Brahmashri Valiveru Venkatarama Bhotlu

Parnapalli is a village situated on the banks of the Chitravati River in Pulivendula taluk of Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. In this village lived the late Sri Venkataramayya, a Brahmin of the Velanadu tradition belonging to the Gautama Gotra, bearing the family name Valiveru. A learned Vedic scholar and ritual practitioner, he sustained his family through traditional village priesthood.

The family deity (Gṛha Daiva) of the Valiveru household is Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy of Doddadalavatam (Madhugiri taluk, Karnataka). At the same time, the worship of Sri Ramachandra Murthy as the cherished Iṣṭa Daiva has long been a continuing tradition within the family.

Sri Venkataramayya and his dharmapatni Smt. Chayamma were blessed with five sons and no daughters. He had two sisters — Smt. Kamakshamma and Smt. Sheshamma — and a younger brother Sri Narasayya.

Sri Venkataramayya lived a life of simplicity and contentment despite material poverty. Having studied the Vedas thoroughly, he upheld the principles of Sanatana Dharma with sincerity and discipline.

His daily life followed a sacred rhythm. He performed Trikala Sandhya, morning Pañcāyatana Puja, and Abhiṣeka. During the afternoons, he would sit on the front verandah of his home and recite the Mahabharata, Bhagavata, Rāmāyaṇa, and other sacred texts, explaining their teachings to the villagers and guiding them in the Dharmic way of life.

Those who knew him often remarked — for him, Vedanta was not merely spoken but is a lived reality — his life itself was the teaching.

Smt. Chayamma passed away as a Sumaṅgali at Tadimarri village. Following her departure, Sri Venkataramayya increasingly immersed himself in spiritual contemplation.

During this time, he was blessed with the grace of the revered Jagadguru of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Sri Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal (Paramacharya), regarded as a living embodiment of Adi Shankara. He had the rare fortune of serving at the Acharya's feet and receiving the Padukas used by him as sacred Prasada.

When the Paramacharya gently suggested that he accept Sannyasa, Sri Venkataramayya humbly replied that his youngest son was yet to be married and therefore he could not abandon his responsibilities as a householder.

The lineage traces back to Brahmashri Valiveru Venkatarama Bhotlu. Although he lived as a householder, Venkatarama Bhotlu attained deep detachment (Vairāgya) and became firmly established in the realization of Brahman.

Venkatarama Bhotlu entered Sajīva Samādhi on the banks of the Chitravati River on the sacred day of Mārgaśīrṣa Śuddha Vidiyā.

Since he had no children, he adopted Chinna Narasayya, thereby continuing the lineage. From that time onward, the study of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas continued as a living tradition within the family.

In 2019, the present generation constructed a temple at the samadhi site and installed a Narmada Bāṇaliṅgam as Sri Omkareshwara Swamy on Kārtika Śuddha Saptami.

Since then, the temple has become a center of spiritual activity, with regular worship and Anna Santarpaṇa. Situated on the Anantapur-Kadapa highway, the shrine has gained great prominence.

In 2025, following the instructions of the current Acharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Sri Sri Sri Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal (Bala Periyava), the Aradhana began to be conducted strictly according to scriptural tradition.

In 2026, we resolve to expand the temple facilities, including a Yajñaśālā and residential quarters for the priest.

Seeking his Anugraha so that our lives may find fulfillment at his sacred feet.