Sri Avanakshamma Ammavari Temple – Narayanavanam

 

Sri Avanakshamma Ammavari Temple is in Narayanavanam in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh State.

Goddess Avanakshamma is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti

Narayanavanam is the place where the marriage of Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Sri Padmavati Devi took place.

As per the ‘sthalapuranam,’ Lord Brahma installed and worshipped the Goddess here. In the past, Lord Brahma started creation. During this time,

a demon named Somakasura was troubling the sages and destroying their ‘yagnas’. Somakasura once attacked Satyaloka and stole the Vedas. He hid them in the sea. To save the Vedas, Lord Sri Mahavishnu assumed

the form of a fish i.e., Matsyavataara, and reached the bottom of the ocean. At this time Lord Brahma prayed to Goddess Parvati, who is the Goddess of Power, and

asked Her to kill Somakasura and bring the Vedas back. Goddess Parvati granted Lord Brahma’s prayers and attacked Somakasura. Lord Sri Mahavishnu who was in the form of Matsyavataara assisted the Goddess.

Jaganmata brought the Vedas back and offered them to Lord Brahma after killing Somakasura. The creator, Lord Brahma, was pleased with Goddess Parvati's assistance. Using this, Lord Brahma created an idol, placed it in the location of the current temple, and bowed down to the Mother, who was then known as Sri "Amnayakshi Ammavaru."

Agastya Maharshi later arrived and paid homage to the goddess. Akshi signifies eyeballs, while Amna means the Vedas. Thus, "Amna Yakshi" is the Goddess whom Lord Brahma worshipped and who guarded the Vedas. Over time, the name Amna Yakshi has evolved into "Avanakshamma."

It is said that Akasha Raju the king of Narayanavanam got the daughter Padmavati Devi after worshipping Sri Avanakshamma. It is said that Sri Padmavathi Devi along with her father used to go to the temple regularly and worship the Goddess. During the marriage of Sri Venkateswara Swami and Padmavati Ammavaru, Padmavati Devi performed Gouripuja in this temple, and after the marriage, Sri Venkateswara Swami and Padmavati Devi visited and worshipped the goddess.

There is a large courtyard where the temple is situated. One may observe the stone Balipeetham across from the main temple. There is just one stair in the main Gopuram. In this Gopura Mandapam, the idol Sri Avanakshamma is seen.

After entering the temple, one can see Balipeetham, Dwaja Sthambham, and Thrishulam.

Devotees offer turmeric, kumkuma, and bangles at the thrishulam and offer ‘puja.’

The main temple consists of Mahamandapa, Mukhamandapa, Antaralayam and Garbhalayam. In the main sanctum sanctorum, Sri Avanakshamma Ammavaru appears as ‘Shaktirupini’ with sticking out tongue. 

Sri Avanakshamma wears a sword and a ‘thrishulam’ with both hands and poked the demon under Her feet with ‘thrishulam.’ Along with the main deity, one can see small statues of ‘Ammavaru’, ‘Sri Shankari Devi’, and ‘Utsavamurthis’. It is said that the idol of Ammavaru which was worshipped by Lord Brahma earlier was small. Akasharaju installed a big idol which is currently being worshipped.

Brahmotsavam is observed in the months of August-September for eight days

During Ashada masam special pujas are performed.

It is believed that childless people who worship Goddess Avanakshamma Ammavaru will get children. There is a strong belief among the devotees that those who visit the goddess and worship Her, they get married quickly.

Timings

8.00 am 11.00 am

4.00 pm to 6.30 pm

How to reach the Temple

45 km from Tirupati