Holy
Pilgrimage – Andhra
Pradesh State
1.Ahobilam
According to the legend, this is where Lord Narasimha blessed Prahlada and killed the demon Hiranyakashipu.
Geography
Ahobalam is located at 15.1333°N 78.7167°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 327 meters (1076 feet).Etymology
Aho is an exclamation word. Bhalam (bhalam means energy). It is equivalent of 'oh the mighty energy' and thus aho-bhalam of lord Narasimha swamy. One famous slokam that explains this is:Aho veeryam! aho shouryam! aho baahu parakrama!
Naarasimham param deivam aho bhilam! aho balam!
Oh! what a great valour he has! oh his great gallantry! oh those great powerful shoulders of the greatest of the Gods Lord Narasimha, and what a the mighty cave it is! and what a mighty divine strength He has!
Annamacharya also mentions in his slokas about Ahobalam.
garuDAdri vEdAdri rachachla velasinaTTi ramAvanita eepe machchikagala alamElumanga eepe ichchaTi venkaTAdri nee ahObalamunandu nichchalu tAvukonna nidhAnamu eepe ||
Meaning: She is goddess Ramaa who established herself amidst us. She is Alamelumanga dear to all. She is the eternal treasure established on Venkatadri and Ahobalam
The temple
Nallamala Forest range, and in terms of sculpture and architecture all these nine temples stands to be an ultimate testament for the ancient sthapathis in planning and sculpting these temples. A few temples can be reached through trekking. Some temples are inside the cave. Some temples are very difficult to trek to. The nine planets that define the human fates are believed to have worshipped these nine Lord Narasimhas to get relief from Rakshashas (demons) and curses of sages for their actions. This is main theme of the work of the great Telugu poet Errana, the “Nrisimha Puranam”. The hereditary powers of the temple rest with the Pontiff HH Azhagiyasingar of Ahobila Mutt. Currently the 45th Jeeyar of this lineage is the reigning Pontiff. Occasionally when HH Jeeyar performs Mangalasasanam (pays respects at the temple) at Ahobilam, the Serthi Utsavam is performed (the Moolavar of Malola Nrusimhar and the Utsavar) are united.The Nallamala hills are personified as Adisesha with his head at Tirumala, middle at Ahobilam and the tail at Srisailam.
Legend
According to legends it is believed that when the Devas saw the manifestation of Lord Vishnu as half-lion, half-man, they shouted "Ahobala" (great strength) as well as "Ahobila" (great cave in which the current sanctum is). Hence, this place could be called either "Ahobalam" or "Ahobilam". The mention of this place is present in Brahmanda Purana. The place where Lord Narayana appeared from the stone pillar to kill Hiranyakashipa can be seen in this place. The name of this pillar is Ugra Sthambha, which is now referred as “Ukku SThambha” in Telugu, which incorrectly translates to iron pillar.Diguva and Eguva (Lower and upper Ahobilas)
In the lower Ahobila Lakshmi Narasimha Swami is in a peaceful form. The temple has exquisite stone art. The history of Ahobila temple is sculptured in the stone form. Lord Srinivasa himself is said to installed the main deity here. He is said to have sought the blessings of Narasimha before his wedding but finding the Narasihma in fierce form in Upper Ahobila, he is said to have installed the peaceful form in the lower Ahobila. The temple complex also had temples for Adivan Sathagopulu. The sculptures of coronation of Lord Srirama (Sreerama Pattabhishekha), the ten incarnation of Lord Vishnu (Dasavatharas), statues of Poet Annamacharya are present on the walls of the temple. Annamacharya is said to have spent some time here composing songs praising the Lord Narasimha. The great sage Lord Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy is said to have meditated here to write Kalagnana (the knowledge of the future) which set forth a spiruitual movement. It is a common practice to worship the Prahlada Varada Narasimha (the Narasimha who gave boons to Prahlada) in lower Ahobilam before worshipping Eguva (Upper) Ahobila Narasimha, who is present eight kilometers away on a hilltop inside a cave. After worshipping the Lord, it is another practice to visit Navanarasimhas (nine Narasimhas). The legend says Lord Narasimha, after slaying Hiranyakasipa was roaming around the forest hills of Ahobilam making fearsome laughs and settling at nine places to bless the devotees. Here are the Nava Narasimha temples. Another legend describes when Lord Garuda did penance to see Lord Vishnu in Lord Narasimha form. Thereafter, Lord Narasimha took nine different forms in this hill.Nine(Nava) Narasimhas
Lord Narasimha in nine forms areBhargava Narasimha Swamy
This Lord is present on a hillock at a distance of 2.5 km from Lower Ahobilam, with Akshaya (inexhaustible) thertha (lake). Lord Parsurama is said to have performed penance for Lord Narasimha. An worship of the Lord after a bath in the Akshaya Theertha would make the Lord give Lakshmikara (hand possessing Goddess Lakshmi or prosperity) thus blessing in all manners.
