Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/Dmu4NPQUPY0
Location: "Sri Mavullamma Vari Temple, Sunday market, Kuriseti Vari St, Gandhinagar, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh 534201" (Mavullamma Vari Temple)
"Somaramam Sri Someswara swamy Temple, GGRP+F5R, Gandhinagar, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh 534202" (Somarama Shri Someshwara Swamy Temple)
Rerference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhimavaram
https://westgodavari.ap.gov.in/religioustourism/
http://hindutourism.com/11-135-1/sri-mavullamma-ammavari-devasthanam
http://hindutourism.com/7-205-10/festivals-are-celebrated-at-sri-shakteeswara-swamy-temple
Bhimavaram is
a city and headquarters of West Godavari district of the Andhra Pradesh state of India. It is the administrative headquarters
of Bhimavaram mandal in Bhimavaram revenue division. It is a
part of Eluru Urban Development Authority.
Along with much of present-day coastal
Andhra Pradesh, Bhimavaram was controlled by the Chola dynasty.
Under Kulothunga Chola I, Bhimavaram was ruled by his
sons who served as viceroys. Stone inscriptions have been found in the town
dating from his reign (c. 1096 C.E.). The presense of a tall Gopuram at
Someshwara Temple at Bhimavaram is a typical trait of the Chola architecture
which they started from Tamil Nadu and then it spread in the other states of
Southern India.
Legend:
The name Bhimavaram literally means
"the gift of Bhima". According to a legend, in around 890–918 AD,
an Eastern Chalukya king named Chalukya Bheema built a Siva temple and laid the foundation to this
town. It was originally called "Bhimapuram", but the name
gradually changed to "Bhimavaram"; "puram" refers to a
dwelling place while "varam" means an endowment in Telugu. An
alternative explanation is, that the sound va (labiodental) is preferred to ba,
pa (labials) in colloquial language and over a period of time tend to shift
from pa to va. Hence "varam" from "puram".
Culture and Traditions
Bhimavaram can be considered another
of those temple cities with few major ancient temples being present here,
dedicated to Lord Shiva and local deity Mavullama.
Temples at Bhimavaram
1)
Gunupudi Someshwara (Somarama) temple
The temple
is considered to be one of the 5 pancharamam temples. The temple is just 20 KMs
from Palakollu, The attraction of
Bhimavaram is spiritual as the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Sri
Someswara Janardhana swamy. The
main contribution for temple construction was made by the King Chalukya Bheema
during 4th century.
The colour
of the linga changes during full moon day and Amavasya. Goddess Annapurna
temple is situated just above the Garbalayam saying that Lord Shiva holds the
Goddess Ganga on his head this cannot be seen anywhere else in India.. To the
South of the Garbha Gruham, Goddess Adilakshmi can be seen and wedding hall at
ground and first floor are constructed. Marriages are conducted both in the new
hall and also in Goddess Annapurna mantapam. To the East side of this temple,
there is a Pushkarini pond which is also called Soma Gundam. Inside the temple,
Lord Anjaneya Swamy, God Kumara Swamy, Navagraha, Sun God, Lord Ganesha can
also be seen. In front of the main entrance, 15ft pillar is constructed.
Legend says: Shivalinga was installed by Moon God and hence
the temple named as Somarama, as Sanskrit word soma means Chandra (God Moon).
There are
two Shivalingas in the temple namely Koteswara Swamy Linga and Someswara Swamy
Linga. Koteswara Swamy Linga was installed by Lord Indra and Someswara Swamy
Linga by Lord Soma (Moon God) to get rid of curse. Sri Siddi Janardhana Swamy,
Goddess Sridevi and Goddess Bhoodevi installed by Kasyapa Maharshi are the
Kshetra Palakas of this temple. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Raja
Rajeswari Ammvaru. The other deities in the temple are Lord Anjaneya, Lord
Kalabhairava and Navagrahas.
The Holy River is very famous for its sacred water. It was brought by Gowtham
Maharshi. As per Gowthami Mahatyam, if any person takes a bath in this Holy
Water will be purified from all kinds of sins. Koteswara Lingam is a Yoga
Lingam and Someswara Lingam is a Bhoga Lingam.
Legenda of
Sri Koteswara Lingam
Once Lord Indra fell fond of Ahalya wife of Gauthama Maharshi. He played a play
and diverted Gauthama Maharshi. In his disguise form he embraced Ahalya. When
Gauthama Maharshi came back, Ahalya realized that she was cheated by someone.
Lord Indra changed His form to cat and tried to escape. Gautham Maharshi got angry
and cursed Lord Indra with life disease and Ahalya to change into a rock.
