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Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Guide – Timings, Sevas and History

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Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple is the most popular Vaishnavite temple in the world. It is located in Tirumala in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The presiding deity, Lord Venkateshwara, is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is believed to have appeared to save humankind from Kaliyuga effects.

Who is Lord Venkateswara?

Tirupati Balaji Temple – Facts

DeityLord Venkateshwara
LocationTirumala, Andhra Pradesh
SignificanceVaishnavite Temple
Best Time to Visit September to March
Darshan Timings 3 AM to 1 AM
Entry FeeFree
VIP DarshanRs.300 per person
Senior Citizen DarshanFree
Dress Code Indian Traditional
Festivals Brahmotsavam, Teppotsavam

The temple is located at the peak of Tirumala hill, also known as Venkatadri. The Venkatadri is one of the seven hills (Saptagiri) considered holy by the Hindus. These seven hills are – Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri, and Venkatadri.

Tirupati Balaji Darshan

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple is also known as Tirupati Temple, Tirupati Balaji Temple or just Tirumala Temple.

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Timings

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Timings
Pilgrims waiting in queue for General Darshan at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple opens as early as 3 AM in the morning. The temple closes at 1:30 AM the next day although General Darshan stops after 1 AM.

Here are the different kind of Darshans and their respective timings:

  1. General Darshan (Sarva Darshanam) – This Darshan is open for the general public. The timings are different each day of the week.
    • Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday – The Darshan starts from 7:30 AM – 7 PM in the evening. It resumes from 8 PM till 1 AM the next morning.
    • Wednesday and Friday – The Darshan starts from 9 AM till 7 PM in the evening and again from 8 PM till 1 AM the next morning.
    • Thursday – The Darshan starts early from 8 AM till 7 PM and then again from 8 PM till 1 AM the next morning.
  2. VIP Darshan (Sheeghra Darshan) – It is for immediate Darshan. The ticket cost is Rs. 300 per person. Pilgrims can also make an advance booking on the official website at www.ttdsevaonline.com. This Darshan starts from 9 AM daily till 3 PM.
  3. Tirumala Darshan by Walk (Divya Darshan) – This Darshan facility is only for those pilgrims who walk up the hill to reach the temple. Alipiri Mettu and Srivari Mettu are the two routes.
  4. Special Darshan for Senior Citizens – Pilgrims can have darshan in two-time slots of 10 AM and 3 PM daily. However, they must show proof of their age to the authorities.
  5. Special Darshan for Physically Challenged – Pilgrims can have darshan in two-time slots of 10 AM and 3 PM daily. However, they must show proof of their disability to the authorities.
  6. Infant Darshan: TTD has facilitated special darshan for parents carrying infants under one year of age.
  7. Newly Married Couple Darshan: There is also a special darshan for newly married couples through the Supadham entrance.
General Darshan
↳ Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday 7:30 AM to 7 PM, 8 PM to 1 AM
↳ Wednesday and Friday 9 AM to 7 PM, 8 PM to 1 AM
↳ Thursday 8 AM to 7 PM, 8 PM to 1 AM
VIP Darshan9 AM to 3 PM
Special Darshan for Handicapped10 AM and 3 PM

Tirupati Balaji Darshan Procedure

  1. Pilgrims are can contact any one of the three counters present inside the temple premises.
    • Vaikuntha Queue Complex
    • Rambagicha Complex
    • Amenities Complex
  2. Here, pilgrims will receive their respective Sudarshan bands at a minimal cost. These bands will inform the pilgrims of the time at which they can have the Darshan of God.
  3. In this way, pilgrims do not have to wait in long queues. They can explore the Temple Complex area meanwhile. And they can report to the queue only when it is their turn to have the Darshan.
Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Darshan Entrance
The Golden Gate Entrance to Tirupati Balaji Temple is used by the pilgrims.

Tirumala Temple Dress Code

The Tirupati Balaji Temple Devasthanam administration introduced a dress code for men and women from 2013.

Men are required to wear traditional dhoti or pajama with a shirt or kurta. Women are required to wear either a saree or a Churidar pajama with a kurta.

Poojas and Sevas at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple

Here is a list of all Poojas and Sevas at Tirupati Balaji Temple. We can divide them into three types: The Daily Sevas, the Weekly Sevas, and the Periodical Sevas.

Tirumala Daily Sevas

  • Suprabhatam – This Seva is done at 2:30 AM in the morning to wake the Lord from his sleep. After that, the priests carry the idol from Sayana Mandapam (sleeping place) to the Ananda Nilayam (main shrine). The ticket costs Rs. 200 per person.
  • Thomala Seva – This Seva starts at 3:30 AM and lasts for 30 minutes. Priests decorate the idols with garlands made of Tulsi and various flowers. Pilgrims can watch this only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The ticket price is Rs. 220 per person.
  • Venkateshwara Sahasranama Archana – This Archana starts at 4:15 AM. In this Pooja, devotees recite the 1008 names of Lord Vishnu. Priests also call the blessings in the names and Gothra of the pilgrims taking part in the pooja. Pilgrims can perform the Seva on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The ticket price is Rs. 220 per person.
  • Ekantha Seva – It is the last Seva of the day and starts at 1:30 AM. The priests lay down the silver image on a golden cot in a sleeping position.
Poojas & Sevas at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji
Priests performing Daily Sevas at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple

Tirumala Weekly Sevas

  • Vishesha Pooja on Mondays – This Pooja starts from 7:30 AM to 9 AM. Priests recite several stotras and perform an Abhisheka. Then, they place 14 Kalash in front of the deities. They consist of oil, milk, curd, rice, and holy water in them.
  • Ashtadala – Pada Padmaaradhana on Tuesdays – This Seva starts from 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM. Priests recite 108 names of the Lord Vishnu, each name accompanied by a Lotus flower. People also worship Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavathi and then a Ratha Aarti. The cost of the ticket is Rs. 2500 for 5 persons.
  • Sahasra Kalabhishekam on Wednesdays – The ritual starts from 6:30 AM till 8:30 AM. In this unique ritual, priests fill 1008 silver vessels, 8 Parivara vessels, and one gold vessel with various things. They place them in the main Mandapam. Devotees also recite various Pancha Suktas and Shanti Mantras. The ticket costs Rs. 5000 for 6 persons.
  • Tiruppuvada Seva on Thursdays – This Seva begins at 6:30 AM. Priests remove all the ornaments and flowers from the deity. Then, they dress the idol only in a Dhoti and an Uttareeyam. The cost is Rs. 5000 for 6 persons.
  • Srivari Abhishekam on Fridays – It starts at 4:30 AM – 6 AM. Priests give a bath to the deity in holy Ganga along with milk, ghee, sandal, and saffron. The ticket costs Rs. 750 per person.

