Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/u6SjSknA9i4
Location: Sri Venu Gopala Swamy Temple, India Maharanipeta బొబ్బిలి Andhra Pradesh 535558 Republic of
References: https://vizianagaram.ap.gov.in/tourist-place/venu-gopala-swamy-temple-bobbili/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobbili
https://gotirupati.com/venugopala-swamy-temple-bobbili/
https://www.rural.tourism.gov.in/Bobbili-Veena-attraction.html
http://www.fizzflyer.com/2017/04/venugopala-swamy-temple-bobbili.html
Bobbili
is a town in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. The town was founded
during the 17th century by Pedda Rayudu, 15th descendent
of Rajah of Venkatagiri. With time the town became known as “Petbuli”, then
“Bebbuli” and then finally Bobbili.
Legends
and History/Beliefs
Original
temple doesn’t exist
History
of Bobbili: Bobbili
was once a zamindari estate under the rule of its most famous resident,
Ramakrishna Ranga Rao (known as Raja of Bobbili). The battle of Bobbili in 1757, is one of the significant
episodes in the history of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Vizianagaram kings
won the war with the help of French General Marquis de Bussy.
Venugopala Swamy Temple: Venugopala Swamy was the family
deity(Kula Daivam) of Bobbili Royal family. Deeply religious, the royal
family of Bobbili worshipped Venugopala Swamy ever since the Kingdom of Bobbili
was founded. After the devastating war which wiped out most of the Bobbili
Fort, the royal descendent, Chinna Ranga Rao took over the reins of Bobbili,
and had a new temple constructed for the ancient idol recovered from the ruins.
It is located close to the royal residence and is the most worshipped temple in
Bobbili. The Gopuram (entrance) was built by Swetha Chalapati Ranga Rao in 1851.
It is the only temple in the region where the Gopuram is higher than the main
temple. On festive occasions, the idols of the deities in the temple are
adorned with precious antique jewellery. The Vasant Mandapam stands in the
placid waters of a lake. The idol from the temple of Lord Venugopala Swamy is
brought to the lake annually to celebrate the onset of spring. The mandapams were
constructed by Maharaja Krishnadas Ranga Rao, in 1825.
Every
year at the beginning of spring, the Utsava deities will be brought to
this Pushkarini for Teppostsavam celebrations. Lord Venugopala with His
Consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama will go on a ride in the boat (Teppa). After
the celebrations for a day, the Idol will be kept for a day in Dola Yatra
Mantap which is located on the banks of this Pushkarini and then carried to the
main temple.
Bobbili Veena: The Bobbili town is famous for the
manufacturing of Veenas carved by the sculptures located in Gollapalli(v) near
the Town. Nearly 300 households of this village involved in the preparation of
Veenas for their livelihood for the last 100 years. One single piece of Panasa
and Sampangi wood is being used for its preparation by the sculptures.
Culture
and History
One can also visit the Badangi
Airstrip, which was used as command base for Royal Air
Force in British India.[3] The construction was started in 1942 and completed in 1943. It was
constructed by Mackenzie company and was the second biggest RAF base after the
one at Lahore. It was built on 221-acres of land and consisted of two runways in a cross formation. It had control-tower overlooking both the
runways, a separate underground armament depot that housed the 250-pound
torpedo bombs, many underground bunkers, hangars, staff quarters and a natural pond for the fire-fighting.
The RAF squadron at Badangi
comprised Supermarine Spitfire fighters, Hawker
Hurricane fighters, Avro
Lancaster bombers, Vickers Wellington bombers, Bristol Beaufighter bombers and Douglas Dakota transport aircraft.
It was closed in 1946, as
the war was over. Today, the huge seven-inch thick solid concrete runway that
is being used by the local farmers for threshing the grains. All the other
structures have been demolished.
We were unaware of the same, so couldn’t
visit.
Architecture
Rituals
and Festivals
Teppostsavam
celebrations at the beginning of spring. For videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XanmMe6KrV0
https://www.facebook.com/GoTirupati/posts/sri-somaskanda-murthy-teppotsavam/1538121916350432/
https://www.facebook.com/GoTirupati/posts/sri-govindaraja-swamy-teppotsavam/1916995751796378/
Other
festivals:
Magha
Suddha Ekadasi Venugopala Swami kalyanotsavam, Phalguna masam dola yathra and
Dhanurmasam Sri Krishna Jayanthi celebrated grandly.
Temple
Timings
6 am : 12
pm, 5 pm : 8.30 pm
Photography and Parking
Dedicated
Parking free of cost is outside the temple, but sometimes it becomes tough to
find a space.
Photography is not allowed
inside garbhagudi and idol of the temple. Need to take permission before you
use your camera.
Drone usage should be done
carefully and after find a suitable location at a distance from the temple so
that temple authorities do not observe.
Stay and
Accomodation
Bobbili as such doesn’t have hotels to stay. One can either stay at Rajam
JJ Innotel hotel (very nice, 43KMs) or at Vizianagaram around 62 KMs.
Route and Location
As we
planned to cover Bobbili from Rajam along with Jayathi on way and move on to
vizianagaram, our route was:
