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Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Tarigonda

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Tarigonda

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Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

Tarigonda is the Birthplace of A great poetess and an Ardent devotee of Lord Narasimha Swamy and Lord Venkateswara Swamy Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba. There was a Big Vishnu temple in Tarigonda. The temple deity is Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy who is known for Sathya Pramanas (Promise) and consideration towards the devotees who are in dire need of God’s blessings and blesses all the devotees liberally.

Tarigonda  – Curd Pot

Tarigonda is in the district of Chittoor of Andhra Pradesh State which is 6 Kilometers from Valmeekipuram (Vayalpadu). Previously the place is known as Tarikunda. Tarikunda means the pot in which the curd is churned. There was an interesting Sthalapurana about the temple and God.

It is believed that a woman while churning the curd found the Lakshmi Narasimha Swami in a pot in the form of Salagrama. As the Lord is found in a curd pot the place is known as Tarikunda. ‘Tari’ means ‘Curd’ and ‘Kunda’ means ‘Pot’. Later Tarikunda changed as Tarigonda.

The local ruler by name Rama Naidu who lived in the village had a dream and in that dream, Lord Narasimha Swami directed him to build a temple with Salagrama found in the curd pot.

Tarigonda Vengamamba

Tarigonda Vengamamba a poet, Saint and Ardent devotee of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swami Worshipped Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Tarigonda Vengamamba was born in the family of Nandavarika in 1730 AD in Tarigonda village of Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh.

Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba

Her father was Kaanaala Krishnaiah and her mother was Mangamma. Though they had five male children they visited Tirumala and prayed to Lord Venkateswara for a girl child and the Lord fulfilled their desire by giving a girl child and named her “Venkamma”. As a child venkamma was a devotee of Lord Venkateswara.

From her childhood she feel that Lord Venkateswara as her husband and the villagers believed that she was insane. Her parents forcibly married her to Venkatachalapathi at a very early age. Soon she lost her husband and became child widow.

She refused to accept any one but Lord as her husband and continued to wear Mangalasutram, Kumkuma (Vermilion) and flowers. She used to spend her time in Sri Narasimha Swami temple in Tarigonda doing Meditation (Dhyana) and Puja.

She used to sit near the Sri Anjaneya Swami Statue at Sri Narasimha Swamy temple of Tarigonda. Some villagers believed that she was a Lunatic and some other villagers believed that she was yogini and they called her as Tarigonda Vengamamba.

A Great Poetess…

At the age of 20 she left Tarigonda and went to Tirumala. She is a great poetess. She wrote many books namely- SriKrishna Manjari, RukminiKalyanam, Gopikaanaatakam, Jalakreedaavilaasam, Ashtaangarajayogasaaram, Muktikaantaa Vilaasam, Vaasishta Raamayanam etc.,

One of the most famous of her works is ‘VEKATACHALA MAHATYAM’. It consists of 2000 poems. It is believed that those who read the verses will get married soon and also blessings from Lord Venkateswara. In 1817 in Sukla paksha Navami of Sravanamasam, she entered into Sajeeva Samadhi.

The Samadhi of Matrusri Vengamamba is north of the Sri Varaha Swami temple and near the home of descendants of Tallapaka Annamacharya.

Description of the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple in Tarigonda is built on the main road facing towards East direction. The main Gopuram consists of three stairs. There are five Gopurakalasams on Gopuram. In the temple premises, there is an idol of Sri Vengamamba facing towards North.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Tarigonda

To the opposite of main temple there are Garuda, Dwajastambam, Satya pramanala peetham. The main temple consists of Mahamandapa, Mukhamandapa, Antaralayam and Garbhalayam. In Mukha mandapa there is one Upalayam where an Idol of Sri Anjaneyaswami is installed.

It is believed that Matrusri Vengamamba used to pray Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswami sitting behind Sri Anjaneya Swami.

People believe that a visit to this temple frees them from difficulties. Mukhamandapa leads to Antaralayam where the Utsavamurthies are installed. In the main sanctum sanctorum, we find the idol of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswami having four hands with Shanka, Chakra, and Abhaya hastam along with His Consort Lakshmi Devi.