The Periodical Sevas

  • Arjitha Kalyanotsavam Seva – The ritual signifies the marriage of Lord Venkateshwara with Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavathi. The ticket costs Rs. 1000 for 2 persons.
  • Arjitha Brahmotsavam – People worship Lord Venkateshwara with Goddess Lakshmi and Padmavathi. They also recite several stotrams in this ritual. The ticket costs Rs. 1000 for 5 persons.
  • Unjal Seva – The priests place the idols of the three deities on a swing against the backdrop of lamps. The ticket cost is Rs. 1000 for 5 persons.

Offerings and Donations at Tirupata Balaji

  1. Hair Tonsuring (Mundan) – Devotees shave their heads and give the hairs as an offering to God. It signifies the sacrifice for their Lord.
  2. Thula Bharam Seva – Under this Seva, a Thula (Weighing scale) is arranged. On one side, the devotee is seated whereas on the other side, an equivalent weight of offerings are made. It is ensured that both sides are at an equal level. The devotees then donate the offerings to the temple administration.
  3. Payback of Kubera’s Loan – As per the legend, Lord Venkateshwara took a loan from Kubera for his wedding arrangements with Padmavathi. A large Hundi is present inside the temple complex where devotees offer money and gold to God. Devotees donate with the belief that he can pay back the loan to Kubera.

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Architecture

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Architecture
Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Gopuram which is the top of the temple.
  • The temple follows the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple has three entrances leading to the main shrine (Ananda Nilayam).
    1. First entrance – Mahadwara Gopuram with a brass door.
    2. Second entrance – Nadimipadi Kavali with the silver entrance.
    3. Third entrance – Bangaru Vakili with a golden door.
  • The main idol of the Lord is in a standing position on a platform called “Brahmasthana.” Goddess Lakshmi is present on the right and Goddess Padmavathi on the left. The Gopuram (the entrance tower) over the main sanctum is covered with a golden vase. An idol of Vimana Venkateshwara is also present on the top of it.
  • Priests can never displace the main idol of the Lord. Hence, small idols of several Gods are present in the sanctum to worship. They are Bhoga Srinivasa, Ugra Srinivasa, Koluvu Srinivasa, Sri Malayappan, and Sri Chakrathalvar. Sri Krishna, Sri Rama, Mata Sita, Lakshmana, Sugreeva are also present.

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Significance

  • The common belief is that the Lord appeared on the Venkatadri hill to save humankind from the ill effects of Kaliyuga. The idol here is worshipped since the beginning of the Kaliyuga. Therefore, people call this place as Kaliyuga Vaikuntam.
  • Most-Visited Place of Worship – Around 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily (30 to 40 million people annually) visits this temple. On the day of the Brahmotsavam festival, the count increases to 500,000 pilgrims daily.
  • The Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple is one of the eight Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras. The word Swayambhu means that Lord Vishnu himself has turned into a statue here rather than installed by someone.
  • Tirupati Balaji is also listed as 106th Divya Desam among the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. It is the last earthly Desam of Lord Vishnu before he left earth for Vaikuntha.
  • It is believed that one can hear the sound of an ocean by pressing an ear at the idol of the Lord. Also, the temperature of the idol always remains too high even after bathing it with water and Chandan.
Tirumala Tirupati Brahmotsavam Significance
Brahmotsavam Festival at Tirupati Balaji attracts more than 5 Lakh pilgrims daily.

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple is the wealthiest temple in the world in terms of donations received. Top Ten Richest Temples – Read More

History of Tirumala Temple

  • Tirupati Balaji Temple is believed to have been built by King Thondaiman at the end of 8th century AD. He was the ruler of the Tamil ancient kingdom called Thondaimandala.
  • The temple also received patronage from several dynasties like the Pallavas (9th century), the Cholas (10th century) and highly from the Vijayanagara kingdom in the 14th century.
  • Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara kingdom donated abundantly and renovated the temple periodically by adding new structures to it.
Tirumala Tirupati Balaji - History of the Temple
Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagar Kingdom renovated the temple.

Legends of Tirumala Temple

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple and its legends are mentioned in various historical manuscripts and also in various Puranas.

Legend of Lord Varaha Swamy

The legend says that Venkateshwara took the land of Tirumala hill from Varaha Swami. In return, Venkateshwara gave him a promise that he would be paid the first darshan.

Legend of Adishesha

Lord Vishnu gave a boon to Adisesha. The boon was that he would join the Venkatadri hills and become an abode of Lord Vishnu. Adisesha accepted and became Venkatadri.

Legend of Lakshmi and Padmavati

Lord Vishnu, incarnated as Srinivasa, met Padmavati in the forests during a hunt. They fell in love with each other. Later, they married each other after Akasa Raja’s approval. After six months of the marriage, Lakshmi returned to Vishnu in disbelief.

Tirumala Tirupati Balaji – Full Legend – READ MORE

Festivals celebrated at Tirumala

  1. Tirumala Brahmotsavam – This festival is celebrated for 9 days every year during the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sep/Oct). This festival attracts millions of pilgrims for nine days.
    • The deity is taken out in procession on different Vahanam every day like Shesha Vahanam and Singha Vahanam. By watching the parade, one gets the protection of Lord and Punya in life.
    • The last day is the Birth Star day of Lord Venkateshwara. The celebration ends with Dhvajavarohanam, lowering of the Garuda flag.
  2. Teppotsavam – This festival is celebrated for five days in the month of Chaitra (March). The deities of Tirumala temple are taken for a ride in the Swami Pushkarini Tank.
  3. Vasanthotsavam – This festival is celebrated for three days in March/April. King Achyutaraya introduced this festival to mark the beginning of the spring season.
  4. Pavithrotsavam – The festival is celebrated for three days in the month of Shravan (July/August). The priests seek forgiveness from Lord Venkateshwara for all the mistakes committed knowingly or unknowingly while performing the daily rituals.
  5. Jyesthabhshekam – The festival is celebrated in the month of Jyestha (June). Lord Venkateshwara appeared with a protective armor to fight against evil in Kaliyuga. On this day, people do Abhisheka and Poojas to that armor.
Teppotsavam Boat Festival at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple
Deities of Tirumala temple taken for a ride in Swami Pushkarini Tank on Teppotsavam Festival.

