Andhra Chapter
17 - 21 Jul 2024
CompletedOverview
From great Nagara style temples in its north, to great Drāviḍa style temples in the centre and south; from great Śivalayas deep in mountaintop jungles to most famous ones in great cities; from the legendary Pañcarāma Kṣetras of this great coast to the temples dedicated to various avatāras of Śrī Viṣṇu like Śrī Rāma, Śrī Narasiṃha, Śrī Kūrma and Śrī Varāha; from the temples dedicated to the five great deities of Pañcāyatana worship in India - Śiva, Viṣṇu, Gaṇapati, Sūrya and Śakti to temples dedicated to local deities, Andhra has it all.
Some of the most important centers of Hindu learning exist in Andhra. And when it comes to temples, Andhra has a diverse architectural landscape. It starts with Nagara style temples in its north, to DrÄviá¸a style temples in the center and south. There are ÅivÄlayas deep in mountaintop jungles, as well as in famous metropolitan cities.
Moreover, Andhra hosts the legendary PañcarÄma Ká¹£etras on its vibrant coast; along with temples dedicated to other avatÄras like ÅrÄ« Narasiá¹ha, ÅrÄ« KÅ«rma and ÅrÄ« VarÄha. Andhra also has temples dedicated to the five great deities of PañcÄyatana worship in BhÄrata: Åiva, Viá¹£á¹u, Gaá¹apati, SÅ«rya and Åakti. Yet in the same vein, we see temples dedicated to local deities of its villages and towns.
Andhra boasts lovely coastal cities fit for every age; flavorful food catering to every taste palate; and a rich environment of paddy fields, swaying coconut groves, and rivers overflowing.
This Bá¹hat Anveṣī will immerse participants in the comprehensive cultural landscape of Andhra, one of BhÄrata's most beautiful coastal states.
Highlights
An eclectic mix of Nagara and Drāviḍa style temples (15+)
Temples dedicated to all five deities for Pañcāyatana worship.
Great coastal cities, bountiful nature, delta of Godavari and flavorful food.
Unique Varaha Lakshminarasimha temple with the features of both Varāha and Narasiṃha.
Srikurma, one of the only temples in Bhārata which venerates Viṣṇu as Kūrma.
Sūtradhāra - Your Temple Expert
Pankaj Saxena
Pankaj is an author on Hindu temples, arts, literature, history and culture. His writing explains the beauty of Sanātana Dharma through stories about traditions, communities and culture. He has a deep interest in cultural anthropology, evolutionary biology and ecology, and has visited more than 1600 Hindu temples.
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Temples Covered
Sree Bhimeswara Swamy Temple - Draksharamam
Bhimeswara Swamy temple, also known as Dakshina Kashi Kshetram, is one of Andhra Pradesh's five Pañcarāma Kṣetras dedicated to Lord Śiva as Bhimeswara Swamy and Goddess Pārvatī as Sri Manikyamba Devi. Draksharamam translates to 'the place of Dakṣa'. Pañcarāma Kṣetras originate from the legend of Tārakāsura's defeat. Tārakāsura, blessed with immortality by Śiva, wreaked havoc until Lord Indra sought Viṣṇu's counsel. Śiva, reluctant to harm his devotee, delegated Kārtikeya to defeat Tārakāsura. The Linga broke into five pieces, each forming a sacred site where temples were erected. These are the Pañcarāma Kṣetras. Śiva is depicted here as a 2.6-meter Sphaṭika Liṅga.
Kodanda Rama Devasthana - Suryanarayana Swamy Temple - Mamidada.
Gollala Mamidada has been a renowned pilgrimage site, nestled along the banks of the Thulya Bhaga River (Antharvahini) in East Godavari District. Referred to affectionately as "Gopurala Mamidada" throughout Andhra Pradesh, it houses the revered Rama Temple, famed for its towering gopurams, earning it the moniker Chinna Bhadradri and Ayodhya of Konaseema. Additionally, the Suryanarayana Temple in Gollala Mamidada, akin to the Kodanda Rama temple in architecture, reveres Lord Sūrya. Daily arcanas in the Vaiṣṇava tradition are conducted for Sree Suryanarayana Swamy here.
