Sri Avanakshamma Ammavari Temple
Narayanavanam
Narayanavanam is located at a distance of about 45 km from the town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. It is said that the place got the name ‘Narayanavanam’ as it was the place where Srimannarayana went hunting. In the inscription of 1467, the name of this place was mentioned as ‘Narayanavarapattu’ and in the inscription of 1537 it was mentioned as ‘Narayanapurampattu.’
It is well known that all these names are derived from Srimannarayana. These names changed in usage over time and formed ‘Narayanavanam’. The marriage of Sri Venkateswara Swamy and Sri Padmavati Devi took place in Narayanavanam.
Goddess Sri Avanakshamma in Narayanavanam – Legend
There is an interesting sthalapuranam regarding the stay of Goddess Sri Avanakshamma in Narayanavanam. As per the ‘sthalapuranam’ Lord Brahma installed and worshipped the Goddess here. In the past, Lord Brahma started creation. During this time, a demon named Somakasura was troubling the sages and destroying their ‘yagnas’. Somakasura once attacked Satyaloka and stole the Vedas. He hid them in the sea.
To save the Vedas, Lord Sri Mahavishnu assumed the form of a fish i.e., Matsyavataara and reached the bottom of the ocean. At this time Lord Brahma prayed to Goddess Parvati, who is the Goddess of Power, and asked Her to kill Somakasura and bring the Vedas back. Goddess Parvati granted Lord Brahma’s prayers and attacked Somakasura. Lord Sri Mahavishnu who was in the form of Matsyavataara assisted the Goddess.
Amna Yakshi Ammavaru –> Avanakshamma Ammavaru
After killing Somakasura, Jaganmata brought the Vedas back and presented them to Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma, who started creation, felt grateful to Goddess Parvati for Her help. With this, Lord Brahma made an idol and installed it in the area of the present temple and worshipped the Mother as Sri ‘Amnayakshi Ammavaru’.
Later Agastya Maharshi reached there and worshipped the goddess. ‘Amna’ means the Vedas and Akshi means eyes. That means the Goddess who protected the Vedas was worshipped by Lord Brahma as ‘Amna Yakshi’.
Over time, the name ‘Amna Yakshi’ has become ‘Avanakshamma’.
Sri Avanakshamma Ammavari Temple Structure
The temple of Sri Avanakshamma in Narayanavanam is located in a spacious courtyard. Opposite the main temple, one can see the Balipeetham made of stone. The main Gopuram consists of one stair. One can see the idol Sri Avanakshamma in this Gopura Mandapam.
After entering the temple, one can see Balipeetham, Dwaja Sthambham and Thrishulam. Devotees offer turmeric, kumkuma and bangles at the thrishulam and offer ‘puja.’ The main temple consists of Mahamandapa, Mukhamandapa, Antaralayam and Garbhalayam. In the main sanctum sanctorum, Sri Avanakshamma Ammavaru appears as ‘Shaktirupini’ with sticking out tongue.
Sri Avanakshamma wears a sword and a ‘thrishulam’ with both hands and poked the demon under Her feet with ‘thrishulam.’ Along with the main deity, one can see small statues of ‘Ammavaru’, ‘Sri Shankari Devi’ and ‘Utsavamurthis’. It is said that the idol of Ammavaru which was worshipped by Lord Brahma earlier was small.
Naga Devatas
Akasharaju installed a big idol which is currently being worshipped. Usually, there is an Ekakalasa Gopuram above the sanctum sanctorum. This temple has a gopuram like Galigopuram on the sanctum sanctorum. Five ‘kalasalas’ are enshrined on this gopuram. One can see in the temple premises the Lord Ganesha on the platform under the peepal and neem trees and ‘Naga Devatas.’
History of the Temple
It is said that Akasha Raju the king of Narayanavanam got the daughter Padmavati Devi after worshipping Sri Avanakshamma. It is said that Sri Padmavathi Devi along with her father used to go to the temple regularly and worship the Goddess.
During the marriage of Sri Venkateswara Swami and Padmavati Ammavaru, Padmavati Devi performed Gouripuja in this temple, and after the marriage, Sri Venkateswara Swami and Padmavati Devi visited and worshipped the goddess.
Along with the rulers of Narayanavanam and Karvetinagaram, the rulers of Thiruttani worshipped the goddess and worked for the development of the temple. In 1967, the management of the temple was taken over by the TTD.
Sevas
The Brahmotsavam of Narayanavanam Sri Avanakshamma Ammavaru will be performed every year in August and September for eighteen days apart from daily pujas. During the Brahmotsavams different ‘vahana sevas’ including the Radhotsavam will be performed grandly. Special poojas will also be performed at Ammavaru in Ashadamasam.
More Details
There are no accommodation facilities for devotees in Narayanavanam. It is located in A.P. on the Tirupati-Chennai road approx. 45 km away from Tirupati and 8 km away from Puttur.
How to Reach the Temple
Buses are available from Tirupati, Chennai, Puttur and Chittoor. Almost all trains stop at Puttur Railway Station on the Renigunta-Chennai main line.
From Tirupati Srinivasam, one can take a tourist bus operated by the Department of Tourism and visit this place along with other places.
Final Word
It is believed that childless people who worship Goddess Avanakshamma Ammavaru will get children. There is a strong belief among the devotees that those who will visit the goddess and worship Her, get married quickly.
May the Goddess Sri Avanakshamma Ammavaru grant prosperity and eternal bliss.