Here are other major festivals celebrated at Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple. These are Pushpa Pallaki, Padmavathi Parinayam, Pushpa Yagam, and Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam.

How to reach Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple?

  • By Air – The nearest airport is Tirupati Airport, at a distance of 40 km from the temple. Chennai is the second nearest international airport.
  • By Rail – The nearest railway station is Tirupati, 26 km away from Tirumala. The AP Sampark Kranti Express connects to Bhopal, Gwalior, and New Delhi.
  • By Road – Several direct buses are available from cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, and Vellore. Regular buses are available from Tirupati to Tirumala.

Where to stay nearby?

  • The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has constructed several cottages and guest houses for the benefit of the pilgrims. These are-
    1. Padmavathi Guest House
    2. Sri Venkateshwara Guest House
    3. Varaha Swamy Guest House
  • Besides the guest houses, they have also constructed several choultries for the free stay of pilgrims.

The pilgrims can book the rooms by contacting the Central Reception Office, near Tirumala Bus Stand. The advance reservation can be made online by visiting the official website ttdsevaonline.com

Several private hotels are also available as an option for pilgrims.

Where to eat nearby?

  • The Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Devasthanam (Temple administration) provides full meals to all devotees under the Nitya Annadanam Scheme.
  • Pilgrims can also get free tiffin, coffee, tea, and milk in the temple complex.
  • The meal is pure-veg.

What are some famous temples near Tirumala?

Explore Places Near Tirumala Temple
Explore Famous Places and Activities Near Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple
  1. Varaha Swamy Temple – It is located at the banks of Swami Pushkarini near the Tirumala Temple. According to legend, Lord Varaha Swamy granted land to Lord Venkateswara to stay in the hill. In return, Lord Venkateswara promised the privilege of first Darshan to Varah Swamy.
  2. Bedi Anjaneya Swamy Temple – This temple is located opposite to Tirupati Balaji Temple. As per the legend, young Lord Hanuman (Anjaneya) wanted to leave home in search of a camel. His mother Anjana Devi then tied his hands. The idol present here is also showing the hands of Hanuman tied.
  3. Padmavathi Devi Temple – This temple is located 5 km away from Tirumala Temple in the town of Tiruchanoor. The presiding deity is Goddess Padmavathi, the wife of Lord Srinivasa. People also call this temple as Alamelumangapuram.
  4. Prasanna Venkateshwara Swamy Temple – It is located 16 km from Tirupati. The uniqueness of the Temple is the presiding deity Venkateshwara who is in the “Abhaya Hasta” posture. This Temple is the marriage site of Srinivasa and Padmavathi.
  5. Govindaraja Swami Temple – The temple is also located in Tirupati and was built by Ramanujacharya. The presiding deity Govindaraja was the elder brother of Venkateshwara. It is believed that worshiping him can result in better management of one’s finances.
  6. Kapileswara Swamy Temple – This temple is also located in Tirupati. As per the legend, this is the place where Lord Shiva appeared before Maharishi Kapila. The Shiva Linga is believed to have been self-manifested here.
  7. Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple – The Chola dynasty and Vijayanagara Empire built this temple. The presiding deities are Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshman.

Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple Palakollu Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy temple in the West Godavari district of Andhra, Palakollu is a grand temple of Lord Shiva that is one of the Pancharama temples. The presiding deity here is Lord Shiva whose form was established by Lord Vishnu. Locally this temple is also famous as Pedda Gopuram.

What is the history of Palakollu Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple?

According to history, Palakollu Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy temple was constructed during the reign of Chalukya Bhima of Chalukya dynasty in the 9th century. Sri Velupathi designed it’s Prakara during the 10th century. The architecture is a clear reflection of the art practised during the Chalukya dynasty reigns.

During the 14th century, Sri Alladu Reddy built the Gopuram. During the 17th century, there was construction of Kalyana mantapam (choultry) and Ashtha Bhuja Lakshmi Narayanaswamy alaya.

What is the significance of Palakollu Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple?

Significance of Ramalingeswara Swamy is that the Shivalingam at the temple is the tallest one and has a unique milky white color. The shiva lingam which is popular as moola virat is visible from all four sides of the sanctum sanctorum or garbha griha.

In addition one can also view several other gods like the Sun God, Devi Parvati and Lakshmi, Veera Bhadra, Kanaka Durga, Nataraja, Shankara, Radha Krishna from all four sides.

Locally there is a saying that staying for a day at Ksheerama is equal to staying at Varanasi.

The temple has 72 pillars made of black stones.

Timings of Palakollu Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple

Here are the timings of Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple:

TimingsFromTo
Open6:00 am8:00 pm

How to reach Palakollu Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple?

Here’s how to reach Palakollu Temple:

  • Road: buses are frequently available from all the parts of Andhra Pradesh moving towards Bhimavaram to Palakollu.
  • Rail: trains are also very easily available on a regular basis from the Vijaywada railway junction.
  • Air: The nearest aiport is Vijawada from where regular flights are available.

Where to stay near Palakollu?

Some of the places where one can stay near Palakollu are:

  • Palavalli Boutique Resorts which is 12km from Palakollu town centre has a great location where guests enjoy their peace and solitude.
  • Falcon Nest Hotel behind the coastal city centre at Bhimavaram is a grand place to check in.

What are some temples near Palakollu?

Some of the temples near palakollu are:

  • Sri Someswara Temple which is 117 km from Vijaywada is one of the Pancharama Kshetras where one can visit to offer prayers to the Lord. Devotees also believe that Lord Chandra installed the main Lingam.
  • Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is another pilgrim place to visit during this trip. It is on the top of the Seshachala hill in Tirumala.
  • Shri Lingaraj Temple is a famous Hindu temple in honour of lord Harihara, a form of lord Shiva and is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the East Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa). The temple is the most prominent landmark of the Bhubaneswar city.

Draksharamam Temple Guide – Bhimeswara Pancharama – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Draksharamam Temple in Andhra Pradesh is the abode of Lord Bhimeswara Swamy and Goddess Manikyamba. The preceding deity at Draksharamam Temple is in the form of a “Linga”, 2.6 m tall of one large Crystal (known as the “Spatika Linga”).

