Kadapa Devuni Kadapa Temple History – Temples in Kadapa

Devuni Kadapa is also called as Tirumala Tholi Gadapa, where Tholi means First and Gadapa means Entrance step. Devuni Kadapa means Entrance to Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy. 

Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swamy Devasthanam This is temple is under the maintenance of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. As time passes the name Gadapa turned to Kadapa.

The Idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy has been installed by Kripacharya. In puranas, Devuni Kadapa is mentioned as “Kripavathi Kshetram”. In olden days, Pilgrims visit this temple before starting their journey towards Tirumala.

This temple is another best example of Vijayanagar culture and architecture. One should not miss the design on the Temple walls and sculptures on the pillars and mukha mandapam inside the temple.There is a Lizard sculptured on the roof of the temple, belief is that whoever touches this Kasi Balli (Lizard) will get rid of Lizard’s ill effects (Dosham).

It is a belief, if lizard falls on a human body, then it is considered as a Dosham and should be rectified. Devuni Kadapa Temple is at Patha Kadapa area, which means Old Kadapa.

According to Kyfiyat of Kadapa Shahar, King Janamejaya while touring South of Bharatha Khanda found the idol of this temple here and installed it in this place.

During 15th and 16th centuries AD, the Vijayanagara Kings and Matli Kings extended the construction. The name of this place originated from the Telugu word Gadapa meaning threshold or gate.

The pilgrims who wanted to visit the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, located in Tirupati, had to first visit the Lakshmi Venkateswara Swami Temple in this place hence gaining its name Devuni Gadapa which later transformed to it s present name Devuni Kadapa.

Annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated for 10 days during January – February. It concludes with Rathotsavam i.e. car festival on the auspicious day of Rathasapthamy.

The temple is facing towards west, the main entrance with beautiful Gopura is lofty with South Indian style of architecture.

• 1.7 km from Kadapa Railway station

• 2.4.5 km from Kadapa Bus station.

• 3.145 km From Tirupati, it takes 2 hours 45 mins by Road.