Chintala Venkataramana Temple also known as Chintalarayaswamy Temple is a Hindu Vaishnavite temple located in Tadipatri, a town in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur District. The temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu known as Chintala Venkataramana. The temple was constructed by Pemmasani Timmanayudu II of the Pemmasani Nayaks. It is located on the banks of the Penna River, which flows through the town.

The Chintala Venkataramana Temple is known for its granite sculptures and is listed as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple features a Garuda Mandapa designed as a chariot with rotating granite wheels, similar to the one found at Hampi’s Vithala Temple. Consequently, the temple was named after the tamarind tree, as “china” means tamarind. Thousands of Hindu devotees visit it each year. The temple’s surroundings, which are situated on the banks of the Penna River, are quite soulful.

Story/Legend of the Chintala Venkataramana Temple Tadipatri

According to legend, One day, villagers nearby heard a loud noise from a Tamarind Tree (Chintha chettu). To inspect, the villagers gathered around the tree, surprised to discover the Vishnu Idol inside the tree hole. At the same time, the Lord appeared in the dreams of Thimmanayaka, the Pennasani ruler, who was relaxing at Gandi Kota (Fort) with his army and told him to build a temple for the Idol hidden inside the tree hole.

Thimmanayaka built the temple in Vijayanagar architecture and style between 1510 and 1525 A.D. It is believed that a large Tamarind garden existed before the temple’s construction, which prompted the Lord to call Chinthala Venkateswara Swamy. In Telugu, the Tamarind Tree is known as Chintha Chettu.

History of Chintala Venkataramana Temple Tadipatri

Pemmasani Timmanayudu II, a contemporary of Vira Narasimharaya and Krishnadevaraya, built the temple during the Vijayanagara Empire’s reign in the mid-16th century. Timmanayudu built this temple after Vishnu told him in a dream that he should build a temple for him in Tadipatri.

Timmanayudu appointed two archakas and a chief priest, and he donated land to the temple. The Chintalarayaswamy Temple is regarded as one of the finest examples of Vijayanagara architecture. Although the initial structure may be from the Saluva dynasty, the entrance towers are from the Tuluva dynasty.

The architecture of Chintala Venkataramana Temple Tadipatri

The main deity in the Sanctum of Sanctorium is 10 feet tall. On Mukkoti Ekadasi day, the sun’s rays touch Venkatarama Swamy’s feet for three days in a row (Ekadasi, Dwadasi, Trayodasi), which occurs only once a year. The sun’s rays pass through the holes of the monolithic chariot, which is approximately 70 meters away from the deity.

The Chintala Venkataramana Temple corridor (mandap) begins from this chariot. The Temple corridor was built on 40 pillars. The temple walls and pillars were carved with images from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavatha epics respectively. These sculptures were carved in a sequence that tells the epics.

The carvings of Kaliya Mardhana Krishna’s Roop from the Mahabharat and sequences from the Ramayana on the corridor (mandap) are not to be missed. The corridor’s roof is decorated with an octagonal flower. Sub-temples honour Sita Rama and Sri Padmavathi Amma Varu.

Facts about Chintala Venkataramana Temple Tadipatri

• Sri Chintala Venkataramana Swamy Temple is a well-known temple in Tadipatri, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh.
• The Chintala Venkataramana Temple is 1 kilometre from the famous Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, 3 kilometres from Tadipatri Railway Station, 57 kilometres from Anantapur, and 268 kilometres from Bangalore.
• Chintala Venkataramana Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who takes the divine form of Venkataramana Swamy.
• The majority of the features of these two temples are similar, as they are built on the same ground plan. The stone chariot here is compact and small in comparison to the famous stone chariot at Hampi.
• Chintala Venkataramana Temple is believed to have been built in the 16th century by Timma Naidu, son of Ramalinga Naidu, a Vijayanagar Kingdom chieftain.
• Originally, the temple was called Chintala Tiruvengala Natha Swamy Temple. This temple, which spans 5 acres, was built in accordance with the Silpa Sastras.
• The Garba Griha, Ranga Mandapa, Mukha Mandapa, Main Gopura, and Prakaraa all have carvings depicting episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavatha.
• The Mukhamandapa has forty Vijayanagar-style pillars. Beyond the Mukhamandapa is a Rangamandapa with scenes from the Ramayana and rare sculptures of Vishnu avatars.
• Lord Venkataramana Swamy’s idol is stunning and a true masterpiece of the Vijayanagar Kingdom.
• There are two more temples within the complex, one dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and the other to Lord Anjaneya.

Famous Festivals In Chintala Venkataramana Temple Tadipatri

• 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 – Tiru Kalyanotsavam is a religious festival celebrated in the temple. Lord Venkateswara’s celestial wedding is intended to protect and prosper the entire world.
• 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).

Best Time to Visit Chintala Venkataramana Temple Tadipatri

This place is very heavenly and spiritual, and you can visit it all year. The best time to visit this temple, however, is during the monsoon and winter seasons. During the monsoon season, this location receives moderate to heavy rainfall, making it appear heavenly with its greenery and bringing freshness elsewhere.

How to reach Chintala Venkataramana Temple Tadipatri

By Air: The nearest airport is Kadapa Airport in Andhra Pradesh, which is 111 km away from the Chintala Venkataramana Temple.

By Rail: Chintala Venkataramana Temple is 4 km from Tadipatri railway station in Andhra Pradesh and 59 km from Anantapur.

By Road: APRSTC Bus Station in Tadipatri is 2.6 km Away From the temple. Taxis and car rentals are also available to take you to the temple from there.

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