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Mantralayam Temple Timings, History, Sevas and Poojas

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Mantralayam Temple is dedicated to Sri Raghavendra Swamy and treasures the memorial of the famous Vaishnava saint, Sri Raghavendra. It is located in Andhra Pradesh. In this guide you will find out about Mantralayam temple timings, history, poojas list, significance and how to travel to Mantralayam.

Mantralayam Temple – Facts

DeityShri Raghavendra
LocationMantralayam, Andhra Pradesh
Entry FeesGeneral Darshan – Free
Best Time to VisitAugust to March
PoojasAnnadanam, Vastra Samarpana
FestivalsMaharathostavam, Aradhanostavam

What are the timings of Mantralayam Temple?

Everyday at 6:00 am the cleansing of Raghavendra Brindavan takes place with holy water. During the Mangala Aarti anointment and adornment with precious jewels and clothes are done. The general timing of the temple is from 6 am to 8 pm. Here are the timings of Mantralayam Temple:

Ritual Timings
Morning Darshan 6:00 am to 2:00 pm
Evening Darshan 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Tirtha Prasada (Food) 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Swamiji Darshan 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Seva Sankalpa 8:00 am to 9:00 am
  • Mahapooja to Moola Rama, Mukhyaprana and Brindavana is performed at noon.
  • Mantrashakta is performed from 10 am to 11:30 am.

Mantralayam Temple Food Timings

Meals are served at a large dining space at the left of the sanctum. At night, devotees can purchase Prasad (puliogare and pongal) from the mutt counter, which is known as Annadaata.

Tirtha Prasad (Lunch)1 pm to 3 pm
Dinner (Sandhya Bhoga – Occasionally)After 8 pm

Mantralayam Temple History

Sri Raghavendra Swamy | Mantralayam Temple

Mantralayam Temple of Andhra Pradesh is dedicated to Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, who lived during the 16th century

Sri Raghavendra Swamy is considered as an incarnation of Prahlad, a devotee of Lord Vishnu.

Raghavendra Swamy was a devotee of Sri Moola Rama and Sri Panchamukhi Mukhya Prana Devaru. It is believed that the five faced Hanuman gave darshan to the saint while he was performing penance at a place called Panchamukhi.

The teachings of this great saint are based on the Vaishnava cult, Dvaita philosophy and preaching of Madhvacharya.

Before becoming a saint, Sri Raghavendra was a family man with a wife and a son. On the day of his transformation, his wife wished to see him for the last time and hence came running to the mutt. But in her hurry, she felt in an abandoned well and died.

As it was an untimely death of her with the desire unfulfilled, she became a ghost and came to visit the saint in the mutt. Sri Raghavendra Swamy sensed her presence and sprinkled holy water, relieving her from the cycles of birth and death.

Sri Raghavendra is believed to have done many miracles in his lifetime.

Significance of Mantralayam Temple

Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple is not only a memorial of the saint but also worships Lord Hari, Vayu and Rayaru.

Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple houses three spectacular chariots, made with sandalwood and adorned with fresh and bright flowers.

Every day the deities are placed on the chariots and a wonderful procession round the temple takes place.

Mantralayam Temple Dress Code

As per the Mantralayam temple dress code, men should wear dhoti and no shirt (only Angavastram). Women devotees should wear a sari or salwar kameez. Devotees will not be allowed to enter the Mantralayam temple wearing informal attire like jeans, shorts or T-shirts.

To maintain the tranquility, devotees are expected to speak in a low voice and walk in queues. Some other guidelines which are followed at this Mantralayam temple are:

  • Devotees are suggested not to wear headgears, cooling glasses.
  • Men are requested to remove their shirt and hold it in their hands while paying the visit to Rayaru, while women are expected to be in traditional wear, like the sari.
  • Outside eatables are not permitted within the temple complex.
  • Last but not the least; devotees are expected to bath in the holy waters of River Tungabhadra (wetting their hair) before offering puja at the temple.

Festivals celebrated at Temple

Mantralayam Temple celebrates various kinds of festivals throughout the year. Devotees can offer various kinds of seva to fulfil the good wishes and for the well-being of the family members.

  • The Maharathostavam, also known as the car festival is celebrated with great pomp and glamour at Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple.
  • Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy Aradhanostavam is another famous festival of the shrine.
  • The Dhanurmasa month is of great significance at the Raghavendra Swamy Temple. Besides regular worship and rituals, special events like Tulasi Archana and Hastodaka, Rathotsava and Maha Mangal aarti takes place during this month.
  • Devotees can request for special seva or endowments. There are lifetime seva or endowments which take place on holy days and again every year after the seva; the fund for the seva is raised from the fixed deposit of the seva that the devotee deposits the first time.
  • These special endowment worships are not performed on Ekadasi, Grahana or Eclipse days and on Sri Krishna Janmasthami.
  • Devotees can also offer seva without visiting Mantralayam Temple personally. They can send cheques and drafts for the seva and the same shall be performed on behalf of the devotees.

Mantralayam Sevas and Poojas

Besides the special endowments, there are regular worships done at Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple.