Ahalya and Lord Indra later pleaded Gauthama Maharshi for shaapa vimochana.
Gauthama Maharshi asked Ahalya to wait till Lord Rama touches her with His
feet. He told Lord Indra to take bath in Gauthami River and perform pooja to
Lord Shiva. Lord Indra installed Shivalinga named Koteswara Linga and performed
pooja to get rid of His sin.
Legend of
Sri Someswara Lingam
Lord Soma was fond of Tara, wife of His guru. Due to His mistake Lord Soma lost
chaya (glow) in his face. He realized his mistake and prayed Lord Vishnu for
shaapa vimochana. Lord Vishnu was pleased and told him to take bath in Gauthami
River and install Shivalinga and perform pooja to get rid of sin. Lord Chandra
took bath and installed Shivalinga with Goddess Rajarajeswari. As Lord Soma
installed the Shivalinga and relieved from the sin it is named as Chaya
Someswara Swamy Lingam.
The
Temple Timings
·
5.00 am to 11.00 am
·
4.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Festivals:
·
Maha Shivaratri and Devinavarathris
are the main festivals celebrated grandly at this temple. Rudrabhishakam and
bilvarchana are performed in the early hours from 4am. They offer prayers by
reading Vishnu Sahasra Nama and Akasadeepam is lighted throughout all month.
·
In the center of the city, the temple
of Rain Goddess (Varala Thalli) Maullamma is situated. The statue is 8ft hight.
Each Fridays special poojas are performed at this temple. Yearly grand celebrations
are held during Maha Shivarathri festival.
Parking
and Photography:
Parking
2)
Mavullama Temple
Sri Sri Sri
Jaganmatha Mavullamma ammavaru: Protector of people from evil spirits. It is
believed Jaganmatha (Universal Mother goddess) Sri Mavullamma ammavaru (Mother
goddess) is the incarnation of Mahakali (the goddess of Shakthi-Power) in olden
days. she is in a midst of mango groves. So she is called 'Mavullamma' (Mamidi
is local tongue to Mango). It is believed that neighbour villagers treated her
as their own villages mother goddess, So she is addressed as 'Mavullamma'
(Mother goddess of my own village).
The temple
history of Jaganmatha Sri Mavullamma came to limelight in the year 1880 AD,
Since then only the temple history is available to us. It is believed that she
is laid in Motupallivari street, under couple of pipal and Neem tree. Every
year in the month of "Jyesta masa" (third month of auspicious Telugu
almanac calendar) on "Paadyami" (new slender crescent moon day).
Devotees (worshippers) celebrates one month long celebration in this month.
There is a festive look every where in and around the town. The Devastanam
(Temple committee) and local fruit and vegetable trader's committee felicitates
artists, actors, actresses, musicians, great men of all walks of the life.
In 1910 AD
floods the Mulavirat (Statue of Mavullamma) partially damaged. Later reinstates
by great artist, sculptor Sri Grandhi Narasanna's son Sri Grandhi Appa Rao. He
carved the Mulavirat (Mavullamma Statue) from ferocious stature to pleasant
present peace form.There are many sayings of how Sri Sri Mavullamma Ammavaru
emerged in Bhimavaram. One saying states that the goddess had emerged at
Rayakuduru village near Veeravasaram.
Local Legend:
Sthala Purana : It is said that the goddess had
emerged during the period of 1200 A.D. But as per the temple point, the history
is available only from the period of 1880 A.D. In Bhimavaram a place presently
called as Motupalli Veedhi is said to be the place where the goddess had
emerged. Sri Mavullamma ammavaru emerged in a place where Neem and Peepal
(vepa) trees were together.
As the
goddess had emerged in this place and as this place is rich for mango trees the
Goddess had been named “MAMILLA AMMA” and later on during the days it had
converted into “Sri MAVULLAMMA”. Another saying about the name is that as there
are many small villages nearby Bhimavaram and they used to come to Bhimavaram
to pray the Goddess as their Grama Devata the name “MAA VULLAMMA” had been
incarnated.
During
Vaishaka masam of the year 1880 A.D. Sri Mavullamma ammavaru came into
the dream o f Sri Marella Machi Raju and Sri Grandhi Appanna and advised
them to build a temple in the place where she had emerged. After they
found the Goddess they used to offer her prayers in a small hut. Both Sri
Marella Machi Raju and Sri Grandhi Appanna built the temple at the Sunday
Market (Previously known as Aidhu Lanterla Stambham). During 1910 A.D. a
sculptor Tatavolu Naga Bhushanacharyulu from Kaalla village incarnated the idol
of the Goddess as SHANTI SWAROOPINI and placed Rama Krishna Paramahamsa and
Vivekananda idols on the both sides of the entrance.
