Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Vari Temple, Devunigadapa TTD 2021

"Devuni Gadapa" means "Entrance or Gateway or Threshold to reach Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy". This ancient temple is located in Devunikadapa, which is nearly 2 km away from Kadapa town in the YSR Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. This temple was said to have been constructed by Sage Kripacharya. When the hill shrine of Tirumala is called “Varahakshetram”, Devunikadapa is known as “Hanumathkshetram”.

An idol of Anjaneya Swamy is located behind Lord Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy here. Saint poet Thallapaka Annamacharya worshipped the lord and eulogised him as Kadaparaya, Venkatadri Kadaparaya.

Since the olden days, there is a tradition of having Darshan of Lord Sri Venkateswara of Tirumala only after having Darshan of Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara in Devunikadapa. This tradition is continued even today.

Muslims worship Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara on Ugadi (Telugu New Year), which is considered to be a unique tradition. According to the Legend, Lord Venkateswara had married one of his consorts, Bibi Nanchari, in an inter-religious event, leading to the establishment of close relations between the Hindus and Muslims in Kadapa.

All the religious Kainkaryams are performed in this temple as per Pancharatra Agama Tenets.

Temple Structure: As per inscriptions, the Rajagopuram of this temple and that of Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple at Tirupati were constructed at a time. The Rathothsavam that is performed every year from Maghasuddha Padyami to Sapthami to the Lord is an eye feast to the devotees, thousands of whom are drawn to the Lord from various places.