The Legend of Real Govindaraja Swamy Statue in Tirupati

The Legend of Govindaraja Swamy Statue in Tirupati

In the heart of Tirupati, near the ancient water tank called Narasimha Theertham (Manchineella gunta), stands a gigantic statue of Lord Govindaraja Swamy in reclining posture. This statue has a fascinating history that connects Tirupati and Chidambaram.

Back in 1130 AD, during the rule of Kulothunga Chola I, a Shaivite king, there was religious conflict between Shaivism and Vaishnavism. The king, opposing Vaishnavism, removed the idol of Sri Govindaraja Perumal from the Chidambaram temple and threw it into the sea.

Vaishnavite devotees rescued the idol and secretly brought it to Tirupati, where Sri Ramanujacharya was staying in disguise. Due to threats, they couldn’t install the idol immediately and fled to the Hoyasala kingdom. Ramanujacharya later stayed in Melkote for 12 years and returned only after the king’s death.

When the time came to install the idol in the present Govindaraja Swamy Temple (earlier called Parthasarathi Koil), they found a crack in the original idol. So, a new idol made of lime (Sudda) was installed. The original Chidambaram idol was placed near Narasimha Theertham, where it still rests today.

The original idol once had Lord Vishnu with Sridevi, Bhudevi, and Adishesha, but now only Vishnu remains.

• Adishesha was installed at Nagalamma Temple nearby.

• Sridevi & Bhudevi became Dwara Palakas at Ankalamma Temple near Tiruchanur road.
• Madhu & Kaitabha demons are now seen at Sri Venkateswara Museum, Tirumala.