Is it true? Did the dweller of the Blissful Abode perform penance? The Swamy dwelling in the golden-towered mansion over the seven hills really perform penance? Did Alamelumangamma manifest as a result of the penance performed by the god of gods? Appears strange! Did it happen? Where did this happen? Can we believe the story? This is not a strange happening. But an event that took place nearly five thousand years ago!
Penance at Two Places
Sri Venkateswara performed penance not merely once; not merely in one place. He performed it twice, at two hallowed places: At one sacred place, for ten years, and twelve years at another place. In all, for twenty-two years, without food and sleep, He performed severe penance.
Why and for whom? Isn’t it obvious that it is for the sake of all his devotees, for the welfare of the world? Pleased with His dedicated effort, Sri Alamelumangamma appeared for a noble cause, the wellbeing of the entire humanity.
Sri Alamelumanga’s compassion is like that of Kamadhenu, the perennial boon-giver! Her hands are generous Kalpavriksha, fulfilling the desires of Her countless devotees! The mercy flowing from Her heavenly heart is sacred ambrosia! The divine face of the Mother, akin to the moon in full glory, is the source of all arts!
Let us now cherish the divine story of Mother Alamelumangamma who is shining magnificently with so many glorious attributes!
Tiruchanur-Alamelumangapatnam
Tiruchanur is the sacred place where the embodiment of riches, Alamelumangamma manifested as the Divine Consort of Lord Srinivasa! This shrine is also called Alamelumanga Patnam! It is said that in olden days, Sri Shuka Maharshi had an ashram there. So, it is also called Sri Suka Ooru. Eventually, it came to be known as ‘Tirusukanooru’, later as ‘Tiruchakanuru’ and finally as ‘Tirucahnur!’ In the heart of the village, there is a lake called Padma Sarovaram.
Tiruchanur temple location on Google Maps
In those days, in this lake Sri Maha Lakshmi appeared in a golden lotus, and so she is known as ‘Padmavati’ and Alamelumanga, ‘Divine lady shining over a lotus.’ Tiruchanur is as old as Tirumala Kshetra! Similarly, Tiruchanur is as splendid and majestic as Venkatachala; the presiding deity at Tiruchanur, Sri Alamelumangamma is as kind and powerful as Sri Venkateswara!
Sri Venkateswara is the Lord descended from Vaikuntha to the earth only for the sake of His devotees. Because of Bhrigu Maharshi, He got separated from Sri Lakshmi for few years and suffered.
The Penance of Tirumalesha
To appease Sri Maha Lakshmi who left Vaikuntham sulking, Srinivasa had gone to Kolhapur kshetra and performed penance for ten years. She took a stubborn stand that She would not appear there and informed Him the same through Akashavani. She, instead, declared that His wish would be fulfilled on the banks of Padma Sarovar. On Her command, Sri Venkateswara created Padma Sarovar near Suvarnamukhi river and performed severe penance for twelve years.
Manifestation as Alamelumangamma
On a Kartika Panchami Friday, in Abhijit lagna, Uttarashadha nakshatra, with all Shodasa kala, Sri Maha Lakshmi took birth on a thousand petalled lotus in Padma Sarovar. Thus, manifested as Padmavathi, Alamelumanga, She was installed on the chest by the God of Seven Hills. Srinivasa, now beaming with complete Lakshmi features started His trek to Tirumala Hill. All the gods prayed that the Mother should receive prayers at the place of Her birth.
Sri Maha Lakshmi consented to it saying “I shall receive the worship of devotees here independently as Veeralakshmi, and all the rituals, sevas and pujas offered at Tirumala shall also be offered here separately.” Since the Swamy is not present here, She came to be known as ‘Viraha Lakshmi’, ‘Veera Lakshmi’; She also informed that She would first hear the prayers and wishes of the devotees, later She, installed as ‘Vyuha Lakshmi’ on the chest of Sri Venkateswara, would convey their wishes to Him and fulfil their desires.
From that day onwards, the presiding deity at Tiruchanur, Sri Maha Lakshmi became Padmavati and Alamelumanga, and as independent deity had been receiving worship in accordance with scriptures. That’s why, devotees who come on pilgrimage to Tirumala first visit Tiruchanur and offer worship to Padmavati Amma who had earlier been worshipped by the Lord Himself, and convey their wishes to Her. It gives a fulfilling feeling to the devotees that their yatra would be complete.
At the moment, as devotees reach straight to Tirumala after so much trouble, the darshan of the Lord is only for a fleeting moment! That too, a serene standing posture of Swamy with Shankhu and Chakra as though going somewhere! In addition, always some festivity or the other keeping the Swamy busy! Thousands of devotees eager to have a darshan of Swamy!
Naturally, the pilgrims feel intimidated by the imposing posture and grand personality of the Swamy, as also by the commotion caused by rushing pilgrims. There is every likelihood that they forget, in that fleeting moment of darshan, what they wanted to pray for, and come out of the inner sanctum, bedazzled!
