Dwaraka Tirumala - FAQs

How can I donate to the various endowment schemes

If you would like to donate towards any of the  schemes in particular, or towards Temple  activities in general, you can send your donation through International Money Order/Demand Draft favoring the Executive Officer, Sri Venkateswara Swami Vari Devasthanam, Dwarka Tirumala , and payable at Dwaraka Tirumala . The International Money Order/Demand Draft can be sent to:

Hints to pilgrims

1.      Stay in Devasthanam countries only for comfort, security and peace. They are nearer to Bus Stand.

2.      Accommodation furnished A/c and Non A/c cottages/ rooms on payment.

3.      Free Bus facilities twice a day to near Sub-temples and near Adopted temples.

4.      Canteens for food.

5.      Enquiry Devasthanam offices for guiding you.

6.      Book-stall for Guide Books, Pictures, Religious Books and Swamy vari Dollars at cost of price.

7.      Don’t purchase un-current copper or silver articles.

8.      Deposit all your offering in the “HUNDIES” kept in the temples or given them in temple office and obtain printed receipts. Otherwise you will not fulfill your vows.

9.      At Dwaraka Tirumala, there are Devasthanam guides, Kalyana Katta and Purohit Sanghams authorized by Devasthanam, utilize their services.

10.  Beware of Dalalies, Crooks, who mislead you in the performance of your vows and disposal of your offerings.

11.  Take bath wear clean clothes and have darshan of GOD.

12.  Please do not offer money or presents to any one to assist you in getting these facilities. The Devasthanam servants are always at your service.

13.  DWARAKA TIRUMALA is a sacred place. Avoid taking meat, intoxicating drinks or wearing of shoes while at Dwaraka Tirumala.

14.  Seek assistance of the enquiry offices and temple officials for helping you in the proper conduct of your pilgrimage and vows.

15.  Make sure of yourself to switch off all electrical appliances while you left the cottages.

16.  Please donate liberally for various development works undertaken by the temple authorities. Every rupee you contribute will be utilized for the development of the temple and for providing more amenities to the visiting pilgrims. Also donate for the noble cause of ANNADANAM to be performed daily for the needy pilgrims.

17.  Please forward any suggestions to the  

The Executive Officer,

Sri Venkateswara Swami Vari Devasthanam

Dwaraka Tirumala, West Godavari Dist, A.P. – 534 426.

Dwaraka Tirumala Temple

“Dwaraka Tirumala” is an ancient holy place and a popular pilgrim center in Andhra Pradesh of South India. Dwaraka Tirumala is nearer to 'Eluru', the head quarters of West Godavari District, which is 42 KM away from Eluru. Dwaraka Tirumala is situated at 15KM distance from Bhimadole Junction, which is in between Vijayawada and Rajahmundry State Highway and Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam main Railway line.

Sthala Puranam :

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Magnificience of the sanctum sanctorum:

On entering the sanctum sanctorum, one feels a most inspiring and enchanting experience. The presiding mythological deity Lord Venkateswara is visible upto the Bust size and the lower portion is imagined to be in the earth. The holy feet are said to be offered to Bali Chakravarthi in “Patala” for his daily worship. The full size idol of Lord Sri Venkateswara standing at the back of the main idol is said to have been installed by the great social reformer Srimad Ramanuja of the 11 th century. The idols of Padmavathi and Nanchari are installed in the Arthamandapa facing east. This is a full equipped shrine to be a Divyasthala.

Combination of Siva and Vishnu on Adisesha:

The most peculiar aspect here is that the hill appearing to be a serpant in form, even to the naked eye, confirms the mythological version that Anantha, the serpant king has taken up this terrestial form of serpant hill and is carrying God Mallikarjuna on the hood and Lord Venkateswara on the tail, thus creating a happy and harmonious compromise of Vaishnavism and Saivism at a single place.

Renovation and origin of the present structure:

The magnificent monuments like, Vimana, Mantapa, Gopura, Prakara etc., stand to the credit of Dharma Appa Raoa recent ruler (1762 – 1827) and the golden ornaments and silver vahanas stand to the credit of the generous queen Rani Chinnamma Rao of Mylavaram, Krishna Dist. (1877 – 1902). These things immortalize the glory of the shrine.