Yogananda Narasimha Swamy
This place is suitable for meditation. Prahlada is said to have obtained all the prosperity after meditating upon the Lord here. The compassionate Lord here rescues the people who seek help out of difficulties.
Chatravata Narasimha Swamy
One of the astrological planets, Ketu is said to have worshipped the Lord here and gained all comforts. People willing to study fine arts seek blessings from this Lord.
Ahobila (Ugra) Narasimha Swamy
This is the main Lord of all Nava Narasimha's and is also referred as the main temple in Upper Ahobilam. Goddess Chenchu (local forest tribe who have been ardent worshippers of the Lord for ages) Lakshmi is with the Lord. Heart-felt prayer to the lord destroys all fear and timidness.
Varaha Narasimha Swamy
Located at a distance of 1 km from Upper Ahobilam,Present with the divine consort Lakshmi, Lord removes the obstacles and ensures success to the worshippers.This temple is also referred as Kroda Narasimha swamy. The statue is in side a small rock cut formation facing the perennial stream of water.
Malola Narasimha Swamy
This temple is present in Lakshmi Parvata (Hill). Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi along with the Lord, bestows blessing on the devotees. Worshipping this Lord brings Brahmananda (unlimited joy) to this world and the higher world.
Jwala Narasimha Swamy
Lord Narsimha appears fierce slaying Hiranyakasipa with his nails. Serving the Lord ensures success in all efforts, marriages are made. Lighting a ghee lamp in the month of the Karthika and meditating on Lord dispels all sins and brings fame and name. This temple is the toughest to reach compared to other Narasimha temples. A small red water pond named "Raktha Gunda Theertham" can be seen on the way to the temple which is said to be the place where Narasimha swamy washed his hands after slaying the Demon.
Paavana Narasimha Swamy
This is said to be the most peaceful form among the Nava Narasimha Kshetras. This is said to Kshetra Ratna (jewel among the Kshetras)and is also referred as Pamuleti Narasimha swamy. Sages have said that the Lord here liberates the devotees from all the sins in the past lives and sins in the current life (knowingly or unknowingly).
Karanja Narasimha Swamy
Serving the Karanja Swamy with three austerities (thought, word and action) brings enlightenment and the Lord bestows all desires.
Every year, in the month of Phalguna Brahmotsavas (ceremonies performed by the Lord Brahma) are held. Apart from this, every month, on the star day of the Lord, which is Swathi, Gramotsavas (village ceremonies) are celebrated. On that day, Thirumanjan Seva (service) is performed with 108 Kalasas(holy vessels) grandly, A lot of pilgrims visit the temple on the auspicious Swati nakshatra day.
Each of these nine forms have a beautiful story woven with strands of myth, fancy legends and epic tales. According to popular belief, one form of the Lord, the Pavana Narasimhaswamy, when offered the prasad returns half of the offering back to the devotee. On these lines, the Jwala Narasimhaswamy is supposed to be the ferocious form. This form personifies the cumulative and intense anger of the God. It is believed that the original site of shrine of Jwala Narasimhaswamy was the mouth of a volcano and it is only the proxy shrine which is accessible to the devotees.
Belief is that the navagrah's attained their power of being the planet by worshiping these deities of Narashimha. It is believed that the people having malefic effect of any planet could get some reprieve by worshiping Narasimha.
Legend also states that Goddess Mahalakshmi took birth as a human in a tribe, named Chenchu Lakshmi and married Lord Narasimha after the death of Hiranyakashpu. Narasimha Jayanthi will be celebrated with pomp and glory. The local tribals celebrate the marriage of Goddess Mahalakshmi as ChenchuLakshmi and Lord Narasimha.