Sri
Mavullamma Ammavaru as Sakambhari decorated with more than 25 kinds of
Vegetables during Festivals
Mavullamma Utsavams are conducted every year in a very Grand way for nearly 50
days during Sankranthi season. Lightings and Decorations are put out throughout
the Temple Premises
Architecture and culture
The
temple is in an area of 13 cents. In this area there exist Prasada
shala,Kotikala Govinda Rao Kalavedhika,Temple office. Pulihora Prasadam was
given to all devotees for free of charge.Nityaannadanam was running for people
who travel from far places to see Goddess.Goddess was decorated
as Shakambari in Shudha Pournami of ashada month. Village fair was
done in jyesta Month. At the time of Navaratri Goddess will be decorated in
different incarnations and Laksha kumkuma archana and chandi homam will be
conducted. Temple gains around 2 crores of money from Hundi, Coconut and Gifted
sarees. Goddess have 24 kgs of gold and 274 kgs of silvers as ornaments and
vessels.
Every
year January 13th, annual celebrations were conducted by devasthanam with
the support of Onion and fruits ,vegitable merchants. In the presence of
Vutsava Committee 40 days celebrations were done by spending lakhs of money.
Cultural activites were conducted.Electrical lighting is another
specialattraction.Last 8 days of celebrations goddess was decorated as
ashta lakshmi avatars. Food donation is conducted for devotees.
The
Temple Timings
·
5.00 am to 12.00 pm
·
1.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Festivals:
The temple
celebrates numerous festivals throughout the year, with the following being the
most notable:
·
Annual Celebrations
(Sankranti) in January
·
Dasara Celebrations
3)
Subramanyeshwara Temple
Subramanya
Swamy Temple is a famous Hindu temple in the small village of Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh.
It is dedicated to Lord Subramanya, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The
temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the state and attracts
thousands of devotees from all over the country.
The temple
was built in the 13th century under the patronage of the Kakatiya kings. The
temple's main deity is Lord Subramanya, also known as Lord Muruga or Kartikeya.
He is worshipped as the god of war and victory. He is also considered the lord
of the six abodes (Arupadai Veedu), the most important shrine to the deity.
4)
Shakteeshwara Temple
Saktheeswara
Swamy temple is located Yenamadurru 5 KMs from Bhimavaram town of West Godavari
district of Andhra Pradesh.
It is the only Siva statue in seershasan pose with Parvathi sitting in position
with 3 months old Kumara Swamy.
This is
the only temple is India, where Lord Siva appears in Sirsa Asana posture
with Goddess Parvathi holding 3 months Subramanya next to him. During
excavations, locals have unearthed 6 ft snake idol, treating it as Lord
Subramanya, the temple priest installed the statue inside the temple.
Legends
As per the Legends, Demon Shambasura after
receiving the boon from Lord Siva started troubling Sages. Sages know that
this Demon can only be killed by Yama Dharma Raja and approached him for the
protection. Yama battled with the Demon for years and lost in the battle.
Seeking more power, Yama did penance for Lord Siva. Lord Siva who was Sirsa
Asana posture did not respond for a long time. Knowing this Goddess Parvati
gave him the additional powers with which he killed the demon. Hence this name
after Yama as Yama Puri which later turned to Yanamadduru. On Yama’s request,
Lord Siva manifested here in a Yoga posture with His Consort Parvati and son
Subramanya. As Siva manifested here with Shakti, this temple was called by
Shakteeswara.
History: Yama
Darma Raju felt exhausted one day by his activity and implored Lord Shiva, Lord
Shiva got some information about and Yama Dharma Raju answered that All call
him as Samavarthi (Equallity) however nobody asks him and many dreaded by his
name itself, Shiva gave him a Varam expressing that in the wake of killing a
Rakshasa shiva sanctuary will be work at Andhradesam bringing Yama Dharma Raju
a name that Yama Dharma Raju isn't just a Life Taker yet in addition can cure
individuals of their dieases, So all individuals previously entering this
sanctuary wash their legs and turns in the lake before the sanctuary.
Later on a Rakshasa named Shambura began exasperating the Tapodeekshas of
Munis. Munis went to Yama Darma Raju and requesting that he slaughter Shambura,
But Yama Darma Raju had neglected to execute Shambara in many endeavors.
Feeling Shy by his thrashing Yama Darma Raju began imploring Lord Shiva, Lord
Shiva being in Yoganista was not able perceive Yama Dharma Raju. Parvathi Devi
satisfied by Yama Dharma Rajus Tapodeeksha gave him the power required to
murder Shambura. Subsequent to murdering Shambura Yama Dharma raju named this
town as Yamapuri later on it had changed to Yamauna Puram and now into
Yanamadurru.
