Sacred Heritage
About the Temple
A Sacred Shaiva Kshetram of Great Antiquity
Sri Agastheeswara Swamy Temple, Thondavada, is one of the most ancient and spiritually significant Shaiva temples in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is situated on the northern bank of the sacred Swarnamukhi River, at the foothills of the Tirumala Hills, the divine abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara.
Sri Agastheeswara Swamy
The presiding deity is Lord Shiva, worshipped as Sri Agastheeswara Swamy. The Shiva Lingam was discovered by Sage Agastya while bathing in the Swarnamukhi River. He consecrated it on the riverbank and installed it as Sri Agastheeswara Swamy.
Sri Anandavalli Ammavaru
Goddess Parvati Devi is revered as Sri Anandavalli Ammavaru and is worshipped in a separate shrine within the temple complex. She is revered as the embodiment of compassion and bliss, and devotees seek her blessings for marital harmony, prosperity, and family well-being.
Connection with Lord Venkateswara
The temple holds a unique spiritual association with Lord Sri Venkateswara. After His divine marriage with Sri Padmavathi Devi at Narayanavanam, Lord Venkateswara stayed at Sage Agastya's ashram on the banks of the Swarnamukhi River.
During this period, He performed nitya poojas to Lord Shiva at this shrine. As per Sage Agastya's advice, the Lord remained here for six months before proceeding to Tirumala, later blessing this sacred place with His divine footprints.
Other Shrines in the Complex
Lord Ganesha
Lord Kartikeya
Kalabhairava
Sri Durga Devi
Sri Mahalakshmi
Sundareswara
Pancha Mukheswara
Lord Ayyappa
Outside the compound are temples of Sri Bhadrachala Rama, Sri Krishna, and Sri Anjaneya.
The Sacred Mandapam
There is a river-side stone mandapam located in the middle of the Swarnamukhi River. Within this mandapam, the sacred footprint of Lord Venkateswara is enshrined. The principal deities, Sri Harihara (Siva-Kesava) and Lord Ayyappa, are also installed inside the mandapam along with the divine footprint of Lord Venkateswara.