Location:
53-km From Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh
Also Known As: Tatiparthi
Famous Temples At The Place: Bugga Ramalingeswara Temple, Chintala
Venkataramana temple, RameswaraSwami Temple.
Previously Known As: Bhaskara Kshetra
Tadipatri
is located on the banks of Penneru Rivers, 53-km from Anantapur. It is
stated that the area in which this place is situated was formerly
known as 'Bhaskara Kshetra'. To its south lay a thick forest full of
palm trees. It was therefore called Tamlapalli (Tativanam) and was
named 'Tadipatri' during the time of Pemmasani Ramalinga Naidu.
Of all other temples at Tadipatri the Bugga Ramalingeswara temple and
the Chintala Venkataramana temple are considered to be very famous
from the point of view of architecture and sanctity.
Chintalaraya Swami Temple
The shrine 'Chintala TiruvengalanathaSwami' locally known as
Chintalaraya Swami, was constructed during the reign 'Pemmasani
Thimmanaidu' and is named after the idol of Vishnu, which is believed
to have emerged from tamarind tree. Erra Thimma Naidu, another chief
spent large sums of money in beautifying the ceiling of the temple
with paintings.
A Beautiful Shrine
Chintalaraya temple is not only massive but also beautiful. It is a
huge solid structure built partly of stone and partly of brick. The
stone portion contains exquisite figures of 'Vidhyadharas', 'Apasaras',
and 'Avataras' in rows elegantly arranged. Just above the line of the
threshold, there are two horizontal lines of carvings one showing a
procession of elephants and the other of horses.
Inside the temple, every wall is carved with delicately designed
pieces of beautiful sculpture. There is stone chariot, a masterpiece
or artistic design. It is stated that twice a year the sun's rays are
directly reflected, through two holes carved in the chariot, on the
foot of the deity.
In the 'Ranga Mandapa' there are forty pillars carved in the
Vijayanagar style of sculpture. Scenes from Ramayana and Bhagavata are
depicted on southern and western walls of the temple. The car festival
is celebrated annually during September and October.
Ramalingeswara Temple
Ramalingeswara temple is named after Pemmasani Ramalinga Naidu. Local
legends states that at the very same spot where the temple stands,
sage Parasurama lived and performed penance.
In this temple there is a perennial underground stream from which
water always oozes into the 'Garbha Gruha' (Sanctum Sanctorum) exactly
at the spot where the 'Lingam' (idol) is consecrated. At the temple,
the entire Shiva Purana is carved in stone on the walls with delicate
skill and in elaborate detail.
The linga is said to be 'Swayambhu' (self-formed). The Tadipatri
Kaifiyat records that a sculptor Yellanchari was brought from Benaras
to construct the temple. It contains sculptures, illustrative of
episodes from Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The car festival is celebrated annually on Shivaratri day
(February-March).
RameswaraSwami Temple
This temple dates back to the 15th century Vijayanagar Empire. The
architecture of the temple shows a mixture of Chalukyan, Chola and
Vijayanagar art. The gopuram although unfinished has the most
elaborate sculpture, cut with richness and sharpness.
Other Temples
There is another temple of Kanyakaparameswari, which is managed by 'Vysyas'.
The Jain temple here is very elegant. At Jambulapadu, about 3 miles
from Tadipatri, is a pillar of Narasimha, 10 to 15 feet high,
worshipped as a family deity.
HOW TO GET THERE
Rail: Anantapur has a railway station and Guntakal is a railway
junction.