Sri Ahobilam Mahatyam
The Lord Narasimha is a Vara prasaddhi (One who bestows blessings readily). Hiranyakasyapa (son of Sage Kashyapa) asked for specific boons to ensure his immortality and attained demonic powers due to these boons. Lord Vishnu took form as Lord Narasimha (a complex form of half-man and half-lion) to be able to destroy the demon. Ahobilam is the exact location of the demon Hiranyakashupu's palace, which the epic stories of Lord Narasimha speak of. This place still has remnants, relics and ruins of the demon's palace. The pillar from which the God arose is marked by its base stone and can be accessed after an almost vertical climb up the hill. It is believed that the entire mountain split up into two, due to the impact of pillar getting shattered by God and God rising from it subsequently. The pillar's base stone is thus, on the edge of the cliff. In between the 2 hills is a deep gorge like a cleft. Lower Ahobilam temple deity is said be installed by Tirumala lord Venkateswara himself before his wedding, since the lord of upper Ahobilam has a Ugra (angry) form. There are several Narsimha temples in the surrounding hills like Pamuleti Narasimhaswamy, which are popular among local populations. Lord Narasimha appears in different forms as Ugra Murthi(aggressive form), Shanta Murthy (tranquil form), Yoga Murthy (in penance) and Kalyana Murthy with his consort Sri Chenchu Lakshmi.Legend of Chenchu Lakshmi
After slaying Hiranyakashyapa, Lord Narasimha proceeded to the Nallamala forest in his UgraAvataram (aggressive form). The devas were worried about this form and prayed to Goddess Lakshmi to pacify him. She took form as Chenchu Lakshmi, a tribal girl, in the same forest. On seeing her, Lord Narasimha asked her to marry him. She put him through a lot of tests to calm him down completely before agreeing to marry him.
Temple Name: Ahobilam
God Name: Narasimha or Prahladha Varadha[2]
Goddess Name: Amritavalli (Lakshmi devi)[3]
Pushkarni: Indra Pushkarni Vimanam: Vimanam Guha Vimanam Location: Allagadda
State and Country: Andhrapradesh, India
Temple Name: Ahobilam
God Name: Narasimha or Prahladha Varadha[2]
Goddess Name: Amritavalli (Lakshmi devi)[3]
Pushkarni: Indra Pushkarni Vimanam: Vimanam Guha Vimanam Location: Allagadda
State and Country: Andhrapradesh, India
Demographics
Since Ahobilam is in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Telugu is widely spoken and Tamil understood in the town of Ahobilam.People
Up to 1953, people of the Chenchu tribe lived as many families collecting honey and bamboos. As of today, there are only two to five families living there. The remaining families have relocated to different places in Kurnool district; the places being:
1.
Atmakur (Atmakur
Taluk)
2.
Bannur (Nandikotkur
Taluk)
3.
Bailuti (Atmakur
Taluk)
4.
Banakacharla (Atmakur
Taluk)
5.
Mahanandi (Nandyal)
6.
Nandikotkur
7.
Pachharla (Nandyal)
8.
Pagidala (Nandikotkur
Taluk)
Transport
It is conveniently accessible by bus from Nandyal, Kurnool and Hyderabad. Ahobilam is not connected by rail; the closest railway stations are Nandyal (on the Bangalore-Vizag(Vishakapatnam) route) and Cuddapah (on the Mumbai-Chennai route). There are three routes reaching Ahobilam. Pilgrims from the north can get down at Nandyal, which is a Railway junction from Kurnool, and travel by bus to Allagadda and Ahobilam, which is only thirty miles from Nandyal. The second route is from Dhone which is another railway station and from which one can reach Ahobilam via Banganapalle and Koilkuntla.The other and easy route is to get down at Cuddapah which is a district headquarters and an important railway station in the Madras - Bombay route. From Cuddapah one has to travel to Allagadda, which is forty miles over and from there by bus to Ahobilam
2. Annavaram
Etymology
The Anna component of the village's name means "what you desire", whilst the second half, varam. means boon or godsend; hence, whatever you desire will be endowed as a boon by the deity.Temple
The most distinctive feature of Annavaram is the shrine to Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy situated upon the Ratnagiri Hills. The land of the Annavaram is considered to belong to both Lord Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swami Temple and Goddess Anantalaxmi Satyavathi Ammavaru.[2]National Highway (NH)-5 passes via Annavaram. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) operates regular bus services from Kakinada to Tuni, Rajahmundry to Tuni, and Yele-swaram to Tuni via Annavaram. Important trains of the South Central Railways (SCR) passing through are the Vijayawada-Vishakapatnam Ratnachal superfast express, the Chennai-Howrah Mail, Kolkata-Chennai halt at Annavaram, which is the nearest railway station within about 2 miles of the temple. The temple, situated on the hill top, is about four furlongs (almost a kilometer) away from its base. It can be reached either by steps covered with canopy, via Ghat road, or trekked via a stone path.