The main temple is a masterpiece of South Indian Architecture with its five-storied main Rajagopuram facing the south and three other gopurams on the other three sides. The Vimana is in the Nagara style and old Mukhamantapa is extended to a great extent to suit the present day needs. There are several temples of Alwars attached to the Prakara on all sides. The whole spacious compound has been paved with stone and flower trees are grown in an order as if to feast the eye of the pilgrims.

Basara Saraswathi Pooja

Sri Saraswathi Kavacham

Saraswathi Vandanam

Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, 
Yaa shubhravastraavritha 
Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, 
Yaa shwetha padmaasanaa, 
Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir 
Devaisadaa Vanditha (poojitaa) 
Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa

May that Goddess - Bhagavathi - the blessed Saraswathi presiding deity of learning and remover of our lethargy, laziness and ignorance, protect us. She is pure and white like the jasmine, the full moon and the garland like formation of dewdrops. She is dressed in a spotless robe. She has in her hand, the auspicious instrument veena. She is seated on a white lotus. She is the one who is always respected by Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, Shankara the annihilator and other Gods.

Saraswathi - Before Study

Saraswathi Namasthubyam, 
Varadey Kaamarupinee! 
Vidhyarambham Karishyami, 
Sidhir bhavathu mey sada !

Oh ! Goddess, Saraswathi, my humble prostrations unto Thee, who are the fulfiler of all my wishes. I start my studies with the request that thou will bestow Thy blessings on me

Saraswathi Shloka

Gnanananda Mayam Devam

Nirmala Spatika Kruthim

Aadharam Sarva Vidyanam

Hayagrivam Upasmahe

Promise myself before Hayagriva, the Deva who is the personification of Jnana(knowledge) and Happiness(Ananda), who is very pure, and who is the basis of all learning.) The other important sloka is one to Goddess Saraswati, the God of learning.

Manikhya veenam upa laalayanthim, 
Madalasam manjula vag vilasam,
 Mahendra neela dyuthi  komalangim,
Mathanga kanyaam manasa smarami.

I meditate on the daughter of sage Matanga, Who plays on the jewel studded Veena, Who is most pretty and who speaks sweetest words, Who is worshiped by Indra , the king of devas, And who has perfectly pretty form.

Saraswathi Mahabhage
Vidye Kamala lochane
Vidhya roope vishaalakshi
Vidyam dehi namosthuthe

Basara Temple - Do's and Dont's

Do’s

• Do pay obeisance to your Ishta Divam or Kula Divam before you start for Basara. 
• Do bathe in the Godavari and worship Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devi.
• Do bathe and wear clean clothes (wear a dhoti with upper cloth) before you enter the temple.
• Do concentrate only on Sri Gnana Saraswathi Devi inside the temple.
• Do observe absolute silence inside the temple and chant "Om Sri Saraswathyei namo namaha" to yourself.
• Do respect ancient customs while in Basara.
• Do pay obeisance (Pranaamam) with two hands. "Mukulitha Hastha Pranaamam" is auspecious.
• Do respect and Promote religious sentiments among the co-pilgrims.
• Do deposit your offerings in the Hundi.
• Do wear a tilakadharana in accordance with Hindu religion.
• One who regards his Guru (preceptor) as a mere human being, the lords Bimba as only a stone image, the Vedic mantras as just a means of livelihood and one who is indifferent to the worship rituals become  blameworthy and his would be of no value (nishphalam).
• Be clean physically and mentally.
• Follow the procedures and wait for your turn for the Darshanam of the si Gnana Saraswathi Devi.
• Do respect ladies and be kind towards children and the senior citizens

