Pilgrims though the sacred shrine at Tirumala thousands daily to worship Sri Venkateswara, the only God of Kaliyuga. But many of them visiting the Holy shrine many not know that there are few other temples, equally sacred and ancient of Tirupati, Tiruchanur, Srinivasa Mangapuram, Narayanavanam and Nagalapuram also under the management of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. A visit to these temples will not only enrich the devotees’ religious experience, but also give them spiritual satisfaction.
Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, Tirupati
This is an important temple consecrated by the great Vaishnavacharya, Sri Ramanuja. Its imposing tower can be seen even from a long distance. The daily rituals in the temple are performed according to Vaikhanasa Agama. The festivals and functions in this Temple are conducted more or less on the same lines as in Srivari Temple, Tirumala.
The temples of Sri Parthasarathi with Satyabhama and Rukmini and of Sri Venkateswaraswamy which remained closed from about 12th century have recently been made accessible for public worship.
Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple, Tirupati
Sri Kodanda-ramaswami Temple is situated in the heart of Tirupati town. The main Deities are Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. According to leg-ends, this temple commemorates the visit of Sri Rama to Tirupati. The worship in the temple is regulated according to Vaikhanasa Agama. The Ugadi festival and Sri Rama Navami are conducted on a grand scale.
Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple, Tirupati
This temple en-shrines Sri Kapileswara-swami. It is the only Siva temple among Vaishnava temples at Tirupati. The legend relating to this temple intertwined with that of the Padmavathi Srinivasa Kalyanam. It is situated about 3kms, to the north of Tirupati, at the foot of Tirumala Hills, where we have sacred and beautiful water-fall known as “Kapilathirtham” or “Alwarthirtham”. The worship and rituals in this temple are carried in accordance with Saiva Agama. The Teppotsavam is celebrated in the Kapilatirtha Pushkarini for 3 days in a year in the Margasirsha month. The festival ends on the Pauranmi day of that month.
Sri Vedanarayanaswamy Temple, Nagalapuram
This temple dedicated to Sri Vedanarayanaswamy is about 60kms. From Tirupati and on the way to Madras. The temple was taken over by the Devasthanams in 1967. One peculiar feature of the idol (Murti) is that the Sudarsana Chakram (Disc) is in ‘Prayoga’ (ready for releasing) postion the most important festival in this temple is the annual ‘Surya Puja’ which is usually conducted in the last week of March when the Sun’s rays fall on the Deity at about 5 p.m. denoting worship by Surya Bhagavan. The Surya Puja is followed by Float Festival for three days.
Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru Temple, Tiruchanur
The temple of Sri Padmavathi Amma-Varu, the consort of Lord Sri Venkateswaraswam
y is situated about 3 kms, to the south of Tirupati. According to the Legends, the Goddess Sri Lakshmi revealed Herself in a golden Lotus in the Pushkarini known as Padma Sarovaram, which was said to have been dug by the Lord with His Gadayudha when he came there is search of Sri Laksmi. The worship in the temple is according to Pancharathra Agama. Among all the festivals conducted here, Pandhama Thirtham during Kartika Brahmotsavam is famous, attaracting large number of devotees. On that day pasupu, kumkum, silk saree, flower garland with laddu padi are brought from Sri Tirumala temple with temple honours. The Abhishekam to Sri Ammavaru is performed on every Friday, Kumkum Archana to Sri Ammavaru is performed on request from pilgrims.
Sri Venkateswaraswami Temple, Srinivasa Mangapuram
Th
e temple is situated at about 10 kms. To the west of Tirupati, has Lord Venkateswara as the presiding Deity. According to the legend, this temple was built by the king of Chandragiri. The temple which is a protected monument was taken over by the Devasthanams in 1967 “Sakshatkaravaibhavam”, the day on which the Lord revealed Himself and blessed the priest Sri Sundara Ramanujacharyulu, is an important festival in the temple which is celebrated on Uttara Phalguna Nakshtra day in Sukta-paksham of Ashadha, Besides, all other festivals of the Tirumala Temple are celebrated here. The performance of Kalyana Utsavams to Utsava deities has also been introduced in the temple. One prekaram has been recently formed outside the temple and all processions are conducted in the new prakaram.
