Temple Series - Part 9 (Tarigonda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple)

Hare Krishna!

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha is the 4th incarnation of Maha Vishnu in Dasavathars.  Srimannarayan took Sri Narasimha swamy incarnation to save his devotee Prahlad.

There are many temples for Sri Narasimha swamy. Today let’s know one of the temple of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.

Tarigonda Lakshmi Narasimha swamy Temple:

Tarigonda is a village in Chithoor District of Andhra Pradesh. It is the birth place of Yogini and Sadhvi, Matrusree Tarigonda Vengamamba.

History of the Temple:

Before, there lived a village head of Tarigonda named Ramanayinam and his wife is Narasamamba.

Once Narasamamba was churning curd. She saw a stone (salagram) in the vessel in which she was churning. She shown it to her husband. He took it to the Priests and they said that it is the salagram of Sri Nrusimha swamy. They felt very happy for that.

That day night, Lord appeared in the dream of Ramanayinam and said “Build a temple of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha swamy here. And keep the salagram in the Garbhalay with Lakshmi Narasimha mulamurthi”. Narasimha swamy also said a place and ordered to dig there by which they’ll get 2 pots with money, gold,etc., Lord said to build temple with that money. And disappeared.

He felt very happy and said this to priests and went to the place said by Nrusimha swamy. After doing Lakshmi pooja, they started dig. As said by Lord, they found 2 pots and with that money, temple of Lakshmi Narasimha was constructed.

Sri Prasanna Veeranjaneya, Chenchu Lakshmi Adi Lakshmi upalayas are also there. Matrusree Tarigonda Vengamamba statue is also installed there.

Sri Prasanna Anjaneya swamy, Matrusree Tarigonda Vengamamba, Sri Chenchu Lakshmi Devi:

All the sevas and utsavams are done according to Pancharathra agamam.

Suprabhatha seva is done to Narasimha swamy at 6:00 AM.

Every month, on Swathi Nakshatram, kalyanam of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha is done.

On every Friday and Saturday abhishekam is done to the Mulamurthy.

Interesting story about this temple:

As the part of Nrusimha Jayanthi, in many temples, Sri Nrusimha avathar play will be presented. But, here it is not. Because, once in the play, suddenly by the influence of Narasimha swamy, the person who played Lord’s role chased the one who played Hiranyakship’s role to kill. So, from that time, playing Prahlad Charithra in Nrisimha jayanthi was stopped.

Now this temple runs under TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams).

Before, Sage Durvasa worshiped Narasimha swamy in Tarigonda.

And also Kasi Visweswara swamy temple is there in Tarigonda.

Sri Tarigonda Lakshmi Narasimha deva pahimam!!

Om Namo Venkatesaya!!!

Temple Series - Part 8 (Sri BhuVaraha Swamy Temple)

 Hare Krishna!

Third incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu (in Dasavathars) is Sri Varaha Swamy. The famous temple of Sri Varaha swamy is in Tirumala where Sri Varaha Swamy is svayambhu.

Sri Varaha Avathar:

At the time of Maha pralay, Earth sunk into the ocean. So to again start this Srusthi, Sri Maha Vishnu thought to protect this Earth. So, he lifted this Earth in the form of Swetha Varaha deva with his tusks. A demon, Hiranyaksha tried to stop that and fought with Varaha Swamy. At last, Sri Varaha swamy killed him and lifted Earth.

He went nearer to Tirupati and ordered Garuda to bring the Kridachalam from Sri Vaikuntam to the Earth. Then, Garuda went to Vaikuntam brought the Kridachalam to Earth which is Tirumala. Then Sri Varaha swamy stood on that hill with Bhudevi on his tusks and Sri Maha Lakshmi Maa on his chest. Knowing this, all the devathas including Brahma went to Tirumala and worshiped Lord with different sthothras.

Entrance of Sri Varaha Swamy Temple, Tirumala:

After all this, in the starting of Kaliyug, Lord Venkateswara resided in Tirumala with the permission of Sri Varaha swamy.

About temple of Varaha Swamy:

This temple is beside the Swamy Pushkarini and in the North Mada Street.

This temple is older than Sri Venkateswara swamy temple. So, this is also called Adivaraha kshetram.

This temple is runned by TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams)

The one who is visiting Tirumala Sri Venkateswara swamy temple should first visit and worship Sri Varaha swamy. Then, only their wishes will be fulfilled.

