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Srinivasapuram - known as Sitthakutti and Sidhakutti – was also called variously as Srinivasapuram and Alivelumangapuram.
Location
The ancient temple of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy is located in Srinivasa Mangapuram, about 12 km to West Tirupati in Chittoor district.
Its central point was Nagapatla which is close to the Syamala forests mentioned in Tarigonda Vengamamba’s Dana Sasana of the 19th century. Srinivasapuram is situated on the banks of river Kalyani which is a tributary of the river Swarnamukhi.
About Temple
The temple is situated in a big courtyard surrounded by a prakara wall and faces the east. The only entrance into the prakara in the east is surmounted by a gopura.
This place is a favorite haunt of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara.
The temples at Tirumala and Srinivasa Mangapuram are situated in a straight line – one is on the hill top and another is at the foot of the hill, one below the other.
The temple of Sri Agastyeswara and Sri Anandavalli stands on the bank of river Swarnamukhi close to the temple of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara.
On his way to Tirumala, bridegroom- the newlywed Srinivasa- accompanied by his consort Padmavathi came to this place.
Sage Agastya gave them his blessings and told them that in their turmeric dipped wedding garments they should not go up the hill until after six months. Having come this far the couple could not go back.
The sage was very affectionate towards them. He asked him to remain there in his ashrama.
Srinivasa had no option but to accept the sage’s invitation. Since it was not hermitage they retired to Srinivasa Mangapuram after offering their prayers here.
In the name of Kalyana Venkateswara - Srinivasapuram is a flourishing pilgrimage center.
Srinivasa Mangapuram is known for its scenic beauty. For 6 months Srinivasa and Padmavathi Devi savored the beauty of the Seshachala mountain range after which the couple took leave from the sage and reached Tirumala crossing the SriVari Mettu.
One can reach Tirumala by a short route from SriVari Mettu.
Since Lord Srinivasa remained in Srinivasa Mangapuram before entering the temple built in Tirumala by the King Tondaman, the descendents of one dynasty felt that they should construct a temple to the God in Srinivasa Mangapuram.
At once they built a temple on the bank of river Vikalya (Kalyani) in the name of Kalyana Venkateswara in Srinivasa Mangapuram.
On the whole, being close to Tirumala with Chandragiri on one side and Arepalli Rangampeta and Nagapatla on the other, Srinivasapuram is a flourishing pilgrimage center.
Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy - sacred next to Tirumala Temple
This ancient temple which is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is maintained by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams since 1967 and utsavams and rituals in this temple are being performed since 1981.
Today, Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy temple is considered sacred, next to Tirumala temple.
Those who are unable to make it to Tirumala can have darshan of Lord Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy to fulfill their wish.
As the name indicates, this temple carries significance for newlywed couples. Newlyweds offer prayers first in this temple as this is the place where Lord Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy with Goddess Padmavathi Devi stayed for six months, just after their wedding.
Temple's History
Things altered drastically when the river Kalyani was in floods. Srinivasapuram was washed away. The temple Kalyana Venkateswara crumbled down. Everything went into disarray.
A hundred years passed, Chinna Tirumalacharya- the son of pedda Tirumalacharya- who was the eldest of Tallapaka Annamacharya’s grandson – intent on re-constructing the temple at Srinivasapuram obtained permission from Emperor Achyuta Deva – the step brother of Sri Krishna Devaraya. Chinna Tirumalacharya is known to be a very famous one, and he is the one who constructed the temple again and installed all new idols.
On the whole Srinivasa Mangapuram became a place exempted from tax. It flourished once gain. On installing the image of Goddess Alivelu Manga, the place came to be known as Alivelu Mangapuram.
Essence of the place
While returning to the Tirumala temple, Lord Venkateswara blessed the place with two boons-.
1. The newlyweds and elderly who are not able to visit Tirumala can get the same benefits through visiting Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple.
2. A devotee who takes part in the Kalyana utsasvam and ties a ‘kaappu’ on their hand, can find their best, most beloved life-partner or find new happiness from their existing relationship.
For People who cannot go to Seven Hills / Alternative to Tirumala’s God
Differently able persons, aged people and women-being spared the trouble of taking the uphill route-setting their eyes on Kalyana Venkateswara can have the same satisfaction of seeing the God of Tirumala.
Festivals
The festival of glorious manifestation takes place every year in the month of Ashada on the day of the Uttaraphalguni.
The festival which was celebrated for one day is celebrated for 3 days now. Sri V.A.K. Ranga Rai from Madras offers dance service before the Lord Sri Venkatesa on the main day of this festival which is being held even now.
Earlier the number of tourists and devotees who visited this place was small, the services were also limited (when compared to Tirumala). Now all these have increased unimaginably.
Kalyanakatta i.e. the ghat at which devotees tonsure their head was located on the bank of the river Kalyani earlier. It was shifted to Tirumala Mangali Bavi and from there it was shifted again to the place where it now stands
Arjitha Sevas
There are many arjitha sevas and one can book them online, click here for the official website.