Another popular name of the temple is Dakshina Kasi Kshetram. The literal translation of Draksharamam is ‘Abode of Daksha Prajapathi’, the father of Sati and the father in law of Lord Shiva. Sati was the wife of Lord Shiva. The Draksharama Temple is one of the Five Powerful Temples of Lord Shiva which are known as “Pancharamas” in Andhra Pradesh.

Draksharamam Temple History

Bhimeswara Swamy temple or Draksharamam temple is 25 km from Amalapuram and 28 km away from Kakinada on the Eastern bank of Godavari River. The ‘Skanda Purana’ of Shri Vyasa exhaustively describes the history of this pilgrimage destination. According to mythology, when Dasksha decided to perform a Yagna, he made a trip to Kailash Parbat. He did so with an intention to invite the Gods and Goddesses to grace the occasion and sanctify the ‘Yagna’.

However, the Lord was in a spiritual trance and did not realize that he had a visitor. Dasksha mistook this as being indifference on Lord Shiva’s part and returned without inviting the Lord and Sati. In spite of not getting the invitation, Sati expressed her desire to attend the pooja to the Lord. The Lord warned her that she will not be welcomed in her home but when Sati insisted, he let her go. As expected, Sati was not greeted warmly in her father’s house and everyone gave her the cold shoulder.

Humiliated by this, Sati decided to give up her life instead of returning to her husband with a fallen face. She dropped down dead in her father’s house. When Shiva learnt about this tragedy, he sent his son Veerabhadra to break Daksha’s ego and he himself came down to Daksha’s home. Veerabhadra, along with other Siva Ganas, including Kali, brought down Daksha and destroyed the Yajna. Lord Shiva carried Sati’s dead body over his shoulders and danced the ‘Pralaya Thandava’ or the destruction dance.

At this moment, Lord Vishnu descended and in order to redeem Lord Shiva’s grief, he cut down Sati’s body into 18 pieces with his ‘chakra’. The places on earth where the 18 pieces fell came to be known as the ‘Ashta Dasa Peethas’ and Sri Manikyamba of Draksharama is the twelfth of them and it is believed that the left cheek of Sati fell here.

Draksharamam Temple building is two storied and resembles a fort. There are 2 “Prakarams” or paths; outer and inner. The outer path has four entrances coming from four different directions. Each entrance has the most intricately carved Gopurams and is known to be in 4 different forms of Goddesses i.e. Gogulamma, Nookambika, Moodhambike, GhattambikeIn.

The main deity of the temple is Lord Bheemeswar Swamy, in the form of a 2.6 mts tall Shiva Lingam (the tallest Shiva Lingam in the world) which is made of crystal and has black stripes on the upper portion. Legend has that these stripes were the markings of the tiger skin that Lord Shiva was wearing when he found with Arjun under the disguise of a hunter. The early morning sun light falls directly on the Shiva lingam. Visitors can take a flight of steps towards the upper level of the Sanctum to see the upper structure of Lord Bheemeswar Swamy.

Towards the back side of the temple is the shrine of Manikyamba Devi in the left corner. The Goddess is looking towards the left which signifies her as Vamachara Devatha.

Lord Vishnu, present at the draksharamam temple with his consort Lakshmi Devi, is the Kshetrapalaka of Draksharamam. His shrine is at the entrance of main Temple.

There are other smaller shrines inside the main temple. Some of them are Praakara Bhairavudu, Viroopa, Natarajeshwar, Vaamana, Visheshwara, Dancing Ganapathi, Dundhi Ganapathi, Goddess Kanakadurga and Goddess Annapurna. The Kashi Vishweshwara Swamy temple faces south and is on the right side of Bheemeshwara Swamy temple.

The water from the Sapta Godavari Kundam (seven Godavari pond) is very sacred and is used for performing pooja. According to mythology, “Saptamaharishis” or the Seven Sages divided the Godavari River into seven streams in an attempt to end their penance. Of these seven streams, Draksharamam, Bharadhwaja, Viswamitra and Jamadagni streams known as the “Antarvahinis” and are believed to have gone underground. Later, these streams merged into a pond which is now known as Sapta Godavari Kundam.

Significance of Draksharamam Temple

The draksharamamam temple’s history can be dated back to the thirteenth century and it is one of the ‘Pancharamas’. It is an ancient and a holy pagoda and is a protected monument today. It is visited by thousands of devotees of Lord Shiva and Goddess Sati.

The Archaeological Department of India as taken the responsibility of restoring and renovating the beauty of the structure. Because of the inscriptions and epigraphs on the temple walls, this place is a paradise of historians and epigraphists.

The inscriptions on draksharamam temple date back to the 9th and 10th centuries during the reign of Chalukya King Bhima. During this time, the dynasty was under the attack by the Rashtrakotas. According to the inscriptions, Chalukyas had to fight over 360 battles. There are over 400 inscriptions that date back to the 11th Later this region was ruled by the Chola and Kalinga dynasty.

Devi Navaratrulu, Karthika Masam, Dhanurmasam, Birthday Celebration of Sri Bhimeswara Swamy varu, Subrahmanya Shasti, Maha Sivaratri and Kalyanam etc., are some of the important festivals celebrated at this Temple.

Draksharamam Temple follows an ancient South Indian Architectural style. Draksharamam Temple structure consists of 2 mandaps along with two walls. The sanctum or the inner garbhaalaya consists of intricate decor and crafting which showcases the work of master craftsmanship and represents cultural grandeur of the contemporary era. The temple also serves as a library for students of archaeological architecture.

This inner sanctum of draksharamam temple consists of a pedestal which has been built for priests to perform their rituals. Aurangzeb, when he invaded the temple, plundered the diamonds that had been studded into the walls. Ever since then this sanctum remains dark as the diamonds acted as a light source.

Inside the temple, the ventilation and illumination are rather impressive and proves the sensibility of the contemporary architects of that time. One can feel the inflow of rejuvenating air and the lightning arrangements within the temple.

The inscriptions and scripts are written in Dravidian, Tamil, Devanagiri, Telugu scripts in Sanskrit and Telugu languages. The inscriptions speak of the Chola, Sathvahanas, Vijaynagara and Reddy dynasties that once ruled over this region.

