Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala – Potu (Main Kitchen)

Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala – Potu (Main Kitchen)

The Potu or main kitchen where the food-offerings for the main temple are prepared, is to the south of the Varadarajaswami shrine. Inside the Potu, there is a small shrine dedicated to Sri Maha Lakshmi, who is also called Potu Amma (lady of the kitchen) or Madapalli Nachiyar. She is identified with Vakulamalika, who was, according to the Puranas, sent by Varahaswami to be the house-keeper of Sri Venkateswara, when he resided on the hill. Vakulamalika is said to have arranged Lord Sri Venkateshwara’s marriage with Padmavathi.

In reality, she is regarded as Sri Maha Lakshmi, and is worshipped as such. She is worshipped during Varalakshmi Vratham, in the month of Sravana. There is a similar icon of Sri Maha Lakshmi in the Padi Potu, another kitchen located in the Sampangi Pradakshinam. Various types of rice Prasadams are prepared in the inner Potu and served to the deity every day at scheduled breaks thrice a day, while other Panyarams like laddus, vadas appams etc., are prepared in the Padi Potu.