Bhūmi

Bhūmi (Sanskrit: भूमि), also Bhūmī-Devī (Sanskrit: भूमी देवी), Bhuma-Devi or Bhū-Devī or Vasudha or Vasundhara or Vaishnavi or Kashyapi or Urvi or Vasumati or Hiranmaya, is the personification of Mother Earth. She is the consort of Varaha, an avatar of Vishnu and regarded as the mother of the goddess Sita. According to the uttara-kanda, when Sita finally leaves her husband Rama, she returns to Bhumidevi. She is the mother of the demon Narakasura . Bhumi Devi is also believed to be one of the two forms of Lakshmi. The other is Sridevi, who remains with Narayana. Bhudevi is the Goddess of Earth, and the fertility form of Lakshmi. She is the daughter of Kashyap Prajapati. According to some she is also Satyabhama, wife of Sri Krishna in Dwapara Yuga and the divine saint Andal. Several female deities have had births similar to Sita. Alamelu Mangamma or Sri Padmavathi Devi of Tiruchanur had a similar beginning, being found in a ploughed field by Akasa Raja. Andal from Srivilliputtur in Tamil Nadu was found under a Tulasi plant by Periyaalvar.

Malayappa swami

Malayappa swami is the current utsava murti (presiding deity) in Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala. Malayappa swami is worshipped during religious ceremonies and processions wherein it would be inappropriate to use the main deity (for example one which requires the deity to be carried or moved). The two deities are worshipped equally and believed to be non-different in personality.

The Malayappa deity is classed as a Swayambhu and was discovered in 1339 AD. Initial records state his original name as Malai Kuniya Ninra Perumal (Lord stood on the hill which bowed low to Him)

History

Ugra Srinivasa was the first utsava murti at Tirumala temple. In the 14th century AD, it is said that during the procession, fire broke out in the village and destroyed most of the houses. A vision appeared to a devotee stating that Ugra Srinivasa needs to be replaced by a new murthi that would be discovered in the glades of the mountain.

The murthi was found in the place mentioned, a place where the hills appeared to bow very low and hence he was initially known as Malai Kuniya Ninra Perumal. Over the course of time, his name was shortened to Malayappan or Malayappa swami. The location where he was found is still known as Malayyappan Konai (Malayappa's corner).