Tag: Padmavathi

Tiruchanur (also known as Alamelu Mangapuram) is a religious destination for Hindu pilgrims due to the presence of Padmavathi Temple.

Immense Grace of Goddess Padmavathi Devi at Tiruchanur

Immense Grace of Goddess Padmavathi Devi at Tiruchanur

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Goddess Padmavathi Devi at Tiruchanur

The temple town of Tiruchanur located at the base of Tirumala is the abode of Goddess Padmavathi Devi, the divine consort of Lord Srinivasa. To the millions of devotees pouring in from all over the world, the pilgrimage to the Seven Hills begins with the ‘darshan’ of the Devi.

Once they are showered with the blissful grace of the Divine Mother, they feel confident of approaching the Lord on the Hills. They pray to the Goddess to make their Tirumala Yatra fruitful and entreat Her to intervene on their behalf and secure the Lord’s ‘darshan’ and blessings for them.

“Sahadharmachareem sourehe
sammantiritha jagaddhitham
Anugrahamayeem vande
nithyam agnyatha nigraham”
(Yatiraja Saptati – Swami Desikan)

The prayer of Swami Desikan throws light on the significant role of the Divine Mother in protecting the world. She is the consort who is ever-present with the Almighty. She is the compassionate one who is incapable of punishing anyone. It can be said that She is the personification of benevolence.

Tiruchanur is constantly humming with daily ‘pujas’, ‘archana’ and the endless flow of the devotees. Kalyanothsavam is performed every day like on the Seven Hills and Fridays auspicious to the goddess, elaborate ‘abhishekam’ is performed.

Padmavathi Ammavari Temple - Tiruchanur - Shanti Nilayam

Tiruchanur Karthika Brahmotsavam

The month of Karthika marks the day when the Goddess Padmavathi appeared in the Padma Sarovar, the temple tank. This celestial event is celebrated with an annual Brahmotsavam of ten days culminating in the Theerthavari on the sacred Panchami. On this holy ‘avatara’ day the priests invoke the bountiful grace of the Goddess for peace, prosperity and happiness to all.

This year Tiruchanur Karthika Brahmotsavam will be celebrated starting with Dwajarohanam on 28th November 2024 and concluding with the Panchami Theertham on December 6th 2024. The Gaja Vahanam special to the Goddess will be on 2nd December 2024.

Lakhs of devotees will be present to enjoy the festivities while millions who cannot be there will get blissful ‘darshan’ from their homes through the SVBC telecast. The live coverage brings beautiful visuals of the temple Rajagopuram, the glittering gold inlaid Vimanam, the gorgeous decorations, the sacred Pushkarini, the Vahana Sevas, Prabandha and the chanting of the Vedas, dance and musical performances of the devotees.

Goddess Padmavathi Devi at Tiruchanur

More importantly, the TV coverage gives us ‘darshan’ of the glowing form of the goddess giving a personalized special satisfaction that can’t be experienced even when we are physically present there in the big crowd.

Lord Sriman Narayana incarnates in the various ‘yugas’ in different forms and in all these incarnations His divine consort Sri Mahalakshmi also assumes suitable roles to be with Him for the welfare of the world. In the Lord’s ‘archa avatara’ as Lord Srinivasa, the divine consort was born as Akasha Rajas’s daughter Padmavathi Devi and married Lord Srinivasa.

The very name of Sri Mahalakshmi is commonly associated with worldly riches. But to understand the real significance of Her grace one must look at the eight different forms in which She is worshipped. All these are representations in iconography to explain the numerous ways in which Her abundant grace manifests.

‘Adi Lakshmi’ is the primordial form of the Goddess who is with the Almighty when He creates the entire universe which He does for Her pleasure and per Her desire. The origin of all life is from the Divya Dampatulu (Divine couple). When the Lord makes various incarnations the Goddess too takes various suitable forms to participate in all His ‘leelas’ and to protect us.

‘Dhana Lakshmi’ is the Goddess of wealth who bestows the resources needed by us for pursuing our ‘sanatana dharma.’ Taking care of the family, contributing to social and religious activities are the duties of all householders for which we pray for abundant income.

‘Dhaanya Lakshmi’ grants abundance of food grains and bountiful harvests. Food sustains all life and copious rains ensure food security and freedom from hunger and famines.