  • Regular worship of Sri Moola Ramadevara is done if HH Sri Swamiji is present at Mantralayam Temple.
  • Among the daily seva, the Dinaika Sampoorna Annadana Seva refers to the food endowment that a devotee can opt for. He or she can pay a fixed amount and the prasada for the day will be funded with that amount.
  • The Vastra Samarpana Seva refers to the gifting of clothes to the needy.
  • The Sankalpa Seva refers to taking an oath and spending the life as per the oath. Held every day between Sankalpa Seva requires utensils for performing Achamana, a small plate, a whole coconut, a coconut to be offered as a symbol and change as dakshina.
  • Bangaru Pallaki Seva, the Golden Chariot Seva, Kanaka Kavacha Seva, Rajata Rathotsava, Kanak Maha Pooja, Suprabhat Seva, Tulabhara Seva, Archana are some of the other seva that can be performed at the Raghavendra Swamy Temple.
Mantralayam Temple | Poojas & Rituals

How to reach

  • By Air: The air base at Hyderabad is the nearest airport to the temple. It is 236 kms from Mantralayam. After disembarking the flight, you can rent cabs or board buses to reach the temple.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station to the Raghavendra Swamy Temple is the Mantralayam Road. This railway station is about 12 kms from Mantralaya. Some of the local trains that can take you to the temple are the Dadar Madras Mail and the Bombay Mail. The Udayan Express from Bangalore also stops at Mantralaya. Mantralaya lies on the railway route of Mumbai-Chennai, Delhi-Bangalore, Hyderabad-Tirupathi. It is an hour journey from the station to Mantralayam Temple. There are private cabs, auto rickshaws, buses and vans available at the station which can take the pilgrims directly to the shrine.
  • By Road: There are regular bus service from the major South Indian cities, like Bangalore, Mangalore, Chennai, Mysore, Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bellary. Mantralaya is located at 595 kms from Chennai and 690 kms from Mumbai.

Mantralayam Temple Accommodation

The best place to stay at Mantralayam is at the guest houses of the Devasthanam (temple authorities). There are 100 guest rooms, some of which are also air-conditioned. Pilgrims who come for offering sevas can also get accommodations in separate cottages. The guest rooms can be booked at the central booking counter, located at the road junction.

Where to eat

There are several vegetarian food joints available near the Raghavendra Swamy Temple. While the Gulbarga Brothers, Brahmins Tiffin Center and Sri Udipi Krishna serves tasty lunch, the SR Tiffins attracts the fast food lovers. Hotel Pannaga is also well known for its cleanliness and food.

Nearby Temples

After a visit to the Raghavendra Swamy Temple, you may checkout the below-mentioned shrines to deep dive into the glorious past of India.

  • Nava Brindavan is another sanctum of Raghavendra Swamy. Located in the middle of River Tungabhadra, the place is sacred with 9 (Nava) Vrindavans at the same place. The 9 Vrindavans are, Sri Padmanabha Teertharu, Sri Kaveendra Teertharu, Sri Vageesha Teertharu, Sri Jaya Teertharu, Sri Vyasa Teertharu, Sri Srinivasa Teertharu, Sri Rama Teertharu, Sri Govinda Vodeyar and Sri Sudheendra Teertharu.
  • Panchamukhi Temple of Raichur is another famous temple located near Mantralaya. Located at 20 kms from the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Temple, it is believed that Sri Guru Raghavendra meditated here for 12 years and Lord Panchamukha (five-faced Lord Hanumana) appeared to him here.
  • There is also a unique rock formation found at Raichur. This rock formation is in the form of a helicopter.
  • Bichali, the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mritika Brindavana is located at 22 kms from the temple.
  • Kallaru is the pilgrimage of the sanctum of Sri Mahalakshmi. It is located at 62 kms from the temple.
  • Manvi, the Sri Jagannathadasara Sannidhi is located at 90 kms.
  • Chikalaparvi, the birth place of Sri Vijayadasara is located at 105 kms.
  • Mudumale, the temple of Sri Yadaveendra Teertharu is at 100 kms.
  • Dharoor, the pilgrimage of Sri Parthasarthi Sannidhi is located at 75 kms.
  • Chintraveli, the pilgrimage of Sri Pranadevaru Sannidhi is at 110 kms.
  • Gadwal, dedicated to Sri Chenna keshava Sannidhi is at 90 kms from the Raghavendra Swamy Temple.
  • Modalakallu, the Sri Swayabhu Venkateshawara Sannidhi is at 65 kms.
  • Sankapura, dedicated to Sri Gopala dasara Sannidhi is at 50 km distance.
  • Utthanuru, the birth place of Sri Gopala dasarais at 45 km.
  • Venisomapura, deciated to Sri Vyasatatvagna Teerthara Sannidhi is located at 75 km.
  • Alampur, the Nava Brahma temple is at 105 km.

Hence, a visit to the Raghavendra Swamy Temple is a journey to the holy land. If you want to participate in the major festivals, August to September is the best time; else August to March is good for praying in solitude. Besides visiting the temple, you can also enjoy a pleasant cruise over the River Tungabhadra in unique boats, known as coracles or putti.

Mantralayam Temple FAQs

Who is the Guru of Raghuvendra Swamy?

Sudhindra Tirtha is the Gurudeva of Raghuvendra Swamy.

What makes Mantralayam special?

Mantralayam  is a pilgrim village located in Kurnool district , Andhra Pradesh, India. Lying on banks of Tungabhadra River on the border of Karnataka state, it is considered to be a sacred place.

