Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple

Introduction to Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple

Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple is a famous temple for Lord Venkateswara located in Appalayagunta, Andhra Pradesh. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has been administering and maintaining the temple since 1988.

Legend of Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple

According to legend, Perumal stayed at this spot before marrying Sri Padmavathi Thayar. After his marriage, Perumal and Padmavathi Thayar appeared in the Kalyana Thiru Kolam before the sage Sri Siddeshwara and his disciples, who blessed them.

The temple has another interesting legend. Once, there were many hills near Appalayagunta called 'Yogula Konda' where many sages used to perform penance.

A saint named Siddeshwara reached this hill after traveling to many places. He found that it was suitable for his penance. Siddeshwara started his penance by worshipping Sri Venkateswara Swamy. After some days, Sri Venkateswara Swamy appeared before him, accepted his prayers, and stayed in Appalayagunta with Abhaya Mudra as per the saint's wish.

The Architecture of Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple

Sri Venkata Perumalaraju Brahmadeva Maharaj built the temple using granite stone in 1232 AD. It undergoes renovation every 12 years. The Karveti Nagara Kings majorly contributed to this temple.

This features a blend of Dravidian and Vijayanagara architectural styles.

Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple faces east. It has a three-tiered Rajagopuram with five Kalash. At the entrance, there is a Bali Peetam, copper-plated Dhwaja Sthambam with gold covering, and a Garudalwar shrine. The Prasanna Anjaneyaswamy shrine and the Pushkarani Amruta Sarovaram are before the Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple.

A Mukha Mandapam and Garuda Mandapam are in the Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple. Sri Vishwakshena Swamy, Sri Ramanujacharyulu, and Vaishnava Azhwars are in the Mukha Mandapam. Garuda Mandapam has the idol of Garuda facing the sanctum.

There are Dwarpalakas on both sides of the sanctum. The main deity, Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy, graces the sanctum. He is 7 feet high with four hands, holding Shankh and Chakra and displaying Abhaya Mudra and Kati hastam. His idol is made of Saligrama Sila.

The two-tier stucco Nagara Vimana and Vesara are above the sanctum. The stucco images of Vishnu, Brahma, and Dakshinamurthy in the Vimana differ from the Vimanas of other Vishnu temples.

Venkateswara Swamy's consorts, Sri Andal and Sri Padmavathi Thayar, have separate shrines in the temple courtyard. Sri Padmavathi is 3 feet high, sitting with four hands, and located on the left side of the main deity. Sri Andal is standing with two hands on the main deity's right side. Brahma installed the idol of Sri Andal in Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple. Vayu Bagawan has a shrine here. It is believed that worshipping Vayu will relieve all diseases.

Intricate carvings and sculptures depict scenes from Hindu mythology. Colorful sculptures of deities and mythical creatures adorn the temple's gopuram.

It is believed to have been Venkateswara's resting place during his journey to Tirumala. The Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple recently conducted Kumbhabishekam in 2018.

Festivals in Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple

Vaikunta Ekadashi and Brahmotsavam are the grandest festivals in the Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Temple. Brahmotsavam is a ten-day festival that is conducted between April and May. During Brahmotsavam, the priests bring gold ornaments from Tirumala to decorate Venkateswara Swamy and his consorts. Different 'Vahana Sevas,' including Rathothsavam, are held during Brahmotsavam.

Every Friday, the temple performs Abishekam to the deity, which is popular. Special Poojas are performed during Dhanur month yearly.