And also Naivedyam will be first offered to Sri Varaha swamy and then to Sri Venkateswara swamy.

The following is the Utsava Murthy of Sri Varaha Swamy, Tirumala

Daily rituals are held as per Vaikhanasa Aagamam. Varaha Jayanthi is celebrated very grandly.

Mahasamprokshan of Sri Varaha swamy temple:

Govinda Govinda!

Om Namo Venkatesaya!!!

Temple Series - Part 7 (Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple)

 Hare Krishna!

There are many temples near Tirupati. But, most of us only visit main Venkateswara swamy temple, Padmavathi Maa temple, Govindaraja swamy temple and Varaha swamy temple. If we got other opportunity, we again plan to go to Sri Venkateswara temple. But, we aren’t aware of other temples. We just neglect. But, there are countless visiting places (temples/thirthams/other visiting places) in Tirumala and also Tirupati.

One of them is Sri Kalyana Venkateswara swamy temple, Srinivasa mangapuram. Let’s know about it.

Location:

This temple is located in Srinivasamangapuram, Chithoor District of Andhra Pradesh. This temple is 10Kms away from Tirupati.

History of Temple:

After Padmavathi Parinayam, Srinivasa with Maa Padmavathi, on the way to Tirumala resided in the Asram of Sage Agasthya for a day. Then, Sri Agasthya Maharshi requested them to reside in his asram for 6 months as new couple shouldn’t go to Tirumala. (It’s said that before 6 months new couple shouldn’t climb hills). Sri Padmavathi Srinivasa agreed for that and resided in his asram for 6 months. On this occasion, this temple was built.

The following picture is of Dhvajasthambam and Bali Peetam and also for the entrance for Antharalam.

Same as in other Sri Vaishnavalayas, Sri Garudalwar sannidhi will be opposite to Sri Mulamurthy of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara and Jaya &Vijaya dwarapalakas will be in the 2 sides of the Garbhalayam. Then, Sayana Mandapam. In this mandapam only, Ekantha seva is daily done to Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy. After this, Garbhalayam with Utsava Murthy of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara with Maa Sridevi and Bhudevi, Bhoga Srinivasa Murthy and Mula murthy of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara. Sri Kalyana Venkateswara swamy will be same as Sri Venkateswara swamy at Tirumala.

Here itself, in the garbhalayam, there are Sri LakshmiNarayana swamy and Ranganatha swamy where Sri LakshmiNarayana swamy will be in the siting posture with Maa Lakshmi on his thigh. So, in the same garbhalayam, we can see Lord in 3 postures!!!!!!!! i.e., sitting, standing and in yoga nidra too.

There are upalayas of Sri Padmavathi Maa, Sri Sita Ramachandra swamy, Sri Krishna, Sri Ranganatha swamy, Sri Andal Maa and also of some great devotees/alwars.

Temple view is also too beautiful.

The following is the Utsava murthy of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara swamy:

Sevas at Sri Kalyana Venkateswara swamy temple:

Rituals and sevas are held according to the Vaikhanasa Aagamam (same as in Tirumala).

Daily:

Suprabhatham, Thomala seva (decorating Srinivasa with flowers), Sahasra namarchana, Arjitha Brahmotsavam and ekantha seva are the daily sevas done here.

Nitya Kalyanam - In the name of Srivari Kalyanotsavam daily Kalyanotsavam is done to them. It is also said that if anyone person (man/woman) who is not getting married due to some reasons will be married (withing 6 months/year) if they perform the kalyanotsavam of the Lord here and tie the yellow thread to their hands (which is given by priests).

The following is the Kalyanotsav mandapam:

Weekly sevas:

Ashtadala paadapadmaradhana on every Tuesdays.

Ashtothara Satha Kalasabhishekam - on every Wednesdays.

Thiruppavada - on every Thursdays.

Abhishekam - on every Fridays

Thiruchchi utsav - on every Saturdays

Monthly sevas:

Unjal seva - On Sravana Nakshatram of every month (Telugu calendar)

Yearly sevas:

Brahmotsavam

Teppotsavam

Srinivasa Sakshatkarotsavam- Vaisakha Sudha (Sukla Paksha) Sapthami

Images for some vahan sevas of Srinivasa Perumal:-

These are the main sevas done to Srinivasa Perumal here.