Why is Mantralaym so famous?

It is famous for the holy presence of Vrindavana (sacred burial) of Guru Raghavendra Swamy who was a Madhwa saint and follower of Sri Madhwacharya. The town got renamed as Mantralaya because of the beautiful mantras which poured from the holy mind of Raghavendra Swamy.

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.

Amaravati Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Amaravati Temple is in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is in honor of Amaralingeswara, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. There is a huge Shiva Lingam that is worshiped here. Another deity of the Amaravati Temple is goddess Bala Chamundika, the consort of Amaralingeswara Swamy. In this guide you will find out about Amaravati temple timings, history, poojas list, significance and how to travel to Amaravati.

Amaravati Temple Timings

Here are the timings of Amaravati Temple:

RitualAmaravati Temple Timings
Morning Darshan6:00 am to 1:00 pm
Evening Darshan4:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Special DarshanRs.20 per person
RudrabhishekamRs.500 per couple
Entry FeeFree

What is the history of Amaravati Temple?

The most popular historical legend that revolves around Amravati temple is that the 15 feet Shiva Lingam here was nailed to stop its growth. There is a red mark at the top of the Lingam which is the blood stain that oozed out when the nail was hammered into it.

The Skanda Purana narrates a unique story of the Amaravati Temple. As per the Purana, at the end of Dwaparayuga, almost 5053 years ago, the Sounakadi saints asked the way to liberation to Maharishi Narada. Maharishi informed that Lord Krishna created River Krishna so that saints can bath in its water and attain salvation. Any devotee, who stays here for three days, bathes in the holy waters of the river and worships Lord Amareswara, shall attain liberty. Anyone who dies here shall be absorbed into Lord Shiva; hence, the importance of the place led to the construction of the temple.

Another legend states that when the demons defeated the gods at Varanasi, Lord Shiva appeared to defeat the demons. Devotees also believe that God Indra established the Shiva Lingum at this temple.

As per some, the temple was actually a Buddhist stupa and hence the base of the Amaravati Temple is still in Buddhist architectural form. The Mula Virat within the sanctum is in the form of a white marble lotus medallion, which is a feature of the Buddhist architecture.

Amaravati Temple exhibits the Dravidian style of architecture, built on a small hammock, known as Krouncha Shaila. There are four gopurams encircling the shrine along with a Vimana, all built in the Dravidian way. The walls of the temple are contain inscriptions, which are similar to that of the Kota chiefs of Amaravathi and Sri Krishnadevraya, monarch of the Vijayanagara Empire. The wife of Proli Nayudu, the then minister of the Kota king, Ketaraja, inscribed the inscription on the Mukhamantapa pillar .

The temple contains three concentric circles. While the first circle houses the temples of Mahishasura Mardini, Veerabhadraswamy, Omkareswara Swamy, Guru Dattareya, and Agasteswara Swamy, the second circle contains the temples of Vinayaka, Kalabhairava, Anjaneya, Nagendraswamy, Kumaraswamy along with the statue of Lord Krishna under a tree. The third circle is a bit above the second circle and comes with the temples of Kasi Viswanatha, Mallikarjuna, Pushpadanteswara Swamy and Kalahasthiswara. At the heart of these three circles is the deity of Amaralingeswara Swamy. Kalahasti temple has the remedy for Rahu Ketu Puja.

Besides engagement in the daily worship of the Lord, the temple trust of Amaravati Temple also participates in various charities for the overall development of the society.

What is the significance of Amaravati Temple?

Significance of Amaravati Temple is that it is in honour of  Lord Shiva, as the destroyer of the universe. It is one of the five Pancharamas, or holy sites, the other four being, Kumararama, Ksheerarama and Bheemarama and Draksharama. Worshiping at this temple is believed to resolve family issues.

Amaravati is an important site of Hindu and Buddhist religion. It was a centre of Buddhist art and still bears many relics of the same.

River Krishna is pious and devotees often dip in its holy waters to cleanse their souls.

The Amaravati Temple is also unique in its style of worship. Unlike other Shiva temples, Abhishekam (the custom of pouring libations) is performed from upstairs as the 15 feet Shiva Lingam is too high to be reached from the ground floor.

Besides its religious significance, the temple is also historically important. The inscriptions which are engraved on the walls of the shrine describe the ruling kings of the region.

What is the Dress Code for Amaravati Temple?

The dress code for Amaravati Temple is:

  • The temple committee encourages traditional get up of men and women while visiting the temple. The temple does not permit short dresses.
  • One should not use footwear within the temple premises.
  • The temple also does not allow photography.
  • One should switch off their mobile phones as well. Visitors can keep their belongings at the temple office.

Which festivals are celebrated at Amaravati Temple?

The Amaravati Temple is crowded with devotees during different festivals and it is one of the best times to experience the true South Indian rituals.

  • Maha Shivaratri is the major festival of the Amaravati Temple. Celebrated during the Hindu month of Magha Bahula Dasami (which is generally the month of March), during this festival devotees bathe the Shiva Lingum with milk on all the four phases of the day.
  • Navaratri celebrations also take place with great pomp and show at the temple, during the Hindu month of Ashwin (September- October)
  • The temple celebrates the Kalyana Utsavs throughout the year. These are marriage festivals and hence, visitors can witness the typical South Indian style of the wedding during the wedding months at the temple.
  • Janmastami is the celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna. This festival generally takes place during the month of Bhadon (July or August).