The devotees nurse a sense of discontent at not having fully conveyed their woes to the Swamy. What could be the panacea? The only solution for this is to have darshan of Padmavati Ammavaru first, before proceeding to Tirumala, let the Ammavaru listen to our prayers and plead her to convey the same to the Swamy at Tirumala. This is the only way out, also the truth!
Patience and Perseverance of Sri Padmavati
At Tiruchanur, Alamelumangamma gives darshan, with poise and dignity, comfortably seated on the lotus, hands in Abhaya mudra. Unlike Swamy, She sits in a composed manner and heeds the prayers of devotees in a calm and assured manner. Later, the Jaganmata, who has made an abode of the chest of Srinivasa, submits their prayers with love and concern.
Also, She exerts pressure, convinces and makes Him consent. Will there be a father who does not heed to the words of his wife for the sake of their children? So, yielding to her words of advice, without the devotees asking again, He dutifully fulfils their desires with a simple darshan! He is true to His title, “Kalou Venkatanayakah!”
Weight of Compassion
Once, long ago, Srinivasa and Alamelumangamma were of the same height! But due to the weight of compassion that She possessed the earth had shrunk, it is said. Elders also say that the Swamy remained at the same height whereas Sri Alamelumangamma settled beneath the hill! How merciful She is, Alamelumangamma!
Many Sevas and Celebrations
Sri Mahalakshmi, manifested here as Alamelumanga and Padmavati, had been receiving Sevas at Tiruchanur in accordance with Pancharatra agama Shastra:
Daily celebrations
Daily celebrations like
- Suprabhata Seva,
- Sahasranamarchana,
- Padamavati Parinayam,
- Dolotsavam,
- Ekanta Seva,
Weekly celebrations
weekly celebrations like Astadala paada padmaaraadhana on Monday,
- Tiruppavada Seva on Thursday,
- Abhishekam on Friday,
- Thota Utsavam, Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva, Pushpanjali Seva on Saturday,
Annual Celebrations
Vasantotsavams during Vaisakha Pournami, Teppotsavams in Jyesta month, Pavitrotsavams in Bhadrapada month, Laksha Kumkumarchana in Kartika month, annual celebrations like Brahmotsavams, Pushpa Yagam are held in a befitting, brilliant manner.
Glory of Brahmotsavam
Every year in Kartika month on Panchami day, on the occasion of Goddess Padmavati manifestation day, grand ten-day Brahmotsavams will commence with Ankurarpana and conclude with ‘Panchami Teertham’ or Chakra snanam.
From the day the celebrations begin, twice everyday Sri Alamelumangamma will be taken in procession in different Vahanas: As Nagadosha Nivarini, Santana pradatri She will be taken in Pedda Sesha and Chinna Sesha Vahanas, in the form of Vidya Lakshmi, She will be taken in Hamsa vahana, as wealth-offering Sampath Lakshmi in Kalpavriksha Vahana, as Vedavati in ‘Hanumad Vahana’, as Dhanalakshmi in palanquin, as Gajalakshmi in Gaja Vahana, as Brahmanada Nayaki in Sarvabhupala vahana, as Vijaya Lakshmi in Garuda Vahana, as Adilakshmi in Suryaprabha Vahana, as Saamrajya Lakshmi in Chandraprabha Vahana. Finally, Sri Alamelumanga appears as Bhavabhaya haarini on Ashva Vahana!
Celebration of Panchami Teertham
On Panchami, the last day of celebrations, saare will be sent to Tiruchanur from Tirumala Srinivasa in the form of “turmeric, vermillion, sandal paste” saree, Prasadam on elephants in a traditional, lively manner.
Panchami Saare
‘Tirumanjanam’ will be performed to Ammavaru on the banks of Padma sarovaram with pasupuchandanam and Tulasi in a glorious manner. Later, Chakra snanam will be performed to Sudarshana Swmi in Padma Pushkarini.
At that time, it is said that Tirumala Srinivasa will also be conspicuous by His presence there! Thousands of devotees will take a holy bath in Padma Sarovaram and feel blessed! It is difficult to describe in words the divinely fascinating proceedings of Panchamiteertha Mahotsavam of Sri Padmavati Ammavaru, a perennial source of compassion.
Once Sri Vedantadeshika said, “Sri Alamelumangamma is the manifestation of Lord Srinivasa’s concern, kindness and compassion”. Hence, it should not be forgotten that we offer worship to both, but they are not different! The bond between the two is like the sun and sunrays, fire and heat, ocean and tides. That is why, Annamayya also sings about their Oneness
“Alamelumanga! You are Him, You mean Him,
Your word is His word, in short, Your heart is but Him…”
They are one, not different, still, we offer prayers to both, Sri Alamelumanga, companion-boon to Lord Srinivasa!
“Narayanasya hrudaye bhavatee yadhasthe
Narayano pi tava hrutkamale yadhasthe
Narayanastvamapi nityamubhou tadhaiva
Thau tishtatam hrudi mamaapi dayavati Sri”
Amma! Alamelumangamma! Your dwelling place is the heart of Srinivasa! Sri Narayana will reside in your heart. Let the two of You kindly make an abode of my heart!.
