Sri Padmavathi Devi, Tiruchanur

• Tirukkadavuru
• Alarmel Mangapuram
• Alamelu Mangapuram
• Tiruchanuru
• Tiruchchokinuru
• Tirusu Kanuru
• Vadirajapuram
• Mangapatnam such are the many names of this place.

The presiding deity is Padmavathi Devi called Alamelu Manga.

Akasharaja grew up to be a handsome and wise prince. He married Dharanidevi.

The royal couple was sad because they had no children. A king called Akasa Raju saw the valley between the Seshachalam Mountains and Mallayapalli hills and the plains below into which holy waters of the river Swarnamukhi flowed.

He wished to perform a sacrifice here for progeny. On the advice of priest, Akasharaja decided to perform a yagna. When the sacrificial ground was ploughed, the couple found a lovely girl in a thousand petal lotus.

A divine voice urged the king to bring up the child with love and care. The child was named Padamavati as she was found in a lotus (Padma). As he tilled the land, a thousand petaled lotus flowers emerged from it. The king found a female child in the lotus. Since she was found in a lotus flower- padmam- she was named Padmavati. The deity at Tiruchanuru is also called Padmavati.

Puranas hail that Srinivasa did penance for 12 years because of which Sri Mahalakshmi was born in the golden lotus. That is the reason for which this tank is known as Padmasarovaram. On its bank stands the temple of Surya built by The God Venkateswara Himself.

The legends about the deity Alamelumanga are innumerable indeed.

When the newlyweds reached Tirumala the God asked his consort to look around for vepa and Karivepaku (Neem and Curry leaf) trees.

When she could not find any, he told her to fetch at least a karivepaku plant if not neem.

Mother got angry, she went in search of it, reached Alimelu Mangapuram and decided remains there. Was not the Padma tank the place where she was born? When she did not turn up Lord Srinivasa did not ask her to return, nor did she go back.

However, sometime in the middle of the night, Lord comes to Alipiri, dons footwear in the Padala Mantapam, goes to enquire about her well being and while returning leaves his footwear at Alipiri again and reaches Tirumala for the Suprabhata Seva which is the service performed early in the morning.

How many times, he makes these trips is not known, but the footwear is worn out.

The Goddess Alamelumanga whom they praised is the Vakshasthala Vyuha Lakshmi i.e. the goddess who resides in the heart of Sri Venkateswara. Now Goddess Padmavathi is being considered as Vira Lakshmi.

It became imperative to spread the message that whether she is called Goddess Padmavathi Devi or Alamelu Manga – both refer to but one and the same Goddess to dispel doubts in the minds of pilgrims, and to worship her.

Hence, the god of Tirumala customarily sends turmeric, kumkuma, and silk clothes as presents honoring the Goddess of Tiruchanur on the occasion of Panchami Theertham in the month of Kartika (Tirthavari).

When Padmavathi grew up, Lord Venkateshwara came in search of her.

The celestial marriage of Lord Srinivasa and Goddess Padmavathi took place on a grand note.