Which sevas take place at Amaravati Temple?

Besides the festivities, there are regular rituals at the Amaravati Temple.

  • During the ritual of Dhoopa, Deepa, Naivedyam, the air of the temple complex fills with the aroma of incense and the sound of bells create a celestial environment.
  • Abhishekam is another important ritual of the shrine. The priest pours milk over the Shiva Lingam, chanting the holy mantras or just ‘Om Namah Shivai.’
  • As the Shiva Lingum is very high, hence pedestal is there for the devotees so that they can perform this ritual with ease.

What is the official website of Amaravati Temple?

There is no official website for Amaravati Temple.  You can find all the information you need here.

How to reach Amaravati Temple?

Amaravati is an important tourist destination of Andhra Pradesh and hence easily accessible.

  • Air: Nearest airport is the Vijayawada. It is 82 kilometres from the temple.
  • Train: Pedakurapadu is the nearest railway station; 19 kilometres from Amaravati Temple.
  • Road: State buses, APSRTC ply non-stop between Amaravathi and Guntur. Buses also connect the temple city with other cities, like Vijaywada, Mangalagiri, Sattenapalle and Hyderabad.

Where to stay near Amaravati?

Tourists can avail decent hotels at Amaravathi. For luxurious accommodation, they must arrange for a stay at Guntur. Amaravati Temple trust also has special guest houses. The government has also made special arrangements for thousands of pilgrims that visit the temple and they can find accommodation at PWD travellers’ bungalow.

Where to eat in Amaravati?

There are several vegetarian hotels available near Amaravati Temple. The food comes with the unique South Indian flavour. The food stalls are clean and the food is tasty.

What are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Amaravati Temple are:

  • Venugopala Swamy: This 1800 years old temple is near Amaravati Temple and is for Venugopal, an incarnation of Lord Narayana.
  • Sai Baba temple: One of the most popular temples of Andhra Pradesh, this temple is also popular by the name of Shirdi Sai and is in honour the saint, Sai Baba.
  • Lalitha peetham: Dedicated to Goddess Lalitha Devi, this temple is an abode of peace. Be here during Rama Navami and Vijaya Dasami to enjoy the colours of festivals.
  • Buddha stupa: Also known as the Amaravathi Stupa, this Buddhist relic depicts the wonderful art and architecture of ancient India. This stupa is adjacent to the Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple.
  • Buddha statue: Located at Hyderabad, this serene idol of Lord Buddha is a popular tourist destination. With a height of 17.5 metres, this statue is on the banks of the Hussain Sagar Lake.

Hence, a trip to Amaravati Temple is not only a pilgrimage but also an excursion to the ancient art and architecture of India. The site of Amaravathi depicts a wonderful fusion of Hinduism and Buddhism, amazing the tourists.

Kanaka Durga Temple Guide – Timings, Dress Code, and History

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Kanaka Durga Temple also called as Sri Durga Malleswara Swami Temple is located in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the largest temples in India and 2nd largest temple in Andhra Pradesh.

One of the most popular temples in and around Vijayawada, it is located on a hill Indrakeeladri overlooking the city as well as the River Krishna. Mother Kanakadurgeswari is considered as the supreme Goddess of Andhra Pradesh, seated atop the Indrakilaparvatha at Vijayawada.

There is a ghat road which was laid in 1969, most of the pilgrims prefer to climb the steps leading to the temple an arduous task for women and children. Some devotees climb the hill, decorating the steps with turmeric powder and vermilion. There are inscriptions of different dynasties found in the temple.

Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese traveler visited this temple. It is mentioned in the Vedas that,  the deity in the Kanaka durga temple is regarded as ‘Swayambhu’ or self-manifested, hence considered very powerful. It is also believed that Adi Sankara visited this temple and installed the Sri Chakra here.

Kanaka Durga Temple History 

In good olden days a Yaksha named ‘Keela’ had been performing awful penance about holiest goddess Durga. Goddess Durga was pleased with his penance and appeared to him. She asked him to beg a boon. Keela was so happy by the words of goddess Durga and begged her to be in his heart always.

Goddess Durga gave the boon, by showering the lunar lights of smile and said “My Son! You remain here at the holiest planes of river Krishna in the form of a mountain. In Krithayuga, after the assassination of demons, I will remain in your heart”. As per the orders of the Goddess Durga, Keela was waiting for the Goddess  in the form of a mountain.

Thus, Keeladri became the abode of Durga. She took the form of Mahisasura Mardini with eight arms holding different weapons, riding on a lion and trampling Mahishasura on the hill of Indrakeeladri. Her consort Shiva took his place on an adjacent hillrock as Jyothirlinga.

He was worshipped by Lord Brahma with jasmines (Mallelu) whereby he got the name of Malleswara Swamy. As celestial beings like Indra visited the place, the hill came to be called Indrakeeladri.

According to another mythology associated with this place is that Arjuna prayed to Lord Shiva on top of Indrakeela hill to win His blessings and the city derived its name “Vijayawada” after this victory. Since goddess Durga shined on this mountain with golden colour glowing, the name ‘Kanakachala’ also attained by this mountain.