Dont’s

• Do not carry too much jewelry or cash with you.
• Do not come to Basara for any purpose other than worshipping the Godess.
• Do not eat non-vegetarian food.
• Don't wear footwear or move around in a vehicle, in and around the premises of the temple.
• Don't rush in for Darshanam. But along with the queue.
• Don't prostrate (sastanga danda pranamam) inside the temple. (up to Dhwajasthamba)
• Don't throw away the Prasadam and theertham.
• Don't wear flowers and garlands in Basara; all the flowers are for the Godess only.
• Don't encourage beggars, but do contribute to the needy.
• Don't spit or be a nuisance inside and premises of the temple.
• Don't enter the shrine naked or wearing a piece of lion cloth (Kaupina).
• Don't wear any head guards (helmet, caps, turban, hat etc unless required by your religion.) while entering the temple.
• Don't carry any weapon while entering the temple.
• Don't eat food brought from outside or chew betel leaves while entering the temple or in the temple premises.
• One should not loiter, litter,spit and urinate or defecate around the premises of the temple.
• One should not have gossip or talk about sexuality while in the temple.
• Having entered a temple , one should never commit an act of violence, harshness in the premises.
• Standing in god's presence one must never utter a lie.
• One should not quarrel in a temple on any account, the temple is not a place for it.
• One should not talk about his wealth, money, status and Ahamkara but be obedient to God in the temple.
• One should not bow before another person while in a temple; God is the only Lord for all.
• ne should not sit with his back to the deity in the temple.
• There are sequences of poojas ans sevas in the temple and one should have patience to have the darshanam of the Lord.
• Making pranamam (obeisance) with only one hand  to the Godess is prohibited. Use both hands

Basara Temple

Basara Temple is situated 200 Kms from Hyderabad, AP. Sri Gnana Saraswathi temple at Basara on the banks of river Godavari is the only temple in South India dedicated to the Goddess of learning.

The legend has it that after the Mahabharata war, sage Veda Vyasa embarked on a pilgrimage in search of peace. He reached the serene Kumaranchala hills on the banks of river Godavari and meditated and propitiated the Goddess who eventually appeared before him and granted her presence in the form of the divine trinity.

The Goddess ordered the sage to place three handful of sand at three places everyday. Miraculously these sand dunes transformed into the idols of the divine trinity i.e., Saraswathi, Lakshmi, & Kali.

These are the presiding deities of Basar today. Despite the presence of the trinity,the temple is dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi. 

Children are brought here for the ceremony of Akshara puja to start their education with the blessings of the Goddess of Knowledge.The Vedavathi Sila, the Ashtateertha are other places of interest around Basar. Thousands of devotees bath in the river Godavari & seek the blessings of the Goddess during the Mahashivarathri, Dassera navratris and Vasantha panchami.

Bhadraacala Bhakta Raamadaas

Popularly known as Bhakta Raamadaas, he was born Gopanna to Linganna Mantri (a surname he kept as a result of one of his forebears being a minister at the court of a king) & Kadamba (sister of Madanna, a brahmin minister to TaniShah), in 1620 in Nelakondapalli, a small village in Khammam district, Andhra Pradesh. Since childhood, he imbibed his family's interest in spirituality and composed several keertanas on Rama. His devotion to Vaikunta Rama at the temple of Bhadrachalam, a small village in the middle of the jungle on the northern banks of the holy river Godavari, earned him his name Bhadraacala Raamadaas. His guru was Raghunatha Bhattacharya.

During the reign of Abdul Hasan Tana Shah, (the nawab of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty at Golconda), Ramadas (Gopanna), thanks to his uncle Madanna, was appointed as a Tahsildar for Palvancha Paragana which included Bhadrachalam, a pretty and picturesquely situated temple town on the Godavari river. Ramadas was always distracted and his intense love for Lord Rama compelled him to build a temple at Bhadrachalam. He collected money for the construction from the citizens, but was not enough. So he borrowed from the tax revenue of the nawab and gave his god a worthy abode, vowing to return the money. However, the nawab was furious and sentenced Ramadas to 12 years in prison. Raamadaas thus earned the name Bandikhana Raamadaas(meaning imprisoned Ramadas). Frustrated at god's indifference to his pleadings, Ramadas composed some of the finest keertanas in his prison cell (reminding Rama of his services in Ikshvaku Kula Tilaka).

It is said that Rama & Lakshmana in the guise of two youngsters paid up his dues and got his release papers. The golden coins paid by Rama are known as Ram Tanka coins .They can be seen even today. These coins have the Pattabhishekam scene on one side and the picture of another Rama Bhaktha, Hanuman, on the other side. The nawab was moved and recognized the greatness of Ramadas and released him immediately and gave him land around Bhadraachalam to continue his dedicated service to Bhadraachala Raamamoorty. Ramadas spent the rest of his life on these lands and composed further moving poems that were to inspire Tyaagaraaja: in ksheera saagara sayana in Devagaandhaari, he says "Dhirudau Ramadasuni Bandhamu dirchinadi Vinnanura Rama?" (O Rama! I have heard how You obtained the release of the bold Ramadas from his prison life); in brindaavanalOla in tODi, in kaligiyundE gada in keeravaaNi, in Emi dova balkuma in saaranga and in Prahlaada Bhakti Vijayam he says "kaliyugamuna vara bhadra calamuna nelakonna raamacandruni pada bhaktula kella varudanandagi velasina shree raamadaasu vinutintu madin" (I praise Sri Raamadaas, who shines in this world as the supreme devotee of Sri Raamachandra, who shines forth from his seat at Bhadraachalam in this kali Yuga).

