Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple is an ancient Hindu temple at Srinivasamangapuram near Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to the Bhagwan Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu and is referred to as Kalyana Venkateswara.
The temple is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance. The Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple which is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is maintained by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams since 1967 and utsavams and rituals in this temple are being performed since 1981. The temple’s religious and day-to-day administration is carried out by TTD. However, because it is an ASI-protected monument, structural conservation, restoration and construction activities remain subject to ASI’s authority and approval.
Temple Legend
After celebrating His marriage with Goddess Padmavathi, the daughter of King Akasa Raja, Bhagwan Venkateswara did not directly return to Tirumala hills. But instead, he visited the sage Agasthya’s ashram located near the banks of the river Swarnamukhi in Chandragiri Hills to seek blessings (Bhavishyottara Purana). Over the wish of sage Agastya, Lord Venkateswara along with His consort stayed at his humble ashram for six months which has now become the famous temple. While returning to the Tirumala temple, Bhagwan Venkateswara blessed this place with two boons-.
1. The newlyweds and elderly who are not able to visit Tirumala can get the same benefits through visiting Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple.
2. Devotees who take part in the Kalyana Utsavam can find their best, most beloved life-partner or find new happiness from their existing relationship.
With this boon, Venkateswara Swamy became known as Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy.
Puranic legends identify this temple as an extension of ‘Agastya Ashram’ i.e. hermitage of Sage Agastya that was built on the banks of River Vikalya (now called as Kalyani River).
History
The ancient temple of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy was ruined in 1324, during the reign of the Sultans. The earliest inscription of the temple belongs to the Sangama dynastic rule of Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1485 CE). The inscriptions on the temple quote that Tallapaka Chinna Tirumala Acharya, the grandson of poet-sage Annamacharya, renovated this temple during the 16th century. It was maintained by the Tallapaka family for a long time. Later, it came under the administration of Archaeological Department, Government of India. Finally, in 1967, it came under the control of TTD.
Historically, this area has been identified with ‘Siddhakutti’(Siddhakutam) village whose name is found in ancient inscriptions (1433CE during the reign of Deva Raya II). It is said that a devastating flood to Kalyani River, in the later period, has caused the much destruction of the temple. According to temple tradition during the chaotic period of 18th century, this temple was attacked and looted by Hyder Ali of Mysore.
Architecture of Srinivasa Mangapuram Temple
The temple reflects the typical Vijayanagara style of construction. The main entrance, called Mahadwaram is standing on a stone ‘Adhishtanam’ measuring 10’ in height facing the east. On either side of the entrance the stone images of Tallapaka Annamacharya and his son Pedda Tirumala Acharya have been nicely carved. On entering inside the temple Balipeetam and Dwajasthambam can be seen by the devotees. The Mukha Mandapa is decorated with 36 pillars with intricate carvings.
The presiding deity of the temple is Bhagwan Venkateswara (a form of the Bhagwan Vishnu) who is referred to as Kalyana Venkateswara, symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and marital harmony. The deity approximately 9½–10-foot-tall faces east and is in standing posture with four hands: one right hand in varada mudra and the other holding Chakra and one left hand in kati mudra and the other holding Shankha. The temple also hosts the deities of Lakshmi Narayana and Ranganatha, both forms of Vishnu. The idol of Bhagwan Venkateswara in Srinivasamangapuram temple is taller than the one at Tirumala, and is said to be more attractive. It is said that Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy here is a mirror image of Sri Venkateswara in Tirumala. The grand murti with four arms emanates the resplendent charm of Sri Maha Vishnu at Vaikuntam.
Sri Rama Temple, Sri Ranganayaka Temple, Sri Padmavathi and Sri Andal Temple are other shrines in this complex. Devotees can also find small shrines including Sri Sakti Vinayaka Swami, Sri Veerabhadra Swami, Sri Avanakshamma, Sri Parasareswara Swami and Sri Agastheeswara Swami. The marriage hall (kalyana mandapam) and the holy tank (pushkarini) stand out as unique features.
According to the Vaikhānasa Agama (Marichi Samhita), Lord Venkateswara is classified as a “Sthānaka Yoga Viraha Murthy.” Here, Sthānaka denotes the standing posture, Yoga denotes the form associated with spiritual liberation, and Viraha is traditionally interpreted in the Vaikhānasa context as the icon being without integrally sculpted Shankha and Chakra, although these divine emblems are present as separately affixed symbols in worship.
History of Present Temple
Around 1940, Sri Raghavendra Acharya Sundararaja Swamy, a priest traditionally believed to have come from Kanchipuram, arrived at Srinivasamangapuram. According to temple tradition, he was guided by a divine dream in which Lord Venkateswara instructed him to revive worship at the neglected temple. With the support of the local villagers, he restored regular worship and initiated the temple’s first major revival after several centuries of neglect, paving the way for its later renovation and administration by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
Rituals and Festivals
The Kalyana Venkateswara Temple is renowned for its elaborate rituals and grand festivals. Daily rituals consist of Suprabhata Seva, Thomala Seva, and Abhishekam. Special pujas and ceremonies are performed on auspicious occasions. Kalyanotsavam (marriage ceremony) holds special significance for the devotees who are newlywed couples. Major festivals such as Brahmotsavam, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, and Radhotsavam are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Annual Vasanthotsavam is performed during Vaishakha month (Apirl-May). Amongst all the annual utsavams, annual Brahmotsavam is the most important one. The 9 day-long celebrations are held during Magha Masa (January/February). During these utsavams, Kalyana Venkateswara Swami along with His two divine Consorts (Sri Devi and Bhu Devi) ascends 16 vehicles. These Vahana sevas will be held in morning and night. On the Garuda Seva day swami will be adorned with some special ornaments and garlands that come from Tirumala in a procession. On 9th day grand Radhotsavam (chariot) will be performed. The Brahmotsavams conclude on 10th day with Chakrasnanam. Thousands of pilgrims take part in these Brahmotsavams to obtain the blessings of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami and His Consorts. Newlyweds offer prayers first in this temple as this is the place where Venkateswara with his consort Padmavathi stayed for the first six months of their marriage.
The ancient temple of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy is located in Srinivasa Mangapuram, about 12 km to West Tirupati in Chittoor district (on the road leading to Madanapalli). The majestic Rajagopuram and graceful Vimanam can be seen even before reaching the main temple. The most ancient footpath to Tirumala, ‘Srivari Mettu’ is very close to Srinivasa Mangapuram. All along the road that connects the temple with Srivari Mettu is sprinkled with medieval monuments, mostly built during Vijayanagara days.
How to Reach Srinivasa Mangapuram Temple?
By road: it is 12km from Tirupati. Local buses and autos are available making the journey easier.
The ancient Dravidian-style architecture and peaceful environment make the visit to this temple a spiritually uplifting experience.