The popularity and importance of the temple is increasing among pilgrims and this place is considered as second only to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. Festivals are celebrated year-round at this temple with great pomp and show. Some of the popular festivals celebrated are the Kalyanam festival in May, the Devi Navaratri festival in September, the Swayamvara Vardhanti of Sraavana Suddha Ekadashi Day, Srirama Kalyana, Kanakadurga Yatra, Prabha Utsavam, Teppa Utsavam and Jalatoranam
History
According to the puranas, the presiding deity of the place blesses the devotees with Anina Varam (Wanted Boon), which is why the place is called Annavaram.The hillock by the side of the village is considered to be very sacred. Meruvu the Lord of the hills and his consort Menaka did great penance and begot two sons by the grace of Lord Vishnu. One was named Bhadra and the other Ratnakara. Bhadra pleased Lord Vishnu with his devotion and penance and with his grace became Bhadrachalam on which Lord Sri Rama had permanently settled. Ratnakara desired to emulate his brother and succeeded in pleasing Lord Vishnu by his penance to settle on him as Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy, Ratnakara remaining as Ratnagiri hill.
The temple of Sri Veera Venkata Satya-narayana Swamy is the main temple on Ratnagiri hill. There is also a temple of Sri Rama and the shrines of Vanadurga and Kanaka Durga nearby. The temple of grama-devatha (village deity) is in the village at the foot of the hill.
It is said that Raja I.V. Rama-narayanam, the then zamindar of Gorsa and Kirlampudi estates, having been ordained by the Lord in his dream, traced the idol on the hill, worshipped it and installed it at the present spot on sravana suddha vidhiya of the Telugu year Khara, 1891.
The Vishwakarma Brahmin stapathis architectural cognizance is at its best in sculpting this temple. The hillock itself is about 300 ft above sea level, green fields all-round the hills and the pampa river encircling Ratnagiri. About 460 well laid stone steps leads to the top of it.
The main temple is constructed in the form of a chariot with the four wheels at each of the four corners. In front of the main temple is the kalyana mantapa, constructed and decorated with modern pieces of architecture. As we go down the way, we come across Ramalaya and then the shrines of Vana Durga and Kanaka Durga.
The Akriti of any temple is, according to the Agni Purana, merely a manifestation of the Prakriti. According to this the chariot of the temple is intended as a symbol of the Seven Lokas and the seven Lokhas above, with the garbhalaya of the Lord at the heart’s center ruling over the entire Universe.
The temple at Annavaram has been constructed to depict this idea concretely. The front side of the temple depicts the chariot. The Meru on the floor with the pillar at the center, and the idols at the top are intended to bring forth the idea that the Lord not only remains at the heart’s center but also permeates the entire universe. The wheels depicting the Sun and the Moon serve to remind us that this Juggernaut moves on the wheels of time, and goes on for ever and ever, Thus the Annavaram temple satisfies both the ritualistic values and the spiritual aspirations of the devotees.”