Other compositions are positive invocations, favored by traveling minstrels, including the Tondaiman rulers of PudukoTTai in Tamil Nadu, who popularized his songs. Among his other accomplishments is the creation of the whole Ramayana story in the form of a prose-poem, a Choornika. Ramadas described himself in this way in the last verse of his Dasarathi Satakam: "Allana Linga Mantri Suthudu(son), Atreya Gothrudu, Adi Sakha, Kancherla Kulothbhavudu, Gopakavindrudu." Bhadraachala Raamadaas lived for 68 years.

Simhachalam - Code of Conduct

DOs :

• Respect and promote religious sentiments among co-pilgrims.
• Contact Simhachalam Devasthanam Enquiry Office for information regarding the temple and your worship there.
• Pradakshinam (keeping the shrine to your right) with devotion before entering the temple.
• Follow the procedures of the temple and wait for your turn for the darshan of the Lord.
• deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

 DONTs :

• Don't eat non-vegetarian food. Don't consume liquor or other intoxicants.
• Don't wear footwear, or move around in a vehicle, in and around the premises of the temple.
• Don't approach touts for quick darshan and accommodation.
• Don't rush in for darshan, but move along in the queue.
• Don't prostrate (sastanga danda pranamam) inside the temple.
• Don't buy spurious prasadam from street vendors.
• Don't throw away the prasadam and teertham given to you at the temple.
• Don't enter the temple, if, according to custom or usage, you are prohibited to enter.
• Don't wear flowers and garlands in Gardens; all flowers are for the Lord only.
• Don't spit or be a nuisance inside the temple premises.
• Don't enter the shrine naked or wearing only a loin-cloth.
• Don't wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
• Don't carry any weapon inside the temple.
• Don't eat food brought from outside or chew betel leaves in the temple premises.
• Don't evacuate urine or motion or spit in the premises of the temple.
• Don't pay obeisance with only one hand.
• Don't sit with your back facing the Deity.
• Don't talk about your wealth, money and status.
• Don't quarrel in the temple premises.
• Don't commit any act of violence or harshness in the temple premises.
• Don't sleep in the temple premises.

Annavaram - Code of Conduct

Temple Committee requests all visitors to preserve the sanctity of the Annavaram area. Suggestions in the form of 'Dos and Don'ts' are displayed at various places at Annavaram temple You are requested to get acquainted with them before you visit Temple.

A summary of these suggestions:

DOs :

Ø  Do observe absolute silence inside the temple and chant Om Sri Satya Devaya Namah to yourself.

Ø  Do respect and promote religious sentiments among co-pilgrims.

Ø  Do contact any of the Annavarm Devasthanams Enquiry Offices for information regarding the temple and your Worship there.

Ø  Do pradakshinam (keeping the shrine to your right) with devotion before entering the temple.

Ø  Do follow the procedures of the temple and wait for your turn for the darshan of the Lord.

Ø  Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

DONTs :

Ø  Don't eat non-vegetarian food. Don't consume liquor or other intoxicants.

Ø  Don't wear footwear, or move around in a vehicle, in and around the premises of the temple.

Ø  Don't approach touts for quick darshan and accommodation.

Ø  Don't rush in for darshan, but move along in the queue.

Ø  Don't prostrate (sastanga danda pranamam) inside the temple.

Ø  Don't buy spurious prasadam from street vendors.

Ø  Don't throw away the prasadam and teertham given to you at the temple.

Ø  Don't enter the temple, if, according to custom or usage, you are prohibited to enter.

Ø  Don't wear flowers and garlands in Gardens; all flowers are for the Lord only.

Ø  Don't spit or be a nuisance inside the temple premises.

