Tadipatri - Sri Chintala Venkata Ramana Swamy Temple

"Tadipatri" (Tadpatri), located in the Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh, was once a very important part of the Vijayanagar Kingdom and has two magnificent ancient temples dedicated to Lords Ramalingeshwara and Venkataramana Swamy. The town of Tadipatri is situated on the banks of the river Pennar and derives its name from a grove of palm trees present in the area (Tati-Palm; Patri-Leaf). The temples here undoubtedly stand out and are the most prominent among the temples built by the Vijayanagar Kings. The town is also an important granite production center housing around 400 granite industries and innumerable polishing centers.

Keeping Track of the Devotees

    The first temple we visited was  Sri Chintala Venkataramana Swamy temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Venkataramana Swamy and  is believed to have been  built by Timma Naidu, son of Ramalinga Naidu. Ramalinga Naidu was the Feudal head of the Vijayanagar Kingdom, controlling this part of Andhra Pradesh. It was built during the same time as the Vittala Temple of Hampi, in a similar manner. Most of the features of these two temples bear close resemblance to each other,  being built on a similar ground plan. While the stone chariot here is compact and small in size when compared to the famous stone chariot at Hampi, it is equally beautifully detailed.

 Raja Gopuram

Sri Chintala Venkata Ramana Swamy Temple

Bhakthi Shakthi

The Stone Chariot

Welcome

   The outer walls of the temple are elaborately decorated with carvings depicting stories of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and other forms of Lord Vishnu. The Mukhamantapa of the temple has forty beautifully carved pillars varying in design. The idol of Lord Venkataramana Swamy is very beautiful and is a classical master piece of  the Vijayanagar Kingdom. There are two other temples inside the complex, one dedicated to  Lord Vishnu's consort and  and the other to Lord Anjaneya. An intriguing feature of this temple is the presence of a secret underground passage (king's passage) leading to the Gooty fort. Currently, the tunnel's entrance from the temple has been closed for good by the ASI. The Raja Gopuram is majestic. There is a pillar that stands tall in the garden maintained right opposite the temple. There is also a Thulabharam pillar (weigh scale), a typical trademark of the Vijayanagar Kingdom in the garden. 

Mukhamatapa

Heavily Decorated Pillars

Epic Ramayana Depicted

Lord Govardhan

Story of  Lord Hanuman

Lord Ananthashayana with his Consorts

Lord Rama Killing the Demoness Tataka 

Baby Krishna Killing Putana (Demoness)

Vamana depicted as 'Trivikrama' with 3 legs, One on  Earth, Second Raised in the Heavens and Third on  King Bali's Head

Ornate Outer Wall

Weigh Scale and Pillar