Yama Dharma Raju supplicated Lord Shiva that to keep some other Rakshasas to
wander around there Lord Shiva alongside his family need to protect the
premises, so as to satisfy Yamas words Lord Shiva shaped himself as a statue in
SHEERSHASANA bangima, While his Wife Sri Parvathi Devi keeping her 3 Month old
Son Sri Subramanyeswara Swamy in her Lap.
We can likewise observe old Stone structures utilized by Sri Yama Darma Raju to
manufacture this sanctuary in the premises. There is an Island named
Shambureevi in Bay of Bengal ocean close Narasapuram. As Shambura lived amid
Lord sri Rama Period this History has a place with TretaYugam this Temple can
be said to be manufactured around 1000 years of age.
Sri Shakteeswara is one name among the sahasranamas (100 names) of Lord Shiva.
Culture and Festivals
Siva and Parvati Kalyanam will be
performed on Maha Sivaratri and Teppotsavam will be held at Temple tank on the
same day. Rudrabhishekam, Abhishekam, Laksha Patri Pooja for the Lord and
KumKum Pooja for the Goddess will be performed during Karthika Masam. Akhanda
Annasamaradhana will be performed on Subramanya Sashti
Popular Festivals
·
Nagula Chavithi
·
Karthika Purnami
Nagula Chavithi
This temple in shakthigundham two nag snakes (king cobra) are there up to 2003
march. If we go and see in ‘shakthigundham’ in bhramma muhurtam. we can see the
two snakes they stand on water and take bath 3 times in opposite
direction and they swim around the tank for one time in water. And came near to
swami and pray to swami and again go in to tank. For nagula chavithi
(snake festival)festival before night these 2 snakes came in to temple
and build snake’s houses. in morning lot of people go to temple put some milk
in snake houses and do pujas (its really a great thing there is an
evidence today also people are there to tell this who are really participate in
this festival to tell this . In 1995 in swami’s uthsav (celebrations)one old
man unfortunately killed one nag snake. And suddenly he turns into a blind man.
Second nag snake was very aged so in 1998 year ending he also died. Present there
are two another nag snakes in devasthanam area. There is a special to these two
snakes if any people have seen them. They stretch their head (hood) and beat to
the floor and die themself. Only this type of snakes are belong to vasuki
family’s breed they also do same as when a human being see them. The feel and
disappoint and die them self only. By this we can tell these snakes also belong
to vasuki family breed. These snakes came to temple on special days and turn
around the swami with their body.
Karthika Purnima
In East way entryway of the sanctuary left side corner we can see 'nandi'
statuette (swamis vehicle) without front legs. It has an awesome story. Before
British rulers came to India. Turkish came to possess India. Around then
Turkish brigade resulted in these present circumstances place and endeavoring
to possess. they encompassed the sanctuary. One ruler went into the sanctuary
and stands close to nandi to see his sharpness of talwar (enormous blade). he
remove the nandi (shake statuette) mouth and left leg… ... at that point all of
a sudden a considerable measure of precious stones turned out from the
assortment of 'nandi' at that point he think "just in the collection of
creature this a lot of jewels are there… .at that point what is in the swami?
(principle permid)" He steps forward to swami and cut off swami upper
piece of the statuette… ..at that point all of a sudden sanctuary rooftop
tumbled down on the ruler. Ruler Was kicked the bucket. We can know this by
history of sanctuary. We can see the old rocks and statuettes work by yama in
the back of the sanctuary. After assault of Turkish, sanctuary has tumble down.
After a few years after the fact individuals fabricate new sanctuary to swami.
They clear out old sanctuary part and place it in the back of sanctuary. We can
see it in the back of the sanctuary. In the day of karthika purnima karthika
joythi (a fire with high splendid light) putting on the sanctuary from such a
large number of years. in the season of britishers… . mogalturru samsthan
maharaj(king) he see joythi of swami consistently from his palace(castle) and
appeals to swami.
Parking and Photography
At Shakteeshwara Temple, there is
dedicated parking, so it is not an issue
Photography is highly restricted only
to the exterior and no photography is allowed inside the temple. Drones should
be used from a long distance and use a proper height so that it’s not visible
to anyone.
Drones should be used very carefully
and from far of locations from the temple. Cameras are allowed but not of the
main garbagrihas anywhere. Shakteeshwara Temple has special restrictions on
photography and be careful.
Temple Timings:
07:00 AM to 08:00 PM
Route and Stay
For good hotels, Amalapuram or
Palakollu can be destinations. We stayed in Palakollu and covered few
destinations from there. Here is the route we followed:
