Temples of West Godavari

Tadikalapudi---Near Eluru
Temple:Ganeswara Alayam.
Diety:Lord Shiva.
Lingam:Swayambhu
History:

It is an ancient Aalaya with a fascinating tale. It was originally built by Bhishma, the redoubtable Kuru Pitamaha of unparalleled valour and eminence. The Sivalinga called Gangeswara Sivalinga is Swayambhu.

It is believed that, once an ardent devotee was advised by Lord Siva to build an Aalaya for him in that sacred place itself, and if he neglected His bidding, He would grow to unusual height. Fearing evil consequence of disobedience, the people built forthwith an Aalaya and drove a nail on the top of Sivalinga to stop further growth. Siva kept up His word and the devotees were blessed for their devotion. There is another Aalaya for Sri Rama here and it is equally famous.

Nidadavole-Near Kovvur

Temple-Golingeswara Swamy Temple

Diety-Lord Shiva.

This place is called Niravadyapuram after the name Niravaday the prince vijayaditya of the western chalukyas.This temple is built after the cowherd found a big ShivaLingma.The prince diverted huge money to the construction of the temple.

Kottasattyamma temple.

Bhimavaram-
Temple-Someswara Janardhana Swamy Temple
Diety-Lord Shiva & Annapurna Devi
History


The attraction of Bhimavaram is spiritual as the temple dedicated
to Lord Shiva, Sri Someswara Janardhana swamy which is considered
as one of the Pancharama Kshetras is situated here. The main contribution
for temple construction was made by the King Chalukya Bheema during 4th century.
 The Shiva lingam is called someshwara as it is believed that this lingam has been
 installed by Lord Chandra. The colour of the linga is believed to change during
 full moon day and Amavasya. Over and above the Garbhalayam, Goddess
Annapurna temple is situated, which is the speciality of this temple and
 cannot be seen anywhere else in India. This resembles the fact that
Lord Shiva holds the Goddess Ganga on his head.

1. Mavullaamma Temple. 

Jaganmatha (Universal Mother Goddess)

Sri Sri Sri Jaganmatha Mavullamma ammavaru: Protector of people from evil spirits. It is believed Jaganmatha (Universal Mother goddess) Sri Mavullamma ammavaru (Mother goddess) is the incarnation of Mahakali (the goddess of Shakthi-Power) in olden days. she is in a midst of mango groves. So she is called 'Mavullamma' (Mamidi is local tongue to Mango). It is believed that neighbour villagers treated her as their own villages mother goddess, So she is addressed as 'Mavullamma' (Mother goddess of my own village).
The temple history of Jaganmatha Sri Mavullamma came to limelight in the year 1880 AD, Since then only the temple history is available to us. It is believed that she is laid in Motupallivari street, under couple of pipal and Neem tree. Every year in the month of "Jyesta masa" (third month of auspicious Telugu almanac calendar) on "Paadyami" (new slender crescent moon day). Devotees (worshippers) celebrates one month long celebration in this month. There is a festive look every where in and around the town. The Devastanam (Temple committee) and local fruit and vegetable trader's committee felicitates artists, actors, actresses, musicians, great men of all walks of the life.
In 1910 AD floods the Mulavirat (Statue of Mavullamma) partially damaged. Later reinstates by great artist, sculptor Sri Grandhi Narasanna's son Sri Grandhi Appa Rao. He carved the Mulavirat (Mavullamma Statue) from ferocious stature to pleasant present peace form.
It is believed ever since her dwelt the town has been become prosperous. The town gradually developing day by day with her blessings. The people have been living peacefully with her auspicious blessings.

Yanamaduru Temple Near Bhimavaram

DWaraka Temple.

Sthala Puranam :

  This pilgrimage centre is called  "Dwaraka Tirumala" after the great saint, "Dwaraka" who located the self manifested idol of Lord "Sri Venkateswara" after severe penance in a ‘Valmikam’ (ant hill). The devotees call Sri Venkateswara as Kaliyuga Vaikunta Vasa. This place is also called “Chinna Tirupati”.

As per Sastras North Indian rivers like Ganges and Yamuna are considered to be more and more holy as they go up to the origin and south Indian rivers like Krishna and Godavary are more and more holy as they go down the river to its mouth to the Sea. It is why there are numerous shrines and holy bathing ghats, at close intervals, on both sides of the great grand rivers Krishna and Godavary in their lower regions.

The region covered by our Dwaraka Tirumala is commanding the top most conspicuous position in India, being garlanded by these two great Indian rivers Krishna and Godavary, as pointed out by Brahma Purana.

