Sri Venkateshwara Swami Temple

Overview

Sri Venkateshwara Swami Temple is located on the top of the Seshachalam Hill at Dwaraka Thirumala in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Lord Vishnu is the presiding god here in the form of Sri Venkateshwara Swami.

About The Temple

A saint named Dwaraka found the self manifested idol of Lord Venkateshwara on an ant-hill called Valmikam. Thus the place called as Dwaraka Thirumala. This place is also known as Chinna Thirupati. During Tretayuga, King Aja, the grandfather of Lord Rama worshipped the presiding deity. The feet of Lord Venkateshwara are in the Valmikam. Another idol was bought from Thirupati and installed here 400 years ago. These idols are located in the same sanctum which is a unique feature of this temple. The idols of Goddess Padmavathi and Nanchari are installed in the Arthamandaba.

Renovation and Origin of the Present Structure

The magnificent structures like Vimana, Mandapa, Gopura, Prakara and so on, stand to the credit of Dharma Appa Rao. The golden ornaments and silver vahanas (vehicles) stand to the credit of the generous queen Rani Chinnamma Rao of Mylavaram.

The main temple is a masterpiece of Indian Architecture with its five-storied Rajagopuram facing south and three other gopurams on the other three sides. There are temples of Alwars attached to the Prakara (corridor) on all sides. The whole compound has been surfaced with stone and flower trees. There are other shrines namely Lord Anjaneya Swami, Garuda (vehicle of Lord Vishnu), Dwaraka and Sri Tallakapaka Annamacharya.

Legends and Stories

Dwaraka Thirumala is a famous temple from the ancient times. According to legend, the temple was popular even in Kruta yuga and is still attracting devotees. According to Brahmapurana, Aja Maharaja, the Grandfather of Lord Sri Rama also worshiped Lord Venkateshwara for his marriage. On his way to the ‘Swayamvaram’ (procession of suitors for marriage) of Indumathi, he passed by the temple without offering prayers. Indumati garlanded him, but he had to face a war with the other kings. He realized that the war was thrust on him for ignoring the temple. After this, Aja Maharaja prayed to the Lord Venkateshwara.

It is unique to see two main idols under one Vimana Sikharam. One idol is a complete statue and the other is half (the upper portion) of the form of the Lord. This is a self-manifested idol discovered by Sage Dwaraka. The saints felt the prayers to the Lord are not complete without touching His holy feet. So, they installed a full statue behind the self-manifested.

It is believed prayers to the smaller statue will lead to Moksha (salvation), and the big form stands for Dharma, Artha and Kama. The Thirukalyana Utsavam is celebrated twice a year. For the self manifested idol, it is celebrated in the month of “Vaisakha” and for the installed idol in the month of “Aswayuja”.

Magnificence of the Sanctum Sanctorum

The presiding deity Lord Venkateshwara is visible up to the bust size and the lower portion is in the earth. The holy feet are said to be offered to King Bali in Patala. The full size idol of Lord Sri Venkateshwara standing at the back of the main idol was installed by the great social reformer Ramanuja during the 11th century. The statues of Padmavathi and Nanchari are installed in the Arthamandaba facing east. This is a fully equipped shrine to be a Dhivyasthala.

Combination of Siva Vishnu on Adisesha

The most peculiar thing here is that the hill appears to be a serpent in form, even to the naked eye, confirms the myth that Ananta, the serpent king has taken up this terrestrial form of serpent hill and is carrying God Mallikaarjuna on the hood and Lord Venkateshwara on the tail, thus creating a harmony of Vaishnavism and Saivism.

Festivals

Brahmotsavam and Vaikunda Ekadasi are celebrated grandly in the temple. The other festivals are:

Festival	Month
Giripradakshina	January
Swami Vari Vysakha Kalyanam	April-May
Pavithrotsavams	September
Swami Vari Aswayuja Kalyanam	September-October
Theppotsavam	November

Accessibility

Airport

Nearest airport is Vijayawada Airport.

Railways

Nearest railway station is Bhimadole Railway Station.

Road

Buses are available from all places in Andhra Pradesh.

Temple Address

Sri Venkateshwara Swami Temple,
Dwaraka Thirumala (China Tirupathi),
West Godavari District,
Andhra Pradesh, Pin code - 534 426.