Goddess Sri Chenchu Lakshmi and Lakshmi Ammavaru

In temple premises, there is a separate temple for Deveri of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. In this temple, we can see the Goddess Sri Chenchu Lakshmi and Lakshmi Ammavaru one after other in a row. It is believed that Goddess bless the childless with children and the unmarried Girls will get married if they pray to the Goddess.

Three inscriptions

There are three inscriptions at this temple available even today.

1st inscription

The first belonged to Sadasivadeva Maharaya of Vijayanagar dynasty in 1559 AD. The inscription implies that the emperor’s assent, and tax reduction as well as tax relaxation was implemented by the local ruler Sri Jillela Vengala Raja deva. Hence, it is undeniable that Tharigonda Temple was existing by 1559 AD.

2nd inscription

The second inscription said that separate structures were built for the kitchen and for performing holy fire (yagasala) at the temple. It was built by Errappa, a disciple of Guru Bhaskaracharya in 1846 AD.

3rd inscription

The third inscription of 1862 A.D. declares that a big wedding hall was built for Lord Narasimha Swamy by a devotee Krishnama setty. Even though these inscriptions are authentic, the name of the temple builder is unknown.

But it can be said that the temple was built in the 16th century A.D. There is a non-dispute word that the builder of the temple and the person behind the development of the village was the same person was Rayadurgam Ramanayani.

Administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams

At present, the temple is administered by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. Tarigonda Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy vari Brahmotsavams will be performed every year in the month of Phalgunamasam for Nine days apart from daily poojas.

During Brahmotsavams different vahana sevas including Rathotsavam and kalyanotsavam will be performed in a grand style. Besides Brahmotsavam, Sri Nrusimhajayanti will be performed every year in the month of Vaisakamasam.

Transport and Accommodation

There is no accommodation facility in Tarigonda. It is advisable to stay at Madanapalli and Tirupati. Tarigonda is 100 kilometres from Tirupati, 6 kilometres from Vaalmikipuram (Vayalpadu), 18 kilometres from Madanapalli, and 95 kilometres from Kadapa. There are several buses from Madanapalli.

Satyapramanas

This holy place is known for its proclamations of Truth ‘Satyapramanas’ which people make standing in front of the Balipeetham; such is the faith of devotees in this Deity Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami.

The visit to ‘Tarigonda’ generates peace and joy for the devotees.

Tarigonda Vengamamba

Tarigonda Vengamamba

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Tarigonda Vengamamba – Ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara

Vengamamba’s father was Krishnaiahmatya and her mother was Mangamamba. She was an ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati and her devotion towards God, made villagers believe that she was bestowed with special powers. Her husband was Venkatachalapati.

Tarigonda Vengamamba

Tarigonda Vengamamba married him at a very young age, which was common in those days. Shortly after her husband died and she became a widow. Though she got a chance to remarry, she refused to accept anyone but Lord Venkateswara as her husband.

Thus, she continued to dress like a normal married woman (wearing mangalasutra, ornaments, etc.) and she did not don the white garments as widows were expected to wear.

She had been invited by all the priests and descendants of Annamayya to Tirumala, who had heard of her devotional endeavors. She had become a yogini, after learning yoga from her teacher, Acharya Subrahmanya.

History

There are many places around holy Tirumala. Many great people, saints, Avadhootas (naked mendicants) have taken birth in this holy pilgrim centre. Tarigonda is one such holy place. Vayalpadu is the nearest town to this village.

Kaanaala Krishnaiah and Mangamma

In the thirties of 18th century, there lived a holy couple by the name Kaanaala Krishnaiah and Mangamma. They had five sons. They were longing to have a daughter, so that they could have fruits of performing Kanyadanam i.e., giving a daughter in marriage to a person whom the parents of the bride think is a good person.

With this desire in their mind, they visited Tirumala. Standing before Lord Venkateswara they earnestly prayed for a daughter. All merciful and benevolent Lord Venkateswara heard their sincere prayer. He blessed the couple with a daughter. Kaanaala Krishnaiah and Mangamma named their child as Venkamma after Lord Venkateswara.