Vishvakarman
Viśvákarma ("all-accomplishing; all-creator", Tamil: Vicuvakaruman, Thai: Witsawakam) is the creator of universe according to rig veda Hindu presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects.[1] He is believed by Hindus to be the "Principal Universal Architect", the architect who fabricated and designed the divine architecture of the Universe, the Lord of Creation.In the Vedas
Vishwakarma is visualized as the Ultimate reality in the Rig Veda,from whose navel all visible things emanate. The same imagery is seen in Yajurveda purusha sukta, where the divine smith Tvastar originates from Vishwakarma.[citation needed] This concept developed later in the puranic period as Padmanabha. As he is invoked as AJA the unborn, he is the primordial personification of the upanishadic abstract concept Parabrahman.[citation needed]In the Vedic period the term first appeared as an epithet of Indra, Surya, and Agni. In that time Brahma might have been hidden in the concept of Vastospati or Brahmanaspati.[citation needed] In the last phase of vedic period and during the growth of monotheism, the top position of God was gradually assigned to Vishwakarma[3] who was perceived as a hotar, a universal father, the creator and an all seeing god who has faces, eyes and feet on every side; and who produced all the Heavenly, Earthly and other Celestial realms and preserves them through the exercise of his arms and wings. He is the name giver of all later gods. He sacrificed himself to himself for the evolution of this visible world, thus he is Purusha.[4] His attributes like Vachaspathy[] connect him with Brahaspati (the Guru of Gods). Again, Yajurveda pictured him as Prajapati[5] (the Lord of Creation), and in the Atharva veda he is[6] Pasupathy. Shwethashwatharopanishad described him as the one who is dwelling in all living forms.[7] Later in the post vedic period, the term appeared as a Rsi as well as a Silpi. The Rsi Bhuvana Vishwakarma (Atharva/Angirasa Gothra) was the author of Rg 10-81,82 suktha, whereas Silpi Vishwakarma (Prabasa Vishwakarma) was probably the son of Prabhas, the eighth hermit of the legendary Astam vasu and Yogasiddha, sister of Brihaspati. He is said to have revealed the Sthapatyaveda or fourth Upa-veda, and presides over the sixty-four mechanical arts.
Vishvakarma created five Brahmas/prajapathies — from his five faces.[8] They were Manu, Maya, Twosta, Silpy, Viswajna and their respective Rishis were
1. Sanaga Brahma Rishi
2. Sanaathana Brahma
Rishi
3. Abhuvanasa Brahma
Rishi
4. Prathnasa Brahma Rishi
5. Suparnasa Brahma Rishi
In later
puranas he is sometimes identified with vedic Tvastr.[9]
Silpy Vishwakarma is the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and
all their weapons and divine attributes. Vishwakarma is also credited with
creating the missiles used in the mythological era, including the Vajra, the sacred
weapon of Lord Indra,
from the bones of sage Dadhichi. He is regarded as the supreme worker, the very
essence of excellence and quality in craftsmanship.[10]In Mahabharata and Harivamsa, he is a son of the Vasu Prabhasa and Yoga-siddha. The Mahabharata describes him as "The Lord of the Arts, Executor of a thousand Handicrafts, the Carpenter of the Gods, the most eminent of Artisans, the Fashioner of all ornaments ... and a great and immortal God..." He has four hands, wears a crown and a large amount of gold jewelry and holds a water-pot, a book, a noose, and craftsman's tools in his hands.
In some other Puranas he is the father of Barhishmatî and Samjna. The Ramayana represents him as having built the island-city of Lanka for the Rakshasas, and as having generated the ape Nala, who made Rama's bridge from the continent to the island.[} The name Vishva-karman, meaning, doing all acts", appears to be sometimes applicable as an epithet to any great divinity.[
Vishwakarma Puja
Vishwakarma is known as the divine engineer of the world. As a mark of reverence he is not only worshipped by the engineering and architectural community but also by all professionals. It is customary for craftsmen to worship their tools in his name.
Like other gods, Vishwakarma is attributed a putative birthday by the Hindu religion. The more philosophical minded argue that it is impossible for the original Creator of everything to be born on a particular day. It is a contradiction in terms since that presupposes another creator for Vishwakarma. The Vishwakarma Puja is celebrated in all parts of India, especially in Assam West Bengal Rajasthan Uttarakhand (Dehardun).