The draksharamam temple has been constructed in an area of over 12 acres and is surrounded by tall walls. 26 Lords reside in the temple as a family. The visitors are welcomed by Dundi Ganapati and Natya (Dancing) Ganapati at the main entrance. The trunk of Ganapati faces to his right similar to the Ganapati in Kasi.

The temples of Lord Lakshmi Narayana Swamy, Goddess Annapurna along with Lord Visveswara Swamy and Virupaksha Swamy, Bala Bheemeswara, Saptha mathrukalu, Lord Suryanarayana Swamy, Lord Subrahmanyeswara Swamy, Lord Lakshmi Ganapati, Lord Brahma installed by Krishna Devaraya exist here. Also, present in the temple are the halls for Navagraha and Ashta Dikpalakas.

Draksharamam Temple Timings

  • Draksharamam Temple opens at 6 AM and closes at 8 PM.
  • There is afternoon break between 12 pm to 3 pm during which the darshan is closed.
  • Once a month on Masa Shivaratri and once a year on Maha Shivaratri, the temple is open throughout the day starting from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Festivals celebrated at Draksharamam Temple

Maha Shivarathri is the busiest time in the temple. It comes in the month of February or March. Around the same time in the month, the marriage ceremony or “Sri Swamivari Kalyanam” is held on Bhishma Ekadasi. Following is the list of all the festivals that are celebrated at the temple, along with the months in which they are celebrated:

  1. Sarrannavarathri Festival from Asviyuja Suddha Padyami to Dwadasi every year (October)
  2. Kartheeka Monday Festivals and Jwalathoranam in Karteeka masam every year (November)
  3. Sri Swamyvari Birthday on Margasira Suddha Chaturdhasi every year (December).
  4. Shasti Festival in the Month of December every year
  5. Sri Swamyvari Kalyanam on Bhisma Ekadasi Day in Magha Masam Every year (February)
  6. Mahasivarathri Festival in Maghamasam every year (February-March).

Poojas and Rituals at Draksharamam Temple

  1. Laksha Patri Puja
  2. Laksha Kumkumarchana
  3. Laksha Vattula Nomu
  4. Surya Namaskaramulu
  5. Ekadasa Rudramu
  6. Mahanyasa Purvaka Abhishekamu
  7. Sahasra Kumkumarchana
  8. Laghu Vyasa Poorvaka Eka Vaara Abhishekam
  9. Ashtotthara Kumkumarchana
  10. Masa Shivaratri Abhishekam (Every month)
  11. Masa Shivaratri Kumkuma Puja (Every month)
  12. Abhishekam (Every Monday)
  13. Puja (Every Friday)
  14. Nomulu / Aksharabhyasam / Annaprasana
  15. Special Darshan Ticket (On Festivals)
  16. Keshakhandana
  17. Upanayanamu
  18. Abhishekam Ticket(Monthly)
  19. Kumkumarchana Ticket(Monthly)
  20. Abhishekam at the time of Dasara Festival(For 10 days)
  21. Kumkumarchana at the time of Dasara Festival (For 10 days)
  22. Rudra Homam
  23. Japam/Tarpanam /Nava Varaarchana
  24. Nitya Kalyanam
  25. Sthala Puranam
  26. Sri Swamy vari Archana
  27. Abhishekam/Kumkumarchana
  28. Ubhayam at the time of Dasara
  29. Nitya Samuhika Abhishekam, Kumkumarchana(For One Year)

How to reach Draksharamam Temple?

  • By Road: The bus route connects the temple well with the neighbouring cities. The temple is situated at a distance of 50 km from Rajahmundry, 28 km from Kakinada Town and 6 km from Ramachandrapuram and buses ply on a routine basis on these routes.
  • By Rail: The nearest railway stations are Kakinada, Rajahmundry and Samalkot Junction.
  • By Air: The nearest airport to the temple is Rajahmundry which is at a distance of 50 km from the temple.

Where to stay nearby?

In the Devasthanam, dormitories are available at a charge of Rs. 200.00/- per day. Devotees can also avail one of the two A.C. suites with attached Bathrooms at a cost of Rs. 700.00/- per day per suite. Other rooms are also available at reasonable prices and usually, the prices start from Rs.100 or 200 per day depending on the room sizes.

Right in front of the temple, a choultry is also available. Here the devotees can relax for some time and also avail food, free of cost. Accommodations arealso available in near cities like Kakinada, Samalkota or Rajahmundry and from these areas, one can take a day trip via the bus to Draksharamam.

Where to eat nearby?

In the front of the draksharamam temple is the Choultry where free food is available to all the devotees. There are other small restaurants located around the temple where local and South Indian food is available.

Nearby Temples

  • Kumararamam at Samalkota is one of the Pancharama Kshetras and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The presiding deity is Kumara Bhimeswara Swamy and the Linga here is made up of limestone. It is located at a distance of 44 km or 1 hour from Draksharamam.
  • Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Devastanam at Annavaram is built in the Dravidian style. The presiding deity Lord Satyadeva, with his consort Sri Anantha Lakshmi on one Side and Lord Siva on the other. The temple is located at a distance of 75 km or 1 and a half hour Draksharamam.
  • Sri Uma Markandeyeswara Swamy Temple at Rajahmundry is dedicated to Markandaya, the miracle child of a Muni called Mrukhanada. It is located at a distance of 48 km or 1 hour from Draksharamam.
  • Ashta Someswarulu – Lord Chandra, in an attempt to calm Lord Shiva, installed 8 Shiva Linga’s around the main Draksharamam temple in 8 directions. The collection of these lingas is known as Ashta Someswarulu. These 8 Lingas are Kolanka, Venturu, Kotipalli, Vella, Korumella, Someswaram and Penumalla.

Lepakshi Temple Timings, Poojas, Dress Code, and History

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Lepakshi Temple is a dedication to the cult deity Veerabhadra. The temple is based in the small village of Lepakshi in the Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh. The construction of the temple took place in the 16th century during the reign of Vijayanagara Kings.

Lepakshi Temple has three shrines dedicated to the Hindu Gods Shiva, Vishnu and Veerabhadra. There exist about 70 pillars at this fabulous 16th-century stone structure of Vijayanagar style architecture.

This temple houses the largest sculpture of the demon king Veerabhadra. Moreover, much of the temple stands on a low rocky hill called Kurmasailam. The word ‘Kurmasailam‘ translates to tortoise hill in the Telugu language.