Rajarajeswara Temple, Golingeswara Temple, Chandrasekhara Temple - Bikkavolu
Constructed by the Eastern Chalukyas in the 9th-10th centuries, these temples exemplify the architectural magnificence of the Dravidian style. Trikūṭa signifies three garba gṛha in same premise. Bikkavolu village's name traces back to King Gunaga Vijayaditya III, under whose reign the Chalukyan rulers erected significant temples in the vicinity. The central shrine, Golingeswara, boasts rich iconographic details, including a splendid Sivalingam and a 33-line inscription on the door jambs. The Mukhamaṇḍapam houses two exquisite sculptures: one depicting Śiva and Pārvatī in the Alingana Chandra Sekhara Murthy form, and the other a seated Gaṇeśa figure. The vimāna's aerial view resonates with Orissan and Khajuraho styles. At Rajarajeswara temple, niches on all three sides honor Gaṇeśa, Kārtikeya on Peacock, and Mahiṣāsuramardinī alongside a beautiful Sivalingam and Rajarajeswari Devī. Sree Chandrasekhara Swamy temple features intricate sculptures of Śiva and Bālatripurasundarī. The Gavakṣa exhibits a profusion of the makara motif.
Nakkula Gudi
The Nakkula Gudi (Nakkula temple), situated south of Bikkavolu village, faces east with partially buried adhiṣṭhāna. Its bhadras feature bays of three projecting pilasters adorned with central images. A Catura-posture Naṭarāja graces the south, Sūrya the west, and goddess Mahiṣāsuramardinī (Durga) the north. The vimāna comprises three tālas with prominent nāsikā; the third repeats the second's artwork, depicting artha, kama, and dharma scenes. Following the square and circle principles of temple architecture from Śilpa śāstras, this temple exhibits erosion and deliberate damage, particularly in the ardhamaṇḍapa area.
Vinayaka Temple
The Vinayaka temple in Bikkavolu Village holds significant reverence, believed to absolve sins and fulfill desires when worshiped. Constructed by Chalukya rulers around fourteen centuries ago, it was initially concealed under farmland until a devotee dreamt of its existence. Upon excavation, the idol of Lord Vinayaka emerged, marking the temple's fame. Notably, the idol has grown over the years, starting as small as a coconut and now standing 90 inches tall and 50 inches wide. Its unique feature lies in the trunk facing south, the only temple where Lord Vinayaka's trunk turns right. Devotees believe expressing desires in Vinayaka's ear brings blessings, a tradition upheld for centuries.
Veerabhadra Temple
Virbhadra Gudi, also known as the Veerabhadra temple of Biccavolu, dates back to the 9th century and originally served as a Sūrya temple during the Eastern Chalukyas of the Vengi era. Later, in the 16th century, it underwent reconsecration as a Śiva liṅga temple. Situated near Kakinada in coastal Andhra Pradesh, it is among the six significant historic temples that have endured in the region.
Kanchanagudi
The Kancana Gudi (also known as the Kanchana temple or Kancara Gudi) is situated in the eastern part of Bikkavolu village. This finely crafted stone temple showcases architectural intricacies surpassing those of other temples in Bikkavolu, suggesting it was likely completed a few decades later, possibly in the late 9th century. The vimāna superstructure above the sanctum exhibits an elegantly integrated tritāla design, adorned with simpler reliefs, and remains one of the best-preserved structures among the Bikkavolu temples.
Sree Chalukya Kumaram Bhimeshvara Swamy Temple - Kakinada
This temple, among the five Pañcarāma Kṣetras, features two prākāra walls made of dressed sandstones. Gopura entrances adorn all four sides of the outer wall, each leading to ardha-maṇḍapas. Inside, a two-storeyed, pillared maṇḍapa lines the inner wall. The drāviḍa-style dvitāla vimāna displays regional variations. The main entrance, known as Surya Dwaram, leads to the tallest Shiva Linga in Pañcarāma. Abhiṣekas and other rituals occur on the second floor, accessible through roof-piercing liṅga. With entrances on all sides, the temple boasts a maṇḍapam supported by 100 pillars, enhancing its architectural significance. A rectangular structure with intricately carved gopurams houses the shrine of Goddess Bāla Tripura Sundarī. Ekaśila Nandi stands opposite the liṅgam entrance, while Mandavya Narayana Swamy Temple lies at the back of the canal.
Sree Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple
The ancient Vaiṣṇavite temple showcases a seamless fusion of Chalukyan and Chola architectural styles, spanning from the 7th to 12th centuries AD, embracing both nagara and drāviḍa traditions. Utilizing red natural stone, the Chalukyas adorned pillars with intricate carvings. The Sree Bhavanarayana temple holds prominence among the 108 Vaiṣṇava temples. A distinctive Chalukyan contribution is the construction of the Stambha maṇḍapa (Navaraṅga) and Sukhanāsikā alongside the garbha gṛha. The main gopura, facing east, stands as a formidable structure, combining stone and brick elements, adorned with gopikās, apsarās, and avatāras in rows. Inside, every pillar showcases exquisite sculptural work, notably the dvāra pālakas - Jaya and Vijaya.
