Sanctorum Of Goddess Padmavathi

Alamelu Manga is the Consort of Sri Venkateswara of the ‘Seven Hills’. She is also named Padmavathi. The Shrine where this Divine Deity is situated is called Tiruchanur.

This place is situated at a distance of 5km from Tirupati. This Temple is seen always filled with devotees who visit Tiruchanur after the Darshan of Sri Venkateswara of Tirumala.

According to Mythology, Srinivasa descended to Bhuloka (Earth) in search of Sri Mahalakshmi who left Vykuntha in anger. But he could not find her. Inspite of marrying Padmavathi the daughter of Akasa Raju, who was herself par excellence of Lakshmi, Srinivasa was in deep anxiety because he was deprived of Mahalakshmi’s presence. To his relief, he came to know that Sri Mahalakshmi was in Kolhapur (Maharashtra), and Srinivasa left for Kolhapur and did Penance to procure her, but all in vain. Later a voice (Akasavani) was heard which directed Srinivasa to Suka Maharshis’s Ashram. It asked him to build a Lotus Pond and do Penance on the banks of ‘Padma sarovara’ to get Mahalakshmi. Following the words of Akasavani, Srinivasa reached Tiruchanur, built a Padmasarovara and did Penance for Twelve (12) long years. As a result, on the day of Shudha Panchami of Kartika masa, Sri Mahalakshmi took incarnation in the thousand petalled Golden Lotus on Friday in Padmasarovara. She became famous as ‘Sri Padmavathi’, for devotees. Srinivasa took her to his chest and left for Tirumala. But as per the request of Gods, Sri Mahalakshmi took the form of Archamurthi and is in Tiruchanur taking the name ‘Padmavathi’ and ‘Alamelu Manga’ and She is blessing the devotees.

‘Siri Koluvu’ is a Telugu book written by Sri Julakanti Bala Subrahmanyam. This book narrates astonishing story of Origin of Padmavathi and the Utsavas of the Temple.

Prof. Mallavarapu Madhusudana Rao has translated ‘Siri Koluvu’ into English to fecilitate the English knowing people to get sufficient information about the Glory of ‘Sri Padmavathi’. I am thankful to the writer who has presented the book in comprehensive and easy style which will inculcate interest in every reader.

Hope that the readers will be showered with the blessings of Srinivasa along with Padmavathi in Plentitude.

**Contents and Sample Pages**