Even among those who believe that there is a birthday there is no agreement as to when it actually occurs. Visvakarma birthday is celebrated on two days under different names:
- Rishi Panchami Dinam. "Rishi Panchami Dinam" literally means ‘the day of the solidarity of five rishis.’ Those who celebrate this day believe that Vishwakarma did not have a birthday like the mortals but only a commemoration day in which his five children (supposedly five rishis) came together to declare their solidarity and pray to their illustrious father. This day follows the rules of the Hindu calendar and changes with every year. The five groups among the Vishwakarma community also celebrate this as an auspicious day in commemoration of their patron god at present.[11]
- Visvakarma Jayanthi. Vishwakarma Jayanthi is celebrated by all industrial houses, artists, craftsmen, and weavers. The festival is observed on the Kanya Sankranti Day (September 17) which follows the Ganesh Puja. It was on this particular day that the forefathers of the present Visvakarma people invented the plough and gifted it to humanity. The plough represents both the artisan trade as well as agriculture and therefore becomes the representative symbol of the ancient Indian civilisation. It changed the course of human history altogether. This was a change from ‘local mob culture to universal human culture’ and Vishwakarmas of India pioneered it. Coincidentally, this also becomes the birthday of Rsi/Silpi Visvakarma. So Indians in the past celebrated this day of many illustrious conjunctions as an occasion to honor Vishwakarma and his descendants.
Architectural wonders
Hindu scriptures describe many of Vishwakarma's architectural accomplishments.Through the four yugas (aeons of Hindu mythology), he had built several towns and palaces for the gods. Among them were, in chronological order, Svarga (Heaven) in the Satya Yuga, Lanka in the Treta Yuga, and Dwarka (Krishna's capital) in the Dwapara Yuga.
Vishwakarma Day is celebrated to worship Vishwakarma, an Indian god. Vishvakarma was the divine architect, and one of the fourteen precious things born of the Samudra manthan. He constructed the holy city of Dwarka where Lord Krishna ruled, the Maya Sabha of the Pandavas, and was the creator of many fabulous weapons for the gods. He is also called the divine carpenter, is mentioned in the Rig Veda, and is credited with Sthapatya Veda, the science of mechanics and architecture.
It is celebrated on September 16 or 17 (in some states in India, like Karnataka, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orrisa, and Tripura). The festival is observed primarily in factories and industrial areas, often on the shop floor. Vishwakarma is known to be the divine engineer since the Puranic age. As a mark of reverence he is worshipped not only by the engineering and architectural community, but also by all professionals. Artisans, craftsmen, mechanics, smiths, welders, industrial workers, factory workers, and workers of all kinds worship Lord Vishwakarma on this day and pray for a better future, safe working conditions, and above all success in their respective fields. Workers also pray for the smooth functioning of various machines. It is customary for craftsmen to worship their tools in His name. Workers refrain from using the tools while doing so.
Special statues and pictures of Lord Vishwakarma are normally installed in every workplace and factory. All workers gather in one common place and perform the puja.
As per Indian mythology Vishwakarma puja (reverence) is also celebrated a day after Diwali, along with Govardhan Puja.
Annavaram Location
Annavaram temple of Lord Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy is located at a distance of 125 km from Visakhapatnam, 40 km from Kakinada, and 80 km from Rajahmundry. National Highway number 5 passes through Annavaram. The bypass road (NH - 5) goes straight. To visit the temple take a right turn at the junction near Annavaram. It takes two and half hours from Visakhapatnam and from Rajahmundry takes 2 hours. Separate pooja halls are available for offering special pujas.Annavaram railway station is located at the main Chennai – Howrah (Kolkatta ) railway line. Many trains stop here and from the railway station the temple is 3 km. While going towards Chennai, this temple is on the right side and can be seen from the moving trains. The railway station and moving trains are also visible from the temple.
There are many parking places for private vehicles on the hill surrounding the temple. Well equipped lodge facilities are available. Free darshanam is with normal que and special darshanam with additional fees of either INR 25/- or INR 116/- are also available.
Prasadam counter is available on the national highway for those who are not able to visit the temple. This temple is located at a hill top. Vehicles are allowed to climb up the hill. At the top of the hill there are guest houses available. Many marriages take place here so during this seasons you may have to book in advance if you a plan to stay here. There is a facility of quick Darshan in busy seasons. The main building has two floors. The ground floor is for Pada darshan or to view the feet of the god. The first floor is the upper part of the Lord Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy.
From this hill top you can get a panoramic view of the surrounding green fields and villages. There is a river water barrage with boating facility and it can be visited while going up or while returning from the temple, near the main entrance of the hill. This place is called Pampa Sarovara. Boat rides are a memorable experience for visitors.
Inside the main temple complex, photography is not allowed. However, around the temple there are many panoramic views available for viewing and enjoying nature's beauty.