Vijayawada is surrounded by many hillocks and the most important of them is Seethanagaram while the less important is called the Kanakadurga or Kanaka konda. On the southern side of the Kanakadurga temple, is a hillock with sculptures bearing inscriptions, indicating the names of Gods and Goddesses.

It is believed that the great saint Sri Sri Sankara Bhagavatpadulu visited this temple in the 8th century and installed “Sri Chakra” at the feet of the goddess. The temple was constructed during the rule of Moghal rulers where the Moghal Emperor Thanisha, with the assistance of his Ministers Akkanna and Madanna, managed the temple.

The nose-ring of Goddess Durga is never removed in this temple. As per the legends, Goddess Durga once borrowed the nose-ring of Krishna and did not return it. Krishna took a vow that by the end of Kaliyuga it would take back the nose-ring by raising its level to the hill top.

Significance of Kanaka Durga Temple

Goddess Kanaka Durga, the epitome of beauty, is the main deity of Kanaka Durga Temple and the Sanctum is covered with gold. Next to Kanaka Durga Temple is the shrine of Lord Malleswara Swamy, the consort of Goddess Kanaka Durga and the other deities located in this temple are Lord Krishna, Goddess Kali, and Nandi etc.

The epics Kaalika Puraana and Durgaa Sapthashati and other Vedic literature have mentioned about the epitome of beauty, Goddess Durga.

This place was an uninhabited area and the prays made by the people forced Lord Shiva to ask the Hills to make way for the flow of the river and the river started to flow via a tunnel is known as Bejjam which is believed to be constructed by Lord Shiva and this is the reason why this area is known as Bezawada.

This is a place of peerless spiritual significance and a very attractive pilgrim in Andhra Pradesh, which occupies a very special place in the scriptures of great Siva-Leelas and Shakti Mahimas. The scenic beauty of this place attracts both pilgrims and nature lovers.

Kanaka Durga Temple Timings

  • The Kanaka Durga Temple opens at 4 am and closes at 9 pm.
  • On Friday and Saturday, the Temple opens at 4 AM in the morning and closes at 10 PM.
  • The Private Vehicles are also not allowed from 10.00 AM to 2.00 PM.
  • There are three different Darshanams that are Dharma Darshanam, Mukha Mandapam and Antaralayam Darshanam that takes place from 4.00 AM to 5.45 PM and 6.15 PM to 9.00 PM.
  • Every Thursday 5.00PM to 6.00PM one can perform Swarnapushparchana pooja in Antarayalam
  • For Mukha Mandapam one has to pay Rs. 20/- for one person and for Antaralayam Darshanam one has to pay Rs. 100/- for one person.
  • The entry to Dharma Darshanam is free.

Kanaka Durga Temple Food Timings

The timings for Anna Prasaddam is from 5.00 AM to 10.00 PM where free and unlimited food is offered to all the pilgrims. About 5000 pilgrims are being provided with free meals. According to the Anna Prasadam, scheme devotees may pay Rs.1,116/-., this will be deposited in the bank and with the interest gained by it, 8 people can be fed on one particular day desired by the donar. If these devotees pay Rs. 5,116/-, 35 people will be fed on one particular day in a year.

Dress Code at Kanaka Durga Temple

Avoid shorts, shirts, tanktops and dresses exposing legs. Use of Cell phones and photography is restricted inside the Kanaka Durga Temple.

Festivals celebrated at this Temple

Vasantotsavam or Vasanta Navaratri in Chaitra masam: A large number of devotees from different places across the country visit the temple for the darshan of the goddess and also be part of the week-long Chaitra Maasa Vasantha Navaratri Utsavaalu. There are different poojas that are performed and there are different varieties of flowers that are offered by the devotees as part of Laksha Pushpaarchana Puja. It is than followed by Chaitra Brahmotsavam which is celebrated in the month of March or April.

Shakambari Navaratri in Ashada masam: This nine-day festival falls on the month of ashadam. Ashada Navaratri uthsavam is also called as Shakambari Navaratri and the celebrations stars from the first day of ashada masad and concludes on Dashami. Sakambari Ammavari Uthsavam is performed in Ashadamasam every year.

Celebrations of Dasara: The festival of Dasara for Goddess Durga is celebrated with great enthusiasm among devotees at Vijayawada. It is also known as Navaratri and there is Saraswati puja and Theppotsavam celebrated which is very significant. It is a nine-day festival when the Goddess Durga is decorated in nine forms for nine days. A large number of pilgrims gather together to take the holy dip in the Krishna river. A symbolic representation of the 10 forms of the triumph of good over evil, the form (known as ‘Alankaram’) of the day for the Goddess is chosen as per the astrological star of each day, in accordance with the lunar calendar.

Poojas and Rituals at Kanaka Durga Temple

There are different poojas and rituals that are performed in the Kanaka Durga temple such as Astothoranam Archana, Sahasra Namarchana, Lakshakumkumarchana  and many more. Accordingly there are different rates that are charged depending upon the number of persons performing the rituals.

How to reach Kanaka Durga Temple?

By Air: One can easily get regular flights to Vijayawada from other major cities of the country. There are direct flights to Vijayawada from the major cities as Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore and Delhi.