Ø  Don't enter the shrine naked or wearing only a loin-cloth.

Ø  Don't wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.

Ø  Don't carry any weapon inside the temple.

Ø  Don't eat food brought from outside or chew betel leaves in the temple premises.

Ø  Don't evacuate urine or motion or spit in the premises of the temple.

Ø  Don't pay obeisance with only one hand.

Ø  Don't sit with your back facing the Deity.

Ø  Don't talk about your wealth, money and status.

Ø  Don't quarrel in the temple premises.

Ø  Don't commit any act of violence or harshness in the temple premises.

Ø  Don't sleep in the temple premises.

Annavaram - Sri Swamy Vari Kalyanam

Formerly, the kalyanam of the Lord was being performed on Megha Suddha Ekadasi (January -February). But now -a-days it is celebrated for six days beginning from Vaisakha Suddha Ekadasi (April-May). This change seems to have been made to suit the convenience of visiting pilgrims. The programme of rituals that are observed during the festival are as follows:

Vaisakha Suddha Dasami:Making up Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayanaa swamy as bridegroom; Vighneswara puja, giving vayanams to muthaiduvas; in the night Rama and Sita go out into the village on silver Anjaneya Vahanam to invite devotees of the village and pilgrims from outside to witness Satyanarayana swamy's marriage celebrations;

Ekadasi: Flage hoisting; bringing mangalasuthram, procession of Lord Satyanarayana swamy on silver Garuda Vahanam and of Sri Rama and Sita on silver Gajavahanam; Kalyanamahothsavam.

Dwadasi:Prathamahomam in the morning; asthanaseva in the afternoon, procession on Ravana Vahanam in the night.

Triodasi:Sri Veerak Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy's Kalyanasadasyam, Sri Rama sabhapathi, Panditasabha; mahadasirvadam; sabhasathkaram, procession on ponnavahanam in the night.

Chathudasi:Lord's Viharam in the garden on the north of Ratnagiri and return to Ratnagiri, mahanivedana; special Veena performance in the presence of the Lord; car festival at night.

Purnima:Chakra teertham and nakabali etc.,

Bahula Padyami:Pushpayagamahothsavam; conference of poets and scholars and music purty.

The following slokam is used at the temple as yanam :

"Namovangmanasatheetharupayamithasakthaye

Adimadhyanthahinaya nirgunaya gunathmane

Sarvesha madibhuthaya bhaktha namarthinasane"

The offerings by devotees are made in the form of cash, silver and gold jewellery and copper coins in the hundi that is kept in the upper sanctum. Cloth, rice, Jaggery, sugar,ghee,etc., and also cows and claves are handed over to the temple authorities. The pilgrims with vows, and most of them are so, remove their hair here as a sort of offering as is the practice in Tirupathi. A bath in the rivulet Pampa is believed to be efficacious and is not missed by the devotees. During the summer months, when there would not be enough water in it, the wells on the banks of Pampa are resorted to while climbing the steps to the hillock some of the devotees cocoanuts also.

Annavaram - Sri Swamy Vari Vratham

The Procedure Of The Vratham :

Before the sankalpam (inauguration) the floor is cleaned with cow-dund, a square piece of new cloth is spread over it, after decorating it with muggulu with four of five colours. Rice is spread as a layer upon the cloth and a kalasam of silver, copper, brass or clay is kept and covered with mango leaves or betel leaves and a piece of new cloth. A small image of Lord Satyanarayana swamy made prerferably with gold or silver is kept on the cloth after abhishekam in panchamruham. Afterwards, Vighneswara, Lakshmi, Parvati, Siva, Navagrahas and Ashta Dikpalakas are worshipped in order. After wards Lord Satyanarayanaswamy is invoket and worshipped. The Satyanarayana prasadam prepared with plantains, cow's milk, cow's ghee, ravva of wheat or sojji and sugar or jaggery is offered to the Lord as naivedyam and distributed to the friends and relatives invited for this sacred vratham .The priest who conducts the puja is given dakshina. Satyanarayana Vratha Katha (legend about the efficacy of the vratham) is recited and listened to with rapt attention by all including those gathered to witness the vratham. It is said.

"Kathmva srunuyadyasthu pasyedwam

Vrathamuththamam

Thasya nasyanthi papani Satyadeva

Prasadithaha."

