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My wife, Sreelakshmi, and I deeply enjoy visiting temples and ashrams across Bharat. Our pilgrimages are not just spiritual journeys – they also bring us face to face with the rich cultural tapestry of ancient India. Last year, we undertook a soulful journey to several sacred places in Andhra Pradesh – an experience that left an indelible mark on our spiritual memory. Among them was our visit to Devipuram. A unique and powerful spiritual centre nestled in the tranquil hills 35 km away from Visakhapatnam.
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Lap of the Divine Mother: Our Pilgrimage to Devipuram
More than a pilgrimage, it became an encounter with the Divine Feminine. A journey into the heart of Shakti worship and a personal transformation shaped by powerful chants, sacred architecture, and unexpected human connections. Being a devotee of the Mother Divine, Parashakti, I was deeply moved by the palpable presence of Her energy at every step. Awakening within me a profound sense of reverence, inner stillness, and renewed devotion.
Our first stop within the vast complex was the Dattatreya Guru Peetam, a temple dedicated to Lord Dattatreya, the embodiment of the Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara – in a single form. As we entered, a wave of peace enveloped us. The serene murti of Dattatreya, with His calm gaze and gentle smile, radiated a sense of timeless wisdom and compassion. It felt as though the Guru principle itself was welcoming us, preparing our hearts to receive the Mother’s presence that pervades the holy place.
Standing before the sanctum, we were reminded that every spiritual journey begins with the blessings of the Guru, the dispeller of darkness. Offering our prayers there first filled us with humility and gratitude, as if Lord Dattatreya Himself was silently guiding us towards the deeper experiences awaiting us in the temples ahead.
The Temple of the Divine Mother
Devipuram is no ordinary temple. At its core lies the magnificent Sri Meru Nilaya, a three-storied, pyramid-shaped temple built in the shape of the Sri Chakra, the mystical diagram of the Goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari. Unlike conventional temples, where devotees stand outside sanctums, here one walks into the very geometry of the Sri Chakra. A revolutionary concept that makes Devipuram deeply experiential. Each of the 108 Devis – goddesses representing various aspects of cosmic energy – resides in a designated corner of the Meru structure. Devotees can not only see but also touch and perform puja to these deities, which adds a rare intimacy to the darshan.
Read More – Sri Chakreshwari Temple in Srinagar
We were struck by the peaceful and inviting atmosphere – not one of rigid orthodoxy, but of inner surrender and joyous worship. Here, women perform puja, children chant slokas, and even foreigners, many of whom are drawn by the universal embrace of Devi worship, are welcomed with open arms.
The Visionary Behind Devipuram
This sacred vision was manifested by Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati (born in 1934), formerly Dr. N. Prahlada Sastry, a nuclear physicist turned spiritual visionary. His transformation from scientist to Sri Vidya Upasaka (practitioner) is itself a profound tale. Following a series of mystical experiences and inner revelations, he was guided by the Divine Mother to build Devipuram as a living Sri Chakra, where seekers from all walks of life could reconnect with their source.
Sri Amritananda was not just a builder of temples, but a builder of people. Empowering women, simplifying complex rituals, and opening the doors of esoteric practices to sincere seekers. His teachings emphasized direct experience, bypassing caste or gender restrictions, thus reviving Sri Vidya as a powerful, egalitarian path of self-realization.
Read More About Guruji – Devipuram: Goddess and the Guru by Michael M Bowden
Since the passing of Guruji in October 2015 at the age of 81, the spiritual legacy of Devipuram has been lovingly carried forward by his wife, Srimati Annapurnamba – affectionately known as Guruji Amma. With unwavering devotion and quiet strength, she has upheld Guruji’s vision and continues to guide the Sri Vidya Trust with remarkable dedication and competence. She is often described as the “spinal cord” of Devipuram – efficiently managing every detail in the temple. Together with their daughters Anantalakshmi, Radha, and Rama, she continues to open Devipuram’s doors to sincere seekers worldwide. Fostering the founder’s dream of making Sri Vidya accessible without boundaries of caste or creed.
Meeting the Deities
Walking through the Meru Nilaya was like entering another dimension. Each step upward through the 108 deities of the Sri Chakra took us deeper – physically and spiritually. We offered flowers at the feet of Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Bagalamukhi, Matangi, and many more. Each Devi represents a distinct layer of consciousness. The silence of the temple, punctuated by the soft murmur of chants and the fragrance of incense, created a palpable energy field.
What deeply moved us was the freedom of participation. Unlike temples where rituals are reserved for priests, here devotees, especially women, are encouraged to do archana and abhishekam themselves. Sreelakshmi was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to offer puja directly to the Divine Mother with her own hands. A moment of profound empowerment.