By Train: Kanaka Durga Temple is located in the heart of Vijayawada city, the temple is just a 10 minutes drive from the railway station. Vijayawada is located 275 kilometers from Hyderabad. Vijayawada is one of the largest railway station on the South Central Railway.

By Road: APSRTC runs frequent buses from Hyderabad, Kammam, Tirupathi, and Warangal. The nearest airport is, Gannavaram (20km). Bus facility is available to reach Kanaka Durga Temple from Railway station, Bus Stand and Ratham centre for every 15 minutes. If you are in Vijayawada, you can avail the local transportation to reach the temple. The city is served by NH 5 and NH 9 which connects it to cities.

Where to stay in Vijayawada?

A wide range of facilities for accommodation is available In Vijayawada. There are various Three Stars hotels and Guest houses that are available.

Madapati Guest House: Near by Railway Station 10th platform, One Town, Opposite Rajkumari theatre

Indrakeeladri Guest House:  Near by Devasthanam Steps, One Town Arujuna street, Opp Kottagullu Venakateswara Swamy Temple.

The Gateway Hotel: 39-1-63, M G Road Vijayawada Krishna Dist.

Quality Hotel DV Manor: M. G. Road Venkateswarapuram Vijayawada

The Kay Hotel: 48-12-4/1 Gunadala Vijayawada

Fortune Murali Park: 40-1-28, M. G. Road Labbipet Vijayawada

Nearby Temples

  • Nataraja Temple: Temples for Sri Vinayaka, Sivakama Sundari Devi, Nataraja are wide constructed by the way to Malleswara Swamy Temple from Goddess Durga Temple. Every day Astothara and Sahasra Namarchanas are performed here. Adoration to Sri Sivakameswari Devi also will be done along with Goddess Durga on the auspicious days of Dasara.
  • Temple of Subrahmanyeswara: Devasthanam has constructed a beautiful temple for Lord Subrahmaneswara Swamy along with Srivalli and Devasena nearby the ant hill of Nagendra. Devotees also can perform these rituals. ‘Sarpa Dosha Nivasraqna Pooja’ also performed daily in the premises of the temple only.
  • Ant-hill of Nagendra: Nagendara Swamy was shined long years back at the Nothern part of Goddess Durga on Indrakeeladi. This is very old and powerful ant hill. Devotees believe that by installing Serpant idol(Nagapratistha) barren women will be blessed with children.
  • Kshetrapalka Anjaneya Swamy: For every Kshetra there will be a guardian (Palaka). He is called Kshetra Palaka. Lord Sri Anjaneya is the place guardian (Kshetrapalaka) of this Kanaka Durga Kshetra. Sri Anjaneya is visible at the root temple of big fig-tree that is situated in front of Goddess Durga’s main temple.
  • Mangalagiri Narasimha Swamy Temple: The renowned temple of Lord Narasimha, one of the nine avatars of Vishnu, is located on the hillock at Mangalagiri, 12k south of Vijayawada. The unique feature of this temple, according to the devout.

Mahanandi Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Mahanandi Temple also known as Mahanandiswara Temple located in the east of Nallamala Hills near Nandyal in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The Mahanandiswary Swamy Temple is positioned right at the foot of the hills of Srisailam forest.

Mahanandi Temple is also deemed as one of the ‘Nava Nandudlu Temples’ which means the ‘nine shrines’ dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Mahanandi temple is also considered to be the living temple that depicts the Hindu way of life. Lord of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull vehicle, is also considered to be an important aspect of the agricultural world and is also bequeathed with worship because bull here, is correlated to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations.

Mahanandi Temple is also a center of attraction for visitors and pilgrims all over the country and abroad. This is because Mahanandi is a place of scenic beauty surrounded by thick forest and watered by persistent mineral springs from Pushkaranis. The temple is also famous for the presence of ‘Kalyani’ which is the temple tank and the tank is preserved in such a manner that the depth of water does not exceed beyond five feet.

Mahanandi Temple History

According to Mahanandi Temple history ‘Sthalapurana’, the 7th-century temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Mahanandiswara is one of the ancient temples of India and it dates back over 1,500 years and the inscriptions of the 10th-century tablets portray the fact that this temple has been restored and rebuilt quite a lot of times. The initial structure of the temple was erected by the Chalukyas in the 7th century and, later on, numerous additions were made to the temple in the 10th and 15th centuries.  According to the legend of the temple, the kings of the area who were addressed as Nandas ruled in the 10th century AD and constructed a mammoth of temples and adored their ancestral deity, Nandi.

One of the most momentous features of the Mahananadi temple is the purified holy water of Pushkarani which flows throughout the year. The water is believed to be so gemstone clear that even a particle dropped in the water looks visible. A tower named Gopuram which is placed over the central sanctrum was constructed in the ‘Badami Chalukyan Style’ of architecture and the rest of the temples were built in the ‘Vijayanagara Style.’

There are also several myths associated with this temple. As per the myth, Rasa Siddha is believed to have built a dome over the sanctum which is known as ‘Vimana’ and he also made the workers group sand mounds which he later altered to his wealth. A copper plate by Krishna Devaraya confirms that Mahanandi belongs to one of the most blessed places where Simha, the king’s brother donated precious gifts.

