Krishna Deva Raya Mandapam

After passing through the Padi Kavali Maha Dvara, you will find yourself in an open mandapam called the Krishna Deva Raya Mandapam or Pratima Mandapam.

This mandapam gets its name from the pratimas or bronze portrait icons of the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya and his two consorts, Tirumaladevi to his left, and Chinnadevi to his right. All three icons face the main shrine, with their hands joined in supplication.

In the southern wing of the Mandapam, is a statue of Venkatapathi Raya of the Aravidu dynasty, who ruled over Chandragiri around 1570 AD. To its side are stone statues of Achyutha Raya, who succeeded Krishna Deva Raya to the throne, and his wife Varadajiamma.

This Mandapam is believed to be built in later Vijayanagara times (early half of the 16th century). This Mandapam is full of exquisitely beautiful pictures of the Vijayanagara period like, Rama breaking the bow, Rama Pattabhishekam and Krishna Leela.

Sri Vaishnava symbols or the Urdhvapundras flanked by a conch and disc are carved at the top of the two main pillars of the Mandapam.

Source : http://www.tirumala.org