When one cannot perform the vratham, even witnessing the vratham, or listening to the story would remove the troubles and wash off the sins. The Satyanarayana Vrathams at the temple are generally commenced at 6-00a.m., and go on upto 6-00p.m., almost every day. On festival day vrathams have to be conducted even in the night s in spite of elaborate arrangements in spacious halls for as many as 1,500 vrathams at a time. The devotees, who want to perform vratham, pay the requisite fees for the Satyanarayana Vratham, purchase the tickets and get ready for the Satyanarayana Vratham. They are allowed one by one to the rows of seats in the vratha halls where everything is kept ready. A purohit, (or pujari) comes to each seat and attends to the reciting of the sankalpam (purpose of the vratham along with the name, gotram,etc., of the performer). After wards, the purohit stands at the head of the rows and dictates to the performers the detailed process with mantras, etc., as they go on doing the worship to his instruction. Thus the vratham or puja is conducted by batches of devotees at a time. This is a somewhat interesting feature here. The fee payable for Satyanarayana Vratham is Rs.150/-. The devotees at distant places can have, it performed in absentia at a cost of Rs.150/- by sending money order. Prasadam is dispatched to the latter type of devotees by post.

Annavaram History -1

SATYA DEVA VRATHA KATHA

Hindus perform Sri Satyanarayana Vratham throughout India for weath, education, prosperity, off spring, relief from troubles and sickness and success in business. When it came to be known that Lord Satyanarayana had manifested Himself on the Ratnagiri hills at Annavaram in unique form combining the Trimurthis viz., Brahma, Vishnu and Siva the number of pilgrims from far and near swelled to hundreds and thousands. The average attendance daily is about five thousand now a-days. Though Ekadasi is considered to be very auspicious for the vratham, the individual devotees perform it even on other convenient days. The great popularity behind the vratham springs from the experiences narrated in stories and legends and also the faith gained by observances in daily life.

The important legend connected with this vratham was that once Sage Narada was very much distressed at the misery of marthyas(men in this world) and prayed Lord Vishnu to be informed of a way out for them. The lord then told him that Satyanarayana Vratham would relieve men of their troubles and would ensure worldly prosperity and salvation after death. He also narrated that a pious Brahmin of Banaras performed the vratham first. It was also described how king Ulkamukha of Bhadrasilanagaram, Emperor Tungadhwaja, and a community of Gollas in his kingdom, a Vaisya business man named Sadhuvu, and a poor woodcutter of Banaras has performed this vratham and were blessed by Lord Satyanarayanaswamy (Vishnu himself) with all they desired. The vratham has caught the fascination of millions owing to these stories within the understanding of scholars as well as laymen. All classes of people took to its performance and it is popular for its efficacy.

The origin of the vratham was narrated ad follows: once a highly educated and pious Brahmin who had no means of livelihood was wandering about from place to place being for food. Lord Vishnu had taken pity on his penury and appeared before him in the disguise of a Brahmin and advised him to perform the vratham of Lord Satyanarayanaswamy who is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He also told him the way in which the vratham was to be performed. The Brahmin thereupon got up early in the next morning and went out for alms. He could get funds enough for celebrating the vratham and did it as per the vratha directions given by Lord Vishnu. Consequenty, he was blessed by the Lord with prosperity and lived very happily with his family and attained salvation after death. A poor man who has been earning livelihood selling firewood from the forestschanced to go to that Brahmin's house for water to quench his thirst, while the Brahmin was engaged in performing Satyanarayana swamy Vratham. He waited till the end, quenched his thirst and enquired as to what the vratham was. The Brahmin told him in detail all about it and the poor man had decided to perform the vratham himelf and to spend the next day's earnings for the vratham. What he got the next day was enough for the vratham, which he performed with great devotion and became prosperous, happy and attained moksham.

