Goddess Padmavati, also known as Alamelu Mangai, is an incarnation of Lakshmi and the consort of Lord Venkateswara (Tirupati Balaji). She represents wealth, prosperity, and devotion. This blog explores her legends, marriage, temples, iconography, and significance in Vaishnavism, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, along with some lesser-known legends of Maa Padmavati.
Goddess Padmavati, also known as Alamelu Mangai (Tamil) and Alamelumanga (Telugu) is a popularly worshipped deity in Hinduism and is the wife of Lord Venkateswara (Tirupati Balaji) and an incarnation of goddess Lakshmi. She is associated with wealth, prosperity, and benevolence, playing a significant role in Vaishnavite traditions. Her temples, legends, and iconography make her one of the most beloved goddesses in South India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In this blog, we will narrate some of the most popular as well as lesser-known tales of Maa Padmavati, the lotus-born Hindu goddess.
According to Venkatachala Mahatmya, Padmavati was born as the daughter of King Akasha Raja and Queen Dharanidevi of the Chola dynasty. It is believed that the childless royal couple found her as a divine infant in a golden lotus in the Padmasarovara lake, leading to her name ‘Padmavati’ (one who emerged from the lotus).
Padmavati in her previous birth was Vedavati, the virtuous woman who performed austerities to win Sri Rama as her husband. Since Rama had taken the vow of taking only one wife (Eka patni vrata), he could not marry Vedavati but assured her that she would be reborn as Padmavati and he would come on earth to fulfill her wishes.
The legends also tell that the lotus carrying Devi Padmavati was nourished and blossomed by Lord Surya, whose rays made the flower bloom fully. As a nod to his role in bringing the auspicious Padmavati on earth, Suryanarayana has been housed in a temple in the sacred Pushkarini complex.
A well-known tale of goddess Padmavati is the story of Rishi Bhrigu’s visit to the Kshirasagar from the Bhagavata and other Hindu Puranas. The sage reached Vishnu, reclining on the Adi Shesha, and when the Lord did not get up to greet him, an angered Bhrigu kicked Vishnu on his chest. Narayana woke up from his Yoga-nidra, and seeing the sage, he benevolently welcomed him in his abode.
Devi Lakshmi, who was observing this incident, was enraged by Bhrigu’s act, as he had hurt Vishnu on his chest or heart, where his beloved Lakshmi resides. Maa Lakshmi cursed Bhrigu and Brahmins (his descendants) to struggle for wealth since he had disrespected her, who is an abundance incarnate. Having said so, goddess Lakshmi disappeared from Kshirasagar and descended on earth.
Legends recount that Lakshmi was born as Bhrigu’s daughter, who took her from the lotus pond (Padma Sarovar, hence the name Padmavati), and the goddess is also called Bhargavi (daughter of Bhrigu). To regain the auspicious Maa Lakshmi by his side, Vishnu too appeared on earth as Srinivasa and married Padmavati by taking a loan from Kubera.
The two reside as the deities of Tirumala hills, blessing their devotees in Kaliyuga. The worshippers offer gifts to Tirupati, helping him repay the loan of Kubera, and in return, Tirupati Balaji fulfills all their wishes. The grand celestial wedding between Padmavati and Venkateswara is still celebrated annually at Tirumala. In Kartika Maas, devotees gather in the temple complex on Shukla Panchami tithi to wed Maa Padmavati with Srinivasa.
Another legend related to the episode of sage Bhrigu, Vishnu and Maa Lakshmi mentions that when the goddess got angry, she cursed the sage and reached the human realm, where she reached Kolhapur in Maharashtra, which was being tormented by a demon called Kolasura. Goddess Mahalakshmi defeated the demon and became the guarding deity of Kolhapur.
While sources rever Ambabai of Kolhapur as an incarnation of Durga and Lakshmi, it is interesting to note that Mahalakshmi is mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya as the form the great goddess took to annihilate Mahishasura, an incarnation that fulfills or achieves all Lakshya or aims.
Thus, Mahalakshmi is rightfully given the name “Amba” or mother, not limited to her form as Lakshmi or Parvati or Durga, but as the supreme mother of the Universe. Devotees worship Mahalakshmi as the consort of Vishnu, रुद्रार्धाङ्गोत्सङ्ग निवासिनी (Rudrārdhāṅgotsaṅga Nivāsinī)- she who resides in the half (ardha) body (anga) of Rudra or Shiva, or she who embraces Rudra by sitting in his lap or heart (utsanga).
With the most powerful Sri Yantra as her aureole and backdrop of the icon of Kolhapur sanctum, Mahalakshmi is indeed the supreme feminine energy- Adi Shakti. In the present day, a pilgrimage to Tirupati Balaji is incomplete without visiting Maa Amba at Kolhapur.
Kalki Purana is one of the Upapurana (minor Puranas) of Hindu tradition, dedicated to the stories of Kalki Avatar, the future incarnation among Vishnu’s Dashavataras. This text narrates the tale of Devi Padmavati, who is the daughter of King Brihadatta and Queen Kaumudi. The princess lives in a beautiful island country and is a devotee of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
Mahadeva blessed Padmavati with a unique boon- anyone who looked at her with desire would turn into a woman, except for Narayana, who is destined to be her husband. Many princes and kings came to the Swayamvara of Padmavati, but all of them were turned into women. Padmavati lamented her destiny and eagerly awaited Narayana, who was born as Kalki in the house of a Brahmana.
