KODHANDARAMASWAMY TEMPLE

" Well, I understand the stress and strain experienced by you all particularly by those in seventies and sixties, it is wearisome, though physical labour is not involved. Anyhow, let us complete the rest of our itinerary with a brief account of each. The speciality of Srinivasa Mangapuram in fact lies that the mulavigrah, a prototype of the Balaji of Tirumala. When seen at close quarters, we can discern that it is taller than Balaji's icon. It is like its counter part is revealing in i standing posture and adorned alike in all aspects. Worship and every thing is carried on the same lines at Tirumala i inclusive of annual festivals. And they are drawing huge crowds. According to sthala purana, Lord Balaji Bhagavan ' dwelt here for some time after the wedding with Padmavathi Devi before going to Tirumala. As it received royal patronage liberally, it is possessing a tall gopuram, vast court yards,  spacious mukhmandapam, antarala, garbhagriha etc. Due to its association with Balaji's stay, it accquired scantity and hence great pull. It is 12 k.m. off Tirupathi accessble by townvys. The Tondawada Agastheeswaralayam lying on the way to Chandragiri is built on the bank of two rivers joining Swarnamukhi. The temple built in the Dravidian architectural style possesses gopuram, prakara, courtyards mukhamandapa etc. The Sivalinga, as the word goes was installed by sage Agastheeswara in the dim past. There is built for Mother Parvathi another small shrine and the statue and its decoration are quite pleasant and soul lifting. Another object of indispensable visitation is a four pillared huge mandap in the midst of the river and is only two hundreds off the shrine. Set amidst ever green trees besides on bank this Siva Kshetra is luring theists and tourists alike. More-over the easy transport facilities are its enviable asset. Regular and annual festivals are carried on with great religious favour in accordance with Saivaagamas.

The finale touches with a historical monument lying a kilometer off Chandragiri town. Records furnish that it was built around 1000 A.D. and was developed by Vijayanagara Kings of Saluva dynasty. The much reputed Krishnadevaraya, the Andhra Bhoja, who distinguished himself as an unequalled donor and builder of great temples and whose endowments enriched the Tirumala temple coffers used to stay here on his up hill and  down town trips. 

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