Right from her birth Venkamma devoted her time and energy in Lord’s service. For hours together she used to meditate on the Lord. The parents were happy in the beginning. Afterwards, they felt that the girl should not spend her entire time in meditation and prayer.

She should evince interest in things like cooking and preparing herself for the marriage and the responsibility that may befall on her after her marriage. People began to discuss about Venkamma’s detachment from worldly things. People thought either she might have gone mad or she should have come under the influence of some evil spirit.

Vengamamba’s Marriage

People appreciated her devotion. But nobody was prepared to give his/her son in marriage to Venkamma. Before the news of Venkamma’s detachment from worldly things spread like wildfire, Venkamma’s parents had vigorously started to find an alliance for their daughter.

When Venkamma came to know about this, she told her parents not to search a groom for her. She further told them, Lord Venkateswara is her husband. Yet the parents of Venkamma fixed an alliance. They selected one groom by the name of Injeti Venkatachalapathy and arranged a marriage for their daughter.

Unfortunately even before the couple started their conjugal life Venkatachalapathy breathed his last. Not paying much attention to worldly things and customs she began to lead her life as sumangali (without giving up the Vermilion mark on her forehead or not having flowers in her locks of hair).

Seeing this unwidow-like life his daughter is leading Krishnaiah approached Sri Roopavatharam Subramaniya Shastry of Madanapalli. Sri Shastry initiated Venkamma into spirituality. This initiation proved rather beneficial to Venkamma. From that time onwards she started using her entire time to devotion. She almost became a Sanyasin.

Effortlessly she started composing songs. Seeing her spiritualistic life people began to address her as Vengamamba. They even started worshipping her.

Muthyala Harathi (Pearl Harathi)

It is mentioned in the legends that Lord Venkateswara asked Vengamamba to visit Him after the closing of the temple, out of interest to hear her poems and songs. She was a good poetess and had composed many notable works. After reciting the poem, she offered a ‘Pearl Harathi‘ as a gift to the Lord.

Observing pearls in the sanctum, every night, the priests who investigated were led to Tarigonda Vengamamba. All the people began to seek Vengamamba to solve their problems. So, she decided to go far away to continue her prayers in Tubura Kona which is 15 km away from Tirumala.

But, still, the legend goes on that Lord Venkateswara created a secret underground passage from Tumburakona to Tirumala to continue her devotional service. The practice of her good work and night harathi continued for 6 years.

Eventually, the priests recognized their fault and realized Vengamamba’s devotion and dedication and requested her to return to the temple. She was allowed to participate in Ekanta seva and take the final Harathi of Lord of Seven Hills.

Sri Venkatachala Mahatmyam

Tarigonda Vengamamba is a prolific writer. All her literary work was dedicated to Lord Sri Tarigonda Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala.

Tarigonda Vengamamba was the quintessence of devotion to Lord Venkateswara. She dedicated her entire life to Lord Balaji serving food (Anna Dana) to devotees who came to have the grand ‘darshan’ of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala.

She refused to obey some social restrictions imposed on women in those days. Her immense courage and devotion towards Lord Venkateswara are highly laudable. Of all her splendid literary works, “Sri Venkatachala Mahatmyam” is a glowing example of her complete devotion and surrender to Lord Venkateswara.

Tarigonda Vengamamba Brundavan

She translated Yoga Vasista into Dwipada form. Even after her demise, she settled in the sacred abode as her Brindavan at Tirumala. The sacred garden in reverence to Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba is known as “Tarigonda Vengamamba Brundavan.”

Vengamamba’s Grave @ Tirumala

The great lady lies buried in the Tirumala Hills close to the temple. The area around her grave was later converted into a school, S.V.B.N.R. high school, Tirumala, with the grave still open for piligrim’s worship in the school’s playground. Vengamamba reached the lotus feet of Lord Venkateswara in 1817 (after 87 years).

Since the Lord accepted Vengamamba’s devotion, the night harathi and offerings of pearls are done by one of the descendants of Vengamamba even to this day.