Vishakapatnam – Andhra Pradhesh

Sri Lalitha Peetham is in Lalitha Nagar, Visakhapatnam has sixteen temples with Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari as the principal deity is under the direct Management of Courtallam Sankaracharya Jagadguru HH Sri Siddheswarananda Bharathi Mahaswami.

Contact Information:

49.12.28, LALITHA NAGAR,
VISAKHAPATNAM – 530016.
Phone Numbers: 0891-2721177 / 9440756483

History

Sri Lalitha Peetham was established in 1931 at Lalitha Nagar, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh by a great sadhaka called Sri Jayanthi Mangayya Panthulu. Sri Sri Dakshina Murthy Maharaj, the first Peethadhipathi (who was Jayanthi Mangayya Panthulu in the poorvasramam) performed the prathisthapana of Sri Lalitha Devi Idol on 02 November, 1949. Because of the peetham the area is called as “Lalitha Nagar”. Jagadguru Sri Aadi Sankaracharya system of panchayathana pooja is established at Sri Lalitha Peetham. Recently, in January 2010, HH Sri Siddheswarananda Mahaswami presented Sri Dakshinamurthy Award to the noted poet Kondepudi Subbarao.

After Sri Dakshina Murthy Maharaj’s Siddhi on 28 June, 1956, his sishya Sri Avyakthananda Maharaj became the second Peethadhipathi. A big hall was built known as “Avyakthananda Darbar Hall” in the name of Sri Avyakthananda Maharaj, which is currently used for various functions during the festive seasons.

Recently, in January 2010, HH Sri Siddheswarananda Mahaswami presented Sri Avyakthananda Maharaj Award to the noted vocalist Bhagavati Prameela.

As no suitable successor was found, the Peetham was handed over to Sri Sivachidananda Bharathi Swami of Sri Siddheswari Peetham, Courtallam on 28 June, 1998.

During his tenure, the peetham was developed with more deities of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba, Sri Sitharama, Sri Subrahmaya, Sri Gahesha Siva, Sri Nagendra, Sri Mouna Swami, Sri Krishna. Sri Sivachidananda Bharati Swami attained siddhi on 17 December, 2002.

His Successor HH Sri Siddheswarananda Mahaswami has established the great Manidweep in the campus of Sri Lalitha Peetham. Apart from Sri Lalitha Devi’s idol, which is in the center of Manidweep, there are other deities of Gayathri, Durga, Annapurneswari, Saraswathi, Kameswara, Ganapathi, Kali, Kalabhairava, Prathyangira, Mahishasura Mardhani, Rajasyamala, Varahi, Mahalakshmi, Madura Meenakshi, Bala. Also, Samadhi mandhirs for first and second gurus have been established in the campus.

Apart from several other idols of Sri Medha Dakshina Murthy, Datthathreya, Hayagreeva, Sri Agasthya Muni, Swami Ayyappa, Puri Jagannadh, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sri Radhakrishna, Lord Sri Venkateswara Swami, Jagathguru Sri Aadi Sankaracharya, there are Navagraha Mandap, Yaagasala, Gosala in the campus. Also, in the upstairs there is a big Shiva Linga along with Ardhanareeswara Sculpture in the front.

Here are some of the events performed every year:

• Around Jan/Feb of every year, Sri Lalitha Kameswara Kalyanam is performed, during when brahmothsavams will be celebrated.
• Sitharama Kalyanam is performed on every Sri Rama Navami day.
• Sri Lalitha Devi Pallaki Seva is performed on every Vijayadasami.
• Thousands of devotees perform Varalakshmi Vratham and visit Sri Lalitha Devi during Sravana Maasam.
• A festival is conducted in the peetham during Navarathri