Srungara Vallabha Swamy Temple, Tholi Tirupati

Sri Srungara Vallabha Swamy Temple stands in Chadalada Tirupati, near Divili in Kakinada district, a village better known as Tholi Tirupati, 'the first Tirupati', from the belief that Vishnu first appeared here in this form. Its inscriptions, recording land grants by local rulers, place it before the 12th century. The ASI protects it, and the Endowments Department has managed it since 1956. Its legend ties the site to Dhruva, whom Vishnu is believed to have blessed here.

The temple is Dravidian in style. A four-pillared gateway leads to the Ranga Mandapa, whose eight pillars are carved, and the Mukha Mandapa, whose sixteen pillars bear about 13 inscriptions and scenes from the stories of Vishnu and Krishna. In the sanctum the smiling deity, about 4.5 feet tall, stands with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi, his conch and discus placed unlike usual Venkateswara images. Devotees believe he appears in proportion to each viewer's height.