One of the pillars n Lepakshi Temple is popular as the Aakaasa Sthambha (Hanging Column). This pillar does not rest on the ground fully. During the British era, a British engineer’s labour in trying to move it were in vain. However, doing so made the pillar dislodge from its original position.

Introduction of Lepakshi Temple
This Nandi is India’s largest monolithic structure.

Besides the Hanging pillar, the other thing that is worth seeing is the spectacular Nandi which is located almost a mile before the main temple. It is 27 ft in length and 15 ft in height which is reputedly India’s biggest monolithic Nandi.

Facts About Lepakshi Temple

Opening and Closing Timings6:00 am – 6:00 pm
Entry FeeNo fee
Main DeityVeerbhadra
Nearest AirportSri Sathya Sai Airport
LocationAnantapur district, Andhra Pradesh
Photography Allowed

Lepakshi Temple Timings

Devotees can visit the temple for darshan in the following timings –

Timings From
Morning6:00 AM
Evening6:00 PM

The temple opens all days of the week. However, timings may change during festivals, important rituals and eclipses.

Significance of Lepakshi Temple

  • Lepakshi Temple has three separate Mandapas. The first one is Mukhya Mandapa (or Natya or Ranga Mandapa). The second one is Artha Mandapa and Garba Griha and third is Kalyana Mandapa. The last Mandapa is unfinished.
  • Devotees worship Veerbhadra who is Shiva’s depiction in his ferocious mood. Warrior God Veerbhadra was worshipped during wartimes in the ancient and medieval periods.
  • A huge Ganesha is there in the temple’s outer enclosure. And it leans against the rock which is perpendicular to a massive Naga with three coils and seven hoods. This Nagalinga is the largest in India.
  • Goddess Sita’s footprint is there in the temple premises. Beliefs say that the footprint got imprinted on the floor during the time Ravana was taking Sita to Lanka.
Legends of Lepakshi Temple
This footprint is considered to be of Devi Sita’s from the time Ravana was abducting her.

Poojas and Rituals performed at the Lepakshi Temple

Abhishek TimingsFrom
Morning7:00 AM – 7:30 AM

At first, the puja of the Shivalinga takes place. Henceforth Lord Veerabhadra is worshipped. In the morning, the lord appears in Bala rupa (youth). And turns to a hero in a moustache by the evening.

Devotees perform Abhishek to Lord and Mother and offer clothes. Offerings in form of the sweet pudding – Sarkarai Pongal Nivedhana is also made. As in Lord Vishnu temples, here too Sadari blessing with the lotus feet of the Lord is offered to devotees. Betel leaf is given as prasad in the temple.

Lepakshi Temple History

The history of Lepakshi Temple dates back to 1530-40. The Virupanna and Viranna brothers did the construction of the temple. The two brothers were in the service of Vijayanagar Kings. At that time Vijayanagar was King Achutarya’s kingdom.

But according to the Puranic story, Lepakshi Temple was built by the sage Agastya. Moreover, Skanda Purana states that this temple is one of the important pilgrimage sites of Lord Shiva known as divyakshetras.

Legends associated with Lepakshi Temple

  • The origin of Verbhadra is an interesting mythological tale. According to the tale, it was Sati’s suicide that enraged Shiva to cut off a lock of his hair. And from this lock of his hair, Demon God Veerbhadra and Goddess Kali were born.
  • Virupanna constructed the Lepakshi temple using the resources from the state treasury. After knowing this, King Achutarya got angry with him and decided to punish Virupanna. Hence, he ordered to blind Virupanna. And on hearing this Virupanna blinded himself there and then.
  • The temple has different panels of paintings depicting different stories. One of the panels narrates the tale of Shiva’s marriage. Parvati is shown seated on the raised seat alongside six maidens.
  • The paintings of this temple were first noticed by A H Longhurstin 1912-13 but lack of attention and leakage resulted in deterioration of these artforms.
  • Rumours are that a lot was later done to the temple during Vijayanagar reigns. However, there are no significant records for it. But we do have a lot of other temples built around the shrine of Veerbhadra.
  • Also, the presence of the Uddana Veerabhadra Temple in Hampi provides evidence that claims that during Vijayanagar days the people of Hampi worshipped the Gods in their ferocious forms as well. In fact, the ruins of Hampi points towards the existence of this cult.

Rules to follow in Lepakshi Temple

  • While visiting the Lepakshi temple, do not forget to wear decent clothes. And do not carry leather bags or belts, etc. However, temple authorities permit photography inside this temple so one must carry their camera.
  • Moreover, one should choose to wear a traditional piece of clothing to the temple. Temple authorities prohibit clothing items like jeans, t-shirts, shorts and skirts etc in the temple premises.

Festivals celebrated at Lepakshi Temple

  • The month of February calls for a 10 day-long celebration in the premises of Lepakshi temple. This festival also includes the car festival. During the festival, pilgrims flock in huge numbers to the temple.
  • Mahashivratri– On this occasion dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple organises a huge fair. The fair invites traders of sweetmeats, clothes, bangles, toys and bamboo articles. Also, the trading of domestic animals like goats, cows etc take place in the temple fair. Moreover, a lot of villagers arrive on this day to redeem their vows.
  • Durgamma Festival– This is a four-day-long festival that falls in the Bhadrapada month of Hindu Calendar. On this day devotees draw water from Majira river for worshipping. Moreover, a lot of other sacrifices also take place during the time. Temple authorities organise a fair on this day.
  • Masi Brahmmotsavam falling in the months of February-March and Tirukarthikai falling in November-December are some of the other festivals that call for celebration in the Lepakshi temple.

How to reach Lepakshi Temple – Road, Rail and Air

  • Train– Hindupur railway station is the nearest railways station to Lepakshi. It is located about 12 km away from the temple.
  • Road– Lepakshi has good road connectivity via Hindupur. Many private and government buses connect Hindupur to the rest of India. Also, one can hire a taxi service to reach their destination.
  • Air– Sri Sathya Sai Airport, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh is the nearest to the temple. It is 58 km away from the Lepakshi temple.

Hotels near Lepakshi Temple – Where to stay

Lepakshi temple does not have any guesthouse available. However, there are some good hotels nearby it –

  • AP Tourism Hotel near Nandi– This place is very affordable. Also, this hotel accepts bookings one day in advance too. Moreover, one must carry a confirmation voucher of the same along with a valid ID proof.
  • Hotel Bheema– This place is another stay near the temple. It is a blend of all the modern amenities and is very budget-friendly.
  • SRS Regency Hotel– This hotel is a complete divinity for the travellers. One can have all the modern amenities here. This place is also quite near to the temple and is pocket-friendly.