Gaja Vahanam - Tiruchanur 2023

Goddess Padmavathi is presiding in the form of ‘Gaja Lakshmi’ at Tiruchanur. The resplendent, regal ‘archa moorthy’ seated on a golden lotus is worshipped by two elephants on either side. This captures the incarnation of the goddess in the Padma Sarovar, the temple tank when She was worshipped by celestial elephants with ‘abhishekam’ and floral garlands. Gaja Lakshmi is the symbol of power and strength.

‘Santhana Lakshmi’ is the form of the Divine Mother that grants the boon of good progeny. We all want our children to have good health, and character and pray that they follow traditions in the path of their elders.

The course of life in this world is rough and we face various trials and problems. To face these challenges we require mental strength and faith which is granted by ‘Dhairya Lakshmi’. The mercy of the Goddess follows us like an umbrella sheltering us from torrid heat or like a boat that sails through the turbulent sea. We are assured victory in our rightful pursuits by ‘Vijaya Lakshmi’.

There are numerous fields of knowledge and expertise necessary for our material and spiritual progress. We pray to ‘Vidya Lakshmi’ to bless us with success in all our endeavours. Let us offer obeisance to Sri Padmavathi Devi, the consort of Lord Srinivasa, who is the Mother of the Universe and is the personification of the Lord’s grace. May She bless us with the milk of spiritual wisdom!

“Samasta jananeem vande
chaitanya stanya dhayineem
Shreyaseem Srinivasasya
karunamivaroopineem”
(Daya Sathakam – Swami Desikan)

Laksha Kumkumarchana at Padmavathi Temple - Tiruchanur

Laksha Kumkumarchana at Padmavathi Temple – Tiruchanur

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This article is about Laksha Kumkumarchana at Padmavathi Temple – Tiruchanur

Sri Padmavathi Devi temple – Tiruchanur

Goddess Padmavathi is the queen of Lord Srinivasa and enjoys a separate identity with equal status. The Goddess is inseparable and enjoys an equal position as she is a Purushakara or instrumental in protecting the devotees from the wrath of the Lord.

As the temple of Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru is as important as the Venkateswara Swami temple, pilgrims throng to this temple throughout the year and offer their prayers.

Laksha Kumkumarchana

According to the Hindu Sanatana Dharma, ‘Kumkum’ or vermilion is considered sacred, especially for married women, as it is applied by them over the forehead seeking the longevity of their husbands. It is also considered as the symbolic representation of Goddess Shakti, who is also revered as Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswathi, and Goddess Parvathi.

Laksha Kumkumarchana - Tiruchanur

‘Laksha Kumkumarchana’ will be performed on a grand note at Sri Padmavathi Devi temple in Tiruchanur every year. This ritual is performed before the commencement of nine day ‘Karthika Brahmotsavams’.

So, before starting brahmotsavams or any mega religious event in a Hindu Goddess temple, the priests usually perform “Laksha Kumkumarchana” seeking the execution of the religious event smoothly and successfully by appeasing Mother Goddess with this unique ritual.

In the temple of Tiruchanoor, which happens to be the abode of Goddess Padmavathi Devi, the temple priests carried out “Laksha Kumkumarchana” from 7am till 12 noon to the processional deity of Goddess Padmavathi seated on a finely decked Asan in Mukha Mandapam located opposite Sri Krishna Swamy temple located within the main temple premises.

laksha kumkumaarchana - Tiruchanur

On this occasion, the processional deity of goddess Padmavathi will be seated on ‘Asan’ (platform) amidst the renditions of sacred chants and mellifluous hymns. The priests will chant the 1000 divine names of Goddesses during this fete.

The priests recited “Lakshmi Astottaram”, and “Lakshmi Sahasranamam” several hundred times and carried out “Laksha Kumkumarchana” with devotional fervour. Whenever they were reciting the multiple names of the Goddess, archana was done with vermilion to the processional deity. Hundreds of women devotees took part in this special ritual.

This ritual is considered as a prelude to Brahmotsavams appeasing Goddess for the successful conduct of mega Brahmotsavam.

Tiruchanur

Tiruchanur is a very holy town, situated about five km from Tirupati. It is called Alarmelmangapuram. ‘Alar’ means lotus flower, ‘Mel’ means above, ‘Manga’ means lovely woman (here Goddess Mahalakshmi), ‘Puram’ means place.

