Skip to content Tallapaka village of ‘Pottapinadu’
Around seven hills there are several holy places. Among them “Pottapinadu” is very famous. This particular place or area is towards the north-west direction of Venkatachala Hill. People consider the Tallapaka village of ‘Pottapinadu’ as the canvas on which Lord Venkateswara has painted a beautiful painting with His hands. It lures those who visit this place.
On one side of this village, we can see green lustrous paddy fields and children playing in these fields. On the other side, we can see rows of palm and coconut trees. The shadow of these trees in the village tank mesmerises those who watch it.
Chennakesava Swamy
On the tankbund, there is a temple. The temple tower’s structural condition and the temple’s wells will tell you that it is an ancient temple. In the Sanctum Sanctorum, there stands a life-size idol of Sri Chennakesava Swamy on a high pedestal: In the dim light of the oil lamps the idol appeals to the devotees.
The Lord Chennakesava is with His consort Lakshmi. The legend has it that this temple was constructed by the Janamejaya the son of Pareekshit and grandson of Abhimanyu. There lived a scholarly family. They were staunch devotees of Lord Chennakesava.
Birth of Narayanaiah
In those days one Vittalaiah was leading his saintly mundane life. He was a priest cum peasant. A long time after his marriage Vittalaiah had a son.
As per the family tradition he gave his father’s name Narayanaiah to the newborn. Narayanaiah was brought up with great love and care. As a pet child, he was fondled too much. Because of this, he did not evince any interest in his studies. He did not care to learn the alphabets. As was the family tradition he was refusing to chant ‘Amara Kosam’. Day by day he became a stubborn child.
Vittalaiah thought a good guru could set right everything. He took him (Narayanaiah) to a Guru who was staying in a nearby village by name Ootakur. This guru was known for his short temperament, his disciples could not dare to look at him directly. They used to shiwer in their pants as he was known for giving punishments to his disciples. This pet child of Vittalaiah could not cope with this disciplinarian guru. He felt he was caught between the Devil and the deep sea.
After weighing the pros and cons he decided to commit suicide. But he did not know how to commit suicide or invite death.
Chitalamma Temple
On the outskirts of Ootakur, there was a temple by the name of Chintalamma temple. In the vicinity of the temple, there was a big ant hill. In those days people believed that there lives a terrible cobra. It was rumoured that some have seen it with their naked eyes. It was further believed that merely seeing it causes death.
Narayanaiah at the dead of night went to that much-feared ant hill. He closed his eyes and inserted his hand into the ant hill. He was expecting the bite from that cobra. The cobra did not emerge from Ant Hill. To his shock and surprise at that hour Narayanaiah saw a woman coming towards him. She was the village deity Chintalamma. Though Narayanaiah was only a small boy he was indulging in a dare-devil act.
Chintalamma & Narayanaiah Conversation
Chintalamma asked that boy: “My son, who are you? May I know why you are inviting death by putting your hand in this ant hill”. Narayanaiah broke down. He started crying loudly. He narrated the punishment that his guru was giving to him. As he could not bear the treatment meted out to him by his guru he said, ‘I have decided to invite death by inserting my hand into this anthill’.
Chintalamma said: “Oh! Boy don’t worry about anything. Go to your village’s Chennakesava temple and perform the circumambulation. You will acquire the whole knowledge”. She further told Narayanaiah that by the Grace of Lord Venkateswara, you will have a grandson. He will become a great devotee of Lord Venkateswara and will bring laurels to your Vamsa ie., dynasty.
Narayanaiah worshipping Lord Chennakesava
Soon after hearing the soothingly consoling words of Chintalamma, not minding the midnight, Narayanaiah went to his village Tallapaka. He worshipped Lord Chennakesava for some time and performed the circumambulation. By the Grace of Lord Chennakesava, he acquired knowledge.
Narayanaiah & Lakkamamba
When Narayanaiah attained the marriageable age he was married. His wife gave birth to a baby boy. He was Christened as Narayanasuri. He was married to Lakkamamba. She was like an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi.
Narayanasuri and Lakkamamba remained issueless for a long time. To see that the progeny continues they visited Tirumala and worshipped Lord Venkateswara. With the yellow-coloured dress on, they started for the Tirumala pilgrimage. They took a bath in the holy tank of Tirumala.
- First, they went to Sri Adivaraha Swamy temple and worshipped him.
- Then they entered into the Lord Venkateswara’s temple by prostrating at every step.
- They stepped into golden doors.
- They had the holy darshan of Venkateswara, from feet to head.
Every part of Lord Venkateswara was beautifully attractive. To their hearts’ content, they had the darshan. They silently offered their prayers. They prayed to Lord Venkateswara to bless them with a child. After performing the circumambulation they went up to Garuda Gambham. They lit lamps there and sincerely prayed for a child.
When they were prostrating they slept for a while. They had a dream. In that dream, Lord Venkateswara handed over his Nandaka sword which had small bells. Immediately they opened their eyes. They were thrilled to know that Lord Venkateswara had heard their prayers. They were very excited. They profusely offered their prayers as if they were offering thanksgiving prayers.
Birth of Tallapaka Annamacharya
They returned to their village Tallapaka. Very soon Lakkamamba became pregnant. After 9 months gestation period Lakkamamba gave birth to a baby boy on 09.05.1408. As per the Hindu lunar calendar, it was Vaisakha Poornima day. He was born under Visakha nakshatra i.e., star.
On that day three planets were at their exalted position. It was a very very auspicious time.
It is widely believed that Lakkamamba had delivered a baby boy by the Grace of Lord Venkateswara. Lord Venkateswara’s Holy Sword ‘Nandaka’ took human form and came to this world as the son of Narayanasuri and Lakkamamba. They christened their son as Annamaiah.
