Dwaraka Tirumala

Sri Venkateswara Swami Vari Devasthanam is located in a small village, by the name Dwaraka Tirumala, is a religious shrine. In the village holy shrine dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara is exceptionally famous. Near to Eluru (the head quarters of West Godavari District) that lies at a distance of 40 kms Dwaraka Tirumala is located.

This pilgrimage centre is called  "Dwaraka Tirumala" after the great saint, "Dwaraka" who located the self manifested idol of Lord "Sri Venkateswara" after severe penance in a ‘Valmikam’ (ant hill). The devotees call Sri Venkateswara as Kaliyuga Vaikunta Vasa. This place is also called “Chinna Tirupati”.

The devotees who wish to go and offer their donations, or tonsures or any other offerings to Lord Venkateswara, Lord of Tirumala Tirupati, called as “Pedda Tirupati”, due to some reason, if they are unable to go there, they can offer their donations, prayers and worship in Dwaraka Tirumala temple.

Dwaraka Tirumala is a famous temple from the ancient times. According to some Puranas, the temple is popular even in Kruta yuga and is still attracting the devotees. According to Brahma Purana, Aja Maharaja, the Grand father of Lord Sri Rama also worshiped Lord Venkateswara for his marriage. On his way to the ‘Swayamvaram’ of Indumati, he passed by the temple. He did not offer prayers in the temple. The bride Indumati garlanded him, but he had to face a battle with the kings who came to the Swayamvaram. He realized that the battle was thrust on him for ignoring the temple on the way. After realizing this, Aja Maharaja prayed to the Lord Venkateswara. Suddenly the kings stopped the battle.

It is a great wonder to see two main idols under one Vimana Sikharam. One idol is a full and complete statue. The other is a half statue of the upper portion of the form of the Lord. The upper potion of the form is a self-manifested idol located by Sage "Dwaraka". The saints of the yore felt the prayers to the Lord are not complete without worshipping His holy feet. So, the saints joined together and installed a full statue behind the self-manifested idol, to worship the feet of the Lord according to Vaikhanasa Agamam.

It is believed that the prayers to the smaller statue of the Lord will lead to Moksha, and the big form stands for Dharma, Artha and Kama. The Tiru kalyanotsavam is celebrated twice a year. One for the self manifested idol in the month of  “Vaisakha” and the other for the installed idol in the month of  “Aswayuja”.

SANCTUM SANCTORUM:

On entering the sanctum sanctorum, one feels a most inspiring and enchanting experience. The presiding mythological deity Lord Venkateswara is visible upto the Bust size and the lower portion is imagined to be in the earth. The holy feet are said to be offered to Bali Chakravarthi in “Patala” for his daily worship. The full size idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara standing at the back of the main idol is said to have been installed by the great social reformer Srimad Ramanuja of the 11 th century. The idols of Padmavathi and Nanchari are installed in the Arthamandapa facing east. This is a full equipped shrine to be a Divyasthala.

Particulars of Sevas and timings:

       Nitya Arjitha Kalyanam          (9.30 am to 12.30 pm)

       Astotra Satanamarchana        (8.00 am to 12.00 noon)

       Sahasranamarchana               (8.00 am to 12.00 noon)

       Suprabhatha Seva                  (5.00 am to 6.00 am)

       Antaralaya Darsanam             (6.00 am to 1am and 3 pm to 9 pm)

       Snapana (Only Fridays)          (6.00 am to 8.00 am)

       Gopuja                                   (6.00 am to 12.00 noon)

Major Festivals:

       Giripradakshina                          (January)

       Swamy Vari Vysakha Kalyanam.   (April-May)

        Pavithrotsavams.                        (September)

        Swamy Vari Aswayuja Kalyanam   (September-October)

        Teppotsavam.                             (November)

Kalyana Katta

The place where pilgrims fulfill their vow of tonsure is called Kalyana Katta.Bathrooms, with geysers for hot water, are provided for the pilgrims who have their heads tonsured in the cottages.

Free bus & Prachara Ratham

This Devastnam is maintaining one Prachara Ratham and one free bus to

cater the needs of pilgrim public. Free Bus facilities twice a day to near

Sub-temples and near Adopted temples.

 There are many shrines that are dedicated to different forms of the God, in the temple complex. Sri Swamyvari Temple, Anjaneya Swamyvari, Sri Garuda Swamivari Temples, Deeparadhana Temple and Alwar Temples, amongst all of them and are truly worth-visiting. Statues of Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya and Sage 'Dwaraka' inspire the awe of the onlooker with their mastery of sculpture.

Dwaraka Tirumala is 18 km from Bhimadole Railway Station, which is on the main Railway line between Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. Dwaraka Tirumala is 39 km from Eluru.