This temple is under Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

Interesting stories about this Temple:

1 . Once, a king offered different ornaments to Sri Kalyana Venkateswara swamy and requested priests to decorate those jewels to Srinivasa. Priests agreed and done some yagna. They offered all those ornaments to Agni dev (i.e., they kept in homam). Then, some people said to the king that all the ornaments given by King are thrown in the fire. King got angry and went to the temple. He scolded the priests. They said ornaments which we offered to Agnidevi are already decorated to the Mulamurthy of Srinivasa. But, King didn’t believe and tried to open the door of Garbhalayam. They said to wait because only kiritam (crown) was left (i.e., it’s not offered to Agni in Homam). King didn’t care those words and opened the door of Garbhalayam of Venkateswara swamy. He saw all the ornaments which were offered to Agni on the murthy of Venkateswara. He shocked for that and requested them to decorate crown too. But, Venkateswara swamy said that Kiritam should be decorated to him in Tirumala.

2 . People of 2 clans were fighting that Padmavathi Maa belongs our clan. Both of them went to ChinaTirumalacharya (grandson of Sri Annamacharya) and asked their doubt. They requested him to solve it. He said “I too don’t know. Let’s ask the Goddess itself and solve.” They agreed and kept a meeting near the temple. Then, Chinatirumalacharya asked “Maa Padmavathi!! People of 2 clans are fighting. They are asking that which clan you belong to in those 2 clans. Please answer Amma!!!”.Then, Akasavani said “I belong to the clan of Padmasani.” (Maa Padmavathi said in the form of Aaakasavani). People of that clan felt very happy and offered some amount to Chinatirumalacharya. He added some more to that and reconstructed the temple.

3 . Before few years, this temple was in bad condition. At that time, to one of the priest in Kanchi, Srinivasa appeared in the dream and said to come to Srinivasamangapuram and do his service there. Priest Sundara raja swamy felt very happy for that and shifted to Srinivasamangapuram with his family. He appeared in the dream of the priest on Vaisakha Suddha Sapthami. So, on that day, Srinivasa avathara Sakshathkarotsavalu are done every year.

Sri Venkateswara swamy said “Visiting Sri Kalyana Venkateswara swamy Temple nor Sri Prasanna Venkateswara swamy temple (Appalayagunta) is equal to worshiping him at Tirumala.”

Om Namo Venkatesaya!!!

Different Names of Tirumala - Part 4

 Hare Krishna!

14 . Seshadri

Sesha=Sesha, adri=Hill; Hill in the form of Sesha

As the hill is in the form of a serpant (Sesha), it has Sarvaseshi on it, so, it is also called as Seshadri.

15 . Vrishadri

Vrisha=dharm, Adri= Hill; Hill with people following dharm

As this hill will be an abode for dharm, it’s also called as Vrishadri.

16 . Srigiri

Sri= Maa MahaLakshmi, Giri=Hill

As Maa Sri Maha Lakshmi, residing on that hill with her Manohar, and bestowing their devotees prosperity, it’s also called SriGiri/Sri Sadgiri

17 . Sri Venkatadri

People who won’t believe the greatness of this hill think this just as a rock. But, for the ones, who believe in greatness of the hill, it fulfills their wishes and remove their sins. As this hill removes sins and bestows prosperity, this is also called Venkatadri.

After telling various names of Tirumala, Sri Suta Maharshi said “I said the names of this divine hill which I know. But, no one is able to praise Sri Venkatadri’s glory even the Chathurmukh, Shanmukh, etc., This hill will get various names in various situations.” to other sages.

This is the last post of this series "Different Names of Tirumala"

May Sri Venkatagiri nilaya Perumal  with Goddess MahaLakshmi always bless us..

Om Namo Venkatesaya !!!

Different Names of Tirumala - Part 3

 Hare Krishna!

8 . Anjanadri

Anjana=Anjana devi, mother of Sri Hanuman; Adri=hill;

Anjana devi did penance on this hill and blessed as the mother of Hanuman. So, this hill is also called as Anjanadri.

9 . Varahadri

Varaha= Varaha swamy, Adri= hill; Hill on which Sri Varaha swamy resided

Sri Varaha swamy, after killing Hiranyaksha said Garuda to bring Kridachalam from Sri Vaikuntam and after bringing he resided on that hill itself which is Tirumala. So, as Sri Varaha swamy resided, this hill is also called as Varahadri.