It denotes that the goddess Mahalakshmi resides permanently, blesses all who visit Her, and grants Her benediction. Her Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy has His sacred temple in Tirumala which is very near to Her. It is customary to visit Alarmelmangapuram first and then go to Tirumala to seek the blessings of the Lord.

The intercession or recommendation is indispensable to gain the favour of the Lord.

Sri Nammalvar addresses Sri Venkateswara “Agalakillen iraiyum endra Alarmelmangai urai marbhaa” which means that Sri Alarmelmanga (Padmavathi) permanently resides on the chest of the Lord, indicating Her importance. This is evidenced by the fact that Lord Venkateswara wears the Dollar of Sri Padmavathi devi on His chest even today.

Tiruchanur gets its name from the fact that the sage Sukha, who preached Srimad Bhagavatha Purana to the king Pareekshit, did penance here and got the blessings of the Goddess.

The Presiding Deity – Sri Padmavathi Thayar

Sri Alarmelmanga Thayar is the Presiding Deity of this temple. She is believed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Padmavathi Thayar is the Utsava Deity (taken in procession during festivals). Since She emerged from the lotus of the Padma Sarovar, the Holy Pushkarini, situated in Tiruchanur, She came to be known as Sri Padmavathi Thayar.

Sri Annamacharya, the most renowned Telugu poet had composed a number of ‘Kritis’ on the Goddess. Sri Vedanta Desika, the Vaishnava Acharya had even composed the Daya Sataka, containing 108 excellent slokas in Sanskrit on the Goddess and Sri Venkateswara, enlightening their boundless mercy on their devotees.

Rituals in the Temple

Sri Padmavathi Thayar resides in a very lovely temple in Tiruchanur, backed by the Padma Sarovar Pushkarini, the sacred tank. Apart from Thayar Sannidhi, there are two more sannidhis in the temple complex, wherein Lord Sri Krishnaswami and Lord Sri Sundararajaswami are enshrined to bless the devotees.

Sri Padmavathi Thayar has a separate Dwajasthamba (Flag Post) in front of Her Sannidhi and the sacred flag is hoisted during the Brahmotsavams. The Thayar enjoys Kalyana utsavam (like in Tirumala) daily around 10 a.m., and has Abhishekam on Fridays (as in Tirumala). Important Annual ‘utsavams’ are the Brahmotsavams, the Pavitrotsavam and the Teppotsavam.

The Brahmotsavam for Thayar is conducted in the month of Kartik (November). It begins with Dwajarohanam, followed by different Vahanotsavam. Goddess goes round the streets in various vahanams during the festival.

Panchami Theertham
Panchami Theertham

The festival concludes with Panchami Teertham – Theerthavari – Chakra Snanam in the Padma Sarovar. On the Day of Panchami Teertham, Lord Sri Venkateswara sends offerings to the goddess. Thousands of devotees take bath in the sacred tank after the Chakra Snanam, to cleanse all their sins and be blessed with prosperity.

Padmavati Devi - Legend

Padmavati Devi – Legend

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Goddess Padmavati Devi

Goddess Padmavati Devi also known as ‘ALARMEL MANGA’, the consort of Lord Srinivasa, made Tiruchanur Her abode.

  • She is glorified as the queen of the Universe.
  • She represents the Lord’s Sankalpa (wish).
  • The Divine Mother is concerned for the miserable plight of Her children (devotees) by appealing to the Lord to forgive and bless them with compassion.
  • Devotees pray to the Supreme Mother to exercise Her loving concern and solicitousness for their welfare and bring them closer to their Father (Lord Srinivasa).

Legend

The Lotus Tank of Tiruchanur has mythological significance. There is an interesting story attached to this holy tank of Tiruchanur.

One day all the rishis gathered in Naimisaranya and discussed who was great among the Trinity and to whom they should offer ‘Yagnaphala’. All the sages ultimately determined to consult sage Bhrigu who they considered to be the final authority.

Bhrigu Testing

Bhrigu first visited Kailasam, the abode of Lord Siva, and then Satyaloka, the abode of Brahma.

The sage was not welcomed in both the Lokas and he felt insulted when he visited Vaikunta, the abode of Srimannarayana. There also he received the same treatment.

The arrogant sage kicked on the chest of Lord Vishnu. Sri Mahalakshmi felt humiliated for it was her permanent abode and she got very angry. She deserted Vaikuntam and settled in ‘KARAVIRAPURA’ or ‘KOLHAPUR’.