Where to eat?

There are several hotels around the temple that offer tasty and mouth-watering dishes. The South Indian food prepared here has an unbeatable taste. Tourists can get both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food near the temple. Other cuisines one can find here include North Indian and other modern varieties. The nearby restaurants that are worth visiting include Annapoorna and Ghuma Ghumalu Restaurant.

Nearby Temples

  • Lepakshi Nandi: There is a monolithic sculpture of Shiva’s bull Nandi on the main road of Lepakshi which is approximately 550 m from the temple. The sculpture faces the shiva linga that a large serpent is shielding.
  • Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple: Sri Veerabhadra Swamy came to life with an aim to demolish Dakshyagna. After doing so, Dakshyagna was redone successfully. However, even after the completion of yagna, Sri Veerabhadra Swamy lived in anger and was burning in fire caused by the Yoga Sakthi of Sati. Hence, other saints and devotees of Veerbhadra Swamy went to Vaikunta to request Lord Vishnu to pacify Veera Bhadra Swamy. This temple is 48 Km from Kadapa.
  • Bayalu Veerabhadra Swamy: Bayalu Veerabhadra Swami Temple idol is there is a temple facing north. Beliefs say that it guards the Lord Mallikarjuna Swami. He is the kshetrapalaka of Srisailam. He has no roof above him. Hence, it goes by the name Bayalu Veerabhadra Swamy.
  • Sri Bhadrakali Sametha Veereswara Swamy Devasthanam: In this temple, the Goddess Bhadrakali is present on the same platform, in order to pacify Veerabhadra Swamy. Pujaris perform Nithyakalyanam here to Veereswara Swamy and Sri Bhadrakali.
  • Sri Agora Veerabhadra Swamy Temple: A goat’s head was put on Dhakshan after Sri Veerabhadra cut his off. Beliefs are that Dhakshan lost to Sri Veerabhadra at this place. Sri Veerabhadra faces north, holding many weapons. Goddess Kaali is present just outside the sanctum, facing east. This temple attracts lots of devotees during new moon days and full moon days. Beliefs are that it cures people with mental illness.

If you have any questions about Lepakshi Temple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.

Annavaram Temple Guide – Satyanarayana Swamy – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Annavaram Temple is one of the most popular holy shrines of the country and is the second most popular pilgrimage after the Tirupati Temple in Andhra Pradesh. The Satyanarayana Swamy Temple in Annavaram has been built in the Dravidian style. The richness and glory of Lord Satyadeva, the temple’s deity, is described widely in the Revakhanda of the Holy Skandhapuranam.

In Annavaram Temple, Lord Satyadeva sits with his consort Shri Anantha Lakshmi on one side and Lord Siva on the other side. The Lord took his abode on the Ratnagiri Mountain, named after Ratnakara who was the son of Meru, the holy king of the mountains. The Sri Satyanarayana Swamy at Annavaram is followed by the sacred Pampa River which is touching the feet of the hill as is the case with all Divyakshetrams.

Lord Satyadeva is the God of truth and he showers his eternal blessings on all humankind in his beautifully manifested form in the form of the divine trinity which is called Hari Hara Hiranyagarbhathrimurtyatmaka. Therefore, the temple is the only ones attracting pilgrims from both the Vishanava and Saiva Hindu religion.

The Veeravenkatasathya Narayana swami is the main temple on the hill dedicated to Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy. This is a temple of Sri Rama and there are shrines of Vanadurge and Kanaka Durga around. The Grama Devatha (village deity) temple is located in the village foot of the hill.

Annavaram Temple History

According to legend, Raja i.e. Ramarayanam was the then zamindar of the Gorasa and the Kirlampudi estates near Samalkot since he was ordained by Lord in his dream. He then traced the idol on the hill and worshiped and installed it at this spot on Sravanasuddhavidiya in the Telugu year khara 1891.

The temple was constructed on the hill and the Bay of Bengal situated at 11 miles is visible from the hill and row of the majestic Eastern Ghats is visible on other side. The hills and the Pampa River encircle Ratnagiri from all sides. The main hillock is about 300 feet above the sea level and there are about 460 well-laid stone steps that lead to the top.

The main temple has been constructed like a chariot that has four wheels at each corner. The main temple’s front has the modern architecture including a Kalyanamantapa. Down the way, there is a Ramalaya and then there are shrines of Vana Durga which is held in veneration and the Devi is believed to be seen there in the nights according to the holy precincts that a perpetually guard the lord.

Significance of Annavaram Temple

According to the Agni Purana and the Hindu mythology, any temple’s akriti is the manifestation of its Prakriti.  In the ancient texts, the idea is developed and the Slipasastra is based on this principle. The temple’s wall and Vimana should be constructed to remind the devotee of the universe while the supreme spirit is represented by the deity inside who is the core of the entire universe.

These texts believe that the chariot is a symbol of seven lokas which lie underneath and the seven lokas that lie above along with garbhalaya of the lord rule hearts and center that rules over the entire universe.

The Annavaram Temple has been constructed based on these ideas. The temple’s front side depicts the chariot, the Meru is on the floor and the pillar is at the center. The idols at tope are constructed to bring to life the idea that Lord remains at the centre but it also permeates entire universe.

The wheels depict both the Sun and Moon and serve as a reminder us that the Jaggernaut completely moves on wheels of time and this cycle goes on forever. The Annavaram temple satisfies the devotees’ ritualistic values and spiritual aspirations.

There is a dial on the north side of temple’s compound that shows Indian standard time which is easy to calculate. A Mandapam is constructed round the main temple and a Kalyana mandapam on the lower level, that provides space to conduct about a thousand Satyanarayan Vrathams at one time and 500 Vrathams can be conducted by the side of Ramalya.

The foundation of a Galigopuram has been laid opposite to the Kalyanamantapam by left side which lies to the south of the compound wall.

The annavaram temple has also installed NavaGrahams and a bigger temple might be built for them in future. Down the steps, there are office rooms, guesthouse, a Choultry and open-air theatre used for HariKathas. The walls of the Vratha halls and the open air theatre have been painted with figures that represent the story of the deity Satyanarayana Swamy and his devotee called Sadhuvu.