10 . Srinivasa Giri

As this hill is the residence for Sri (Sri refers to Maa Sri Mahalakshmi and prosperity), and also Srikar Vishnu self manifested himself as Sri Venkateswara, this hill is also called Srinivasa Giri. (Giri = hill)

11 . Anandachalam

Vishnu feels happy when he sees his devotees happy. So, having Sri on his chest, he is giving boons and prosperity to his devotees and feeling very happy seeing their joy. So, this is also called Ananadachalam.

12 . Kridachalam

Krida=Krida, Achalam=hill; Hill on which Lord plays

As Srimannarayan does Krida on that hill with his consorts Sri Mahalakshmi devi and Bhudevi, it is also called Kridachalam.

13 . Garudadhri

Garuda=Sri Garuda, Adri=hill; Hill brought by Sri Garuda

As this hill was brought by Sri Garuda from Sri Vaikuntam, this is also called as Garudadhri.

to be continued…...

Om Namo Venkatesaya!!!

A Brief Introduction about Sri Venkateswara Swamy

 Hare Krishna!

Sri Venkatapathi is Vishnu himself. Lord Vishnu takes incarnations in every yug to protect his devotees and dharm. So, in Kaliyug he came as Lord Venkateswara swamy for his devotees. He is not the incarnation of MahaVishnu but, Srimannarayan himself. The story of Venkateswara in brief:

Meaning of the name Sri Venkateswara:

• Destroyer of sins
• who keeps away problems/troubles (for the people who believe in him)
• Lord of Venkata (name of the hill) (Sri means Maa Mahalakshmi Devi who never gets separates from him) and there are many other meanings too.

So, coming to the story of Venkateswara. He, in the form of Sri Varaha swamy, said Garuda dev to bring Krichalam from Sri Vaikuntam to Earth. That Kridachalam is only Tirumala which we see. So, we get spiritual vibrations after stepping on that hill.

In the starting of Kaliyug, sages were doing yagn for lok kalyan. Then, sage Narada reached there and asked them that to whom the yagn phal is offered. None of the sages gave reply. They thought to test Brahma, Sri Vishnu and Bhagawan Siva. Sage Brigu, one of the Saptharshis, went to test.

He cursed Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva as they didn’t received him properly. After Satyalok and Kailash, he went to Sri Vaikuntam. There he saw Lord Vishnu on Seshathalp with Maa Mahalakshmi. Without thinking anything, he kicked on the chest of Vishnu, residence of Maa Mahalakshmi. Then, Lord Vishnu, creator & protector of this universe, massaged the feet of Brigu and closed the 3rd eye  which is under the feet of Brigu. Then, Brigu understood his mistake and sorry to Lord Vishnu. He went to all the sages and said that only Vishnu can be offered the yagnphal. Maa Mahalakshmi felt very sad for Sage Brigu kicking on the chest of Vishnu and left Vaikuntam. She reached Kolhapur.

Maha Vishnu in search of his lovely consort left Vaikuntam and reached Venkatachalam. There, he suffered with thirsty and hungry as a common human being. He lived in anthill. Knowing this, Maa Mahalakshmi felt very sad and went to the city in which Lord is residing and sold a cow and calf to the queen. (lord Shiva and Lord Brahma came as Cow and calf. So, with belief on them, Maa sold to the queen and again reached Kolhapur.)

Daily those cow and calf went to the anthill where Sri Hari was residing. Cow offered milk to Lord. Queen tried to squeeze milk from the cow but, no result as it’s offering milk daily to Srinivasa. Then, queen punished the person who protects those cows thinking that he drank the milk. Then, the next day, that man followed the cow and calf and saw the cow giving milk to Srinivasa. With so much of angry, he threw the axe on the cow. To protect cow, Srinivasa came out of the anthill. That axe hurt Srinivasa’s forehead. Seeing this, he died. Knowing all this, Chola king (king of that place) reached there quickly for whom Lord gave a curse.

After that, Lord Srinivasa called Brihaspathi and asked for a medicine to cure his pain. As advised by Brihaspathi, Lord went in search of the medicine and met Varaha swamy and asked a place to live. Srinivasa said “I don’t have money now as MahaLakshmi left me. But, I’ll promise you that I’ll become a deity here and daily offer you Panchamritha abhishek. After your naivedyam only, I’ll eat and also devotees must first have your darsan in Tirumala yatra and after that mine." Varaha swamy agreed for that and said to reside in the asram of Vakula devi (Yasoda Maa in her previous life).

She cured the pain of Srinivasa by giving medicines and thought him as her child.