Another legend connected with Satyanarayana Vratham mentioned in Skandapuranam was as follows: A rich Vaisya couple Sadhuvu and Leelavathi begot a dauther Kalavathi as a result of the vow taken to perform Satyanarayana Vratham. They got her married with great pomp to a worthy young man. Sadhuvu and his son-in-law flourished in business and amassed great wealth by the grace of Lord Satyanarayanaswamy. But they forgot to perform Satyanarayana Vratham. They went to Ratnasanapuram on the seashore and commenced business there to add to their wealth. But they had lost the grace of the Lord, as they did not keep up their vow of performing vratham, amidst their prosperity. One night the treasury of the local king had been looted. Sadhuvu and his son-in-law were imprisoned on suspicion, even though they were really innocent. The mother and daughter became poor and sick and were forced to beg for food from house to house. While begging for food kalavathi chanced to witness Satyanarayana Vratham in a Brahmin's house and waited they're to receive the Lord's prasadam. She explained to her mother this incident as the reason for her being late in returning home. Leelavathi then remembered about the vratham and decided to perform it with no loss of time. By the Lord's grace she got all facilities to perform it.

The lord was pleased as a result of the vratham. Sadhuvu and his son-in-law were released from prison and all their confiscated wealth was returned to them by the king at the command of the Lord in a vision. They prayed to the Lord, performed the vratham, gave large amounts in charity and started back to their original place in a boat. Satyanarayanaswamy appeared in the ship as a sanyasi and asked Sadhuvu what he had on borad. Sadhuvu retorted that it was no concern of the sanyasi to know what in the boat was and ridiculed him by saying that there was some trash. 'Be it so', pronounced the Lord and all the wealth in the boat wsas reduced to trash. Sadhuvu began to weep and wail and as advised by his son-in-law he fell on the feet of the sanyasi and prayed for his pardon. The sanyasi reminded him that he had once again failed to perform His puja. Realising who the sanyasi was, Sadhuvu prayved Him), got back his wealth and safely reached the shores. He sent word to this wife and daughter that they were arriving soon at the house. Leelavathi was happy to receive the news and hastened her daughter to finish Satyanarayana puja so that they could hurry up to the seashore to receive their husbands. In the hurry up to the seashore to receive their husbands. In the hurry both of them forgot to take the prasadam of Satyanarayanaswamy. The consequence was that the boat with the cargo and the son-in-law drowned in the sea. Sadhuvu was much grieved to see his only daughter preparing for sahagamana. He soon realized that Lord Satyanarayana alone could come to his relief and fervently prayed to him.

The Lord revealed that the catastrophe was the result of Kalavathi not taking His prasadam in her hurry to go to her husband. Kalavathi rushed home, took the prasadam and hurried back to the seashore. There she saw her husband Ratnakara safe on the shore. She told him all about the Lord. He was so much impressed that he prayed to the Lord and with His blessings changed into Ratnagiri hill on which the Lord took His permanent abode. It is believed that river Pampa running by the hill is none other than kalavathi, who melted with ecstasy at the grace of the Lord and her husband's achievement and began to flow as Pampa River.

Annavaram Temple History

Annavaram is one of the most famous Holy Shrines in India and enjoying second place after Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is built in the Dravidian style. The glory and richness of Lord SATYADEVA was widely described in Revakhanda of Skandapuranam. The presiding deity Lord Satyadeva with his consort Sri Anantha Lakshmi on one Side and with Lord Siva on the other side took his abode on Ratnagiri, which is named after Ratnakara, son of Meru the king of holy mountains. Like in all Divyakshetrams as surrounded and followed by holy rivers, Sri Satyanarayana Swamy at Annavaram is also followed by sacred Pampa River touching the feet of the hill. Lord Satyadeva the god of truth is showering his eternal blessings on mankind in his beautiful manifested form of the DIVINE TRINITY namely Hari Hara Hiranya Garbha Thrimurtyatmaka. Hence this is the temple that is attracting the Pilgrims of both Vishanava and Saiva devotees and thousands of pilgrims from all over the Country are worshiping Lord Satyadeva every day forgetting all sectional differences.

      

Enriched by the installation of SRIMATHRIPATHVIBHUTI VYKHUNTA MAHA NARAYANA YANTRA, which plays a dominant and important role with the power of attraction of both money and men (Dhana Janakarsha). The Peetham of Swamyvaru is highly adorned with the installation of Panchayatana, befitting the glory and sanctity of the deity.

     

This famous yantra is a unique one, the like of which does not exist any where else in India.