From Anavaram:
- Vizag 125 KM
- Kakinada 40 KM
- Rajahmundry 80 KM
Train transport from Hyderabad
You can travel from Secunderabad by train. The main trains are the Janmabhoomi Express, Eastcoast Express, Visakha Express, Godavari Express, and the Howrah - Chennai Superfast MailChitti annavaram
The Chitti annavaram temple, dedicated to Lord Sri Sathya narayana swamy, is situated in Madanapalle town of Andhra Pradesh in India.
Etymology
Anna means "whatever you say or you desire" and varam means "boon", hence whatever you desire will be given as boon by the deity.Temple
Chitti Annavaram
The most distinctive feature of Chitti Annavaram is that adoration of Lord Sri Uma Maheshwara Swamy, Lord Sri Satyanarayana Swamy and Sri Ananta-lakshmi Ammavaru on one Peetham, which speaks of the one-ness of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.The most distinctive feature of Annavaram is the shrine to Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy on the hill top. The name of the Goddess is Ananta-lakshmi Satyavathi Ammavaru.
1. Arasavalli
Arasavalli (Telugu: is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to the sun god Surya, located near the Srikakulam town of Andhra Pradesh, Idia. The original name Harshavalli means abode of joy.
Deity
t has Surya Narayana Swamy (Sun God) as the presiding deity.History
The temple is believed to have been built in the 7th Century AD by the Kalinga rulers Devendra Varma of Orissa.Arasavalli is home to an ancient temple to the Sun (Suryanarayana) - said to have been built originally by the Kalinga rulers of Orissa around the 7th century CE. Arasavalli is located at Srikakulam near Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.. Also near Srikakulam are the Mukhalingam temples built in the Orissa temple idiom, and Sree Kurmam bearing a shrine to Vishnu depicting his Kurma avataram.
Legend has it that Indra the king of Gods attempted to force his entry into the temple of Koteeshwara - Shiva and was thrown away by the gatekeeper Nandi. Repentful of his arrogance in attempting to force his entry, Indra enshrined Surya the Sun God in a temple and performed worship services, at Arasavalli.
A black granite image of Surya about 5 feet in height bearing lotus buds (hence the name Padma Paani), flanked by his consorts Padma, Usha and Chhaaya, on a 7 horse driven chariot is the object of worship here. At the base of the image are the gate keepers Pingala and Danda and the saints Sanaka and Sananda. Surya's charioteer Aruna (Anoora) is also depicted in the image.
The Arasavalli teemple was built by the Eastern Kalinga Kings who ruled over the Kalinga region from the 4th through the 14th century CE. Inscriptions reveal grants made by Aditya Vishnu Sarma and Bhanu Sarma of the Kalinga clan. The present structure is largely a result of 18th century renovations.
The Temple is a Panchayatana temple with Aditya in the center, with Ganesha, Shiva, Parvati and Vishnu in four corners of the quadrangle. An image of Indra is also enshrined in this temple.
Festivals
Ratha Saptami is the most important festival which is celebrated in this temple. People suffering with eye and skin diseases are believed to be cured by the god at this temple.Architecture
This temple is a testimonial for the architectural skills of Vishwakarma sculptors. It is believed that the Orissa Vishwakarma Brahmin sculptors also called as Maharanas in Orissa have planned the architecture and sculpted this engineering master piece. The temple is built in such a way that the Sun rays fall on the feet of the God twice a year in the months of February and June during the early hours of the day. The rays fall on the feet of idol for a few minutes through the five entrance gates of the temple remin closed. the five idols installed in one place in the temple viz., 1.Aditya 2.Ambica, 3.Vishnu, 4.Ganesha, 5.Maheswara are worshiped by different devotees.The Sun God is depicted as riding on a Chariot drawn by seven horses driven by Aruna. All these figures are exquisitely carved out of a single black granite stone. Sundays during the five months from Magha masam are considered sacred. Every Sunday people from different places from Andhra & Orissa come here for worshiping the Sun God. This temple was built in the Orissa style of temple architecture. A pillar was set up by Jakkamsetti Venkanna in the year 1929. The whole base was filled with jewels as an offering.Transport
Arasavalli Pilgrimage centre can be reached by road from Srikakulam (AP State).
NH 16 (formerly NH 5) gives a very good connectivity to Srikakulam on either sides of the town.APSRTC bus station has two depots which provide service to almost all villages around the town. It has a very good connectivity to Visakhapatnam by non-stop services at every 10 minutes with a travel time of around 1 hour 50 minutes.
