Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Tirupathamma Gopayya Varla Devasthanam stands beside National Highway 30 at Burragudem, a hamlet of Chandragudem village in Mylavaram mandal, NTR district (formerly Krishna district), Andhra Pradesh. It is a shrine of the beloved village goddess Sri Tirupathamma, worshipped together with her husband Sri Gopayya Swamy, and is a place of daily worship for the people of Chandragudem and the surrounding villages.
The Deities
The temple honours Sri Tirupathamma Ammavaru and Sri Gopayya Swamy together – varla means "of both", reflecting that the couple are worshipped side by side. Devotees regard Tirupathamma as a loving, protective mother, and pray to her especially for marriage, the blessing of children and peace in the family. Many families of the region honour her as their household goddess (kuladevata).
The Tirupathamma Tradition
According to tradition, Tirupathamma was born as a blessing of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala and was deeply devoted to him. She was married to Gopayya, and after his death she chose to follow her husband; her extraordinary devotion led the people of the region to honour her as a perantalu – a woman revered as divine. Her main shrine is the Sri Tirupathamma Ammavari Temple at Penuganchiprolu, and many devotees visit both shrines.
A detailed history of this particular temple at Chandragudem – when it was established and by whom – is not available in published sources at present.
Festivals
- Tirunallu: the festivals of Tirupathamma are celebrated with special pujas, processions and large gatherings of devotees; the main Pedda Tirunallu at Penuganchiprolu begins around Magha Pournami (February–March).
- Sundays and Fridays: popular days for darshan and for fulfilling vows.
The exact festival calendar of this temple is not published, so please check locally for dates.
Temple Timings
Official timings are not published. Like most village temples in the region, the temple is generally open in the morning and evening. Please check with the temple priest or local residents before planning a special visit.
How to Reach
By Road: the temple is on NH 30 at Burragudem, near Chandragudem in Mylavaram mandal, and is easy to reach by road from Vijayawada and Mylavaram. APSRTC buses running on the highway pass close by.
By Train: the nearest major railway station is Vijayawada Junction.
By Air: the nearest airport is Vijayawada International Airport (VGA) at Gannavaram.
Visitor Information
- Dress code: traditional, modest clothing is recommended.
- Highway safety: the temple is beside a national highway – park safely and take care when crossing the road.
- Nearby places: the main Sri Tirupathamma Ammavari Temple at Penuganchiprolu, and the temples of Vijayawada.