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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.
Rail: Anantapur has a railway
station and Guntakal is a railway junction.
Road: It is well connected by road. APSRTC runs buses daily to
this place from Anantapur.
Tourists can access this place from Anantapur, which is 53-km away or
Guntakal, 47-km away from this place.
Accommodation is available in the hotels at Anantapur.