As per the legend, the milk which was used for Abhishekam which means ablution was used to be conveyed on a daily basis from a distance to the temple. A considerable amount of milk was brought from Gopavaram diary and the milk of a black coloured cow was sent to the king on an everyday basis, exclusively. The cow was approved to scuff in the forest but a couple of days later it was discovered that the cow had the propensity to provide less milk after the cow arrived from the forest. Few days later, a cowherd followed the cow and to his surprise, he found out that the cow scuffed around an embankment and allowed her milk to run freely on it.  From this edge emerged Lord Krishna and the cow then returned. The king came to know about the miraculous occurrence and decided to follow the cow the day later to seize a peek of Lord Krishna. As soon as the king proceeded and caught a glimpse of Lord Krishna, the cow became panicky and mistakenly stepped on the mound in fear. With this accident, the child disappeared but the impression of the cleft remained, with this the king realized his mistake and prayed for forgiveness. The Lord then proclaimed that the embankment would dry up and would develop into a ‘Swayambhu Linga’ at Mahanandi, even today the signs of the cow’s cleft are visible on the top of the Linga.

Significance of Mahanandi Temple

The Mahanandi temple is famous for its pools and attracts visitors every year. The architecture of the temple, as well as the pools, reflects the dexterity of the ‘Vishwakarma Brahmins.’

Apart from this, the main temple is enclosed by three pools, one big pool inside the temple itself and two small pools at the entrance. The holy tank is 60 square feet with an outdoor exhibition area known as ‘Mandapa’ in the center. The bay and exit of the tank are organized in such a way that the depth of water does not exceed facilitating the pilgrims to dip in the holy pools. The water source is also unique as it has continuous flow regardless of the change of seasons and the water source initiates at the ‘Garbhagruha’ which is placed below the Swayambhu Linga. The devotees are also able to touch the water near the Shiva Linga.

The most significant aspect of the temple is the fact that it has been reckoned as one of the nine shrines devoted to Lord Shiva. The Nava Nandulu temples are:

  • Prathamanandi Temple also known as Padma Nandi is one the first one as the name suggests and is constructed on an embankment of the earth which is close to the Nandyal Railway station.
  • Naganandi Temple is positioned inside an Ajaneya Temple which means Hanuman Temple to the west of Nandyal.
  • Vinayakananda Temple is positioned to the left which is immediately outside the departure. To be precise, it is outside Gopuram, the northwest of Mahanandi Temple.
  • Garudanandi Temple is situated to the west of Mahanandi Temple and is as exclusive as Garuda, the kite which is attributed as the vehicle of Lord Vishnu.
  • Shivanandi Temple is situated in the Kadamala Village. This temple is roughly 13kms from Nandyal closer to the Kadamala Kaluva, a canal which is just next to Thimmavaram Village and the architectural structure is similar to that of the Chalukyas.
  • Vishnunandi Temple also knows as Krishnanandi is located 2 miles prior to Mahanandi Temple and is also one of the most visited temples.
  • Suryanandi Temple is situated 6 miles west from Mahanandi and 4 miles east from Nandyal. From U. Bollavaram village the route to this temple is through a curve raised on two large metal shafts to the right.
  • Somanandi Temple is located towards the east of Nandyal closer to Atmakur where a new temple to the Jagathjanani temple is being constructed.
  • Mahanandi Temple.

The supervising deity here is Lord Shiva who is worshiped by the name of Mahanandiswara Swamy which is in the form of a sanctified Shivalingam. The famous water source is also believed to have been evolved from beneath the self – manifested Shivalingam which is present in the sanctum sanctorum. The incredible trait of the temple is that the sanctified water gushing out of the sanctum sanctum assists in irrigating 2000 acres of fertile land around the village. The village is enclosed by rice fields, vegetables, fruits, flowers and other vegetation.

Apart from this, the Mahanandiswara Swamy Temple facing the west is enclosed by a high wall with the temple tower called Gopuram towards the north and south, of the late Vijayanagar era. The presence of Mukhamandapa, the main entrance hall with two subordinate shrines in the north and south. The Vimana which is the dome over sanctum is arched and pyramid shaped with a Shikara, a tower at the top in the Nagari style.

The fresh Koneru which means the water pools also called Pushkarani is a key factor of magnetism for all the visitors. The water is considered to come from five springs which are named ‘Srisailadhara,’ ‘Narasimhadhara,’ ‘Daivodhinidhara,’ ‘Nanditirtha’ and ‘Kailasatirtha’ respectively.

An enormous Nandi sits in front of the shrine providing the temple its name, the Mahanandi Tirtha. Close to the sanctum is a shrine devoted to the Goddess Kameshwari Devi, the companion of Mahanadeeshwara. The Srichkara in front of the deity is said to have been established by Adisankaracharya and the well-liked belief is that when one contemplate upon the Lord, one would receive an appearance which is applicable to the individual’s status ahead of the mother. The Mukhamantapa which is the entrance hall of the Goddess is a topical construction and the shrine of Kameswari Devi was recreated in 1939. In the rear of the main shrine, three small shrines containing a Shivalinga are present.

On the foundation of Mahanandiswara Temple, one can see an arched marble shrine of ‘Lord Kodanda Rama,’ the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu that was supplemented with the compound in 1953. Images of Sri Rama, Sita and Lashkmana are strikingly carved and the devotees find it complicated to progress away from them.