Lord Vishnu’s Penance for 12 years

Lord Vishnu unable to bear the separation of Sri Mahalakshmi, did penance for twelve years. Then his desire was fulfilled and his penance bore fruit.

Sri Mahalakshmi emerged in the Lotus tank with a thousand sun rays with serene charm and dignity in the month of Karthika Suklapaksha Panchami on Friday being the star Uttarashada.

Mahalakshmi holding lotus buds in her hand and carrying a lotus garland looked at her husband like a coy bride. Then Sri Padmavati Srinivasa Kalyanam was a magnificent scene for the gods. The divine couple was finally united after a long separation.

At Tiruchanur in her avathara sthala goddess, Padmavati resides in Archa form to shower her benign grace on all of us. The deity is being worshipped in Pancharatra Agama Sampradaya.

Festivals or Sevas

She enjoys all Nithyotsava, Pakshotsava, Masotsava, Samvatsarotsava rituals. Among all the rituals the Brahmotsavam is the most significant splendid festival that is being rendered to her.

Ammavaru seats on several vahanas like Sesha, Garuda, Hamsa, Hanumantha, Simha, Gaja, Surya and Chandraprabha. Among them, the Gaja Vahana is considered to be auspicious as Garuda Vahanam to the Lord. This is because the elephant is regarded as the symbol of ‘Royalty and Wealth’.

The grandeur of Brahmotsavam will conclude with the ‘PANCHAMI THEERTHAM’ as it is very auspicious to Ammavaru.

Panchami Theertham - Tiruchanur (2)

Mother of Fortunes

The sublime Brahmotsavam at Tiruchanur makes devotees remember the significance of the Mother and Motherhood concept. Have the graceful darshan of Goddess Padmavati Devi, the mother of fortunes, thereby all the misfortunes will vanish materially and eternally.

SRI PADMAVATI SRINIVAASAAYA NAMAH

*Data Source: Saptagiri Magazine

Lotus Flower

Lotus Flower

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Padmavathi was born in Lotus

Goddess Padmavati Devi emerged from Padmasarovar in the Lotus. This is why the Pushkarini (temple tank) is known as ‘Padmasarovar’ and the Goddess Sri Padmavati Devi is seated in the Padmasana or Lotus pose named ‘Padmavati‘. In Tiruchanur holding Lotus.

Lotus stands high among flowers

Among the flowers, the Lotus stands high for its growth and immaculate beauty from the mire environment. The Gita exhorts us to be like the Lotus function without attachment and stand above the mud & water of mundane mortifications.

In Hatha Yoga, the Lotus position, Padmasana, is adopted by those who desire to reach the highest level of consciousness, which ipso facto is found in the thousand–plated Lotus Chakra at the top of the head.

Gods & Lotus

  • Brahma attends to his work sitting on a Lotus evolving from the navel of Lord Vishnu,
  • Lakshmi Devi Sits on a Red Lotus,
  • Saraswati holds a White Lotus and
  • Durga was presented with a Lotus by (Aruna) Sun God’s favorite flower.

There are also theories of the life forms evolving from a Golden Lotus.

Lakshmi in Red Lotus
Lakshmi Devi on Red Lotus

In the Gita

The Lotus has been referred to in three places.

  • In 5.10 it is mentioned as a plant that lives & grows in a pond or a lake, which is unwetted or sullied by the surrounding water.
  • In 11.2 it is presented as a plant with graceful leaves which are reminiscent of Lord Krishna’s beautiful eyes.
  • In 11.15 projected as Brahma’s favorite seat. Significantly, the Lotus plant remains unaffected by the surrounding water, in the sense that if the water is sprinkled on its leaf, it immediately rolls down that leaf, leaving it completely dry and unaffected.

Eventually, it is pointed out that, the philosophy of the Gita is about attachment and not detachment. The central message of the Gita in 18.66 is that we must surrender to Lord Krishna and prepare ourselves in that spirit of surrender of the highest order to get His refuge and grace.

The third reference to the Lotus plant is given in Gita 11.15, wherein Arjuna says that with divine eyes he could behold Brahma seated on a Lotus – seat. This Lotus seat is the one that springs from the navel of Lord Vishnu.

