Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/d60PXS01U_4
Location: “Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swami
Devastanam, Kesava Swamy Tempe, Clock tower Circle, Markapur, Chenna, Markapur,
Andhra Pradesh 523316”
References: https://ourtemples.info/temple/sri-lakshmi-chennakesava-swami-devastanam-markapur-andhra-pradesh-523316/
http://hindutourism.com/2-65-1/chennakesava-swamy-temple-markapur
https://sadashree.substack.com/p/markapur-chennakesava-swamy-temple
Chennakesava
Swamy Temple located in Markapuram of Prakasam district is a famous temple of
Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. The presiding deity in this temple is Sri Maha
Vishnu in the divine form of Chennakesava Swamy and is seen with His consort
Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi. The Lord is called Kesava because He killed a demon
called Kesi.
Markapuram
was originally part of Kurnool district till 1971 and later became part of
Prakasam district. The small town is famous for it’s slate manufacturing and in
ancient times was known by various names like Gajaranya during Krita Yuga,
Madhavipuram in Treta Yuga and Swargasopanam in Dwapara.
Markapur
is located on the Amaravati-Anantapur Express Highway, and can be reached by
road from Ongole, Vijayawada, Guntur, Nandyal. Also the Guntakal-Vijayawada
rail route passes through the town.
The temple
was built between 1405 and 1459 AD during the Vijayanagara period, during the
reign of Krishna Deva Raya. The primary attraction of the temple is the huge Galigopuram
in front which is almost 135 ft high and visible from almost 5 KMs distance. The
first storey of the temple was built during the Krishnadeva Raya’s reign, while
the other storeys were added in 1837. Although much under renovation, the
temples walls, pillars and the sculptures are beyond excellence and are treat
to watch. It is said the king gave away 355.14 acres to 14 surrounding villages
just so that the people of villages would look after the temple.
The walls
of the temple, built around 1427 AD consists of almost 18 inscriptions
providing an account of the people, culture and the way of life of the people
who used to stay here. The 40-pillared Mandapam with intricate carving of the
deities like Lord Sri Krishna, Lord Anjaneya, Lord Vighneswara and Goddess Sri
Mahalakshmi with their respective Vahanas, the Kalyana mandapam with 6 musical
pillars able to produce 7 musical notes of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Da Ni are the major
attractions of the temple.
One of the
most interesting feature of the temple is observed between16th of December and
14th of January when every morning, sun’s rays enter through the
sanctum via the specially constructed windows and fall directly on the feet of
the Deity, resulting in the feet glowing for almost 20 minutes.
Legends
There was
a milk maid by the name of Marika, a devotee of Vishnu. who worshipped him with
milk. Pleased with her devotion, Vishnu blessed her with a son. In gratitude
she built a small temple for him, around which the town grew. It was originally
called Marikapuram and in due course of time, it became Markapuram.
As per the
Sthala Purana, an Asura called as Kesi, used to harass the Rishis meditating on
the banks of the Gundlakamma river. Rishi Markandeya, pleaded with Vishnu to
protect them. Vishnu realized that Kesi had a boon by which he could only die
from a snake. He sent Adisesha, who killed Kesi with his poisonous fumes. He
then asked Markandeya to ask for a boon, who asked Vishnu to reside here, which
he did in the form of Chennakesava along with his consort Mahalakshmi. Vishnu
is called Keshava because he killed the demon Kesi, and Chennakesava is a form
of him which is beautifully decorated. Vishnu is known to be an Alankara Priya,
someone fond of decorating himself, and Chennakeshava is such a form of his.
Architecture
The temple
is built on Dravidian style with a huge gopuram in front. A big prakharam and a
huge mandapa leading to the Sanctum. The gopurams is one of the tallest in
Andhra Pradesh.
How to Reach
By Bus: Markapuram a big town with APSRTC
bus stand having connectivity to major cities around like Vijaywada, Chennai
and Hyderabad. NH565 connects Markapur to these cities.
By Rail: Markapur
Road railway station offers rail connectivity to cities like Hyderabad,
Chennai, and Bangalore. It is around 5 KMs from the city.
By Air: The
nearest airport is Vijayawada Airport, about 190 km away.
Stay Options
Markapur
itself has good stay options in the form of hotels and residencies
Nearby Places to visit
1)
Gandhi
park
2)
Veerabhadraswamy
temple, Kadapa
3)
Nagarjuna
Sagar Dam
4)
Ishta
Kameshwari Temple
5)
Bhairavkona
caves
Timings
Monday to
Sunday: 6:00 am to 12:00 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm
Parking and Photography
The temple
is right at the middle of the busy city. Parking might be a bit challenging
although there is space available. It is better to avail a local auto to visit
the temple from Hotel, in case you are residing at Markapur only.
Photography
is allowed but not in garbagriha. Drones can be easily used from outside the
temple but from inside the campus.