The devotees who wish to go and offer their donations, or tonsures or any other offerings to Lord Venkateswara, Lord of Tirumala Tirupati, called as “Pedda Tirupati”, due to some reason, if they are unable to go there, they can offer their donations, prayers and worship in Dwaraka Tirumala temple.

Dwaraka Tirumala is a famous temple from the ancient times. According to some Puranas, the temple is popular even in Kruta yuga and is still attracting the devotees. According to Brahma Purana, Aja Maharaja, the Grand father of Lord Sri Rama also worshiped Lord Venkateswara for his marriage. On his way to the ‘Swayamvaram’ of Indumati, he passed by the temple. He did not offer prayers in the temple. The bride Indumati garlanded him, but he had to face a battle with the kings who came to the Swayamvaram. He realized that the battle was thrust on him for ignoring the temple on the way. After realizing this, Aja Maharaja prayed to the Lord Venkateswara. Suddenly the kings stopped the battle.

It is a great wonder to see two main idols under one Vimana Sikharam. One idol is a full and complete statue. The other is a half statue of the upper portion of the form of the Lord. The upper potion of the form is a self-manifested idol located by Sage "Dwaraka". The saints of the yore felt the prayers to the Lord are not complete without worshipping His holy feet. So, the saints joined together and installed a full statue behind the self-manifested idol, to worship the feet of the Lord according to Vaikhanasa Agamam.

It is believed that the prayers to the smaller statue of the Lord will lead to Moksha, and the big form stands for Dharma, Artha and Kama. The Tiru kalyanotsavam is celebrated twice a year. One for the self manifested idol in the month of  “Vaisakha” and the other for the installed idol in the month of  “Aswayuja”.

Palakollu-Pancharamama.

The main attraction of Palakol is the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Sri Ksheera Rama Lingeswara which is considered as one of the Pancharama Kshetras. The height of the temple is 120fts and constructed during Chalukya period by Chalukya Bheema. The construction took place during 9th century. The lingam, which is white in colour, is believed as the tallest. There are 72 pillars made of black stone. Inside the Garbhalaya (Garbha Gruha), Gokarneshwara and Vigneshwara (Ganapati) alayas are situated at the left with Kshiralingam located at the center. To the right, Subramanya Swamy and Janardhana Swamy alayas with Nandi at the centre are situated. Gostani river flows through the town Palakollu and there is a sangam place near Narsapur with river Godavari. From here the river enters the sea at Antarvedi. Once upon a time this place was a thick forest with natural greenary.
The Shiva Lingam (Moola Virat) can be seen from all the four sides through windows in the Garbha Gruharam. Additionally, Sun God, Kashi Vishweshwara, Goddess parvathi, Goddess Lakshmi, Nagareshwara Lingam, Dundi Vigneshwara, Veera Bhadra, Sapta Matruka, Kanaka Durga, Brahma, Saraswathi, Kumara Swamy, Kartikeya, Mahishasura Mardhini, Naga sarpa, Nataraja, Dattatreya, Kala Bhairava, Nageshwara, Shaneeshwara, Shankara, Radha Krishna can also be seen in the temple. There is a belief that the Shiva lingam is installed by Lord Vishnu. People say that, staying one day in Kshirarama is equivalent to staying one year in Varanasi.
The Prakara is designed by Sri Velupathi during 10th century. The art of temple construction resembles those constructed during Chalukya period. Gopuram is constructed by Sri Alladu Reddy during 14th Century. During 17th century, Kalyana mantapam (choultry) and Ashtha Bhuja Lakshmi Narayanaswamy alaya have been constructed.


Pattisam
Bhavanarayanaswamy Aalayam Temple, Pattisam
Location: Pattisam near Polavaram
Deity: Bhavanarayanaswamy - Shiva



This is an ancient site and was called Swarnapuri and Ponnur. Chalukyas patronized the temple. This was the site for literary activities by the sages and literary luminaries. Great debates and vidya goshtis took place here. The deity Bhavanarayanaswamy, is said to have presiding over them and was called Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy popularly. The temple is big and possesses fine sculptures. It faces the east. It was built in the 11th century by the feudal lord Nalaparaju who ruled over Avuku, and emperor Kulothunga Chola added rare sculptures. The idol is Swayambhu. There are temples for Rajyalakshmi and Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy. A big Saras called Brahmasaras is held in great reverence here. Another object of great veneration is the Anjaneyaswamy temple right in front of the temple gate. The image is 37 feet high.


Festivals: The Kalyanotsav lasts for 8 days during Vaisakha, which commences on the seventh day in the bright fortnight of the month with rath yatra on the full moon night.


JUTTIGA AND NATTA RAMESWARAM

Natta Rameswaram Temple

  

          Natta Rameswaram Temple, Penumantra Mandal, West Godavari Dist. - Two main temples dedicated to Shiva located in the same same premises. One Shiva Linga installed by Shri Parasurama in the middle of Goasthani and the same was witnessed by Sapta Koti Rishies so the temple is called by the name Saptakoteswara Linga temple. As the temple is in the Goastani water, piligrims can do abhishekam and puja during the telugu month of VAISAKHAM ( i.e in the middle of May/June )only. All the remaining months the Saptakoteswara Linga will be under the waters of Gostani. Another Shiva Linga is installed by Lord Rama. So the temple got the name Ramalingeswara Swamy. Here is a Shiva Linga made of shells and conches, so it is called as Natta Rameswaram. You can visit this temple through out the year. According to the Juttiga Inscriptions, this temple was reconstructed on the Orders of Khulli Padusha on 15th September 1583.
         

 The temple complex is on the bank of Gosthani River. Thousands of devotees congregate here on Maha Shivaratri day to take a dip in the Holy Gosthani River. Rathotsavam is also performed on Shivarathri Day.

          Juttiga & Natta Rameswaram are twin Villages assumed religious importance on account of the temples of  Swayambhulingam known as Sri Uma Vasuki Ravi Someswara Swamy at Juttiga Village and Natta Ramalingeswara Swamy at Natta Rameswaram Village. Every “SIVARATHRI” Festival day “Edurukolotsavam” is being celebrated at the border place of two villages. Thousands of Piligrims attend to that celebrations. It is one of the important piligrim centre in the District.
         

One who visit this temple will also visit the temple of Sri Uma Vasuki Ravi Someswara Swamy, Juttiga, just 2 KM away from Natta Rameswaram temple.

Juttiga:

The most ancient and magnificent Shiva Temple in Juttiga Village, Penumantra Mandalam beacons us to not only get our wishes fulfilled during our life time but also help us reach the most sought-after ‘Sivaloka’ after we leave this world. We live a hundred years at the most. But the Shivalingam in the Juttiga (Juthika) temple according to the stalapuranam is believed to be about 18.2 million years old. It is believed that the Shivalinga in the temple was of pre-Ramayana time.
The Vayu Purana extols the temple as Dakshina Kasi. The west-facing Shivalinga is considered to bestow the same benefits of visiting the Kashi Viswanath temple in Varanasi. According to the edicts, the temple underwent an extensive renovation on the orders of KULI KUTUB SHA in the 11th Century AD. This temple is accessible by road from Tanuku or Bhimvaram(30Km) in the west Godavari District. Visiting this temple makes us remember the saying that India is the Veda Bhoomi.

According to the legend, during the pre-Ramayana period, the power drunk Ravana not only caused misery to devatas but also to the people at large. He once insulted Vasuki, Ravi (the Sun god) and Soma (the moon god). Unable to witness the hardships caused by Ravana, they approached Brahma and sought relief from Ravana. Brahma told them to install Shivalinga on the banks of Gostani river and pray Lord Shiva so that Rama takes birth to take on the cruel Ravana and end their misery. As per the instructions of Brahma, Vasuki, Ravi and Soma installed the Shivalinga on the Gostani river banks at the present Juttiga Village and laid seeds for the Ramavatar. Lord Shiva here blesses the devotees and fulfills their desires not only during their life times but also after their death. Those who worship Lord Shiva at this temple get relief from enemies. They regain strength to repay the loans; their health improves like never before and frees them from the fear of death. Those who do ‘abisekham’ here to the Lord on Mondays and do the ‘annadanam’ get beneficial results. Those who worship the Lord on Sivaratri get freedom from the birth and death cycle and stay with the Lord in Kailasa for ever. Those suffering from illness, incurable diseases can perform Mrutunjaya Abisekham here and get relief. Shivaratri Festival is celebrated in the Juttiga Village as well as Natta Rameswaram with great devotion and religious fervour.
This temple complex has Parvati Devi temple, Bhadra Kali temple, Veerabhadra temple, Sri Lakshmi Janardharna Swamy temple and Durga Devi temple, Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy temple and Sri Kamakshi temple to make our visit perfectly worthwhile.