STHALAPURANAM AND STORIES BEHINDTHETEMPLE&LEGENDS:

     It is believed that the place was known for constant food distribution (free feeding) by the benevolent people of the locality and that therefore the place was called by the name Annavaram(annam means food in Telugu). Another version is that because the presiding deity of the place blesses the devotees with anina varam (pronounced or wanted boon), 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 Ratnakar. 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 Satyanarayanaswamy, Ratnakara remaining as Ratnagiri (hill). Ratnagiri Hill ranges are said to be connected with two strategic incidents. Tradition says that Sri Krishadevaraya of Vijayanagar used the secret underground passages in the hills to attack the enemy from both sides during his invasion on kalinga kings. The Andhra revolutionary late Alluri Seetharama Raju had some of the secret quarters for himself and his followers in these hill ranges, when he rebelled against the British Rule.

      

The temple of Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayanaswamy is the main temple on the Ratnagiri hill. There are also a temple of Sri Rama and the shrines of Vana Durga and Kanaka Durga nearby. The temple of gramadevatha"Nerellamma" (village deity) is in the village at the foot of the hill.

     

It is said that one Brahmin of the village by name Earanki prakasam got a dream wherein lord appeared and told him that his vigraha was left abondened on the hill without worship and they shall trace it and reconsecrate it. That Brahmin informed the said fact to Sri Raja I.V.Ramarayanam,the then Zamindar of Gorasa of kirlampudi estate, and both of them along with other villagers traced the idol on the hill, worshipped it and installed it. at the present spot on Sravana Suddha Vidiya of the Telugu year Khara (i.e.) 1891 A.D (Fasli 1301).

      "The main temple was constructed on the hill with the pleasing and distant view of Bay Of Bengal (11 miles) on one side and the row of Eastern Ghats on the other side the green fields alround the hills and the pampa River encircling Ratnagiri.The hillock itself is about 300 feet above the sea level.About 300 well - laid stone steps lead to the top of it.

      

Initially a small shed was constructed in 1891 when the idol was found. Later a temple was built in course of time with the cooperation of villagers and other devotees of the near by villages. Subsequently the temple was reconstructed during 1933-34, with locally available stone. Later when the same reached dilapiated condition, it was reconstructed during 2011-2012.

    

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 is held in great veneration and Devi is said to be seen even to this day in the nights, going about the holy precincts perpetually guarding the Lord's premises.

      

The Akriti of any temple is, according to the Agni Purana, merely a manifestation of the Prakriti. This idea is further developed in the ancient texts, and the entire Slipa Sastra is based on the principle that the wall and the vimana of the temple should be so constructed as to remind a devotee, of the universe, and the Lord inside representing the Supreme Spirit which is the core and being of the entire Universe. According to these tests, the chariot is intended as a symbol of the seven lokas underneath, and the seven lokas above, with the garbhalaya of the Lord, at the heart 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 Jaggernaut moves on the wheels of time, and goes on forever and ever. Thus the Annavaram temple satisfies both the ritualistic values and the spiritual aspirations of its devotees.""

      

The idol is about 13 feet high in a cylindrical form, the base being in the lower sanctum representing Lord Brahma and the top is in the upper sanctum representing Lord Vishnu. The middle portion represents Lord Siva. There are some temples representing the unity of Lords Hari and Hara in some places and this is the place where even Brahma who is generally denied temple worship, is clubbed with the other two, and the creator (Brahma), the protector (Vishnu) and destroyer (Siva) are worshipped simultaneously. The image of the lord forming a single idol representing the Trimurthis-Brahma, Vishnu and Siva is of unique attraction.

"Moolatho Brahma roopaya

Madhayathashca Maheswaram

Agrathah Vishnuroopaya

Traika roopayathenamaha"

The temple is in two floors; the ground floor contains the yantra and the peetham of the Lord. On the four sides of the yantra there are four deities namely Ganapati, Suryanarayanaswamy, Bala Tripurasundari and Maheswaraswamy which constitutes panchayathanam. In the 1st floor the Moola virat of Lord Satyanarayana swamy is in the centre, the image of Goddess Anantha Lakshmi Ammavaru is in the right and Lord Shiva is on the left. The idols are of exquisite grace and beauty and are encaged in gold kavachams.". The adjoining shrine of Sri Rama seems to be the holy spot where the original self-mainfested idol of Sri Satyanarayanaswamy was discovered by the devotees. Lord Sri Rama is considered to be the Kshetra Palaka of this holy abode of the Lord Satyadeva.