Venkateswara Temple Dwaraka Tirumala is a Vaishnavite temple situated in the town of Dwaraka Tirumala of the Eluru district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is devoted to Vishnu’s incarnation, Lord Venkateswara. Other names for the temple include Chinna Tirupati, which translates to “Little Tirupati.” The shrine is the main attraction in the area, and it is located roughly 40 kilometres from Eluru, the West Godavari District capital.

The great saint Dwaraka, who performed intense penance to place the idol of Lord Venkateswara here, is honoured by the name of this hallowed shrine. Loved by devotees as a miniature version of the original temple in Tirupati, this highly esteemed shrine is affectionately known as “Chinna Tirupati.” The Idol installed in the temple is said to be self-manifested and invested with the powers of the Supreme Being.

Story/Legend of the Venkateswara Temple Dwaraka Tirumala

According to legend, while Dwaraka, a great sage, was meditating in a forest, he discovered an idol of Lord Venkateswara that had manifested itself. Dwaraka was ecstatic and started to worship the idol intensely. As word of the idol spread, worshippers of Lord Venkateswara travelled from all over the world to Dwaraka Tirumala. As Chinna Tirupati gained prominence, it rose to prominence as one of India’s most significant pilgrimage sites.

One of the most well-known stories associated with the Dwaraka Tirumala Temple is that of Aja Maharaja. Lord Rama’s grandfather, Aja, was on his way to the swayamvara of his future wife, Indumati. On his way, he passed by the Dwaraka Tirumala Temple but did not stop to worship Lord Venkateswara.

Indumati garlanded Aja at the swayamvara, but he was then challenged to a battle by a group of other kings who had gathered there. Aja realised he was in this battle because he hadn’t stopped to worship Lord Venkateswara along the way. He quickly prayed to Lord Venkateswara for forgiveness, and the Lord granted his request.

History of Venkateswara Temple Dwaraka Tirumala

According to temple legend, a saint named Dwaraka discovered Lord Venkateswara’s idol on an ant hill. The temple is also mentioned in the Brahma Purana, indicating that it was already a popular pilgrimage destination during the Satya Yuga. Chinna Tirupati is thought to have been built by Chalukya kings in the 11th century and later renovated by Vijayanagara kings in the 14th century. The temple reached its pinnacle of glory during the reign of the Vijayanagara kings when it was one of the richest temples in India.

In the seventeenth century, Muslim invaders attacked the temple, looting many of its treasures. However, the local rulers rebuilt the temple, which remained a popular pilgrimage site.

It is amazing to see two main idols under one Vimana Sikharam. A single idol is a complete statue. The other is a half statue of the Lord’s upper body. The upper portion of the form is a self-created idol discovered by Sage “Dwaraka”. The saints of old felt that prayers to the Lord were incomplete without worshipping His holy feet. So, the saints banded together and built a full statue behind the self-manifested idol to worship the Lord’s feet, as per Vaikhanasa Agamam.

It is believed that praying to the smaller statue of the Lord will lead to Moksha, while the larger form represents Dharma, Artha, and Kama. The Tiru Kalyanotsavam is celebrated twice a year. One for the self-created idol in the month of “Vaisakha” and another for the installed idol in the month of “Asvijaa”.

The architecture of Venkateswara Temple Dwaraka Tirumala

Entering the sanctum sanctorum is a truly inspiring and enchanting experience. The presiding deity, Lord Venkateswara, is visible up to the bust size, with the lower portion imagined to be inside the earth. The holy feet are said to be presented to Bali Chakravarthi in “Patala” for his daily worship. Srimad Ramanuja, the great social reformer of the 11th century, is said to have installed the full-size idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara standing behind the main idol. The Padmavathi and Nanchari idols are installed in the Arthamandapa, facing east. This shrine is fully equipped to be a Divyasthala.

Combination of Shiva and Vishnu on Adisesha: The most peculiar aspect here is that the hill appears to be a serpent in form, even to the naked eye, which confirms the mythological version that Anantha, the serpent king, has taken up this terrestrial form of serpent hill and is carrying God Mallikarjuna on the hood and Lord Venkateswara on the tail, thus creating a happy and harmonious compromise of Vaishnavism and Saivism in one place.

The magnificent monuments such as Vimana, Mantapa, Gopura, Prakara, etc., are credited to Dharma Appa Rao, the most recent ruler (1762-1827), while the golden ornaments and silver vahanas are credited to the generous queen Rani Chinnamma Rao of Mylavaram, Krishna District (1877-1902). These things immortalise the shrine’s glory.

