The Sri Vedanarayana Swamy Temple is a historically significant and ancient temple located in Nagalapuram, a town in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. It is a highly revered Vaishnava temple and is administered by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Matsya avatar, his first incarnation as a fish. According to the legend, a demon named Somakasura stole the four Vedas from Lord Brahma while he was sleeping. To retrieve them, Lord Vishnu took the form of a fish and fought the demon, eventually killing him and restoring the Vedas. The temple is believed to be the place where this divine act took place.
The temple's construction is attributed to the great Vijayanagara emperor, Sri Krishnadevaraya, in the early 16th century. It is said that he built it in memory of his mother, Nagamba, and named the town after her, hence "Nagalapuram." The temple is a fine example of the Vijayanagara style of architecture, with its towering gopuram and intricate carvings.
The "Surya Puja" Phenomenon
A unique and miraculous feature of this temple is the annual "Surya Puja" festival. During this event, the sun's rays directly fall on the main deity inside the sanctum sanctorum for three consecutive days. The temple's architectural design is so precise that the sun's rays travel through the main entrance and the temple's corridors, illuminating the deity in a sequence:
Day 1: The rays fall on the feet of the deity.
Day 2: They touch the navel/chest.
Day 3: They illuminate the forehead.
This celestial event, which typically occurs in March, is a testament to the astronomical and architectural brilliance of the ancient builders and is believed to be the Sun God's own form of worship to Lord Vishnu.
Temple Timings
The temple is open for darshan and sevas throughout the day, with a short break. The general timings are:
Morning: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Note: Timings can be subject to change on special occasions and during festivals. It is always best to confirm with the temple administration or the TTD.
Getting There
The temple is located in Nagalapuram, which is about 60-70 km from Tirupati city.
→ By Bus: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs direct buses from Tirupati to Nagalapuram. Alternatively, you can take a bus that goes towards Chennai via Uthukottai, as it passes through Nagalapuram.
→ By Taxi: Hiring a taxi from Tirupati is a convenient option. The journey takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.
→ By Rail: The nearest major railway station is Tirupati (TPTY). The nearest local station is Puttur, about 30 km away.
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