Sree Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana Swamy Temple
Sathyanarayana Swamy Temple ranks as one of India's most renowned holy shrines, second only to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. Built in Dravidian style, its glory is extolled in the Revā-khaṇḍa of Skandapurāṇa. The presiding deity, Bhagavān Satyadeva, resides with Sree Anantha Lakṣmī and Lord Śiva on Ratnagiri. Surrounded by the sacred Pampa River, Satyadeva blesses devotees as the divine trinity: Hari, Hara, and Hiraṇya Garbha Trimurtyātmaka. The temple attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country who visit daily, transcending sectarian differences. The name "Annavaram" is believed to derive either from the area's tradition of constant food distribution (annam in Telugu) or from the deity's bestowing of desired boons (anina varam).
Kailashgiri
Spread over an area of 350 acres, it is one of the of Vizag's most captivating tourist destinations, offering breathtaking vistas of the sea, beaches, verdant forests, and the cityscape. Its main draw is the majestic statue of Lord Śiva and Devī Pārvatī. Below the statue, a stream cascades down to the hill's base. The hilltop features various attractions, including the Titanic viewpoint, a floral clock, the Shanku-Chakra Nāmas of Lord Veṅkaṭeśvara, a gliding point, jungle trails, manicured lawns, an art gallery, and a children's park.
Sree Kurmanathaswamy Temple - Srikakulam
Srikurma is the sole Indian temple venerating Lord Viṣṇu in his Kūrma incarnation. Dating back to ancient times, the current structure, over 700 years old, has undergone several renovations. Its tales are recounted in various Purāṇas, attracting visits from iconic figures like Lava, Kuśa, and Adi Shankaracharya. The garbha gṛha enshrines Kurmanatha Swamy in tortoise form. The temple has magnificent architecture with over 200 inscribed pillars. Intricate wall paintings dating from the 11th to 19th centuries CE adorn its interior, reminiscent of those in the Ajanta Caves. Situated along the eastern coast between Andhra and Orissa, the temple reflects influences from both Kalinga and Andhra architectural styles, making it a serene and culturally rich site.
Sree Suryanarayana Swamy Temple
Sree Suryanarayana Swamy Temple in Arasavalli, dedicated to the Sūrya Bhagavān, is one of the two such temples in India, the other being the renowned Konark Sun Temple in Odisha. Built by the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, like its counterpart in Konark, this older structure showcases the Rekha Deula style of Kalinga Architecture. Unique to the Kalingandhra region (now Odisha and Andhra Pradesh), these sun temples reflect the architectural grandeur of the Puri Jagannath temple. Constructed to align with the sunrise, the deity, Lord Sūrya, stands atop a chariot, his early morning rays falling on him twice a year. Dating back to the 7th century CE, the temple and its distinctive gopuram have been recently painted white.
Sree Mukhalingeswara Temple, Bhimeswara Temple, Someswara Trikuta Temple Site
The Sreemukhalingam temple, devoted to Lord Śiva as Sree Mukha Lingeswara, encompasses three ancient temples within one site. The Trinity of Madhukeswara, Someswara, and Bheemeswara Temples stands as a testament to the remarkable architectural prowess of the Kalinga Kings. Located on the banks of the River Vamsadhara, Sree Mukhalingam served as the capital of the Kalinga Ganga Kings for over six centuries. Legend holds that a visit to this temple and a dip in the river can liberate one from the cycle of rebirth. According to the Sthala Purāṇam, Lord Shiva manifested himself in a Madhuka Tree, abundant in the area, to alleviate the Gandharvas cursed to be reborn as Tribals (Sabaras) by Vāmadeva Maharṣi. Hence, the deity is also known as Sree Madhukeswara Swamy. Facing west, the temple stands atop a raised platform with a Nandi statue gazing towards the garbha gṛha. Notably, the temple comprises only the garbha gṛha and lacks a maṇḍapa.
Sree Varaha Lakshmi Narsimha Swamy Temple - Simhachalam
The presiding deity, Varaha Lakshminarasimha, has the features of Varaha and Narasimha, depicted in the tribhanga posture with a lion's head on a human torso. Legends tell of Prahlāda's unwavering devotion to Viṣṇu, enduring numerous trials. After being thrown from a hill and rescued by Śrī Viṣṇu, Prahlāda requested a deity embodying Varāha and Narasiṃha. Śrī Viṣṇu assumed the form of Varāha Narasimha, for whom Prahlāda erected a temple after Hiraṇyakaśipu's demise. This temple features a stunning stone chariot drawn by horses and a Kalyāṇa maṇḍapa adorned with 16 pillars depicting Śrī Viṣṇu's incarnations. The artwork shares similarities with Konark, showcasing abundant elephants, flowers, and plants. The outer sanctum walls depict various postures of a royal figure, believed to be King Narasimha.