Aakasa Raju, descendant of Chandra clan, ruled the place Narayanavanam. He don’t have children. So, he was doing yagn and in that process, plowing the Earth. He saw a girl child on the lotus. She looks so divine and no one is able to praise her beauty. Aakasavaani said “Oh King! Adopt this child. You’ll be blessed by everything”. Then, king adopted her and named as Padmavathi. After that, his wife, Dharani devi, gave birth to a child who is named as Vasudan. Both Padmavathi Maa and Vasudan became young. Padmavathi Maa, one day, with her friends, visited garden of her palace. Sri Narada Muni appeared there and said that Vishnu will marry Padmavathi devi. And disappeared.

That day, Lord went for hunting. Chasing an elephant, he reached Padmavathi Maa’s garden. Elephant requested to leave. Lord Vishnu pity on that and left. He said his details to Padmavathi Maa and asked about her. Her friends said about Maa. Then, Srinivasa asked Padmavathi devi to marry him. But, Maa’s friends threw stones on Lord and he ran away to the asram. Vakula Maa saw blood on the body of Srinivasa, applied butter on the pain and asked what was happened?? Srinivasa said whole thing to Vakula Maa and requested her to go to King and talk about marriage of Padmavathi Srinivasa. He also said about the previous birth of Padmavathi Maa (Vedavathi story). Vakula Maa agreed and went to the city and there she worshiped Lord Shiva in Agasthyeswara temple.

Friends of Padmavathi Maa too came to that temple as Padmavathi Maa became sick in thinking about Srinivasa (for her better health ). Vakula Maa met them and asked how to meet Queen Dharani devi. They asked to introduce about her. She said “I belong to Srinivasa swamy and I came to talk with Dharani devi.” They agreed and introduced themselves as the sakhis of Maa Padmavathi.

There, Srinivasa thought to help Vakula Maa in arranging marraige and turned to an old soothsayer and went near the palace of Aakasa Raju. Servants of queen saw her and invited into the palace with the order of Dharani devi. Soothsayer said about meeting of Padmavathi and Srinivasa in the garden. She also said that Srinivasa is none other than Srimannarayan. Dharani devi didn’t believe her words. Then, soothsayer said “if you want a proof, see, a woman sent by Srinivasa comes with marriage proposal”. After telling this, she went off. Dharani devi surprised for that and went to Padmavathi Maa. She asked Padmavathi Maa that why is she sad. Then, Padmavathi Maa said about meeting Srinivasa swamy and also said that he is Srimannarayan himself and not an ordinary man. After this, Vakula Maa, with friends of Padmavathi Maa went to Dharani devi with marriage proposal. Dharani devi agreed.

Brihaspathi kept muhurtham for marriage. It was sent by Sri Suka Maharshi to Srinivasa. Lord smiled and agreed. Vakula Maa returned and said everything to Srinivasa. He invited Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and all other devathas with their families for his marriage. Lakshmipathi asked Kubera to give him some money as loan for which he gives interest till the end of Kaliyug and at the end he also returns the actual amount. Kubera said “You are the Lord for everything. It’s your lila. No need to give money again”. Lord disagreed for that and said he’ll repay. Srinivasa also invited Maa Sri Mahalakshmi and said everything to her and asked her permission for marriage. She said “how’ll I reject?? You know what to do and when to do. That day you promised Vedhavathi and now you are keeping that promise. ”

After all this, one day before the marriage date, they reached the city of Aakasaraju. And on Vaisakha Suddha Dasami (Telugu calendar) Friday night Sri Padmavathi Srinivasa kalyanam was done.

After PadmavathiSrinivasa Kalyanam, Maa SriMahalakshmi went to Kolhapur. Sri Padmavathi Srinivasa resided in the Asram of Sage Agasthya for 6 months. After that, he went to Tirumala and said that he’ll reside in Tirumala till the end of Kaliyug and protect his devotees. After this, Maa MahaLakshmi resided in the heart of Sri Venkateswara swamy as Vyuha Lakshmi.

He is praised by his devotees with different names like Aapadamokkulavadu, Anatharakshaka, Adugadugudhandalavaadu, Yedukondalavaadu, etc.,

His standing position symbolizes that if we surrender to him he gives salvation to us and also we won’t fully sink in this illusion world. 

Yedukondalavaada Venkataramana Govinda Govinda!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sri Venkatesa Charanau Saranam Prapadye!!!!!

Om Namo Venkatesaya!!!