Sri Varasidhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple, Kanipakam

 

Sri Varasidhi Vinayaka Swamy Temple or Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple is a Hindu temple of Ganesha. It is located in Kanipakam in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India. This historic temple is in Kanipaakam in Irala Mandal, Chittoor District. It is about 11 km from Chittoor town.

Kanipakam is home to a popular Hindu temple of Lord Ganesha called as Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple. It was constructed in the early 11th century CE by the pandian King Maravarman sundara pandian and a siva temple byKulothunga Chola I and was expanded further in 1336 by the Emperors of Vijayanagara dynasty.

The swayambhu idol of Kanipakam known as the up-holder of truth. Disputes are solved between people is resolved by taking a 'special oath'. The people in the dispute take a holy dip in the temple tank and swear before the lord. It is taken as gospel truth.

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Sri Kalahastheeswara Swamy Temple, Srikalahasti

Sri Kalahastheeswara Swamy Temple is located in the town of Srikalahasti, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is one of the most famous Shiva temples in South India, and is said to be the site where Kannappa was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord Siva stopped him and granted him mukti.

 

Sri Kalahasti temple, situated 36 km away from Tirupati is famous for its Vayu linga, one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams, representing wind. The inner temple was constructed around 5th century and the outer temple was constructed in the 12th century by the Chola kings and the Vijayanagara kings. Vayu is incarnated as Lord Shiva and worshiped as Kalahasteeswara.

 

This temple is one of the most impressive Siva temples in India. This temple features an enormous, ancient gopuram (entrance tower) over the main gate. The tower is 36.5 m (120 ft) high. The entire temple is carved out of the side of a huge stone hill.

 

The initial structure of this temple was constructed by the Pallava dynasty in the 5th century. The Chola kings and the Vijayanagara kings also gave great help for the temple development. Like other great temples, the construction period of Sri Kalahasthi temple lasted centuries. Around the 10th century, the Chola kings renovated the temple and constructed the main structure.

 

The 120 feet (37 m) high main gopuram and the 100 pillar mandapam were constructed by Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara king in 1516.

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Tirumala Venkateswara (Tirupati Balaji) Temple, Tirupati

 

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is a Hindu temple in the hill town of Tirumala, near Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

 

The Tirumala Hill is 853m above sea level and is about 10.33 square miles (27 km2) in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven heads of Adisesha, thus earning the name Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. The temple is on Venkatadri (also known as Venkatachala or Venkata Hill), the seventh peak, and is also known as the "Temple of Seven Hills". The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of lord Vishnu. Venkateswara is known by other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa.

 

The Pallavas of Kanchipuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Tanjore (10th century), and Vijayanagara pradhans (14th and 15th centuries) were committed devotees of Lord Venkateswara. During the invasion of Srirangam by Malik Kafur in 1310–11 AD, the Ranga Mandapam of the temple served as the shelter for the presiding deity of Srirangam, Ranganatha Swamy. Later, under the rule of the Vijayanagara emperors, was when the temple gained most of its current wealth and size, with the donation of diamonds and gold. In 1517 Vijayanagara ruler Sri Krishna Deva Raya, on one of his many visits to the temple, donated gold and jewels, enabling the Vimana (inner shrine) roofing to be gilded. Statues of Sri Krishna Deva Raya and his spouse stand in the premises of the temple. After the decline of Vijayanagara Empire, kings from states such as Mysore and Gadwal worshiped as pilgrims and gave ornaments and valuables to the temple. Maratha general Raghoji I Bhonsle (died 1755) visited the temple and set up a permanent administration for the conduct of worship in the temple. There is an idol of Raja Todar Mal who was the revenue minister of Akbar, greeting pilgrims in the premises of the temple.

 

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is operated by a Board of Trustees that has increased in size from five (1951) to fifteen (1987) through the adoption of Acts. The daily operation and management of TTD is the responsibility of an executive officer who is appointed by the government of Andhra Pradesh.

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Shri Satyanarayana Swami Temple, Annavaram

Annavaram is the shrine to Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy situated upon the Ratnagiri Hills. The land is considered to belong to both Lord Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swami Temple and Goddess Anantalaxmi Satyavathi Ammavaru. The temple, situated on the hill top, is about four furlongs (almost a kilometer) away from its base. It can be reached either by steps covered with canopy, via Ghat road, or trekked via a stone path.

 

The popularity and importance of the temple is increasing among pilgrims. This place is considered as second only to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. Festivals are celebrated year-round. Popular festivals are Kalyanam in May, Devi Navratri in September, the Swayamvara Vardhanti of Sraavana Suddha Ekadashi Day, Srirama Kalyana, Kanakadurga Yatra, Prabha Utsavam, Teppa Utsavam and Jalatoranam.

 

The hill top offers a panoramic view of the surrounding fields and villages. A river water barrage with boating facility is near the main entrance of the hill. This place is called Pampa Sarovara.

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Ahobilam Temple, Allagadda

Ahobhilam also known as Ahobalam is located in the Allagadda mandal of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located at a distance of 40 km from Nandyal and about 150 km from Kurnool, the district headquarters. There are two temple houses, lower Ahobilam and upper Ahobilam.

 

According to the legend, this is where Lord Narasimha blessed Prahlada and killed the demon Hiranyakashipu.

 

According to legends it is believed that when the Devas saw the manifestation of Lord Vishnu as half-lion, half-man, they shouted "Ahobala" (great strength) as well as "Ahobila" (great cave in which the current sanctum is). Hence, this place could be called either "Ahobalam" or "Ahobilam". The mention of this place is present in Brahmanda Purana. The place where Lord Narayana appeared from the stone pillar to kill Hiranyakashipa can be seen in this place. The name of this pillar is Ugra Sthambha, which is now referred as “Ukku SThambha” in Telugu, which incorrectly translates to iron pillar.

Ahobilam Nava Narasimha Temples (Lord Narasimha in nine forms are)

• Bhargava Narasimha Swamy
• Yogananda Narasimha Swamy
• Chatravata Narasimha Swamy
• Ahobila (Ugra) Narasimha Swamy
• Varaha Narasimha Swamy
• Malola Narasimha Swamy
• Jwala Narasimha Swamy
• Paavana Narasimha Swamy
• Karanja Narasimha Swamy

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