Every trip to Tirumala Tirupati has to begin with a darshan to Goddess Alamelumanga at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple in Tiruchanur, near Tirupati city. Goddess Padmavathi is the incarnation of goddess Lakshmi and is the consort of Lord Venkateswara.
Devotees throng the Sri Padmavathi Temple, Tiruchanur, Tirupati – It is summer and the ground is radiating heat, thankfully now there are sheet roof to give shade
Before going for the darshan of Goddess Padmavathi Temple – திருச்சானூர் ஸ்ரீ பத்மாவதி தாயார் கோவில்
It is considered auspicious and lucky to buy bindi (குங்குமம், மஞ்சள்), sacred threads and even toys from temple streets – here too it is common
Shops even sell copper vessels and bronze utensils
Beautifully hand threaded flower garlands, waiting to be offered to the Goddess
If you leave Tiruchanur and go to the city of Tirupati, near the railway station there are two more well-known Vishnu temples.
The first is the Sri Govindaraja Temple, Tirupati (ஸ்ரீ கோவிந்தராஜ சுவாமி கோயில், திருப்பதி), which was built during the 12th Century and dedicated to Lord Vishnu, in reclining posture along with Goddesses Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Sri Govindaraja Temple, Tirupati (ஸ்ரீ கோவிந்தராஜ சுவாமி கோயில், திருப்பதி)
Devotees waiting outside the temple in the shade after having the darshan
Right opposite to the above, is Sri Kodandaramaswamy Temple, Tirupati (திருப்பதி ஸ்ரீ கோதண்டராமர் கோயில்) which was built in the 10th century and dedicated to Lord Rama along with Goddess Sita and Lord Lakshmana.
Sri Kodandaramaswamy Temple, Tirupati (திருப்பதி ஸ்ரீ கோதண்டராமர் கோயில்)
Next time you are on a pilgrimage to Tirumala, stop for a few hours in Tirupati and visit these temples as well.
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