Alamelu (Telugu: అలమేలు, Tamil: அலமேலு), also known as Padmavati (often spelled "Padmavathi" or "Padmavathy"), is a Hindu goddess. Believed to be a form of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and good fortune, Alamelu is the consort of Sri Venkateshwara.

The main temple to Sri Alamelu is situated at Thiruchanoor, also known as Alamelu-Mangapuram, a village in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, lying at a distance of about 5 km from the temple-town of Tirupati. Tradition dictates that every pilgrim to Tirupati must offer obeisance at this temple before proceeding to the temple at Tirupati.

Particular devotions

Alamelu Manga Thayar is a major focus of devotion among those belonging to the Iyengar sect of brahmins, next only to Vishnu/Venkateshwara himself, if that. In particular, the Thangalai Iyengars believe that her intercession is indispensible to gaining the favour of the lord. Sri Alamelu is the mother-goddess figure for staunch Srivaishnavites.

The great Vaishnavite saint and Telugu Bhakti poet Sri Annamacharya, was a staunch devotee of Sri Alamelu Mangamma. Indeed, it is a rare composition of the great saint that does not invoke the benedictions of the goddess and sing her praises. Many of the most famous and popular Kritis of Annamacharya eulogize in loving adulation the many graces of his Ishta devata and the

Etymology

The name "Alamelu" or more correctly "Alarmel Manga" is a purely proto-dravidian name which translates to the Sanskrit word "Padmavati". The name is a conjoint of the words Alar (lotus) and Melu ("aloft"); "Mangai" means "(auspicious) lady" in pure Tamil. Thus, Alarmel Mangai (softened over time to Alamelu Manga) translates to "Lady of the Lotus".

Usages: The name "Alamelu" has traditionally been a surpassingly popular one in south India. Apart from that basic name, several variations are popular. The word 'Mangai/Manga/Mangamma' (auspicious lady) very commonly forms part of the name, as we have seen. Occasionally, this is replaced by the word "Valli" (literally: creeper or heather; compare "Lata" in Sanskrit), a metaphor for "gentle lady" in Tamil, to create the popular names "Alarmel Valli" and "Alamelu Valli". Of course, the name "Alamelu" is very generally used as a stand-along.

See also

• Venkateshwara
• Lakshmi
• Tirumala-Tirupati
• Tirupathi
• Annamacharya

References