Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Temple – Devuni Kadapa, Kadapa:
Devuni Kadapa Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy (Kadaparayudu) known as, who shines in the shadow of Lord Swami, who looks like a reflection of Venkaswara Swamy of Tirumala. Devuni Kadapa is also known as” Tholi Gadapa “ ‘Tholi’ means ‘First’ and ‘Gadapa’ means ‘Entrance’. Devuni Kadapa is the First Gateway of Tirumala. This temple houses Lord Venkateswara Swamy in one shrine and Shri Mahalakshmi Devi in the shrine on the left side. Once upon a time devotees going to Tirumala from Kadapa had to visit Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy in Devuni Kadapa before going to Tirumala.
The uniqueness of this temple is that not only Hindu devotees but also Muslims come to visit Kadapa Rayudu for Darshan. Generally our prasadam is not received by other religious people. Here, along with Hindu devotees, Muslims also receive Tirtha Prasadam. This tradition has been going on in the Devuni Kadapa temple for hundreds of years.
About Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Temple:
Tirumala is Varaha Kshetra while this is Hanuma Kshetra. At the back of the sanctum sanctorum there is an idol of Anjaneya Swamy who is the ruler of the area. Generally there are barriers to the idol of Ganesha anywhere. Unlike them, Nritya Ganapati has vertical names here. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has a marriage hall built by them.
Goddesses like Andalamma, Vishvaksena, Padmavati Ammavaru, Shankha Chakra Dhwaja Garuda Alvaru, Hanmat Perumallu, Nritya Ganapati etc, are enshrined in the temple premises. Also, similar to Kanchi, there are stone lizards (Raathi Balli) on the upper part of the temple mandapam. Devotees touch those lizards to avoid sins.
Vishwaksena Mandir, Nagula idols, Andal Mandir, Shami Vriksha, Alwar Sannidhi, Kalyana Mandapam, Pushkarini outside the temple, Mirror Mandir are worth seeing in this temple.
Devuni Kadapa Temple History:
The word Kadapa for this place is derived from the word “Devuni Gadapa”, meaning “Entrance to Lord Venkateswara”. The idol of Venkateswara was established by Kripacharya hence the ancient name of Devuni Kadapa as “Kripavati Kshetra” is also mentioned in Puranas. Pilgrims intending to visit Lord Venkateswara should first pray to Lord Annamacharya and Potuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy.
This is a very famous temple in Rayalaseema region, people from different places visit this temple and this temple is usually crowded on Saturday. Another special feature of this temple is that Lord Venkateswara Swamy has an idol of Anjaneya Swamy at its back. Devuni Kadapa was built in Vijayanagara style of architecture. Festivals in Tirumala, every puja is done like this. Pilgrims who want to visit Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirupati from different countries and states of India also want to visit Devuni Kadapa Temple. Devuni Kadapa is an archaeological treasure.
Festivals Celebrated at Devuni Kadapa Temple:
The complex of ponds in Devuni Kadapa temple is known as Harihara Sarovaram. It is also known as Hanumat Pushkarini because it is Hanuma Kshetra. There is Nirayamantapam in the pool and Tirthavasi Mantapam on the west side. There is a way to get water from Patakadapa pond.
Swami Theppotsavam is celebrated in Pushkarini with grandeur. Special pujas are performed in Dhanur Masam every year. Every year from Magha Suddha Padyami, the festivities ( Brahmotsavams) are held for seven days with great splendour. Devotees flock in thousands to participate in Rathotsavam, Kalyanotsavam and Garuda vahana Seva held on the seventh day of Magha Shuddha Saptami (Ratha Saptami).
Vaikunta/Mukkoti Ekadashi Festival is celebrated in a great way. Also, Navaratri Brahmotsavams are celebrated in this Temple.
Another feature of Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy temple is religious harmony. It is thronged with Muslim devotees on Ugadi day. The Muslim brothers visit Lord Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy and perform the first pooja. It is becoming customary for them to consider Bibi Nancharamma as the daughter of their house. Because of this, Swami is given offerings and invited to their house for Ugadi Festival.
Along with Muslims, Jains also worship. On Ratha Saptami day, everyone participates in pulling the chariot (Ratham) of Swami amidst the crowd.
Devuni Kadapa Temple Timings:
Timings of Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy temple. Temple opens in the morning at 06:00 am and closes at Afternoon at 12:00 pm and Opens at 04:00 pm and Closes at 08:30 pm.
Dress Code For Temple:
Women Should wear Saree and Half saree, Chudidar, Pyjamas with upper wear. Men should wear shirts, pyjamas, and dhotis. Shorts, Skirts, and modern wear clothes are strictly Prohibited in the temple.
How to reach Devuni Kadapa Temple:
By Bus: Kadapa bus Stand is 4 kms away from the Devuni Kadapa Temple. Kadapa is connected to major and minor cities of Andhra Pradesh. From Bus stop hire a auto r cabs to cover the distance.
By Air: Kadapa has its own airport at a distance of 8 km from the city centre. Apart from this, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Tirupati have airdromes very close to the city.
By Train : Devuni Kadapa temple is located 8kms away from the Kadapa Railway Station. From there hire Auto to reach the Temple.
Nearest Temples to Devuni Kadapa Temple:
Visitors can also visit these Temples near to Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy temple Devuni Kadapa
Sri Someswara Swamy Temple
Durgamma Temple
Hanuman Temple
Pata Kadapa Sivalayam
Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple
Devuni Kadapa Temple Location/ Address:
Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy temple
Devuni Kadapa, Kadapa, 516001,
Andhra Pradesh, India.
Devuni Kadapa Temple Images:
 known as, who shines in the shadow of Lord Swami, who looks like a reflection of Venkaswara Swamy of Tirumala. Devuni Kadapa is also known as” Tholi Gadapa “ ‘Tholi’ means ‘First’ and ‘Gadapa’ means ‘Entrance’. Devuni Kadapa is the First Gateway of Tirumala.){kind=link}