The main temple is a masterpiece of South Indian architecture, with a five-story main Rajagopuram facing south and three other gopurams on the other three sides. The Vimana is built in the Nagara style, and the old Mukhamantapa has been greatly expanded to meet modern needs.

All around the Prakara, there are several Alwar temples. The entire spacious compound has been paved with stone, and flower trees are grown in an orderly fashion as if to feast the pilgrims’ eyes. Other shrines in the temple include Anjaneya Swamy, Mount Garuda, the image of Saint Dwaraka, and Sri Tallakapaka Annamacharya.

Facts about Venkateswara Temple Dwaraka Tirumala

• Venkateswara Temple Dwaraka Tirumala is located on the top of Seshachala Hill in Dwaraka Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district and is 1 km from Dwaraka Tirumala Bus Stand.
• This temple is considered as sacred as Tirumala’s famous Sri Venkateswara Temple.
• Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the presiding deity, represents Lord Vishnu. The temple was built by the Mylavaram Zamindars in the nineteenth century.
• The self-manifested idol of Sri Venkateswara Swamy was unearthed by a saint named Dwaraka, so the temple is known as Dwaraka Tirumala. This place is also known as Chinna Tirupati.
• The statue of the Lord is visible above the waist, with the lower portion imagined to be inside the earth. The holy feet are said to be presented to Bali Chakravarthi in Patala Loka for his daily worship.
• The full-size idol of Lord Venkateswara at the back of the main idol is said to have been installed by the great social reformer Ramanujacharya in the eleventh century.
• These two idols are housed in the same sanctum sanctorum, which is a distinctive feature of this temple. The Arthamandapa houses idols of Goddess Padmavathi and Nanchari.
• Venkateswara Temple Dwaraka Tirumala is a masterpiece of South Indian Architecture with its five-storied main Rajagopuram facing the south and three other gopuras on the other three sides.
• There are several temples of Alwars attached to the Prakara on all sides. There are other shrines in the temple, Lord Anjaneya Swamy, Garuda, Saint Dwaraka and the image of Sri Tallakapaka Annamacharya.
• Another interesting feature of the temple is that the hill appears to be a serpent in form.
• Religiously, the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Dwarka Tirumala is critical to Hindus. Every year, tourists and devotees from all over the world visit the temple.
• Sri Venkateswara, according to legend, is a benefactor of boons during the Dark Age (Kaliyuga), and people come here to seek the Lord’s blessings.
• During Brahmotsavams, the temple is visited by thousands of devotees, particularly for Garuda seva.

Famous Festivals In Venkateswara Temple Dwaraka Tirumala

• Brahmmotsavam is the major festival celebrated in the temple. During Brahmotsavams, the temple will be visited by thousands of devotees, particularly for Garuda seva. During Brahmotsavams, the processional deity Malayappa, accompanied by his concerts Sridevi and Bhudevi, is led in a procession through four mada streets surrounding the temple on different vahanams.
• Venkateswara Brahmotsavam – The major event in the temple is Sri Venkateswara Brahmotsavam, a nine-day event held every year in September/October.
• Tiru Kalyanotsavam – The ‘Tiru kalyanotsavam’ is the major festival that is observed in Sri Venkateswara Swami Vari Devasthanam or the Dwaraka Tirumala Temple.
• Jyesthabhshekam – This festival is held in June. Lord Venkateshwara appeared in Kaliyuga with a protective armour to fight evil. People perform Abhisheka and Poojas on this day to that armour.
• Chitra Poornima is also a major occasion for celebration in the temple.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
  
• Teppotsavam is a five-day festival held in Chaitra (March). The Swami Pushkarini Tank is used to transport the deities of Tirumala Temple.

How to reach Venkateswara Temple Dwaraka Tirumala

By Air: The nearest airport to Dwaraka Tirumala is Vijayawada International Airport which is approximately 65 kilometres away from the Venkateswara Temple Dwaraka Tirumala. From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to reach Eluru. Dwaraka Tirumala is located about 42 kilometres away from Eluru.

By Railway:  The nearest railway station is Bhimadole railway station which is 15 km from the temple. Eluru Railway Station is 36 Km away from the main temple.

By Roadways: The nearest big city from Venkateswara Temple Dwaraka Tirumala is Eluru. It is accessible by bus or taxi from nearby cities such as Vijayawada or Rajahmundry. National Highway 16 (NH16) connects Eluru to other major cities in Andhra Pradesh.

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