Avanakshamma Temple

Avanakshamma Temple is located on Tirupati- Chennai Highway at Narayanavanam, near to River Aruni. This temple holds 3000 years of History.

Legend of Avanakshamma Temple

Amnam means Veda, Akshi means eye, Amnakshi means Goddess who posses vedas as her eyes. As time passes by Amnakshi turned to Avanakshamma.

Goddess Parvathi, killed the demon Somukudu who has stolen The Vedas from Lord Brahma and safely returned Vedas to Brahma. After which Goddess took the Swayambhu (manifest at Her free will) Idol form at Narayanavanam as Amnakshamma. Later Lord Brahma Installed and worshipped Amnakshamma here.

Swayambhu idol was small so Sage Agasthya and Akasaraju, installed bigger idol, which is similar to the Swayambhu Idol. Avanakshamma Idol resembles Kali Matha.

Akasaraju’s Family Deity Avanaskhamma

In the past, Narayanavanam was the capital of Karvetinagar Suryavanshi Raja’s and the Fort is located behind Avanakshamma temple. Akasaraju used to visit this temple for blessings whenever he goes out.

It is stated in Padmavathi Parinayam book, that Padmavathi devi is the blessed child of Goddess Avanakshamma to Akasaraju family after many years. During the childhood, Padmavathi devi used to offer prayers to the Goddess along with her father. Padmavathi devi expressed her interest on Lord Srinivasa to the Goddess. After engagement, they both offered prayers here. Padmavathi Devi did Gowri pooja on the day of marriage. Before leaving to Tirumala, Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Padmavathi devi offered prayers here.

Agastheswara Swamy Temple is located near to Avanakshamma Temple. Sage Agasthya installed Siva Idol here and Akasaraju built the temple. Goddess in this temple is called by Markathavalli. Usually in any siva temple, goddess will be on the left to Siva Linga, but here in this temple, it is Goddess comes first in place then Siva Linga.

It is mentioned in Venkatachala Mahathyam that Padmavathi devi recovered from her illness only after performing Rudrabhishekam here by Sage Agasthya.

Avanakshamma Temple History

Temple was built and taken care by Akasaraju, then by Karveti rulers and by Tiruttani rulers. In 1967, it came under the control of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, from then all pooja activities and festivals are celebrated at regular intervals.

There are many idols within temple premises, In Sanctum Sanctorium, there is bigger idol of Sankari devi, Vinayaka Idol below the Neem tree, Naga statues behind the temple.

Avanakshamma Temple Festivals

Devotees will be high on Tue, Fri an Sunday’s. Belief is that, who are looking for marriage and for children will do the pooja to fulfill their wish.

18 days festival (Jathara) will be celebrated during months of Aug (22 -26) and Sep (11,12). Every year Navaratri Brahmotsavam goes in parallel with Tirumala Brahmotsavam.

How to reach Avanakshamma Temple?

40 km from Tirupati, One should get down at Narayanavanam which is on the way, from Tirupati to Uthukottai
From Narayanavanam, it is either by walk for a km or by auto rickshaw
Puttur is the nearest railway station. Narayanavanam is 5 km from Puttur.