Sri Padmavathi Devi Temple - Tiruchanur.
Goddess Padmavathi is the main
deity of the Tiruchanur temple. Goddess Padmavathi is an incarnation of Goddess
Lakshmi. In this temple, Goddess is facing the East direction. Goddess Padmavati
Devi is seated in 'Padmasana', holding a Lotus in both of her upper hands. Her
lower hands are in poses of 'Abhaya', fearlessness, and 'Varada', benediction.
Another idol of the temple courtyard is lord Suryanarayana, Sri Krishna Swamy, and Sri
Sundararajaswamy. Lord Suryanarayana deity of this temple is believed to
installed by Lord Venkateswara. It is traditional to first worship Sri Krishna
and then take the darshan of Sri Padmavati.
In
Padmasarovaram (Koneru), Chakra snanam will be held on the last day of the annual
Padmavathi Brahmotsavams (Panchami teertham) which will witness lakhs of
devotees taking a dip in the holy waters.
Sri Padmavathi ammavari temple is an East facing temple.
Sri Padmavathi ammavari temple is also known as Alamelu Mangapuram temple.
Goddesses are believed to have come on a golden color lotus flower, hence the
name denoting Alar - Lotus, Mel - Top, Manga - Goddess, and Puram. Sri
Padmavathi ammavari temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture. Sri
Padmavathi ammavari temple has a 5 tier Gopuram with 7 kalasas on top.
Dwajasthambham - The Gaja
vahanam is embossed on the bottom and Shanku Chakras face South and Goddess
Padmavati faces North on Dwajastambha. The celestial Gaja flag on the temple
mast flies on this pillar during the annual brahmotsavams and is lowered after
the event.
Shanti Nilayam - A Seven kalasha with a Gold cover rests on the Gopuram
above the sanctum of Goddess Padmavati and is called Shanti Nilayam, facing the
Tirumala hill shrine of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. It also accommodates a
sparkling idol of Vimana Lakshmi as well akin to Ananda Nilaya Vimana
Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala temple.
The walls of the temple, ceilings, and dome are
intricately carved with stone words. An inscription in the Padmavati temple
tells you in detail about the history of Tiruchanur. Originally there was a
temple in Tiruchanur that was dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. It was difficult
for the priests to perform all the religious rituals because of space shortage.
So they decided to carry out the activities elsewhere and only two important ceremonies
were performed here. Later even this became difficult and so the place of
worship was shifted. The place eventually lost all its significance.
Ashirwada Mandapam -
This is a 16-pillared mandapam on a 4 feet high platform. Now it is the seat of
Bhajantri Mela and also a platform for VIPs to get blessings and Prasada from
archakas.
Dwajastambha Mandapam -
It is a unique architectural marvel with 36 pillars in six rows with Bangaru
Balipeetham. After serving Nivedana three times to Goddess Padmavati, Shraddhannam
is served to Bhutaganas on the balipeetham.
Kalyanotsava Mandapam - To the south
of Dwajastambha mandapam and in front of Sri Sundararaja Swamy temple,
Kalyanotsavam is performed for Goddess Padmavati and Lord Venkateswara.
Mukha Mandapam - A four-pillared mandapam on a high platform and covered by a grill opposite to the main temple is
where Asthanam and other rituals are conducted.
Archana Mandapam - Adjacent to
Mukha mandapam this Archana mandapam is located to the south of the sanctum to whose
North face lies the Panchaloha idols of Sudarshana and Viswaksena. The granite
idols of Garuda and Viswaksena are installed. There is also a granite and
Panchaloha idol of Sri Ramanujacharya.
Antharala Mandapam - After Archana
mandapam, the Antaralam mandapam which is guarded by Vanamalini and Balakini at
the door like Jaya and Vijaya in Tirumala.
Pushkarini - Temple tank
is known as Padmasarovaram, it is believed that Goddess Padmavathi manifested in
this tank in a Golden Lotus flower (Padmam) on ‘Sukla Paksha Panchami’ day in the
Kartheeka masam.
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