It means that Arjuna saw the stalk of the Lotus and also the place, from where the Lotus spring up.

The word Abjabhava also refers to Brahma, as he was born out of a Lotus.

Saraswati on white Lotus
Saraswati Mata on White Lotus

Vision of Lotuses

Salutation to the one who is lotus-eyed and always decorated with garlands of Lotuses, whose feet are marked with the emblem of Lotuses.

Why Padmavathi is not in Tirumala

Why Padmavathi is not in Tirumala

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Why Padmavathi is not in Tirumala

Story Behind

The husband, Srinivasa lives up the Seven Hills in ‘Ananda Nilaya’! His wife Alamelu Manga lives in Tiruchanur, down the hills in ‘Shanti Nilaya’! Doesn’t it look queer? There seems to be a special reason for this.

Long ago, Padmavathi used to live in ‘Shanti Nilaya’, a golden palace, perched on a hill as high as the Seven Hills. But the mata in ‘Shanti Nilaya” used to bestow a little more benevolence than the Swami in ‘Ananda Nilayam’.

Because of the weight of her benevolence, the hill on which her palace was perched, sank into the ground. That was the reason for both being separate – one on the top of Seven Hills and another on the ground level in Tiruchanur. This is the story, some say.

Swami – Standing in Ananda Nilayam

Another point to note: Swami is in the standing posture in the temple on the hill, with all his weaponry as if he is ready to go somewhere. It’s difficult for the devotees to convey to him any of their problems. Due to this diffidence, we forget to seek from him all that we want.

Sri Venkateswara Swamy - 108 Divya Desams

Alamelu – Sitting on Lotus

But downhill! Alamelu Manga mata sits on a lotus very leisurely holding two lotuses in her hands in abhayamudra [assurance], as if saying, “Come on, tell me what you wish!” She listens to our pleadings and passes them on to her husband. She pressurizes Him and ensures that he grants them.

 

In case, Swami pretends not to have listened to her messages, She says, “Swami, it’s only because of keeping me on your chest as ‘Vyuha Laxmi’, you have been in existence as Srinivasa. It’s because of me you left Vaikunta and did penance on the bank of Lotus.

PushpaYagam - Tiruchanur - Padmavathi Ammavaru

Like that, she teases him and tactfully diverts His attention towards the devotees and their pleadings. Thus she is a mother of Mothers – Alamelu Mangamma.

Final result!!! Swami accedes to her pleadings and recommendations and grants them saying, “You have more benevolence on the devotees than I.” Like that Lord, Srinivasa has been granting the wishes of the devotees with a smile for ages. This is what happened because of Alamelu Manga Mata of Tiruchanur.

Padmavati Devi

Padmavati Devi

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GODDESS PADMAVATI DEVI

  • The sacred bath ‘ABHISHEKAM’ is performed to Goddess Padmavati Devi on Fridays.
  • All the rituals and pujas offered to Ammavaru are as per the procedures of ‘PANCHARATRA AGAMA’.
  • Goddess Mahalakshmi immersed herself in penance and emerged as ‘SRI PADMAVATI DEVI’ from a Lotus located at the center of Pushkarini (holy pond) on the auspicious ‘PANCHAMI’ day. Since then that day has been called ‘TIRUCHANUR PANCHAMI’.
  • It has been an age-old tradition to worship ‘GODDESS PADMAVATI DEVI’ before worshipping ‘LORD SRINIVASA’.
  • The Utsavas (festivities) at Tirumala are called ‘SRIVARI UTSAVAS’ and the Utsavas at Tiruchanur are called ‘SRI UTSAVS’.
  • Gaja Seva (Elephant Service) occupies a prominent place in Tiruchanur since Goddess Padmavati Devi is the incarnation of ‘GAJA LAKSHMI’.
  • The Sanctum Sanctorum of the Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanur is called ‘SHANTI NILAYAM’.
  • The laddu prasadam of Ammavaru in Tiruchanur is called ‘AMRUTHA KALASAM’.
  • The flagstaff hoisted to commemorate Dwajarohanam has an ‘ELEPHANT’ symbol as it is dear to Ammavaru.
  • The very mention of Tiruchanur will bring to our mind the sacred manifestation of Goddess Alarmelmanga in the Lotus Tank ‘PADMA SAROVAR’.

Gaja Vahana Seva - Padmavati Devi Ammavaru