Youtube Link:
Location: " 2629+F8Q, Sarpavaram, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh 533005"
https://eastgodavari.ap.gov.in/temples/sri-bhavanarayana-swamy-temple-sarpavaram/
One of the 5 Pancha Bhavanarayana Kshetras
(others being Ponnur, Bapatla, Bhavaderapalle and pattiseema), the one at
Sarpavaram Is situated around 5KMs from Kakinada. As per legend the story of
Sarpavaram was narrated in the ‘Brahama Vyvarta Purana”. The narration was done
by the Great Saint Agatsya to Saunaka and other saints in Nymisha forest.
The temple is around 500 years old and is
dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Inscriptions of Eastern Chalukyan kings, Tamil king
Kulottunga and Katyavema Reddy (Reddy kingdom) are present in the temple,
predicting the temple to be much older though.
Not much of maintenance being done, the
temple pillars are in quite bad condition and needs immediate maintenance. The
ancient Vaishnavite temple depicts a perfect and harmonious blend of both
Chalukyan and Chola (7th to 12th Century AD) architecture and represents both
the northern and southern style of architecture. The Chalukyas used red natural
stone and khod for engraving beautiful images on the pillars. Sri Bhavanarayana
temple is one of the noted 108 Vaishnava temples.
The temple is noted amongst one of the 108 Vaishnava Temples,
and is one of the most beautiful of the 5 Bhavanarayana Temples of Andhra.
Architecture
Mixture of North and South Indian architecture: Typical of
Chalukyan dynasty. The rock-cut method of architecture was slowly superseded
using red stone masonry. Building of Stambha Mandapa (Navaranga) and Sukhansi*
along with Garbhagriha was a unique contribution of Chalukyas.
The main gopura facing east is a solid huge structure, built
partly with stone and partly with brick. The entire gopura contains gopika,
apsaras and avataras in rows. Inside the temple, every pillar is covered with
beautiful and delicately delineated pieces of artistic sculptures, particularly
the dwara palakas - Jaya and Vijaya. The officials said that evidences say that
this ancient temple was repaired and rebuilt through successive ages by many
kings.
Current status
The current status is very bad with cracks visible in gali
gopuram and visible cracks in pillars with rain water seeping through slabs, a
threat of collapse anytime. The east facing wall of the temple was collapsed.
Mukha Mandapa, garbhagruha, galigopuram and other parts of the temple need
urgent renovation and restoration.
The temple is a symbol of special history, legends and culture.
It needs urgent renovation, but unfortunately as of now, very little is being
done.
https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/kakinada-ancient-temple-in-sarpavaram-in-pitiable-condition-757129
Approach and Parking
Very near to Kakinada and easily approachable. Dedicated parking
is not available, but parking is not an issue, there is space in front of the
temple.
Photography
Its restricted but on request might be allowed. Not really sure
on the rules.
Stay
Kakinada is the best place to stay with lots of hotels around
and itself a big city.
Nearby places to visit
With Kakinada as the central point to stay, there are lot of
places and temples to visit within a radius of 30 KMs
1) “Sri Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, 25RC+WF5,
Jaggamma Garipeta, Samarlakota, Andhra Pradesh 533440”
2) “Nakkula Gudi, X24X+FCG, Bikkavolu, Andhra Pradesh 533342”
(Shiva Temple Biccavolu I)
3) “Golingeswara Swami Temple, X25X+QC5, Bikkavolu, Andhra
Pradesh 533343”
4) “Bikkavolu, Andhra Pradesh” (Shiva Temple Biccavolu II)
5) “Koringa Wild Life Sanctuary Rd, Andhra Pradesh 533016”
6) “Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple, Uppada - Pithapuram Rd,
Kalyanamandapm, Pithapuram, Andhra Pradesh 533450”
7) “Draksharama Manikyambadevi Sametha Bheemeswara swami temple,
3-152 ANDHRA BANK STREET, Chandra St, Draksharamam, Andhra Pradesh 533262”
8) Yanam (Puducherry)
9) Hope Island
Planning should be done accordingly. The routes link is this:
Note:
In Hindu temple architecture a sukanasa (Sanskrit: शुकनास,
IAST: śukanāsa) or sukanasi is an external ornamented feature over the
entrance to the garbhagriha or inner shrine. It sits on the face of the sikhara
tower (in South India, the vimana) as a sort of antefix.
Historically, The sukanasa appears to develop from later forms
of the large "chaitya arch" on the outside facade of Buddhist chaitya halls.