Tirupati & Srikalahasti temples - Andhra Pradesh.

Blessed to visit three ancient temples in neighboring state Andhra Pradesh this week. Each of these temples have recorded history of over 3000 years. If you are a history buff, and have not seen them, I would strongly urge you to see it.

If I ask you where is Taj Mahal or Eiffel Tower almost everyone can name the city. These are all constructed within last 5 centuries. Now imagine 4000 years back, our human ancestors (not Hindus, or Indians, or Asians but see as human ancestors) constructed 8 ancient Shiva temples all in perfect 79 degrees longitude over the length of entire Indian subcontinent from kedarnath in himalayas in north to rameshwaram touching Indian ocean in south, 2500 kms apart, using rudimentary tools. It's a mystery how they constructed all these magnificent temples with no GPS, satellite imaging on the same latitude. Imagine how advanced the mathematical sciences of astronomy must be to compute the positioning of these temples just by using North star as reference. And there was no telephone to communicate between these temples. See map below.

The temples we visited were..

1. Sri-kala-hasthi Shiva temple 

Srikalahasti, derives its name from the combination of the Sanskrit words Sri (spider), Kala (snake) and Hasti (elephant). these animals once worshipped the Shiva lingam here and attained moksha.

One of 5 pancha bootha (elements) lingas, representing Vayu (air). In perfect 79 degrees longitude. 

Legend says Vayu the Lord of wind worshipped Lord Shiva here and attained immortal glory. Same for Goddess Parvati who worshipped lord Shiva and she was blessed with resplendent knowledge and is she known as Gnana-prasun-ambika 

Also this temple is Famous for hunter kannappa who donated his own eyes to stop the bleeding of Lord shivas eyes and thus attained moksha. 

Kulotunga chola and Krishna Deva Raya played an important part in construction of the "modern temple" 

2. Padmavathi temple, Tiruchanoor

This temple dedicated to Goddess  Padmavathi or Alamelumanga, the consort of Lord  Venkateswara.  Alarmel mangavpuram (Alar-Lotus, Mel-top, Manga-Goddess, Puram-town)

It is believed that the Goddess  Lakshmi  was born as Alamelu to Akasha Raja, the ruler of this region, and wed Venkateshwara of Tirupati. Goddess Lakshmi gave darshan to Lord Venkateswara on a red Lotus flower (Padma in Sanskrit) at Alamelu mangapuram after his deep penance for twelve years. 


3. Kalyana venkateshwara temple, srinivasa mangapuram

According to the legend, Lord Balaji did not return to his abode in Tirumala Hills after marrying Goddess Padmavati, the daughter of King Akasa Raja here. Instead, the lord along with Goddess went to seek blessings of great saint Agasthya at his ashram. When the sage requested, the Lord decided to stay at the ashram of the sage for a period of six months. Pleased with his stay, Lord Venkateswara blessed the place with such powers that anyone who is unable to visit the Tirumala Temple can visit the Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple and receive the same blessings. Along with this, even for newlyweds couples can get the boon of happy and contented life by seeking Lord’s blessings here.

All three temples above are situated within an hour of each other. THE Cholas, Pandyas, and Vijayanagara kings played an important part in construction of the "modern temple" between 5th and 15th centuries. Both ancient languages of Tamil and Telugu are seen on temple walls and are spoken by people living here 

Best time to visit October to February when the heat is bearable. And ofcourse try local food. had pleasure of having the Nellore Golisoda, Pesarattu and Degree coffee and Andhra meals. After all, What's travel without good food?

See some pics of nature enroute. phone is not allowed inside temples, hence no internal photos. Just got a few from outside. Enjoy.

1. Temple photos

Srikalahasti temple

7 great temples in same longitude 

Padmavathi temple 

kalyana venkateshwara temple

2. Nature photos nearby


3. Food photos

spicy Andhra meal, I'm ready 

Power spice trio - gonkura avakkai pappu

Filter Coffee in south India a must !!
Cool it with Nellore Goli soda .
local hero soda !!
2023

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