Sri Narapura Venkateswara Swamy Temple
The holy place in which the Supreme deity of Kaliyuga Sri Venkateswara Swamy is receiving the worship of the devotees at Jammalamadugu is the name of Sri Narapura Venkateswara Swamy Temple.
The temple deity is Sri Narapura Venkateswara Swamy who is known for his consideration towards the devotees who are in dire need of God’s blessings and it is believed that He blesses all the devotees liberally.
Sri Narapura Venkateswara Swamy Temple Location
Jammalamadugu is located in YSR Kadapa district of A.P. at a distance of 75 km from Kadapa city. It is said that the town was first named Jambulamadugu and later became Jammalamadugu due to the abundant growth of Jambu grass in the water in this area.
Click here for Google Maps Location
Legend
There is an interesting sthalapuranam behind why Lord Venkateswara stayed at Jammalamadugu and the reason for acquiring the name Sri Narapura Venkateswara Swamy. In the olden days, there was a village in the northern direction of the temple in Jammalamadugu. The name of that village is Narayanapuram. The village is known as Agrahara. There was a Venkateswara temple in that village along with Koneru (Pushkarini).
Village people used to serve the Lord and lead a pious life. However, natural calamities occurred in the village. As a result of the strong winds, the entire village began to be filled with dunes. The village was grazed and the village was made useless for residences.
With this people left the village. Even Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Narayanapuram itself has sunk into the dunes and has gradually become ruined.
Narapurayya – Installing Swamy Varu
Narapurayya, who left Narayanapuram and settled in Jammalamadugu, was a staunch devotee of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. He was always thinking of God. One night Sri Venkateswara Swamy appeared to Narapurayya in his dream and said – “I am buried in dunes in Narayanapuram.
Take me out and build a temple in this area, bring me and enshrine me, it will be good for you”. Sthalapurana reveals that the next day Narapurayya narrated his dream story to the people around him, reached Narayanapuram, removed the sand brought Sri Venkateswara Swamy from there and built a temple in the area where the temple is now located enshrined the Swami.
The Sthalapurana reveals that the name Narapura Venkateswara Swamy was created for the Swami because he was Venkateswara who was brought from Narayanapuram and also because Narapurayya installed him.
Temple Structure
The temple of Sri Venkateswara Swamy is located in a spacious courtyard. The temple faces north. The main Gopuram consists of three stairs. After entering the temple through this entrance we can see Balipeetham, Dwaja Sthambham and Garudalwar Sannidhi.
We can see on either side of the Dwaja Sthambham, huge idols of Sri Garutmantha and Sri Anjaneyaswamy in the salutation posture.
The main temple consists of Mahamandapa, Mukhamandapa, Antaralayam and Garbhalayam. In the main sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Sri Narapura Venkateswaraswamy resembles the Lord on Tirumala Hills with four hands with Shanku, Chakra, Kati hastam and Varada hastam.
There are two sanctums on either side of the main temple. In these temples, we can see consorts of Swamy Sri Mahalakshmi and Sri Andal. Sri Mahalakshmi Devi appears in a sitting posture with four hands, wearing Padmas in two hands and Abhaya and Varada Mudras in the other two hands.
Sri Andal appears in a standing posture with two hands, wearing a Padma in one hand and the other hand down in a graceful form. Devotees can also visit Sri Anjaneyaswamy, Alwars, Kalyana Mandapam, and Sri Venkateswara Kotielakhana Mandapam on the temple premises.
History of the Temple
Historically, it seems that it was built before the Vijayanagara Empire. However, the temple was developed during the rule of the Vijayanagara emperors.
Evidence reveals that Pemmasani clansmen who was feudal rulers of Vijayanagara emperors with Gandikota as their capital contributed significantly to the development of the temple. But over time the temple fell into disrepair and in 1918 the temple was renovated and restored to its former glory.
Currently, the temple is managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
Sevas
The Brahmotsavam of Jammalamadugu Sri Narapura Venkateswara Swamy is performed every year in the month of Vaisakha for nine days apart from daily poojas. During Brahmotsavams different vahana sevas including Rathotsavam and kalyanotsavam are performed grandly.
Besides Brahmotsavam, every year during Dhanurmasam, Vaikunta Ekadashi and other festivals special pujas are performed. There are accommodation facilities for devotees in private lodges in Jammalamadugu. Jammalamadugu is 75 km from Kadapa and 21 km from Proddutur.
Transportation
Buses are available from Kadapa, Prodduturu, Tirupati, Chennai, Hyderabad and other major towns and cities in the Telugu states. Almost all trains stop at Jammalamadugu Railway Station on the Yarraguntla-Nandyal line.
Final Word
Devotees can visit Jammalamadugu Sri Narapura Venkateswara Swami, who is known as the glorious God and get peace and joy.
