Sri Lakshimi Venkateswara Swamy Temple

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Overview

The Devuni Kadapa is a part of the Kadapa City and a historical site. It is also known as Patha Kadapa, meaning Old Kadapa. It is famous for its temple of Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara.

About the temple

The Devuni Kadapa is also known as Tirumala Tholi Gadapa Devuni Kadapa - Shri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Devasthanam. The place Kadapa is named after the word Gadapa which is originated from the word “Devuni Gadapa” meaning “entrance for Lord Venkateswara Swamy”. The idol of the Lord Venkateswara has been established by Kripacharya, hence the ancient name of devuni kadapa is also mentioned in puranas as “Kripavathi Kshetram”. Pilgrims visit Lord Venkateswara here because first they have to pray Annamacharya and potuluri Veerabramhendra Swamy. This temple is very famous in Kadapa district, people from various places visit this temple, and this temple is generally crowded on Saturdays. Shri Lakshmi Venkateshwara temple stands as an outstanding example of Vijayanagar architecture. The very sight of the temple,with great sculpture and carvings adorning it, takes us back to the Vijanagar era. There is a sculpture of dancing Vigneshwara, a master piece of those times, in the mukha mandapam. Shri Lakshmi Venkateshwara temple is popularly known as Hanumath Kshetram as there is an idol of Anjineya behind that of Lord Venkateshwara in the sanctum sanctorum. It is believed that sage Kripacharya had installed the idol of the presiding deity. It is believed that allapaka Annamacharya visited this place and all the Sankaracharyas of Advaita mutt, heads of Ahobilam mutt and Mahakavi Kshetrayya also visited this place. Recently this temple has been undertaken by the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam. This temple additionally has goddess Shri Padmavati Thayar, that usually pilgrims visit after visiting Lord Venkateswara. The place where Devuni kadapa is seen now, is additionally called Patha kadapa (old kadapa). Utsavas and each pooja are done, the same way, as in Tirumala. Pilgrims from numerous countries and states in India who would like to go to Venkateswara swamy temple in Tirupathi will visit Devuni Kadapa temple, generally. Devuni kadapa temple is extremely crowded at the time of Utsavas. Devuni Kadapa is an archaeological treasure.

About the Deity

The main deity is Shri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Swamy (Lord Vishnu). Maha Vishnu is in Vishnu form, and is standing. Other deities are Goddess Shri Lakshmi, Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman.

Festivals

The annual festival is celebrated for ten days during January and February.

Rare facts/Interesting facts

Devuni Kadapa is called Tirumala Tholi Gadapa. From the olden days it was believed that every pilgrim who visits the temple of Sri Venkateshwara at Tirumala, should visit this temple on their way to Tirumala only then it is believed that their visit to Tirumala is complete.

Accessibility

Air

Kadapa is connected with the major and minor cities of Andhra Pradesh by both state transport corporation and private buses. The cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Tirupati etc are well connected with Kadapa. Kadapa has its own airport, situated at a distance of 8 km from the city center.Besides this, airdromes at Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Tirupati are quite near to the city.

Rail

The further distance to be traveled for getting to the city can be covered by private taxis or state buses. Kadapa Railway Station is located on the Chennai-Tirupati-Pune-Mumbai line. From Hyderabad, it lies about 405 km away and regular trains ply on this route. Though the city is not directly connected with the other parts of India by train, the stations at major cities within the state connect it indirectly.

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