A shed for tonsure ceremony, the Kesakhandanasalahas been built on the eastern side of the temple. A new kitchen is also present behind the main temple where the priests prepare Naivedyam for the lord. Another kitchen prepares Prasadam.

The idol of the main deity is 13 feet high and is in cylindrical form. The base of the idol is in the lower sanctum that represents Lord Brahma and the idol’s top situated in upper sanctum that represents lord Vishnu. The idol’s middle portion represents Lord Siva. This image that represents the 3 Lords in a single idol i.e. the Trimurtis-Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva is of great attraction.

One of the most popular temples in Andhra Pradesh, a unique yantra based on Tripadvibhuti Narayan Upanishad exists here the shrine is constructed in two storeys, the lower one containing the yantra and upper one housing vigrahas of the lord. The idol is about 4 meter high is in cylindrical form.

The base in the lower sanctum represents Lord Vishnu and the middle portion represents Lord Shiva. The image of the deity forming a single idol and representing the Hindu trinity is of unique attraction.

Annavaram Temple Timings

Darshan Timings: 6 AM to 12 PM, 12:30 PM to 9 PM.

  • Many Poojas are conducted throughout the day by the temple priests and Abhishekas are performed by the devotees at Rs. 100/- per each ticket in the Yantralayam.

Festivals Celebrated here

Ekadashi is a very auspicious occasion for the annavaram temple as this is the best day to perform the Satya Narayan Vratham. Hindus have been performing the Shri Satyanarayana Vratham for ages throughout India.

The vratham is known to bring wealth, prosperity, education, and offspring. A number of pilgrims visit the temple from far and near and the daily average attendance of the temple is two thousand. Ekadashi is a very auspicious occasion for this vratham, but the individual devotees also perform this vratham on any convenient day. The vratham has become all the more popular due to the experience narrated in stories and also due to the legends and observations of daily life.

The vratham has an important fable according to which Sage Narada was once very much distressed about the immense misery of men in this world. He prayed to Lord Vishnu to suggest a way out. The Lord told him about the Satyanarayana Vratham and he said that this would relieve all men of the troubles.

The vratham was also useful to gain worldly prosperity and to achieve salvation after death. Lord narrated that a pious Brahmin from Banaras had performed this magical vratham first. Other people who had performed the Vratham and had benefitted were King Ulkamukha from Bhadrasila Nagaram, Emperor Tungadhwaja, and a Vaishya business man named Sadhuvu.

The community of Gollas in the kingdom of Tungadhwaja and a poor woodcutter from Banaras had performed this vratham. They were all blessed by the great Lord Satya Narayana Swamy (who is Vishnu himself) and they achieved all they desired in life.

This vratham has hence caught fascination of the millions of devotees who have heard the stories and offer respect to the Lord. These stories are easy to understand for the common people as well as within the understanding of the scholars. Thus, all classes of people can perform the vratham and this has popularized it among them as people have been benefitted by the vratham.

According to the texts of the Vratham, Sadhuvu’s daughter Kalavathi had left the prasadam of Lord Satya Narayan to see her husband and thus the husband drowned in the boat in which he was travelling. Thus, Kalavathi was grieved and decided to kill herself. Sadhuvu was extremely grieved to see his only daughter preparing for sahagamana. He thus realized that only Lord Satyanarayana could come to his relief and thus, he fervently prayed to him.

The lord revealed that this catastrophe was inflicted upon them as Kalavathi did not take her prasadam in the hurry to go to her husband. Thus, Kalavathi rushed home and took the prasadam and when she hurried back to the seashore, she saw her husband Ratnakara who was safe on the shore. She then told him all about the Lord and upon hearing this her husband was so much impressed that he heart fully prayed to the Lord and the Lord’s blessings changed the spot  into Ratnagiri hill on which the Lord took his permanent abode.

According to legend, the River Pampa running by the hill is the form of the devotee Kalavathi who had melted with ecstasy at the grace of the Lord and of her husband’s achievement and thus began to flow as Pampa River.

Poojas and Rituals at Annavaram Temple

The Sathya Narayan Vratham is performed on Ekadashi and has a specific procedure. First Lord Ganesha and the Navagrahas are offered respect and then the image of the deity is placed on a clean spot.

The Lord is appeased through chants, flowers, and prasadam that includes fruits, sweet wheat flour, and sweets are offered to the deity. The story is then narrated and Aarti is performed at the end. After the prayer, a small lamp is lit near the idol is known as the Aratika. The devotees take prasadam at the conclusion of the pooja.

How to Reach Annavaram Temple – By Rail, Road, and Air

Annavaram is a village situated close to River Pampa in the east Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. It is situated about 32 kms from Pithapuram, 51 km from Kakinada and 72 kms from Rajahmundry. The Sri Veeravenkata Satyanarayana Swamy Vari Devasthanam, Annavaram is well connected by both rail and roadways. It can be reached by road, rail and airways:

By Air: The nearest airport is at the east side of Annavaram at Visakhapatnam and all flights fly to Vishakhapatnam. Annavaram is at a distance of 3 hrs from Visakhapatnam. On the west side of Annvaram, the Rajahmundry Airport is located.

By Train: Many trains that pass between Kolkata and Vijayawada stop at the Annavaram station. One can also stop at Visakhapatnam.

By Road: There are regular buses to Vishakhapatnam as well as Annavaram from all major cities. Madras to Calcutta, National Highway-5 road is going via Annavaram. Regular bus service is available from all nearby towns.

Hotels in Annavaram

Sun Ray Village resort, Visakhapatnam which is the finest resort and family leisure destination at Vizag. Hotel Daspalla is centrally located in the heart of Visakhapatnam near Jagadamba centre.

Nearby Temples

Talupulamma Talli Temple: It is one of the most famous and a well-known place in Andhra Pradesh and people visit for offering pooja to the Goddess after purchasing a new vehicle.

Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple: This is an ancient Siva temple in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh

Pancharama Sri Kumararama Bheemeshwara Swamy Temple: It is located in Samalkota near Annavaram and is a popular temple there.

Vishakhapatnam is near Annavaram and is also a popular tourist attraction in the region. It has been built along the seashore of the Bay of Bengal. It is bounded and broken by the bold headland which is called the dolphin’s nose (357mts above the sea level).

Vishakhapatnam also has a stunning beach. The region’s surrounding area also very picturesque with the well-forested Eastern Ghats and numerous rivers, major among which are the Godavari and Indravati River.