Tiruchanur

Tiruchanur (Telugu: తిరుచానూరు)is the third largest Suburban of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Pilgrimage to Tirupati is incomplete without a visit to Sri Padmavati Ammavari temple at Trichanur. Sri Padmavati is the divine consort of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. As Goddess Padmavati, a manifestation of Goddess Mahalakshmi had risen from Padama mean lotus flower. Goddess Lakshmi gave darshan to Lord Venkateswara on a red Lotus flower in Padma sarovar lake at Tiruchanoor after his deep penance for twelve years. Tiruchanur is also called Alamelumangapuram is just 5 kilometers away from East Railway station and 6 KM from Renigunta Railway Junction and 11 km from the Airport. At Tiruchanur, Devi is worshiped as the main deity. It also has Urban Haat and Water Sports complex for Tirupati residents. It also has many star hotels and is one of the prime and posh localities in Tirupati where many residential layouts emerged in the last few decades. It is studded with huge apartment complexes and giant size Kalyan mantaps for marriage functions.

Under the rule of Pallavas, this formed a part of Tiruvengadakootam and under the Cholas it became a part of Rajendra Cholamandalam. In the eighth century, the village was totally a Srivaishnava settlement. As Lord Venkateswaras temple at Tirumala was not of easy access, a new temple called Tiruvalankoil was constructed at Tiruchanur to house a representative idol of Lord Srinivasa. At the end of ninth century, the place came under the patronage of Cholas. Shaivism gained support and importance consequently, the temple of Lord Shiva was erected at Jogimalleswaram. Again, with the decline of the Chola power and the rise of Yadavarayas, Sri Vaishnavism regained support and temple was constructed for Goddess Padmavathi.

Etymology

Tiruchanur, initially was known as TiruSukanUr, is a combination of three Tamil words Tiru+Sukan+Ur meaning the auspicious (Tiru -- indicates Lakshmi) place (Ur) where Sage Suka Maharishi (Sukan) did his Tapas (in Tamil language). In ancient days, this region was part of Tamil country of Thondai. Due to pronunciation change over several hundred years, it is know called by the name Tiruchanur.

Similarly, Goddess Padmavati is also called as AlarMelMangai in Tamil and now commonly as AlaMeluManga [Lady (Mangai) on the top of (Mel) Lotus Flower (Alar)].