Sri Srungara Vallabha Swamy Temple is located in Tirupati Village, Peddapuram Mandal, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh and 27 km towards north from Kakinada and one km from Divili.. This village is also known as Toli Tirupati (meaning the first Tirupati) as the temple in this place is said to be 9000 years old and older than the Bhagwan Balaji temple at Tirupati, Chittor District, Andhra Pradesh. The village Toli Tirupati is also known by the name Chadalada (originally known as Chadalavada). The Bhagwan Vishnu ‘s vigraha in this temple as Venkateswara Swamy appears in a smiling face and hence the name Srungara Vallabha Swamy.
Legend (Sthala Purana)
The purana of this temple is attached to Druva who is mentioned in the Vishnu and Bhagavata purana. King Uttanapada had two wives Sunithi and Suruchi. Sunithi’s son was Druva and Suruchi’s son was Uttama. Suruchi was young and very beautiful and her son Uttama was younger to Druva.Suruchi was jealous of Druva and wanted to make her son Uttama the king, after Uttanapada. One day when Druva was a small child, seeing Uttama sitting on his father’s lap, he too goes to sit. Suruchi pushes Druva away and tells him that because he has not been born as her son, orders him to keep away from his father. An upset Druva goes to his mother and tells her what happened. Sunithi tells Druva that Bhagwan Vishnu is the most powerful one and advices him to seek Bhagwan Vishnu’s blessings. Druva sets out to take Bhagwan Vishnu’s blessings. Narada muni sees him and and advises Dhruva to chant ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’. Druva performs severe austerities for six months and Vishnu appears before him. Druva is unable to see Vishnu due to his huge form and shining Tejas. Sensing this Bhagvan comes down to the little boys size and asks Druva to see him. Bhagvan blesses him saying that he will be the size of whoever wants to see him. Toli Tirupti is believed to be the place where Bhagwan Vishnu blessed Dhruva.
History:
This temple is built by eastern chalukyas (who ruled between 7th and 12th centuries) in dravidian architecture. Main vigraha or mula virat is Bhagwan vishnu in the form of srungara vallabha swamy with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. At the entrance one will find Vishnu on Seshatalpa with Lakshmi Devi, Brahma and Narada. There is Mandapam on both sides before the main entrance. There are 7 dwarams (entrances) to go through to reach the Garbagriha (sanctum Santorum). After passing through the first and second door one will come to the outer prakaram which has the dwajastambham. No matter the actual size of the Murti, if the pilgrim stands at the dwajastambham (and also when seen at from a particular position marked by a lotus symbol inside the temple at the main entrance to sanctum Santorum), the main vigraha looks similar to the height of the Viewer (irrespective of the height of the pilgrim). This is a unique engineering marvel. There are ancient inscriptions on the pillars at the temple.
Sankha and Chakra are in altered positions on the deity at this temple, in comparison with Bhagwan Balaji of Tirupati. It is said that after manifestation of the Bhagwan, the Gods constructed the temple and sage Narada installed Lakshmi Devi vigraha. In the later years, Emperor Sri Krishna Devaraya during his visit installed the copper vigraha of Goddess Bhudevi. It is also said that Emperors Bhoja Maharaj, Vikramarka, and Kakatiya Queen Rudrama Devi and many kings visited the temple.
A well which is on the premises of the temple is full with water even in summer and never dries up. Kalyanam of the Bhagwan is performed on Chaitra Sudda Ekadasi every year and the celebrations continue for six days therafter. There is a Nakshatra mandapa, depicting one tree for each star (total 27 stars) on the North side of the Sanctum sanctorum, adjacent to the well. It is said that Queen Victoria paid a visit to this temple and presented a silver shield to the Bhagwan.
There are separate vigrahas for Alvars ( Alvars are Tamil Poet – Saints who espoused devotion to the Bhagwan Vishnu and sang hymns in praise of Bhagwan Vishnu Known as Divya Prabandham) who were considered as the catalysts behind the Bhakti Movement. Alvars lived between the 5th century and 9th century CE. Normally in the Viashnava temples, where the Bhagwan Vishnu ‘s avatar is Swayambhu (self-manifested) one will find Alvars vigrahas.
Bhagwan Shiva is the kshetra palaka for this temple and Shiva temple is located adjacent to the main temple.
How to Reach Tirupati Srungara Vallabha Temple:
By Rail:
There are 3 Railway stations around Tirupati Srungara Vallabha Swamy Temple and they are Samarlakota junction 14 km, Peddapuram 14 km and Kakinada 28 kms.
By Road:
There are 3 major Bus stations around Tirupati Srungara Vallabha Swamy Temple – Peddapuram 11 km, Samarlakota 14 km and Kakinada 28 km.
By Air:
Rajahmundry Airport, 50 km, Visakhapatnam Airport, 152 km and Vijayawada Airport (Gannavaram), 184 km.
