Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/L79Eownitd4
Location: "Sri Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana Swamy Vari Devasthanam Annavaram, Annavaram, Andhra Pradesh 533406"
References: wikipedia
Annavaram is a small temple
town located in Kakinada district in the
banks of River Pampa, Andhra Pradesh’s Ratnagiri Hills and is famously
known for Shri Veer Venkata Swamy temple of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation : Veera
Venkata Satyanarayana. The city is around 18 KMs from Tuni city and around 45
KMs from Kakinada city, 32 Km from Pithapuram, 72 Km from Rajahmundry.
From National Highway 16, the temple is just around 3-4 KMs inside.
Sri Veera Venkata
Satyanarayana Swamy Temple or Annavaram Temple is a
Hindu-Vaishnavite temple on a hillock named Ratnagiri
The access to temple is
available both through vehicle and footsteps made of stone. The Temple resembles a chariot with four wheels in
four corners. The main sanctum is in two floors and main entrance had been gold plated. The temple hosts
mandapam to conduct Satyanaraya
Vrathams.
One of the most popular
temples in Andhra Pradesh, a unique Yanthra based on Tripad Vibhuti Narayan
Upanishad exists here. The shrine is constructed in two storey, the lower one
containing the Yantra and upper one housing vigrahas of the Lord.The idol which
is about 4 metres high is in cylindrical form.The base in the lower sanctum
represents Lord Vishnu and the middle portion represents Lord Shiva. The image
of the deity forming a single idol and representing the Hindu Trinity is of
unique attraction.
In this temple premises,
there is a sun dial which shows the Indian Standard Time.The Kalyana Mahotsavam
of the deity during May attracts thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the
State.
The primary deity of the
temple is Lord Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana Swamy, an incarnation of Lord
Vishnu. The temple also houses deities of Goddess Anantha Lakshmi Satyavathi
Ammavaru, consort of Lord Sathyanarayana Swamy.
Legend:
The temple dates back to
Treta Yuga. It is believed that the temple was built following the divine
instructions received by a local devotee named Earanki Prakasam, who
discovered a self-manifested (Swayambhu) idol of the deity on Ratnagiri Hill.
Culture and History
The most significant ritual
performed here is the Satyanarayana Vratam, a special puja dedicated to Lord
Sathyanarayana Swamy. Devotees believe that performing this ritual brings
prosperity, happiness, and success.
The temple follows a strict schedule of daily rituals, including Suprabhata
Seva, Nitya Kalyanam (daily marriage ceremony of the deities), and other
regular offerings.
Major festivals like Kalyanam (divine wedding), Rathotsavam (chariot festival),
and Devi Navaratri are celebrated with great fervor, attracting thousands of
devotees.
The temple in its current
form was constructed in the Dravidian style in the year of 1891 by Raja
Ramanarayana, the then zamindar of Gorsa and Kirlampudi estates. It is said
that the Lord came into his dream and ordered the temple construction. He
traced the idol on the hill, worshipped it and installed it at the present
spot.
Architectural Style
main
sanctum is a two-storied structure with the lower floor housing the deities and
the upper floor consisting of a Vimana (tower) depicting the forms of the
divine trinity - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
The
temple is a typical Dravidian style architecture built inside a compound with a
main gopuram and a smaller Vimana inside for Sanctum Sanctorum. The
The
temple architecture is a blend of South Indian and Dravidian styles,
characterized by its grand gopuram (tower), intricate carvings, and spacious
halls.
Festivals
1.
Telugu New Year’s day on
Chaitra Suddha Padyami (March-April).
2.
Sita Rama Kalyanam on
Chaitra Suddha Navami (March – April).
3.
Sri Krishna Jayanti on
Sravana Bahula Ashtami (July – August).
4.
The Lord’s Jayanti on
Sravana Suddha Vidiya (July – August).
5.
Ganapathi Navarathrulu in
Bhadrapadam (August – September).
6.
Sarannavarathrulu in
Asviyujam (September – October).
7.
Kanaka Durga Jatara on
Vaisakha Suddha Panchami (April – May).
8.
Giripradakshinam on
Karthika Suddha Purnima (October – November).
9.
DeeJwalatoranam in
Karthikam (October – November).
Parking and Photography
There
is dedicated parking available.
Cameras
are allowed but photography inside the main temple is not allowed.
Usage
of Drones should be from Hotels which are down the hill. With Drone heights
increased, this shouldn’t be a problem from hotel area now.
Temple Timings:
Route and Location:
Annavaram city has couple of
good hotels to stay. One can also stay in the accomodations within the temple.
We stayed in Annavaram, visited the temple early morning next day and then
proceeded on to Kakinada via the temple town of Pithapuram. The route we
followed:
