Padmavathi (Telugu: పద్మావతి, Sanskrit: पद्मावती, lit. 'she of the lotus') also known as Alamelu Manga[1][2] is a Hindu goddess and the consort of the deity Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu. She is described as a daughter of a local king and an avatar of goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu.[1][3]
| Padmavati | |
|---|---|
Image of Padmavati | |
| Other names | Alamelu |
| Affiliation | Devi, Lakshmi, Vaishnavism |
| Abode | Tirumala |
| Symbol | Lotus |
| Mount | Elephant or Lion [note 1] |
| Parents | Akasha Raja, Dharani Devi |
| Consort | Venkateshvara |
The most prominent shrine of Padmavathi is Padmavati Ammavari Temple situated at Tiruchanur, a suburb of Tirupati. Tradition dictates that every pilgrim to Tirupati must offer obeisance at this temple before visiting the Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala, the central temple of her consort.
Hymns
editPadmavathi is a major deity in Hinduism worshipped as an aspect of the goddess Lakshmi and her second aspect, Bhumi.[1] It is believed that her intercession is indispensable to gaining the favour of the lord, it is also believed that Lakshmi is omnipresent, illimitable, and the bestower of moksham along with Vishnu in Sri Vaishnavism.
See also
edit- Padmavathi Temple, Tiruchanur
- Tiruchanur
- Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, a university named after Padmavati
- Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur
Notes
edit- ^ the Goddess is also worshipped on a lions at her main shrine.
References
edit- ^ a b c Dalal, Roshen (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. New Delhi: Penguin Books India. p. 291. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
- ^ South India handbook: the travel guide by Robert Bradnock, Roma Bradnock.
- ^ Pattanaik, D. (1999). Vishnu: an introduction. Mumbai: Vakils, Feffer and Simons. p. 69.