruchanoor is a 5 Km drive from Tirupati.
Alamelumangamma is actually the incarnation of Lord Mahalakshmi. Alamelumangamma came the river banks of River Swarnamukhi when Lord Mahavishnu, in the avatar of Sri Venkateswara showed his reverence towards the sage Bhrigu Maharshi who kicked Vishnu with his leg. Alamelumangamma stayed in the Paatala lokam for 12 years and came out in the 13th year in a Golden Lotus.
The other temples in the temple compound are: Sri Krishnaswamy Temple, Sri Sundara Rajaswamivari Temple and Sri Suryanarayana Swamivari Temple
Some of the important festivals that are observed at the temple includes Navarathri Festival(Dasara), Kartheeka Brahmotsavam, Float festaival, Vasanthotsavam and Rathasapthami |
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Reaching Temple of Sri Padmavathi Ammavari
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 |
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Goddess Alamelumanga Temple, Tiruchanur |
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The Alamelumanga temple at Tiruchanur is about four kms (2 miles) from Tirupati Railway station and is a must visit place. In fact, many feel that a visit to the Lord Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala is incomplete without taking the darshan of Goddess Alamelumanga ? the consort of Lord Venkateswara.
This temple town is at the banks of River Swarnamukhi.
Reaching Goddess Alamelumanga Temple
Goddess Alamelumanga Temple can be reached by Bus. The distance to Tiruchanur from Tirupati is 4 kms. |
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Hare Rama Hare Krishna Mandir, Tirupati |
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The Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple is one of the modern temples in the Temple town of Tirupati. The temple is the best place in the town to learn about regions and get spiritual understanding about India with a special focus on Shri Krishna. Recital and discussions on Bhagavad-Gita tells us how one should live as according to Lord Krishna.
Poojas and Bhajans are regularly held at the temple.
The morning Pooja starts at 6:00 a.m. Recitation takes place throughout the day.
Reaching Hare Rama Hare Krishna Mandir, Tirupati
The Temple is about 9 km from Tirupati railway station. The Temple is well connected by road and there are frequent local bus service. |
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Kanipakam Vinayak Temple, Kanipakam, Chittoor |
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Many visitors to this temple say that the this 11th century temple is truly a classical hindu temple as well as a tourist location that any tourist visit this part of the country can miss visiting. The Kanipakam Vinayak Temple has the swayam-bhu idol of Lord Vinayaka (Ganesh).
Some of the daily prayers offered at this temple are Suprabatham, Binduteerthaabishekham (4:30 AM to 5.45 AM), Paalabhishekam(7:30 AM to 8:00 AM), SankataHaraGanapati Vratham(9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon), Special Abhishekam(9:00 AM to 10:00 AM & 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon)
The Pavalimpu Seva (Ekantha Seva) is conducted between 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Kanipakam Brahmotsavams
The Annual Brahmotsavams Festival will be conducted for 21-days starting on the Hindu festival of Vinayaka Chavithi (or Ganesh Chaturthi) that generally falls in the months of August/September of every year. People from all parts of the state will be taking the darshan of Lord Ganesh during this festive season. Lord Ganesh will appear in a different avatar each day to his devotees. These include Gramotsavam, Hamsa Vahanam, Peacock Vahanam, Mooshika Vahanam, Shasha Vahanam, Vrishabha Vahanam, Gaja Vahanam, Rathotsavam(in which the Lord ascends a traditional Chariot), Thiru Kalyanam and Vadayathu Utsavam.
Temple Location
The Temple is located in the village town of Kanipakam which is 12 km from Chittoor and 70 km from Tirupati.
Reaching the Temple
This temple-town is well connected with Road and Railroad.
Accommodation
There are 6 rooms run by the Kanipakam Devasthanam and 14 rooms run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Choultries.
Contacting the Temple authorities
Sri Swayambu Varasidhi Vinayakaswamy
Vari Devasthanam,
Kanipakam, Irala Mandal
Chittoor
Andhra Pradesh India
Telephone: 91-8573-281540 (office), 91-8573-281747 (EO), 91-8573-281547 (PA)
Fax: 91-8573-281747
E-mail: info@kanipakamvinayaka.org |
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Sri Govindarajaswami Temple |
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It has an imposing gopuram, which can be seen, from a distance. Saint Ramanujacharya consecrated the temple in 1130 AD. The earliest records go back to the year 1235 AD. The Guruparampara accounts of the Vaishnavas ascribe the foundation of the shrine to Ramanuja. There are two shrines and not one, in the center of the innermost enclosure. An outer wall encloses the two shrines. The shrine to the South is dedicated to Krishna, popularly known as Parthasarathi, while the shrine to the North belongs to Govindaraja. The earliest record found is on the innermost gopura and belongs to the fifteenth year of the Yadavaraya chief, Viranarasingadeva of 1224 AD.
