PILGRIMAGE ATTRACTIONS
Padi Kavali Maha Dwara
The Padi Kavali Maha Dwara or Outer Gopuram stands on a
quadrangular base. Its architecture is that of the later Chola period. The
inscriptions on the gopuram belong to 13th century. There are a number of
stucco figures of Vaishnava gods like Hanuman, Kevale Narasimha and Lakshmi
Narasimha on the gopuram.
Sampangi Pradakshinam
The path for circumnavigating the temple is called a
pradakshinam. The main temple has three prakarams. Between the outermost and
middle prakarams is the second pathway for circumambulation known as the
Sampangi Pradakshinam. Currently, this pathway is closed to pilgrims. The
Sampangi Pradakshinam contains several interesting mandapams like the Pratima
Mandapam, Ranga Mandapam, Tirumala Raya Mandapam, Saluva Narasimha Mandapam, Aina
Mahal and Dhvajasthambha Mandapam.
Ranga Mandapam
Ranga Mandapam, also called the Ranganayakula Mandapam, is
located in the south-eastern corner of the Sampangi Pradakshinam. The shrine
within it is believed to be the place where the utsava murti of Lord Ranganadha
of Srirangam was kept during the 14th century, when Srirangam was occupied by
Muslim rulers. It is said to have been constructed between 1320 and 1360 AD by
the Yadava ruler Sri Ranganadha Yadava Raya. It is constructed according to the
Vijayanagara style of architecture.
Tirumala Raya Mandapam
Adjoining the Ranga Mandapam on the western side, and facing
the Dhvajasthambha Mandapam is a spacious complex of pavilions known as the
Tirumala Raya Mandapam or Anna Unjal Mandapam.
It consists of two different levels, the front at a lower
level and the rear at a higher. The southern or inner portion of this Mandapam
was constructed by Saluva Narasimha in 1473 AD to celebrate a festival for Sri
Venkateswara called Anna Unjal Tirunal. This structure was extended to its
present size by Araviti Bukkaraya Ramaraja, Sriranga Raja and Tirumala Raja.
It is in this Mandapam, that the utsava murthi Malayappan,
holds His annual darbar or Asthanam during the hoisting of the Garudadhwaja on
Dhwajastambham to mark the commencement of Brahmotsavam. Incidentally, the
prasadam distributed on this occasion is still called Tirumalarayan Pongal.
Tirumala Raya Mandapam
The Mandapam has a typical complex of pillars in the
Vijayanagara style, with a central pillar surrounded by smaller pillars, some
of which emit musical notes when struck with a stone. The main pillars have
rearing horses with warriors mounted on them. Some of the best sculptures of
the temple are found in bold relief in the Mandapam. The bronze statues of
Todermallu, his mother Matha Mohana Devi and wife Pitha Bibi, are kept in a
corner of the Mandapam.
The Aina Mahal
The Aina Mahal is on the northern side of the Tirumala Raya
Mandapam. It consists of two parts - an open mandapam in the front consisting
of six rows comprising six pillars each, and a shrine behind it consisting of
an Antarala and Garbhagriha. It has large mirrors which reflect images in an
infinite series. There is an unjal in the middle of the room in which the Lord
is seated and festivals conducted
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