SRI LAKSHMI CHENNAKESAVA SWAMY TEMPLE
SRI LAKSHMI CHENNAKESAVA SWAMY TEMPLE
Yadiki (V), Yadiki (M), Ananthapuramu (D)
Location: Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava swamy temple is situated (Lat. 15°03‘00.3”N; Long. 77°52‘23.6”E) in the midst of the Yadiki village. Yadiki is 25 kms away from Tadipatri.
Brief History of Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava swamy temple:
The temple is encompassed by a compound wall of about 15 feet high. On the south is an entrance with a gopura. The lower portion of the gopura is built in stone and the upper portion in brick and lime which is incomplete. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Lakshmi. The Kalyana mandapa is inside the temple complex. It consists of a sanctum, antarala and mukhamandapa. The mukhamandapa has four square pillars with octagonal flutings, round abacus and bracket capitals, with inverted lotus bud motif. The temple faces south. The sanctum houses the idol of Lord Chennakesava (64 x 33 cms.) in black stone.
The Lakshmi shrine is situated behind the Chennakesava temple on the north-east. The temple was constructed of stone upto the roof level and brick and lime mortar were used for the divitala gopura over the sanctum. The temple consists of a sanctum, an antarala and an open mukhamandapa which has 12 featureless pillars. The sanctum houses the idol of Lakshmi measuring 55 x 39 cms. in black stone.
Adjoining the outer wall, in the north-western corner is a square (50’x50’) kalyanamandapa. In the midst of the mandapa is a raised platform with four black pillars supporting the roof. The northern and western sides of the mandapa are closed, leaving the eastern and southern sides open.
On architectural grounds the temple can be dated to the Vijayanagara period. i.e. 14th-15th C.A.D.