Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Temple

Location:

Kondabitragunta Village, Bogole Mandal, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore District

Sthala Puranam (Temple Legend):

The Bilakuta Kshetram, where the sage Narada performed penance, is believed to be the place where he sought relief from a curse. Narada incurred the wrath of Daksha Prajapati for advising that Lord Shiva should also be invited to Daksha's yajna (sacrificial ceremony). As a result, Narada was cursed and performed penance reciting the Narayana mantra at this site. The hill associated with this temple is known as Bilakuta Kshetram, and devotees revere it as "Kaliyuga Vaikuntha" (Heaven on Earth in the Kali Yuga).

Since the year 1356, during the Chola dynasty, rituals like Dhoopa Naivedyam and Brahmotsavam have been performed for the deity. Many stories and legends are associated with the temple, and every year, thousands of devotees from across the state participate in the Panchahnika Brahmotsavam, a five-day festival, to receive the Lord’s blessings.

One of the legends speaks of how the Lord immediately comes to the rescue of his devotees in distress, just as he saved the elephant Gajendra during the famous Gajendra Moksha event. After this, a sound arose from a cave, which was identified as the Narayana mantra. This is said to have relieved Narada Maharshi from his curse. Grateful, Narada requested that this place be transformed into Vaikuntha (Lord Vishnu’s abode), and the Lord granted this boon, promising that in the Kali Yuga, the request would be fulfilled.

The deity’s idol here is described in the form of a thumb-sized figure holding the sacred symbols of a conch (Shanku) and a discus (Chakra). It is believed that Narada Maharshi himself installed this idol after his worship.

During the Chola period, a local king, Sudarsha Raju, was governing the region from Kavali with Gauravaram as his capital. His daughter Gauravamba was a great devotee of Lord Venkateswara. In a dream, the Lord appeared to her and revealed his presence on Bilakuta hill. She then began pouring cow’s milk over every anthill on the hill, ultimately discovering the Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy in his benevolent form.

According to the inscriptions and carvings on the temple's pillars, the construction of the temple was undertaken in the year 1356. Every year, the grand Brahmotsavam is celebrated from Dashami to Padyami of the Malguna month.

Temple Visiting Timings for Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy Devasthanam:

6:00 AM - Suprabhata Seva (Morning wake-up ritual for the deity)

6:15 AM - Abhishekam for Swamy (Only on Fridays)

6:30 AM - Darshan of Sri Swamy

8:30 AM - Sahasranama Archana (Chanting of the thousand names of the Lord)

10:00 AM - Kalyanam (Divine marriage ritual for the Lord)

6:00 PM - Pallaki Seva (Procession of the Lord in a palanquin)

7:00 PM - Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva(Lighting of a thousand lamps, only on Saturdays)

Festivals & Important Events

Major Utsavams (Festivals) and Celebrations:

Garuda Seva

Ankurarpanam(Seed Sowing Ceremony)

Dhvajarohanam(Flag Hoisting)

Sesha Vahanam

Garuda Seva

Hanuman Seva

Garuda Seva(Again during festival)

Gaja Vahanam(Elephant Vehicle Procession)

Kalyanam (Divine Marriage Ceremony)

Rathotsavam(Chariot Festival)

Ekanta Seva(Final Ritual for the Day)

Pushpa Yagam (Flower Offering Ritual)

Ashwa Vahanam(Horse Vehicle Procession)

How to Reach:

By Road:Nellore – Birtagunta (47 KM)

By Rail:Nearest Railway station: Bitragunta Railway station (6.5KM) and Nellore Railway station (42.1 KM)

By Air: Nearest Railway station: Tirupati International Airport (167 KM) and Chennai International Airport (232 KM)