Rerference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eluru
Eluru is a city and the district headquarters of Eluru
district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The city
is on the Tammileru river.
It was a part of the Vengi Kingdom. During the rule of
the Buddhist kingdom of Vengi, it was the capital city and was known as 'Helapuri'. It
was also known as 'Ellore'. To distinguish with Vellore, which was
having same pronunciation during Nizam rule, Ellore was referred as Uppu
Ellore (i.e. Salt Ellore), while the former one was referred as Ra
Vellore or Raya Vellore.
The history of Eluru dates back to the second century CE and
has great prominence in the history of Andhra. Vengi near Eluru was the capital
of Andhra from the second century to the twelfth century, ruled by Salankayanas,
Vishnukudinas, and Eastern Chalukyas. Vengi was the capital
city of Andhradesa for more years than any other city in Andhra Pradesh. Eluru
was part of the Buddhist kingdom of Vengi.
Eastern Chalukyas, or Chalukyas of Vengi (who built the temple of
Chennakesava in Eluru), were a dynasty of South India whose
kingdom was in the present day Andhra Pradesh. Their
capital was Vengi near Eluru and their dynasty lasted around 500 years from the
seventh century until c. 1130 C.E., when the Vengi kingdom merged with
the Chola empire. The Vengi kingdom
continued to be ruled by the Eastern Chalukyas (Eastern
Chalukyan kings) under the protection of the Chola empire until
1189 C.E., when the kingdom succumbed to the Hoysalas and
the Yadavas.
They had their capital originally at Vengi, now Pedavegi,
near Eluru of the West Godavari district and was later changed to Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry).
The chennakesava Temple of Eluru is located at Sanivarapu
peta, Eluru. This temple is few kilometers away from the Vengi (current name
Pedagavi), the capital city of Eastern Chalukyas. They also carry the name
“Vengi” Chalukyas. Later they shifted their capital city to RajaMahendraVaram,
present day Rajamoundry.
Another interesting bit of history is that Raja Raja
Narendra, was the grandson of the greatest Chola king, Raja Raja. Raja Raja
Chola's daughter was married to the Vengi Chalukya king Vimaladitya. Raja Raja
Narendra was their son, he had the support of his maternal uncle Rajendra Chola
and won the fight to the throne of Vengi. He went on to become the most well
known of the Vengi Chalukyas. Raja Raja Narendra is credited for the rise of
Telugu culture and heritage. Under his patronage, Nannaya began the translation
of Mahabharata into Telugu and sowed seeds for Telugu language as we know it
today.
Very Good Ancient Hindu Temple.
Must visit if you are in Eluru or Vijayawada. This temple is being maintained
by Dwaraka Tirumala.
History of
temple
The
temple, as per the inscriptions found in the temple the main temple was built
by Vengi Chalukyas 1000 years ago in tenth century. Later reconstruction was
carried out by Nuzivid Zamindar Sri Meka Apparao in 18th century.
The
Temple of Chennakesava Facing North and the Ramalingeswara swamy temple is
facing east, propagating the truth of Advaita Vedanta and Abhedha (No
Different) form of Shiva and Keshava (Vishnu).
One
thing which is very rare that you can observe in this temple is having two
forms of lord vishnu together in one sanctum sanctorum. First, Lord vishnu as
Venkateswara Swamy holding Shankh (Conch) and Sudarshana Chakra below the other, which is
the main deity Chenna Kesava Swamy along with Sri Devi and Bhumi Devi.
This
temple is known for it’s elegant and beautifully sculptured RajaGopuram/ Temple
tower. It’s also being called as Gali Gopurm. With it’s elegance the temple is
also being termed as Pedda Devuni Gudi
(Big Lord’s Temple) by the locals.
The
5 stored temple tower with 77 feet height having hundreds of beautiful
sculptures on the pastimes of lord vishnu including SamudraMathana, Narasimha
along with some Mithuna sculptures.
Legend:
As per the local sources, one day lord chenna kesava swamy
appeard in the dream of Nuzivid Zamindar Meka apparao and ordered him to dugout
the main deity and reconstruct the temple.
Culture and
Traditions
Architecture
The temple is a South Indian Dravidian mix style of temple
with a main gopuram (also known as GaliGopuram) and smaller Vimana and Shrines
inside.
This
temple is known for it’s elegant and beautifully sculptured RajaGopuram/ Temple
tower. It’s also being called as Gali Gopurm. With it’s elegance the temple is
also being termed as Pedda Devuni Gudi
(Big Lord’s Temple) by the locals.
The
5 stored temple tower with 77 feet height having hundreds of beautiful
sculptures on the pastimes of lord vishnu including SamudraMathana, Narasimha
along with some Mithuna sculptures.
ChennakesavaSwamy temple is having seperate shrines for Sri
RajyaLakshi Devi and Sri Goda Devi (Andal). Having Beautiful dieties of alwars
in the temple sanctum sanctorum.
Sri Ramalingeswara swamy temple is facing the east where lord
Shiva is seen along with his consort Parvath
There
are separate subshrines for lord Ganesha and Hanuman in the same temple
complex. The temple complex housing many trees and tulasi plants and a
beautiful garden.
ChennaKesava
swamy temple was adopted by Venkateswara Swamy temple of Dwaraka tirumala.
Since then there was a lot of development work done over this temple. Including
renovation of temple tower and conducting temple festivals in grand.
This Gali Gopuram, which is completely built of sandstone,
reached a state of ruin a few years ago. In 2004, the rock wealth on the Gopuram was removed
and steps were taken to rebuild it. With the initiative of Iyengar, a social
activist from the city.. After many struggles, the gopuram was not damaged..
Only the damaged parts were removed. In their place, the rocks were recreated
using a mixture of lime, jaggery, karakkaya, jute husk and gum. Professors of
IIT Chennai, Warangal NIT and officials of the State Archeology Department have
given many suggestions and suggestions regarding the reconstruction of
Galigopuram. Although the gopuram was built during the Chalukya kings, it seems
from the inscriptions here that the then zamindars Meka Dharma Apparao were the
patrons of the temple. This gopuram, which has a rich history, was
reconstructed in 2004. At present, wild plants sprout here and there.
Popular Festivals
§ Brahmotsavam,
§ Kalyanotsavam,
§ Mukoti Ekadasi
§ Dhanurmasam
Kartika Masam and
Shiva Ratri are the main festivals celebrated in Ramalingeswara swamy temple.
How
to Reach:
By Road: Eluru
bus depot is the nearest bus stand: 3.3 KMs. Eluru is a big city and is well
connected through road from major cities or even towns and villages. From bus
stand autos are available. By your own vehicle is also a very good option if
you want to avoid local/public transport.
By Train:
Valiyur is the nearest Railway station: 13 KMs. Nearest major Railway station:
Vijaywada: 36 KMs
By Air: Vijaywada
is the nearest airport: 36 KMs, Rajamahendravaram: 105 KMs
Temple
Timings
Kindly contact the local
authorities of the temple for timing. The temples under endowment are normally
kept open from 6 AM to 12 Noon and from 4 PM to Night 8 PM.
Parking
and Photography
No dedicated parking. Somehow managed to park the vehicle
at the side of the road.
Photography is allowed. Drone can be used from
outside.
Route and
Stay
Stay can be done at Eluru itself. Good hotels and residencies
available here. We were travelling from Machilipatnam, so followed this route:
