After passing through the Padi Kavali
Maha Dvara, you will find yourself in an open mandapam called the
Krishna Deva Raya Mandapam or Pratima Mandapam.
This
mandapam gets its name from the pratimas or bronze portrait
icons of the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya and his two consorts,
Tirumaladevi to his left, and Chinnadevi to his right. All three icons face
the main shrine, with their hands joined in supplication.
In
the southern wing of the Mandapam, is a statue of Venkatapathi Raya of the
Aravidu dynasty, who ruled over Chandragiri around 1570 AD. To its side are
stone statues of Achyutha Raya, who succeeded Krishna Deva Raya to the
throne, and his wife Varadajiamma.
This
Mandapam is believed to be built in later Vijayanagara times (early half of
the 16th century). This Mandapam is full of exquisitely beautiful pictures of
the Vijayanagara period like, Rama breaking the bow, Rama Pattabhishekam and
Krishna Leela.
Sri
Vaishnava symbols or the Urdhvapundras flanked by a conch and disc are carved
at the top of the two main pillars of the Mandapam
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