Festivals: The festivals and functions are similar to those conducted in the Sri Venkateswara temple. The annual Brahmotsava at this temple is celebrated in the month of Vaisakha every year. The annual float festival is also celebrated every year. This Temple is the main attraction for pilgrims at Tirupati and the biggest in town. |
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Srikalahasti Temple |
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Srikalahasti is a place of Hindu pilgrimage with a temple here dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located at 36 km from Tirupati, 578km from Hyderabad and 326 km from Vijayawada, Srikalahasti is a town in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh.
The temple enshrines one of the five prominent Lingas. The presiding deities of Srikalahasti temple are Srikalahastiswara and his consort Gnanaprasunambika. This temple is situated between two steep hills on the banks of river Swarnamukhi. Chola kings built the main temple. The great Chola king Kuluthungal constructed the Caligopuram in 11th century A.D. Veeranarashimha Yadavaraya built the present Prakara (compound wall) and the four Gopurarns in 12th century AD.
Krishnadevaraya built 100 pillared Mandapa in 1516 A. D. According to the inscriptions, the temple was built at the base of the Kailasagiri by great Pallava kings and later by Tondaman Chakravarthi (Pandyam Kings).
The Shiva Linga of Srikalahasti is one of the five supreme Lingas representing five great elements, which are installed in the five great Kshetras. The Kshetras are dedicated to five elements namely - Water, Fire, Ether, Air and Earth. Here Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Vayu Linga (The wind God). Even today the flame placed in Garbhagraha inside the temple flickers indicating the presence of the wind while there is no entry of wind to disturb the flame. The air is just sufficient to breathe in. This according to a belief is the existence of Shiva in the temple.
There is a legend that a Spider (Sri) built the web over it, a snake (Kala), placed a gem on the Linga and an elephant (Hasti) washed the Linga with water from its trunk, had offered prayers in their devotion and worshipped the Linga. The marks that correlate the legend are still visible on the Linga, which is a Swayambhu (Natural). Sri,Kala and Hasti put togather becomes the name of this temple Srikalahasti
There is another legend of sacrifice and devotion of a well-known, Saint, Kannappa. He was once a hunter and a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He used to offer part of his hunt to Shiva everyday. One day while he was offering the hunt, both eyes of the deity appeared. One of the eyes of the deity was profusely bleeding. In the state of helplessness to remedy the deity, he pulled out his own eye in total devotion and fixed it on the deity’s eye. While the bleeding stopped in one, the other eye of the deity started bleeding. Kannappa’s endless devotion made him pull out his second eye also and offered to the deity. The diety pleased with the depth of his devotion granted him Moksha (Salvation)
It is believed that the goddess with divine powers here has cured women who were possessed by evil spirits. The main festival in this temple is Mahashivratri, which lasts for 10 days in the month of February and March. This temple has a reference in the Skandapurana where Arjun is said to have worshipped Srikalahastiswara during his Theerth Yatra, (pilgrimage).
In the precincts of the temple is a mini market where utensils, pujasamigri, items of wood carving etc are sold. Devotee can seek accommodation in T.T.D.Guests houses and dharamshalas. There is regular Stae Transport bus service from Tirupati.
Location
Srikalahasti is located in Chittoor district on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. It is one of the important ancient Siva kshetras of South India. The temple occupies the area between the river bank and the foot of the hills and is popularly known as Dakshina Kailasam. The three lofty Gopurams of the temple are remarkable for their architecture. This temple is built in the period of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar. A huge hundred pillared Mantapam is another important feature of this shrine.
When one enters the temple town of Srikalahasti, what strikes instantly is the old world - charm it still breathes, reflecting our culture in all its grandeur. Something that one can not fail to take notice of is the huge temple tower, majestically standing in the middle of the busy road filled with shops on either side and bustling with pilgrims.
Surprisingly, unlike other such towers, it does not lead to the inner precincts of the temple. The reason for the construction of this huge temple tower is said to be the attempt of the town- planners to change the course of the river Swarnamukhi and give the temple town more space!
When it was recently renovated, the antiquity of the tower was established to be nearly thousand years old. The various stupas and temple monuments that one comes across testify to the antiquity of the place. |
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