Konetirayala Temple, Keelapatla, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh

Konetirayala Temple, Keelapatla, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh

Konetirayala Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located at Keelapatla Village in Palamaner Taluk in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh State, India. Konetirayala Swamy Temple is also known as Venkateshwara Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Konetirayadu / Venkateshwara. The temple at present is being administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams board.

Legends

Sage Brighu consecrated the idol:

According to temple legend, Saint Brighu came to earth after kicking on the Lord Vishnu’s chest. To eradicate such a sin, Saint Kashyapa advised him to establish the lord idols in 7 different place which shows the features of Lord Venkateshwara Swamy. Some of these places are:

1. Dwaraka Tirupati, near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

2. Kalyana Venkateshwara Swamy, Srinivasa Mangapuram, Andhra Pradesh

3. Konetiraya Swamy, Keelapatla, Andhra Pradesh

4. Diguva Tirupati, Mulbagal, Karnataka etc.

These places were hidden and the saint himself who went into disappearance by his mystical powers, were established much before the Lord himself came to the Earth. After Lords arrival, Brighu came into existence with Agastya Maharshi, the mystical powers which hid these places were removed and they came into visible light of the common man. The idols were all under trees. The ruling kings then came forward to build temples around these idols.

Lord Venkateshwara placed his Holy Foot here:

It is believed that Lord Venkateshwara first placed his Holy Foot here at Keelapatla and then reached Tirumala.

History

History says that this temple was constructed by the Regents of Pallava Kings in the 9^th and 10^th centuries. Later renovated by Thondai Mandala rulers, Cholas, Punganuru Zamindars and Vijayanagara Empire. The 15^th century Hindu saint, Andhra Pada Kavita Pithamaha, Annamacharya mentions the name of Konetiraya in many of his Sankirthanas. Saint Poet Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya is said to have visited this great shrine in the latter half of 14^th century and penned some extraordinary kirtanas like, “Kondalalo Nelakonna Koneti Rayudu Vadu”, “Podagantimayya Mimmu Purushottama-Nedayakavayya Konetirayada”, “Tirumalagiriraya…Kondala Konetiraya” and so on.

The Temple

The temple is constructed based on Dravidian style of architecture. The temple has pyramid shaped towers and are constructed with sandstone, soapstone or granite. The temple has four gateway towers and gopuram on its four sides. The base of the eastern tower, the Rajagopuram is made of granite. Presiding Deity is called as Konetirayadu / Venkateshwara. The Deity is believed to be Kalpatharu (A heavenly tree that gives boon), Chintamani (A celestial power) and Kamadhenu (the heavenly cow that gives all).

The significant feature of this temple is that the presiding deity of Sri Konetirayadu Swamy is a look-like of Tirumala Sri Venkateshwara Swamy. He is in standing posture with his "Kati Varada Hastas", natural "Sankhu Chakras" and with the impressions of Sridevi and Bhoodevi, on the chest. Huge Dwarapalakas Jaya and Vijaya can be seen guarding the sanctum. 

To protect the presiding deity from Muslim invasion, it was preserved safely in the huge temple tank located opposite the shrine and later it was re-consecrated. As the deity was protected in the temple tank-Koneru, the presiding deity is known as “Konetiraya Swamy”. It is believed even today, that there is a passage from this area to Tirumala. An ancient Chenna Kesava idol with his two wives, five Alwars, Bhoovaraha Moorthy, Garudalwar, Anjaneya Swamy statues, all can be seen in the temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Gangavaram Bus Stop, 7 Kms from Palamaner Bus Stop, 33 Kms from Punganur, 44 Kms from Chittoor, 45 Kms from Chittoor Railway Station, 111 Kms from Tirupati, 133 Kms from Tirupati Airport, 147 Kms from Bengaluru Airport and 185 Kms from Chennai Airport.  The Temple is situated off Tirupati Bengaluru Highway.

Location | Photos