Devipuram – Pilgrimage to the Divine Mother

My wife Srilakshmi and I greatly enjoy visiting temples and ashrams all over Bharat. Our pilgrimages are not just spiritual journeys – they also bring us face to face with the rich cultural fabric of ancient India. Last year, we took an emotional trip to several holy 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 center located in the serene hills 35 km from Visakhapatnam.

The Lap of the Divine Mother: Our Pilgrimage to Devipuram

It became more than just a pilgrimage, but an encounter with the Divine Feminine. A journey into the heart of Shakti worship and the personal transformation shaped by powerful chants, sacred architecture, and unexpected human connections. Being a devotee of the Divine Mother, Parashakti, I was deeply moved by the palpable presence of her energy in my every step. He awakened within me a deep sense of reverence, inner stillness, and renewed devotion.

Our first stop within the vast complex was the Dattatreya Guru Peetam Temple, a temple dedicated to Lord Dattatreya, the incarnation of the trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara – in one form. As we entered, a wave of peace washed over us. The serene Murti of Dattatreya, with his calm gaze and gentle smile, radiates a sense of timeless wisdom and compassion. It was as if the Guru Principle itself was welcoming us, preparing our hearts to receive the Mother’s presence pervading the sacred space.

Standing in front of the sanctuary, we were reminded that every spiritual journey begins with the blessings of the Guru, the Dispeller of Darkness. Offering our prayers there first fills us with humility and gratitude, as if Lord Dattatreya himself were silently guiding us towards the deeper experiences that await us in the temples ahead.

Temple of the Divine Mother

Devipuram is no ordinary temple. At its heart lies the magnificent Sri Meru Nilaya, a three-storey pyramid-shaped temple built in the shape of the Sri Chakra, the mystical outline of the goddess Lalita of Tripura Sundari. Unlike traditional temples, where worshipers stand outside the sanctum, here one walks inside the architecture of Sri Chakra itself. A revolutionary concept that makes Devipuram very experimental. Each of the 108 deities – representing different aspects of cosmic energy – resides in a designated corner of the Meru Temple. Devotees can not only see these deities, but can also touch them and perform puja to them, adding a rare intimacy to darshan.

Read More – Sri Chakreshwari Temple in Srinagar

We were struck by the peaceful and inviting atmosphere, which was not one of strict doctrine, but of inner surrender and joyful worship. Here, women perform pujas, children chant sloka, and even foreigners, many of whom are drawn to the global embrace of Devi worship, are welcomed with open arms.

The insight behind Devipuram

This sacred vision was manifested by Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati (born in 1934), Dr. N. Formerly Prahlada Sastry, he is a nuclear physicist turned spiritual visionary. His transformation from a scholar to a Sri Vidya Upasaka (practitioner) is in itself a profound story. After a series of mystical experiences and inner discoveries, the Divine Mother guided him 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, he was a builder of people. Empowering women, simplifying complex rituals and opening the doors of esoteric practices to dedicated seekers. His teachings focused on direct experience, transcending caste or gender restrictions, thus reviving Sri Vidya as a powerful path to equality.

Read more about Guruji – Devipuram: Goddess and Guru by Michael M. Bowden

Since Guruji’s death in October 2015 at the age of 81, his wife Srimati Annapurnamba – affectionately known as Guruji Amma – has lovingly moved forward. With her unwavering dedication and quiet strength, she upheld Guruji’s vision and continues to guide the Sri Vidya Trust with remarkable dedication and competence. It is often described as the ‘spinal cord’ of Devipuram – efficiently managing every detail of the temple. She continues with her daughters Anantalakshmi, Radha and Rama opening the doors of Devipuram to devoted seekers all over the world. Promoting the founder’s dream of making Sri Vidya available without the boundaries of caste or creed.

Meeting the gods

Walking through Meru Nilaya was like entering another dimension. Each step up through the 108 Deities of Sri Chakra takes us deeper – both physically and spiritually. We offered flowers at the feet of Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and many others. Each Devi represents a distinct layer of consciousness. The silence of the temple, punctuated by the soft murmur of chants and the scent of incense, created a clear energy field.

What affected us deeply was the freedom to participate. Unlike temples where rituals are reserved for priests, here devotees, especially women, are encouraged to perform archana and abhishekam themselves. Srilakshmi was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to offer the puja directly to the Divine Mother with her own hands. A moment of profound empowerment.

Smt. Nagamani: The living voice of Devi

As we approached the Kamakhya Temple located inside the campus, a melodious, melodious sound reached our ears. A young woman was singing Sri Lalitha Sahasranama, the thousand sacred names of the Divine Mother. It wasn’t just the words that attracted us, but the rhythm, clarity and deep dedication with which she presented each name. We stood there awestruck and reverent. He was completely absorbed in the sacred vibrations that filled the air.

