Srinivasa Mangapuram is a small village located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is famous for its Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy Temple, which is a highly revered shrine for Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.According to the legend, the temple was constructed during the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century.
It is believed that Lord Venkateswara came to the temple after marrying his consort, Sri Padmavathi Devi, in Narayanavanam, which is about 12 kilometers away from Srinivasa Mangapuram.The temple has undergone several renovations and reconstructions over the years, with the most significant one being carried out by the famous Vaishnavite saint, Sri Ramanujacharya, during the 12th century.
The temple attracts a large number of devotees, especially during the annual Brahmotsavam festival, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion. During this festival, the temple is decorated with colorful lights, and various religious rituals and cultural programs are organized.
Apart from the temple, Srinivasa Mangapuram is also known for its scenic beauty, with lush greenery and rolling hills surrounding the village. The village is also famous for its traditional handicrafts, including pottery, weaving, and embroidery.
The story goes that after Lord Venkateswara’s wedding to Padmavathi, the daughter of King Akasa Raja, He set off to go to Tirumala. But enroute, the Lord and his divine consort, stayed over at his new mother-in-law’s home.
Since He stayed in Mangapuram, the village came to be called as Srinivasa Mangapuram. As He was leaving, Venkateswara stopped by to visit Sage Agasthya at his hermitage nearby. Agasthya blessed the newlyweds and then told them that there was a saying that newlyweds must not climb any hills for the first six months.
He invited Venkateswara and Padmavati to stay with him for that period of time. The newlyweds decided to accept Agastya’s humble invitation and stayed at the ashram for the next six months.
After six months were over, Lord Venkateswara and Padmavati were ready to return to Tirumala. But before leaving the ashram, Venkateswara made two promises. One, was a for people who, due to some disability, would not be able to climb the hill and take His darshan at Tirumala, they could visit this temple at the base of the hill.
The second was for people getting ready to enter grihastashrama (i.e. get married). Venkateswara promised that those who witnessed the Kalyanotsavam at Tirumala will always get a good spouse. With this boon, Venkateswara Swamy became known as Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy.
The idol of Lord Venkateswara in Mangapuram temple is taller than the one at Tirumala, and is said to be more attractive. It is said that Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy here is a mirror image of Sri Venkateswara in Tirumala.
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Srinivasa Mangapuram History 