Konetirayala Temple, Keelapatla
A Divine Stop Before You Reach Tirumala
About the Temple
The Konetirayala Swamy Temple is a very famous and old home of Lord Venkateswara. It is located in a small town called Keelapatla in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. People believe that before Lord Venkateswara went to the Tirumala hills, he first stepped his holy foot right here in Keelapatla.
This temple is very special because the main statue (idol) looks exactly like the one in Tirumala. It is said that if you want your Tirupati trip to be complete, you should visit this temple first!
The Story (Legend)
Long ago, a saint named Brughu made a mistake and kicked Lord Vishnu. To clear this sin, he was told to set up Lord Vishnu’s idols in 7 different places on Earth. Keelapatla is one of those seven holy spots. For a long time, these idols were hidden under trees by magic, until kings later found them and built beautiful temples around them.
History and Beauty
The temple was built hundreds of years ago by kings from the Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara empires. Even local Muslim rulers and Punganur Jamindars helped take care of this temple in the past. It is built in a beautiful South Indian style called Dravidian architecture.
Inside, you can see huge statues of Jaya and Vijaya (the gatekeepers), Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman), and the beautiful main deity Konetirayudu standing with Sridevi and Bhudevi on his chest.
Travel Information
Distance from Tirupati: About 120 km.
The best way to reach here is by road. If you are coming from Bangalore, it is a very pleasant drive via Palamaner.
Nearby Attractions
- Palamaner: A nearby town known for its peaceful environment (8 km away).
- Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary: A great place for nature lovers to see elephants and birds.
- Kaigal Waterfalls: A beautiful natural waterfall perfect for a family picnic.
- Horsley Hills: A famous hill station located about 1.5 to 2 hours away.
Useful Links
Want to read more? Check out these links:
View on WikipediaExplore Kodandarama Temple