The nearest airport at Visakhapatnam is just 2 hours away by cab. Srikakulam Road railway station is just 15 minutes from the town by road.
4. Ardhagiri
Ardhagiri Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple (Telugu: అర్ధగిరి శ్రీ వీరాంజనేయ దేవస్థానము) is located one and a half km. up of the hill in Aragonda village, Chittor District, Andhra Pradesh, 15 km away from Kanipakam.
History
According to legend, during Tretayuga, Hanuman brought Sanjeeva Parvatham in order to save Lakshmana during a war when Lakshmana fell unconscious. During the journey, half of Sanjeeva Parvatham fell, and the place where it landed came is known as Aragonda. Aragonda, initially is called as Arakonda (In Telugu language, "Ara" (sounds A'raw)means 'Half' and "Konda" (sounds Kon'Da) means Hill or Mountain). With the time, the people changed their way of pronouncing this word "Arakonda" as "Aragonda" which is now the name of the village under this hill. This hill is famous with name "Ardhagiri" (Ardha means Half and Ge'ree means mountain). In Ardhagiri, it is believed that Sanjeevaraya Pushkarini (pond containing the holy water) never gets dried nor spoiled, even when kept for long periods of time. When devotees drink this theerham (or holy water) from the Sanjeevaraya Pushkarini, all types of diseases are getting cured.Mr. Aragonda Ashok Reddy, Chairman of the above Ardhagiri Shree Veeranganeya Swamy Temple, is managing in further development and improvement of this ancient temple
Everyday, about 3-5 thousand devotees visit the temple and every month on the Pournami day, about 30,000 devotees come to the temple and stay there overnight
Trasnport
This Ardhagiri Kshetram can be reached by road from Kanipakam which is famous Vinayaka Temple
in Chittorr. The pilgrims can get to this Kanipakam by road from Tirupati, Chittoor, Madanapalle , Srikalahasti and other places.
5. Ashtalakshmi Temple, Hyderabad
Ashtalakshmi Temple is a popular Hindu temple of Goddesses Ashtalakshmi in Hyderabad, India. This magnificent temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi stands distinctly on the outskirts of the city. Amidst the varied Islamic architectural monuments in the area, this temple has a different style — a touch of south Indian architecture.
Among the Hindu pantheon, the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, finds a special place in the hearts of the people for she brings prosperity and happiness as well as salvation. But very few temples have Goddess Lakshmi in her eight splendorous forms.
History
Built under the auspices of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, the temple was consecrated in April 1996. It is one of its kind in the state of Andhra Pradesh. This temple is located between Dilsukh Nagar and LB Nagar, in Vasavi Colony near Kothapet (NH 9).Design
The design and architecture of the Ashtalakshmi temple was borrowed from the one at Chennai (formerly called Madras). However, several modifications were made while the construction was initiated. The Ashtalakshmi temple is a fine example of a collective endeavor. People from many quarters came forward to donate liberally. It took five years of non-stop work and a total expenditure of Rs 10 million for the magnificent Ashtalakshmi temple to take its present form.The well-known architect, Padmashri S.M. Ganapati Sthapathi, and M. Mathiyalagan Sthapathi conceived the structure and design. About 134 vigrahams (idols) of lesser-known gods adorn the mahagopuram.
Although built of sand and cement, the Ashtalakshmi temple reveals the remarkable dexterity of the artists. Installed inside are idols of Adilakshmi, Aishwaryalakshmi, Santanalakshmi, Dhanalakshmi, Dhanyalakshmi, Gajalakshmi, Vijayalakshmi and Varalakshmi. Depicting these eight postures, the idols are adorned with gold and kasula Peru necklace and other necklaces. If one is all praise for the richly ornamented idols inside the temple, one is equally agog to see the intricately carved designs on the temple gopuram.
Proposals are in the offing to construct a two-storeyed Kalyana Mandapam at a cost of Rs 15 million and an Archaka nilayam residential quarters for the priests.
The nightly illumination of this enchanting temple is spectacular. Viewed from a distance, it looks like it's made from marble. And on approaching the temple entrance, one is captivated by the tranquility of the surroundings and the all-pervading sweet fragrance of the incense
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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