The sociable water of the ‘Rudrakundam’ irrigates 2000 acres of fertile land enclosing the village and the areas enfolding Mahanandiswara Temple are tranquil in nature with fruit, rice fields, flower gardens, vegetables and groves.

Mahanandi Temple Timings

  • Temple opening timings everyday : 5:30 am – 9:00 pm
  • Mangala Vadhyamulu : 4:45 am
  • Suprabhatam : 5:00 am
  • Swamy Vari Sthanika Abhishekam : 5:30 am
  • Mahamangala Harathi : 6:00 am
  • Abhishekam Swamy Variki : 6:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Laghunyasa Abhishekam : 6:30 am to 12:30 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
  • Mahanyasa Purvaka Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam : 6:30 am to 12:30 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Festivals celebrated at Mahanandi Temple

The festival of Maha Sivrathri is one of the most popular events where numerous devotees gather to pay homage and worship Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated for seven long days initiating from ‘Maha Bhula Chaturdasi’ which is the 14th day after full moon in February- March. Around 20,000 devotees from different parts of the country, specifically from Andhra Pradesh, Mysore and Maharashtra visit the temple on an everyday basis. Pilgrims here have the propensity to worship ‘Mallikarjunaswamy’ and then a definite order to visit the other Nandi temples are followed.

Apart  from the Maha Sivarathri, some other remarkable festivals celebrated are:

  • Ugadi: March / April
  • Vaikunta Ekadasi: December/ January
  • Kartika Poornima: November/ December
  • Vijayadashami: October

How to reach: Road, Rail, Air

  • By Air: The nearest airport to reach Mahanandiswara Temple is at Hyderabad, which is about 215km from Kurnool.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station to reach Mahanandiswara Temple is Nandyal railway station.
  • By Road: The APSRTC run bus services to the major cities like Hyderabad, Tirupathi, Kurnool, Vijaywada etc. The buses also pursue to the parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka such as Bellary, Bengaluru and Chennai.

The other route to the temple is the Bangalore-Nandyal route: Bangalore to Gotty to Yaganti to Nandyal to Mahanandiswara Temple.

Where to Stay

Hotels, Lodges as well as government accommodation are always available at Nandyal and such facilities are also available at Kurnool. Some of the places for accommodation include; Devasthanam Temple Choultries, TTD Choultries, Naganandi Sadan, APTDC Haritha Hotel Mahanandi at Kurnool, Hotel Balaji, New Udipi hotel, Sivapriya Lodge and much more lodging facilities are available at the Mahanandi village.

Where to Eat

Mahanandi village and the areas nearby Mahanandi Temple consist of quite a good number of hotels and restaurants with a variety of  delicacies.

Nearby Temples

There are a number of important temples located near by the Mahanandi Temple and visitors from around the country visit these temples as well.

  • Kameswari Devi Temple: Kameswari Temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and is positioned to the south of Mahanandiswara Temple at a distance of less than 1km from Mahanandi Bus Station. The temple was constructed in 1939 and King Nandana and his ancestors were believed to perform Pujas and rituals at this temple.
  • Ahobilam Temple: Located 70km from Nandyal and 150km from Kurnool. Ahobilam temple is considered to be one among the holy sites in the Allagadda mandal in Andhra Pradesh. It has two temple houses, lower Ahobilam, and upper Ahobilam and as per the legend of this temple, Lord Narasimha gave his blessings to Prahlada and slew the demon Hiranyakashipu here.
  • Yaganti Temple: Among the many temples located in Andhra, one of the most magnificent temples is the Sri Uma Maheswara Temple also known as the Yaganti Temple or Yagantiswamy Temple is located at Yaganti which is at Kurnool in the district of Andhra Pradesh. The Uma Maheswara Temple dwells in the idols of Shiva and Parvathi also termed as Ardhanareeswara and is engraved out of a single stone. This temple is almost certainly the only place where Lord Shiva is adorned in the form of an idol and not in the form of a Shiva Linga.
  • Alampur Sri Jogulamba Devi Temple: Positioned in the district of Mahbubnagar in Telangana,  Alampur Temple is located about 90km from Mahbubnagar, 27 km from Kurnool and 200 km from Hyderabad. This temple has also been listed as an architectural and archaeological treasure on the official “List of Monuments”  under the Archaeological survey of India and under the Ancient Monuments and Archeological sites and Remains Act.
  • Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple in Chakirala: Located at Chakirala, Andhra Pradesh, Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple is one of the most will know temples of South. The most important aspect of this temple is that devotees visit the temple in order to seek wealth, salvation, relief from disorders and also to gain knowledge.
  • Nandavaram Chowdeshwari Devi Temple: Nandavaram village is mostly popular because of the presence of Chowdeshwari Devi Temple. According to the legend, Chowdeshwari Devi came from Varanasi to Nandavaram through an underground passage within a day. Also, the temple has been constructed in such a manner that the present deity resides exactly above the place where the original deity dwells.
  • Sri Kotilingala Temple: Situated in Kammasandra village in Kolar district, Kotilingala Temple also known as the Lord Kotilingeshwara Temple is about 6km from Kolar Gold Fields also known as KGF. This temple consists of the largest Linga of Asia which stands 108 feet tall and apart from this there are eleven small temples of various deities constructed within the grounds of this temple. Visitors and pilgrims visit these temples every year.