Many other temples like Alipiri temple Thondamanadu temple, Tarigonda Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple and temples at Devuni Kadapa, Tallapaka are also run by T.T.Devasthanams.
Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswamy Temple, Narayanavanam
This temple about 30kms, from Tirupati was taken over by the Devasthanams in 1967 along with the five sub temples attached to it namely, Sri Parasareswaraswamy temple, Sri Virabhadraswamy temple, Sri Agastheswaraswamy temple, Sri Sakti Vinayagar temple and Sri Avanakshi Amma temple. This is the only temple where one can find both Lord Srinivasa and His consort Padmavathi on the pedestal. The legend says that Sri Akasaraja ruled Narayanavanam and performed the wedding of Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru with Sri Venkateswaraswami Varu. Daily rituals in the temple is according to Pancharatra Agama. The performance of Kalyana Utsavam to utsava deities has been introduced on payment of a token fee. T.T.Devasthanams has constructed a Kalyanamandapam here for the performance of weddings.
Appalayagunta
The temple of Lord Prasanna Venkateswaraswamy is positioned at Appalayagunta, fifteen kms from Tirupati. Festivals like Brahmotsavam and Teppotsavam are becoming celebrated on a grand scale.
The idols of Goddess Padmavathi and Sri Andal are also seen in this historic Temple. The temple produced by the Rajas of Karvetinagar consists of a shrine for Anjaneya. The imposing mammoth image of the wind-god is worshipped by devotees for alleviation from ‘Chronic Diseases
Karvetinagaram
This temple located in the vicinity of Puttur at a distance of 58 kms from Tirupati, is dedicated to Lord Venugopalaswami with Rukmini and Satyabhama. This was managed by the Narayanavanam rulers in the olden days. It also homes a shrine with monolithic idols of Sita, Rama, Lakshmana and Anjaneya.
Vayalpadu
The historical Temple devoted to Lord Sri Rama is located listed here. Vayalpadu is about a hundred kms from Tirupati. Daily rituals in this temple are in accordance to Pancharatra Agama. Brahmotsavam and other critical festivals are being celebrated in a grand manner
Andhra Ashramam Rishikesh 
Rshikesh is in Uttaranchal of Uttara Pradesh. It is 26 kms from Haridwar and 287 kms from Delhi.
Uttaranchal state is familiar as sacred devotional place in India. Himalayas are there in this place. Uttaranchal state is central attraction for Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, apart from Haridwar and Hrishikesh. The Tapoobhoomi Hrishi Kesh is situated 24 kms away from the sacred land of Haridwar. It is a tradition theat Brahmotsavams in Hrishiokesh temple of Uttaranchal state are being performed by Tirumala Archakas as per Vaikhnasa Agama Sastra.
Vaikunta Thoranam
In the main approach to the temple, an entrance gopuram known as vaikunta thoranam was constructed at a cost of Rs.5 lakhs. It was inaugurated by the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri N.T. Rama Rao. The gopuram has a length of 100 ft. and a width of 20ft and a height of 40ft.
Asthana Mandapam
In the main approach to the temple, an entrance gopuram known as vaikunta thoranam was constructed. There is an asthana mandapam on the south eastern side of the bedi anjaneya swami temple facing sannidhi street for organizing religious and cultural programmes. The building, a monumental work of architectural splendor, can accommodate about 3000 persons at a time. In the cellor portion of the building 100 shops were allotted to the vendors to sell puja articles.
Tirumala Nambi Temple
There is a small temple called tirumala nambi temple on the southern side of the south mada street of tirumala temple. Sri tirumala nimbi is the maternal uncle of sri ramanujacharya the founder of visistadvaita philosophy . It is proposed to renovate the temple by using the materials of the dismantled old mandapam at Govindaraja swamy car street Tirupati.
Tags: Andhra Ashramam Rishikesh, Appalayagunta, Asthana Mandapam, Karvetinagaram, nagalapuram, narayanavanam, srinivasa mangapuram, tiruchanur, Tirumala Nambi Temple, Vayalpadu
