Narayanavanam Sri Kalyana Veerabadra Swamy Temple – Andhra Pradesh

Address

Narayanavanam Bypass Rd,

Keelagaram, Chittoor district,

Andhra Pradesh 517581

Moolavar

Sri Kalyana Veerabadra Swamy

Amman

Badrakali

Introduction

The Narayanavanam Sri Kalyana Veerabadra Swamy Temple is a sacred site dedicated to Lord Shiva and Mother Badrakali, located in Narayanavanam Village, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh. The presiding deity, Sri Kalyana Veerabadra Swamy, and Mother Badrakali are worshiped in this temple, which is believed to be over 1500 years old. This temple holds immense historical and puranic significance and is under the administration of Tirupati Devasthanam.

Puranic Significance

The temple’s origins are tied to the legend of King Akasharajan, a devout Lord Vishnu follower who conducted a Puthrakameshti Yajna to be blessed with a child. During the preparation for the yajna, the king discovered a baby girl in a lotus-covered box beneath the ground, whom he named Alarmel Mangai (Padmavathi).
Mother Mahalakshmi, after descending to Earth due to an incident with Sage Brugu, was born as Padmavathi, and Lord Vishnu, incarnated as Srinivasa, married her.
This divine marriage took place in Narayanavanam, and King Akasharajan prayed to Lord Shiva and Ambica for protection. In response, Lord Shiva deputed Veerabadra, and Ambica deputed Badrakali to ensure the marriage proceeded peacefully.
After the successful wedding, King Akasharajan commissioned the construction of this temple and enshrined idols of Veerabadra and Badrakali in their wedding form.

Beliefs and Special Features

The temple is renowned as a Wedding Custodian shrine. Devotees pray to Lord Veerabadra to eliminate obstacles to marriage proposals and ensure marital harmony.
Betel leaf garlands and vastras (clothes) are commonly offered as a gesture of devotion.
The 7-feet-tall idol of Lord Veerabadra, adorned with a crescent moon and Holy Ganga on His crown, faces south in the sanctum sanctorum, with Mother Badrakali beside Him.
A flag post, Nandi (bull vehicle), and shrines for Sri Aiyappa (Peria Andavar), Lord Anugnai Vainayaka, and Lord Kasi Viswanatha are present within the temple complex.
Despite being a Veerabadra temple, Theertha (holy water) is offered to devotees, signifying the site’s connection to Lord Srinivasa’s wedding.
Devotees pray using betel bangles, a unique practice associated with this temple.

Festivals

The temple celebrates numerous festivals with grandeur, including:

Daksha Samhara Festival:
- Held during the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August).
- Features the fire pit walking event (Pookuzhi) on the fifth day, and the symbolic sacrifice of a plantain tree personified as Daksha.
- The wedding festival of Lord Veerabadra and Mother Badrakali follows, with pujas and offerings to cool Lord Veerabadra’s fury.
Nivedhanas and Offerings:
- On the final day, three types of nivedhanas with fruits are presented to the deity.

Other celebrations include regular pujas, attracting devotees seeking blessings for early marriages and family harmony.

Nearby Attractions

The place where Lord Srinivasa married Padmavathi Thayar is located nearby.
The Lord Kalyana Venkatesa Perumal Temple, commemorating the divine wedding, is a popular pilgrimage site in the vicinity.