Knowing about the despair of Padmavati, Kalki sent Shuka Deva (a sage who had the form of a parrot), to her, to narrate his qualities to the princess. Finally, after a long wait, seeing the eagerness and devotion of Padmavati, Lord Kalki reaches the kingdom of the princess and marries her in a lavish ceremony. The Purana describes the festivities in great detail, mentioning the dark-skinned Kalki adorned in lovely Pitambara (yellow garments) and the fair Padmavati dressed in a blue saree and ornaments, both reigning over three realms with their heavenly beauty and glories.
Goddess Padmavati’s iconography reflects her divine status as Lakshmi descended on earth-
☛ Seated on a Lotus: Symbolizing purity, prosperity, and Lakshmi’s divine energy.
☛ Golden Attire and Ornaments: Representing wealth and fortune.
☛ Four Hands (Chaturbhuja): Often depicted holding a lotus, or a conch, and exhibiting protective and blessing gestures.
☛ Serene Expression: Signifying compassion, love, and benevolence.
☛ Accompanied by Elephants: Often shown with elephants pouring sacred water, symbolizing auspiciousness and royal grandeur. Gaja or elephant is also the mount of Devi Padmavati, who sits on the embodiment of regalia as a sign of her sovereignty over abundance and glory.
Devotees seek Goddess Padmavati’s blessings for:
☛ Material and Financial Prosperity – She bestows wealth and stability upon her devotees.
☛ Harmony and Marital Bliss – Many unmarried women pray to her for a suitable spouse and a happy marriage.
☛ Fertility and Well-being – She is believed to bless couples with children.
☛ Relief from Sins and Obstacles – Worshipping her is said to remove karmic burdens and bring peace.
Several temples across South India are dedicated to the worship of Goddess Padmavati, with the most prominent being:
☛ Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Tiruchanur (Andhra Pradesh) – The most famous shrine dedicated to the goddess, located near Tirupati. The temple sees thousands of devotees daily who seek her blessings before visiting Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala.
☛ Alamelu Mangapuram Temple, Tirupati – Another major temple where her marriage to Venkateswara is celebrated with grandeur.
☛ Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple, Tirupati – Houses an idol of Padmavati alongside Lord Govindaraja (another form of Vishnu).
☛ Other Temples Across South India – Numerous Vishnu temples have shrines dedicated to Padmavati, emphasizing her significance in Vaishnavite worship.
The festivals of Maa Padmavati are a representation of her regional presence and universal glory as the supreme giver of wealth, auspiciousness, and fortune-
☛ Padmavati Brahmotsavam : A grand festival celebrated annually at Tiruchanur in honor of the goddess, featuring processions, special pujas, and rituals.
☛ Kalyanotsavam : The celestial wedding of Padmavati and Venkateswara is re-enacted with grandeur at various temples.
☛ Varalakshmi Vratam : Many women observe this vrat (fast) to seek the goddess’s blessings for prosperity and marital harmony.
☛ Friday Abhishekam : Devotees offer special prayers and abhishekam (ritual bathing) to their idol on Fridays, a day considered auspicious for Lakshmi worship.
FAQs
The name Padmavati means "the one who resides in the lotus" (Padma = Lotus, Vati = One who possesses). It symbolizes purity, beauty, and divine grace, closely associated with Goddess Lakshmi.
Goddess Padmavati is a Hindu deity associated with wealth, prosperity, and wisdom. She is considered an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi
Yes, Goddess Padmavati is considered a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. In Hindu traditions, particularly in Tirupati Balaji legends, Padmavati is regarded as a form of Lakshmi who incarnated on earth to marry Lord Venkateswara (Srinivasa), a form of Vishnu.
The marriage of Lord Srinivasa (Venkateswara) and Padmavati is a divine event rooted in Hindu and regional legend. According to the Puranas and Mahatmya of Venkateshwara:
☛ Goddess Lakshmi left Vaikuntha (Vishnu’s abode) after a misunderstanding and went into penance.
☛ Meanwhile, Vishnu descended to Earth as Lord Srinivasa and lived in the Tirumala hills.
☛ King Akasha Raja and Queen Dharanidevi of the Narayanavanam kingdom found a lotus with a baby girl inside while performing a yajna (sacred ritual). They named her Padmavati and raised her as their daughter.
☛ Years later, Lord Srinivasa met Padmavati and they fell in love. He approached her parents for marriage.
☛ To marry Padmavati, Srinivasa needed wealth. He took a loan from Kubera (the god of wealth), promising to repay it through offerings at the Tirumala Temple.
☛ Their grand wedding took place in Tirumala, and it is believed that devotees who visit Lord Venkateswara’s temple should first seek the blessings of Goddess Padmavati in Tiruchanur.
No, Padmavati and Vedavati are not the same, but they are connected in certain versions of Hindu tradition.
☛ Vedavati was a devoted ascetic who performed intense penance to marry Lord Vishnu.
☛ In Ramayana legends, Vedavati was harassed by Ravana, and she cursed him before ending her life in fire.
☛ It is believed that Vedavati was later reborn as Goddess Padmavati, destined to marry Lord Srinivasa (Venkateswara).
☛ This belief connects the past life of Vedavati with Padmavati, suggesting that her wish to be Vishnu’s consort was fulfilled in her next birth.
Thus, while they are not the same entity, some traditions believe Padmavati is Vedavati’s reincarnation.
Goddess Padmavati remains an essential deity in Vaishnavite traditions, embodying wealth, love, and divine grace. Her legend continues to inspire devotees, reinforcing faith in divine unions, celestial blessings, and the everlasting prosperity she bestows. Worshipping Padmavati before visiting Lord Venkateswara signifies seeking her approval and blessings before approaching the supreme deity. With her presence in temples, festivals, and spiritual traditions, Goddess Padmavati lives in the hearts of her devotees, guiding them to worldly and metaphysical wealth.
References
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