Sri Kalyana Venkateswarar at Srinivasa Mangapuram - Thirumala Tirupathi

For Sri Vaishnavaites, the  purpose of birth is kainkaryam to Emperuman and his devotees – One needs to do kainkaryam at His abode ~ great it would be, when that happens to be a Divyadesam – the great place sung by Azhwargal.  The beautiful temple of Lord Srinivasa at Thirumala Tirupathi in its present form owes a lot to the works of the greatest Vaishnava Acharya – Sri Ramanujar.  The very thought of Tirumala and chanting the name of Lord of Seven Hills would cleanse our souls.

Thirumala has existed for Centuries and Lord Venkateshwara will provide all riches, all wealth and all goodness to all His believers. Thiruvengadam, the abode of Lord Balaji is the  ‘Thilakam’ the shining glory of the whole Earth.  All that we need to do is to pray towards the Greatest Lord of Universe from wherever we are, think of HIM always and do good to humanity in Thy Name. Lakhs of devotees of all ages, from all over the Country and from other parts of the World throng to the hills, by walk, by vehicles of various hues and wait in the queue for hours to have a glimpse of the Lord.

Here is the way shown by Swami Nammalwar……..

குன்றம் ஏந்திக் குளிர்மழை காத்தவன்,

அன்று ஞாலம் அளந்த பிரான்,பரன்

சென்று சேர் திருவேங்கட மாமலை,

ஒன்றுமே தொழ  நம்வினை ஓயுமே.

the Lord the Saviour, who saved the cowherds and everyone at Govardhan by holding the hill with His little finger and the One who measured the earth with His feet, is settled in the Great Hill of Thirumala ~ those of us going and worshipping Him there will get rid of all bad things – the ill-effects of Karma will get destroyed in a trice.  

We forget all our woes and attain eternal bliss in standing before Him – on the way to Thirumala, we worship Goddess Padmavathi Thayar at Tiruchanoor (Alarmel Mangapuram) ~ there is the Govindaraja Perumal Sannathi at Tirupathi where the Lord is in sayana thirukolam (resting posture) taking rest after measuring the plentiful wealth….

Then for those of us with little more time…. there are more temples of which ‘Srinivasa Mangapuram’  is very important.  It is a puranic place and the temple is centuries old.  Legend has it that Lord Venkateswara immediately after marriage with Padmavathi Thayar visited the banks of river Swarnamukhi near Chandragiri hills on way back to Thirumala.  Over the years Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram has become famous – many come here wishing for good conduct of marriage and good health.   

this photo taken by me in 2009

The Srinivasa Mangapuram is around 10 km from Alipiri, the foothills of holy Thirumala on way to Chittoor.  You have another path for ascending the holy Hills and this is reported to be a much shorter one.  Legend has it that Annamacharya and his grand child were instrumental in restoration and building the temple in pristine form.  ‘Nithya kalyana utsav’ and ‘Brahmotsav’ during the months of February/ March  are being held here. 

The Moolavar here stands majestically and imposing manner – similar to Lord Balaji Himself – the Uthsavar is ever radiating Srinivasar.  On 17^th Dec 2013 had the fortune of darshan here too.  It was Pournami (full moon) day and there was the grand purappadu of Uthsavar on Garuda vahanam.  Since this is the month of Anadhyayanam, it was Upadesa Rathina Malai in veethi purappadu and I was able to participate in the goshti as well.

Here are some photos of the temple and Lord  Srinivasa on Garuda vahanam

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.

Upadesa Rathinamalai goshti thuvakkam by Adhyapaka Swamis