The chanter was Smt. Nagamani. Her recitation flowed like a holy river – flawlessly memorized, sincerely felt, and delivered with unwavering bhakti. Moved by the power of the moment, we stood silently, letting the sacred sounds wash over us. Sensing our sincerity, she gently motioned for the three of us to enter the sanctum sanctorum. All the while she kept repeating it without stopping. We were completely blown away by her voice. Every syllable seemed to emanate from the depths of her soul, carrying the presence of the Divine Mother to every corner of the temple. It wasn’t just singing – it was as if the Mother herself was breathing through her, showering us with waves of grace, until time itself stopped.

Read: Kamakhya Shatipeeta Temple near Guwahati

We sat there quietly with our eyes closed. Join her mentally in reciting the Sahasranama. In that small sacred space, time seemed to dissolve. The divine presence was palpable, the experience was infused with sound, silence and grace and was truly otherworldly.

Purity and transformative energy

We learn that she grew up in the spiritual atmosphere of Devipuram. Having absorbed powerful mantras and practices since childhood. I was moved by its purity and the transformative energy that its chanting awakened in us. We felt compelled to spend the entire day at the ashram. Listening to her recite the holy names felt like being gently immersed in the heavenly waters of Saraswati. Both are deeply soothing and illuminating.

Later, she kindly guided us to Meru Temple. With quiet devotion, she arranged flowers and other puja items and invited us to worship by chanting the Sri Lalitha Sahasranama ourselves. Immersed in the holy atmosphere, we offered our prayers with a full heart. At the conclusion of the puja, she performed the arati with grace and reverence, and then lovingly placed flower wreaths around each one of us. As prasad, she offered sacred objects, including the beautiful sari that adorned the deity, which she dedicated to Srilakshmi – an act that moved us deeply and remains engraved in our hearts.

Our communication with Nagamani Ji continues outside the ashram. You stay in touch with us via WhatsApp, warmly exchanging messages, photos and blessings, keeping the bonds of sincerity and friendship alive.

Our Masked Brother: Sri Durga Prasad

This holy day would not have happened without the quiet devotion of Sri Durga Prasad, our taxi driver brother. Initially just a transportation contact, it soon became much more than that. A caring companion, mentor and, at the end of the day, a brother. He knew every turn and every story of the temple and its surroundings. Most importantly, he shared a sanctification of place that was contagious.

He patiently accompanied us throughout our visit – not just waiting, but joining us at each temple, guiding us through nearby shrines, sharing meals, and supporting us in small rituals. More than just a guide, he felt like a caring family member, walking with us every step of the way.

But it was his kind demeanor and familial warmth that really won our hearts. In an era when commercial transactions often colored the Hajj, his altruism stood out. Upon our return, he continued to stay in touch, exchanging spiritual messages and images, becoming a reminder that the divine often hides in human form.

Devipuram as an ashram and community

Devipuram is a living ashram. A center for spiritual learning, ritual practice, community life and women’s empowerment. It includes the residences of sadaqin, visiting worshipers, and volunteers. They engage in daily homas, Sri Chakra Puja, Devi Upasana, chanting, gardening and Seva.

We also visited Sahaja Vidyalayam, a local school that focuses on value-based education. and Stree Shakti Trust, an initiative that empowers rural women by engaging them in spiritual and livelihood activities. The sense of community here is vibrant yet relaxed. Even the average visitor can feel at home, guided not by rules, but by inner connection.

Journey inside

As the sun began to set over the gentle surrounding hills, we sat in grateful silence. This journey has brought us face to face with the Divine Mother. Not as a distant force, but as a living, intimately present reality. Echoes smt. Nagamani’s chants still ring in our ears. The image of the 108 gods remained imprinted in our hearts. Sri Durga Prasad’s warmth reminded us that spiritual journeys are also human journeys.

Devipuram is not just a temple. It is a portal, a community, a vision, a movement. It serves as a beacon for all those who seek the divine in an accessible, loving, and powerful form.

We are back not just with prasad in hand, but with a deeper understanding. That the goddess is not outside, but inside. When one steps into the sacred geometry of Sri Chakra, one is also stepping into the sacred geometry of one’s soul.

For more details, please devipuram Website.

This is a guest post by Pradeep Krishnan Ji.

Pradeep Krishnan is a Commerce and Law graduate and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism. He served in one of the Indian government departments for 36 years. Passionate writer. He has contributed articles over the past several years to various reputed journals and portals, published in English, Hindi and Malayalam.