PENUGONDA

Penugonda is the birth place of 'Vasavi Matha" and is famous for the temple of Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari who is the sacred Goddess of Vysyas. Among the many temples of Goddess Vasavi, Penugonda is the place where the first temple of Sri Vasavi was built where the Goddess is called as Sri Vasavi Kanayaka Parameshwari. The great saint Pulasthya is said to have performed penance here and achieved the vision of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara simultaneously.

Penugonda also has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with presiding deity as Sri Gowri Nagareswara Swami apart from being the abode of Lord Lakshminarayana where the Lord is called as Konakomala Janardhana (Sri Janardhana and His consort Sri Konakamala Devi). It was the place where God Kumaraswami performed penance and where Lord Brahma gave darshana to Guru Bhaskaracharya. Another temple of Goddess with presiding deity as Sri Vindhya vasini was situated in the centre of the city.

PEDAVEGI

Pedavegi originally known as Vengi. The Capital of the Salankayanas, Vishnukundins and the East Chalukyas and was a flourishing city at the time of Satavahanas. It is a petty village now with a few visible landmarks.

KANDAVALLI

This village is situated at a distance of 12 Kms from Tanuku. It is a very ancient village situated on the banks of Vasista Godavari. This village is also known as panchalingakshetram owing to the existance of five Sivalingams in the temple of Markandeswara-Mrukandeswara . This strange phenomena of five lingams in a temple is found only at Benarus and Rajahmundry . Hence this place is considered to be of religious importance.


NARSAPUR-

Sri Adikesava EmbarmannarSwamy Kovela" in Narsapuram is a famous temple. Sri Aadikesava emberumanar temple is one of the famous vaishnava temple in India.It was constructed nearly 300 years back by SRI PRASANAGRESARA PUPPALA RAMANAPPA NAIDU for the cause of his ACHARYA'S desire .This is the image temple of SRI PEREMBHUDUR TEMPLE,TAMILNADU. This temple was the only one in ANDRA PRADESH of its kind. Every year BRHAMOSTVAS for ADIKESAVA SWAMY and THIRUNAKSHATRA USTSAVAS for RAMANUJACHARYULU will take place between APRIL and MAY for this gracious moment vishna acharyas and deviotes will come all across from india.This is the real eye feast for the visnavas. Kapila Maleeswara Swami temple (Shivalayam), Rajagopala Swamy temple, MadanaGopalaSwamy(Vishnalayam) and Jagannadha Swami Temple ,Sri Durga Laxmaneshwara Swamy temple are famous temples in the town.

Achanta -Sri Rameshwara Swamy Temple 

Akividu -Peddintalamma vari temple ,Veera Bhadra swamy Temple -Salipet.

Gopalpuram-Chaturbhuja Venugopala Swamy

JaggaReddyGudem-

Gubbalamagamma Tremple 40 kms from JRG,Sri maddi Anjaneya Swamy Temple 3 kms from JRG,Botthappagudem ramalayam.

Shree Ganganamma Temple (Heart of the village)(middle of the village)

Shree Shiridi Sai Baba Temple (near ZPPH School)

Shree Sivalayam (beside Bineru Kaaluva)

Shree Venkateswaraswami temple/Gokula tirumala parijatha Giri (Metta)

Shree Maddi Anjaneya-swami Temple (Hanuman Temple) (Gurvaigudem village beside Yerra Kaaluva)

Shree Siva Shakthi Temple, Raja Rajeshwari Peetam (Peram-peta Road, near post office)

Shree Nuukaalamma Temple (Buttai Gudem Road)

Shree Challa Sattamma temple (near Bayaneru)

Shree Ramalayam (near panchayat office)

Shree Lalitha Vara Pradhayini Matha Sakthi Peetam (Subbamma Peta Road)

Shree Balaanjeneyaswami (behind Ganganammagudi)

Shree Lalitha Bramarambika Devi Temple (only temple to Lalitha Devi in the world)

Shree Ramalayam, Gurvai Gudem (5 km from Jangareddygudem)

 Sivalayam, Gurvaigudem Pati Medha (historical sivalingam is here)

Shree Patemma Thalli Temple near Buttaygudem (Buttayguden Road)

Shree Kanyaka Parameshwari Ammavari Temple


Kovvur-
Gopadala Revu

Saraswati Mandir,
Sivalayam,
gayatri Devi temple,
Goudeeya Mathamu-
Ramalayam temple,
Krishna temple,
Nageswara Swamy Temple,Duvva(Near tanuku),
Someswara Swamy Temple ,Mandapaka (Tanuku).