Devuni Kadapa – Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple
There are many famous temples in Kadapa District. Devuni Kadapa Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is one of the most famous and ancient temples in Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is at a distance of three kilometres away from Kadapa. It is in the area of Kadapa Municipal Corporation.
Toli Gadapa (First Threshold) to Tirumala Temple
It is considered as Toli Gadapa (First Threshold) to Tirumala Temple. In ancient days, devotees who were going to Tirumala for the grand ‘darshan’ of Sri Venkateswara Swamy used to visit first Devuni Kadapa and then proceed to Tirumala.
So, it is called Devuni Gadapa. Later, it is popularly known as Devuni Kadapa.
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Devuni Kadapa Temple – Legend / Sthalapurana
There was an interesting Sthalapurana about the temple and God. As per Sthalapurana, Krupacharya, the brother-in-law of Dronacharya installed Lord Venkateswara in Devuni Kadapa.
Hanumath Kshetram
Tirumala is known as Varaha Kshetram whereas Devuni Kadapa Kshetram is famous as Hanumath kshetram. During ‘vanavasam’ (exile) Sita was taken away by the Ravana. Lord Rama, in search of Sita, reached this place and stayed for some time. During this period, he believed that someone would help him in search of Sita. Lord Rama strongly believed that he would get help from Lord Hanuman. With this idea, Lord Rama installed the idol of Lord Hanuman.
During Dwapara Yuga, Krupacharya, the brother-in-law of Dronacharya lost the Kurukshetra war and wanted to have a grand darshan of Lord Venkateswara. He proceeded to Tirumala and reached Devuni Kadapa on the way to Tirumala. But he was unable to proceed further to Tirumala due to old age and offer prayers to Lord Venkateswara from this place. During this time he found the idol of the Lord and installed it in front of Lord Hanuman.
From that day people who were unable to visit Tirumala used to visit Devuni Kadapa and they would have a glorious ‘darshan ’ of Lord Venkateswara. It is believed that the devotees who are going to visit Tirumala should have a ‘darshan’ of the Lord in the Devuni Kadapa to complete their trip successfully.
The History of the Temple
As per the chronicles from the 14th century onwards, the Vijayanagara rulers Harihara, Bukkaraya, Saluva Narasimharayulu and Sri Krishnadevaraya developed the temple and offered prayers to Lord Venkateswara here.
Between 1801 and 1807, the Collector of Dattamandala Sir Thomas Manro developed the Raja Gopuram of the temple when the temple was in ruin stage. Later, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams took over the temple and took up many developmental works.
Annamayya’s Composition
Great scholars eulogize the glory of the temple and the Lord. Padakavitha pitaamaha Sri Tallapaka Annamayya visited this temple many times and composed ‘kirtanas’. Annamayya praised Devuni Kadapa Sri Venkateswara Swamy as Kadapa Rayudu, “Venkatadri Kadapa Rayudu” in his keerthanas as follows:
“Kadanaku Na Mata Kadaparaya-neku
Kappa moilu meni chaya kadaparaya”……
The Structure of the Temple
In Devuni Kadapa, Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple is towards the West and it was built in a large area. The temple has a marvellous Raja Gopuram. The Raja Gopuram consists of five storeys at the top. One can see five Gopura Kalasams.
There are
- Paadala Mandapam,
- Balipeetham,
- Dwajasthambam and
- Garudalwar Mandapam in front of the main temple.
The main temple consists of four Mandapas namely Ranga Mandapa, Mukhamandapa, Antaraalayam and Garbhagruha. The Rangamandapam was built with pillars. At the entrance of Antaraalayam, one can find the idols of two dwarapalakas namely Jaya and Vijaya.
In the main sanctum sanctorum, one finds the idol of Sri Venkateswara Swamy having four hands with Conch, Chakra, Kati and Varada Hastam. One can also see the idol of Lord Hanuman on the back side of the main temple. On the temple premises, to the south side of the main temple, there is a separate shrine for Goddess Padmavathi Devi.
In this temple, one can see Goddess Padmavathi Devi with four hands in a sitting posture. In two hands one can see two lotus flowers and in the other two hands, one can see Abhaya and Varada postures. On the roof of Mukhamandapa of Ammavari temple, there are two impressions of lizards.
It is believed that one’s sins will be washed away if one touches the lizards. In addition to the main deities one can also see Lord Vinayaka Swami, Lord Viswakshena, Goddess Goda Devi, Lord Chenna Kesava Swami and idols of the Alwars, There is a Pushkarini near the temple.
The Brahmotsavams
Devuni Kadapa Sri Venkateswara Swami Brahmotsavams will be performed every year in the month of Maghamasam for Nine days .
During Brahmotsavams different ‘vahana sevas’ including Rathotsavam and Kalyanotsavam will be performed in a grand manner. On Rathasapthami which is Lord Surya Bhagavan’s birthday, Lord Venkateswara’s Rathotsavam will be performed here in a grand scale.
Temple Location
Devuni Kadapa is situated three kilometres from Kadapa. Kadapa is situated two hundred and eighty kilometres from Chennai, and one hundred and forty-five kilometres from Tirupati. Bus and Rail facilities are available from all the main towns and cities.
Air connectivity for Kadapa is also available from Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Chennai.
Let us have a glorious glimpse of Lord Venkateswara Swamy in Devuni Kadapa during the Brahmotsavams. The visit of ‘Devuni Kadapa’ initiates peace and bliss in the hearts of the devotees.
