The temple complex of Venkateswara Vishnu Temple in Mangapuram near Tirupathi comprises of three shrines. The Venkateswara Vishnu Temple is locally known as Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple. In the main or the central shrine of the temple is the double life-size deity of Venkateswara Vishnu. One of the side chambers of the complex contains idols of reclining Ranganatha and a seated image of Lakshmi Narayana. The other side of the side chamber or in the third chamber contains the idols of Vishvakshamapathi. The mandap or the temple porch or platform is assessed to be a slightly later addition and belongs to 14-16th century.
The temple complex has a raised plinth containing ornamental mouldings on Upana, Adhishthana and superimposed by a Vedika freze. There are figures of stone sculpted in exquisite style echoing Vijayanagar style.
The outer walls of the temple complex are devoid of ornamentation. Within the temple complex with a Dhwaja Sthambha with pataka on top, marks of Vaishnava traditions and Garuda Dhwaja platforms. Door jambs of the temple consists mala vahakas, ornate foliages with makara torana and lady attendants and lalata containing Gaja Lakshmi motif. Elephant and cavalry are sculpted on outer walls. The mandapas located outside the temple belonging to 14-16th century. Aartha mandapa and maha mandapa are constructed square in plan with pillars and pilasters. These contain toranas of gaja (elephant), simha (lion), makara (crocodile), along with pushpa potikas, lotus buds and friezes. The embellished pillars and walls are considered to be sculptural feast to the visitors.
The sculptures in the temple complex have themes from epics and puranas and depicted in unique style. The artistic works of the temple complex, and ornamentation indicate the completeness and culmination of Vijayanagara style.
MANGAPURAM:
Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple in Srinivasa Mangapuram: The presiding deity of the temple is the mirror-image of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala Hills. Mangapuram is located about 10 km from Tirupathi, and Chandragiri is another nearby town. The temple is located on the banks of the River Swarnamukhi.
Mangapuram also has an ancient pathway or walking trek to Tirumala Hills. For pilgrims who make a pilgrimage on foot from Mangapuram, Mangapuram serves as a resting spot, and also to have a darshan of Lord Venkateswara.
According to the temple authorities, historically and religiously, the newly-wed Lord Venkateswara and his consort Lordess Padmavathi were sojourning in the forest of Sarayanavanam. When they were returning to Tirumala Hills, they stopped to meet the sage Agastya who resided in his ashram in Tondavada. The sage Agastya blessed the couple, and suggested them to reside in Mangapuram for six months at the foothills of Tirumala Hills. The couple, Lord Srinivasa and Lordess Alamelu Manga, heeded to the sage’s advice and stayed back. When they were returning to Tirumala Hills, according to the puranas, Lord Srinivasa gave two boons to this place: For the pilgrims who cannot reach Tirumala Hills to have a darshan of Him, can have a darshan of Him in Mangapuram, and will have the same benefits of seeing Him in Tirumala Hills. Because He came to Mangapuram for the first time after He had wedded Lordess Padmavathi and lived here for six months with His consort, he want to bless those pilgrims who pray here for a spouse or for a marriage. Therefore the word ‘kalyana’ Venkateswara is appended to the Lord Srinivasa.
The belief among the unmarried pilgrims is that if they pray to the lord and lordess here, the chance of getting married or finding a suitable partner is strong. The number of unmarried pilgrims visiting the temple is also higher in number among the temples of Lord Vishnu across India.
During the medieval times, Mangapuram served as the agraharam. For the poets and pilgrims from and around Tallapaka, Mangapuram became the central point for devotional activities. In 1540, Mangapuram came to be known as the Srinivasa Mangapuram. Tallapaka Annamacharya’s grandson Chinna Thirumalayya spent considerable amount of time here and devoted his time for re-building the temple which was under attack from non-Hindu rulers and the temple was in dilapidated condition due to lack of patronage and elements of inclement weather. He dedicated himself to bring back the rites and rituals to the temple, and the temple regained its importance in Mangapuram.
The temple comes under the administration of TTD, Government of Andhra Pradesh. The Govenrment of India has declared the temple complex as a structure of national importance.