Smt. Nagamani: The Living Voice of the Devi
As we approached the Kamakhya temple nestled within the campus, a resonant, melodious voice reached our ears. A young woman was chanting the Sri Lalitha Sahasranama, the thousand sacred names of the Divine Mother. It wasn’t just the words that drew us in, but the rhythm, clarity, and deep devotion with which she offered each name. We stood there, awestruck and reverent. Completely absorbed in the sacred vibrations that filled the air.
The chanter was Smt. Nagamani. Her recitation flowed like a sacred river – flawlessly memorized, sincerely felt, and offered with unwavering bhakti. Moved by the intensity of the moment, we stood silently, letting the sacred sounds wash over us. Sensing our devotion, she gently signaled for three of us to enter the sanctum sanctorum. All the while continuing her chanting without pause. We were utterly mesmerized by her voice. Each syllable seemed to rise from the depths of her soul, carrying the presence of the Divine Mother into every corner of the temple. It was not mere chanting – it was as though the Mother Herself was breathing through her, enfolding us in waves of grace, until time itself stood still.
Do read: Kamakhya Temple Shatipeeta near Guwahati
We sat there quietly, eyes closed. Mentally joining her in the recitation of the Sahasranama. In that small, sacred space, time seemed to dissolve. The presence of the Divine was tangible, and the experience bathed in sound, silence, and grace was truly otherworldly.
Purity & Transformative Energy
We learned that she had been raised in the spiritual atmosphere of Devipuram. Having absorbed the powerful mantras and practices from a young age. Touched by her purity and the transformative energy her chanting awakened within us. We felt compelled to spend the entire day at the ashram. Listening to her recite the sacred names felt like being gently immersed in the celestial waters of the Saraswati. Both calming and deeply illuminating.
Later, she graciously guided us to the Meru temple. With quiet devotion, she arranged flowers and other puja items and invited us to perform the worship by chanting the Sri Lalitha Sahasranama ourselves. Immersed in the sacred atmosphere, we offered our prayers with a full heart. At the conclusion of the puja, she performed the Arati with grace and reverence, then lovingly placed flower garlands around each of us. As Prasad, she offered sacred items, including a beautiful saree that had adorned the deity, which she gifted to Sreelakshmi – an act that touched us deeply and remains etched in our hearts.
Our connection with Nagamani ji continues beyond the ashram. She stays in touch with us through WhatsApp, warmly exchanging messages, photos, and blessings, keeping the bond of devotion and friendship alive.
Our Brother in Disguise: Sri Durga Prasad
This sacred day would not have unfolded without the quiet dedication of Sri Durga Prasad, our cab driver-brother. Initially just a transport contact, he quickly became much more. A caring companion, guide, and by the end of the day, a brother. He knew every turn, every story of the temple and the surroundings. Most importantly, he shared a reverence for the place that was contagious.
He patiently accompanied us throughout our visit – not merely waiting, but joining us at every temple, guiding us through nearby shrines, sharing meals with us, and supporting us in small rituals. More than a guide, he felt like a caring family member, walking with us every step of the way.
But it was his gentle demeanor and familial warmth that truly won our hearts. In an age where commercial transactions often color pilgrimages, his selflessness stood out. On our return, he continued to keep in touch, sharing spiritual messages and photos, becoming a reminder that the Divine often hides in human form.
Devipuram as an Ashram and Community
Devipuram is a living ashram. A hub of spiritual learning, ritual practice, community life, and women’s empowerment. It houses residential sadhakas, visiting devotees, and volunteers. They engage in daily homas, Sri Chakra puja, Devi upasana, chanting, gardening, and seva.
We also visited the Sahaja Vidyalayam, the local school that emphasizes value-based education. And the Stree Shakti Trust, an initiative that empowers rural women by involving them in spiritual and livelihood activities. The sense of community here is vibrant, yet relaxed. Even a casual visitor can feel at home, guided not by rules, but by inner calling.
A Journey Within
As the sun began to set over the quiet hills surrounding the place, we sat in silent gratitude. This journey had brought us face to face with the Divine Mother. Not as a distant force, but as an intimately present, living reality. The echoes of Smt. Nagamani’s chants still rang in our ears. The image of the 108 deities stayed imprinted on our hearts. The warmth of Sri Durga Prasad reminded us that spiritual journeys are also human ones.
Devipuram is not just a temple. It is a portal, a community, a vision, and a movement. It stands as a beacon for all those who seek the Divine in a form that is accessible, loving, and powerful.
We returned not just with prasad in hand, but with a deeper understanding. That the Goddess is not outside, but within. When one steps into the sacred geometry of the Sri Chakra, one also steps into the sacred geometry of one’s own soul.
For more details, please Devipuram website.
This is a Guest Post by Pradeep Krishnan ji.
Pradeep Krishnan is a Commerce and Law graduate with a post-graduate diploma in journalism. He served in an Indian Government Department for 36 years. A passionate writer. He has been contributing articles for the past several years to several periodicals and online portals of repute, published in English, Hindi, and Malayalam.
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