Sri Sundara Raja Swamy Temple At Tirupati – Sri Varadaraja Swami temple At Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple Complex At Tiruchanur
The temple of Lord Sri Sundara Raja Swami is a sub-shrine in
the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple complex at Tiruchanur in Tirupati, Andhra
Pradesh. Goddess Padmavati is the Consort of Sri Venkateswara of
Alamelumangapuram, Tiruchanur. This temple of Sri Sundararaja Swami is also
known as Sri Varadaraja Swami temple and the Lord gives darshan to devotees
along with his two consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi.
As Sri Sundara Raja, Lord Vishnu is the handsome beautiful
ruler in the universe. The temple was built during 16th Century AD as the stone
inscriptions of 1541 AD and 1547 AD make mention of the Rathotsava (Car Festival)
of Sri Varadaraja Swami and brahmotsavams.
The Main Murti Of Sri Sundara Raja Swamy Worshipped
In the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple the main murti of Sundararaja
Swami or Varadaraja Swami appears as Sthanaka Murti or as an idol in standing
posture with four hands. In the upper two hands he holds Sudarshana Chakra and
Panchajanya and the lower right hand is in Varada (bestowing) mudra while the
lower left hand is slipped down free with nothing held in it. On His right side
stands Sri Devi and Bhu Devi stands on His left side.
The temple of Sundararaja Swami has four partitions – Maha Mantapa,
Mukha Mandapa, Antarala and Garbhalaya (the sanctum sanctorum). In the outer
side of Maha Mantapa there is the Hall of Garuda where the murti of Garuda with wide
spread wings is facing the deity Sundararaja Swami.
All pujas, rituals and daily worship in the temple are
according to Pancharatra tradition. Thrice a day there is archana with offerings
(naivedyam) to the deity. All the food offerings to the Lord are brought from
the pakasala (Cooking Chamber) of Sri Padmavathi Ammavari.
Sundararaja Swami is believed to have self emerged on Uttarabhadra
nakshatra in Jyeshta month. Hence every month on the day of Uttarabhadra there
is special abhisheka, archana and naivedyam. This event is attended by numerous
devotees.
Sri Sundara Raja Swami Annual Festival (May - June)
The annual Avatara Utsavam of Sri Sundararaja Swami is observed
in Jyeshta month for three days starting from Shatabhisha nakshatra and ending
on the day with Uttarabhadra Nakshatra.
On the first day the main pujas and rituals include Sahasra Namarchana,
Kalyanotsavam to the Utsava Murti of Goddess Padmavati, Abhisheka to Sundararaja
Swami and finally in the evening Unjal Seva. This rituals are repeated on all three days.
On the first day night, Sri Sundararaja
Swami, Sri Devi and Bhu Devi perform celestial ride on the Pedda Sesha Vahanam through
four mada streets.
On the second day night, Sri Sundararaja Swami performs celestial
ride alone without his spouses on the Hanumad Vahana through four mada streets.
On the third day apart from the first day rituals, a
Thirumanjanam or is performed to utsava idols of Sri Sundararaja Swami and his
consorts Bhudevi and Sridevi with milk, curd, sandal paste, and variety of
flowers and fruits.
On the third day night, Sri Sundararaja Swami performs celestial
ride alone without his spouses on the Garuda Vahana through four mada streets.