FAMOUS TEMPLES IN VISAKHAPATNAM

Temples of Visakhapatnam District

Visakhapatnam, known as `Vizag`, is a port city, the 2nd largest district in Andhra Pradesh, and the mastermind behind India`s steel production silver lining. It is  lovingly   called The City of Destiny`. However, the ancient period of time cannot be neglected,   as      Visakhapatnam was ruled by perhaps all the key ruling dynasties of the erstwhile era. Hindu temples,  evidently occupy  a  major  portion     of  the district. Some  widely explored  are - Appikonda Temple,Bheemeswaralayam, Kotilingam Temple, Sri Varaha Lakshminarasimha Temple, Simhachalam Temple, the shrines  of Lord Venkateshwara in  Kailashgiri,  the  Bhavatarini Kali Temple and the numerous excavated ruinsof Hindu temples, the Buddhist and Jain shrines,yet tobe declared accepted by the archaeologists. Ancient caves, standing strong since the pre-historic era, towerthe area. The temples, built during the reigns of  King  Krishna  Deva  Raya, Emper or  Ashoka, the Chola dynasty or the Pallava dynasty, are exclusive in their own style of architecture. Lord Shiva and Vishnu dominate the shrines here too, with a handful of temples consecrated in their name. There is a dearth of the female community, when divinity is concerned. Most of the temples were built in between the 12th-15th centuries.   Sampath Vinayagar is a Hindu temple located in the city of Visakhapatnam, on the east coast of India. The famed Sri Sampath Vinayagar Temple in the busy Asilmetta area is among the most popular temples of Vizag. Scores of devotees believe that praying at the Sri Sampath Vinayagar Temple will bring them luck and remove all the obstacles on the path of success. The temple is located within a walking distance from the RTC Complex and just a couple of kilometers from the Railway Station. Though small in size, the temple has a special place in the hearts of Vizagites and the visitors too and attained the status of a "Kshetram"     Daily schedule Ganapathi homam from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Nadaswaram from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Special abhisekhams by `Ubhyadatas' from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Vedaparayanam from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., followed by Nadaswaram at 5.30 p.m. Religious discourses from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Sarvadarshanam with special alankaram and harati and distribution of prasadam from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.   Kotilingam Temple: Location: Panchadarla near Anakapallee Deity: Lord Shiva This temple is situated close to the `five fountains` - five jets of water fed by a perennial spring. The presiding deity Shiva has 12 rows of 85 lingams carved on a single lingam. This temple has inscriptions dating back to the 15th century Eastern Chalukyas.                                 Sri Kanakamahalakshmi Temple:    Goddess Sri Kanakamalalakshmi is the presiding deity of the Visakhapatnam locals. It is believed that Goddess Sri Kanakamalahshmi is considered the family deity of rulers of this area and the present location of the Temple; was in the rampars of their fort. People believe that the area gained the name of Burujupeta since it is in this area that the ramparts of the fort existed in the past. The idol (bust of Goddess) was located in the middle of a narrow street in Burujupeta. Unlike in other Temple;s in Andhra Pradesh, if not in South India, that the devotees can directly worship the deity. It is a practice completely different from any other Temple; where the devotees can only come up to the sanctum sanctorum but cannot enter it. A devotee can break a coconut and pour the water on the idol, apply kumkum and turmeric himself or herself. It is common that milk abishekam being performed by devotees. The Temple; priest do perform the daily puja and other rituals but the devotees worship the Goddess on their own. Thursday is the most auspicious day for the Goddess and thousands throng the Temple; every Thursday.                                                                               The month of Margasira according to Hindu calendar (observed as Margasira Masam) that generally comes during November-December every year is considered the most auspicious one and perhaps this is why the annual celebrations of Goddess Sri Kanakamalalakshmi said to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi are organized at the Temple;. The festivities began with fervor on the morning with the traditional nadaswar followed by panchamrutabhishekam and sahasranama kumkum puja. Later, the abishekam to the Goddess was performed with milk, followed by pujas in the after afternoon and evening. Recital of Lalitha Sahasranamam in the morning, rendering of Annamayya kritis, Harikahtha and devotional music programme in the evening were organized. Thousands of devotees offered worship on the opening day and the devotional fervor continues for the rest of the month. Especially on Thursday nearly two lakh devotees throng the Temple; to have darshan. Besides, panchamruthabhishekam and ksheerabhisheka seva, special programmes like recital of the Bhagavad-Gita, Sapthasathi and Mahavidya, Lakshmi homam and Srichakrapuja are being conducted during the month. A unique feature this year is the Ashtalakshmi alankaram from December 22 to 30 at the Temple; premises. This year, the Ashtalakshmi idols at the Anivetti Mandapam have comes as a pleasant surprise. Moulded in concrete, they are set up close to the roof in two rows on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. There are ten new idols. Besides the beautiful Ashtalakshmis, there is an idol of Sri Kanakamalalakshmi towards north and facing Her is Sri Rajarajeswari Devi on the south beginning form the sanctum sanctorum and the eight Lakshmi idols are distributed equally beside the two idols. Indicative list of Daily Poojas & Darshan Timings at the Temple; Sahasra Nama Pooja: 5:00 AM to 6:30 AM Balabhogam:6:30 AM Sarva Darshan :6:30 AM to 12:00 Noon Raja Bhogam :12:00 Noon Sarava Darshan : 12:15 Noon to 6:00 PM Astottaram : 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Contact Address : The Executive Sri Kanakamahalakshmi Ammavari Temple; 22-91-6, Buruju Peta Reading Room Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh India Telephone: +91-891-2568645 HISTORY : This Temple; is having a special feature of performing pujas by the devotees them selvesto the goddess directly without requiring any purohit/ archaka to perform puja. LegendsSthalapuranam & Stories behind the Temple & Legends So far as Sthalapuranam of this Temple; is concerned there is no authentic information.It is learnt that Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru is the family diety of the then ‘Rajas of Visakhapatnam’. The locality where the idol was found is called ‘Burujupeta’ since it was near ‘Buruju’ of the ‘Fort’ of the then Rajas.It is learnt that in the year 1912 the Idol of Goddess Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru was taken out from the well and it was installed at the enter of the road i.e., amidst the Municipal lane. The Municipal authorities,for the purpose of widening the road, have shifted the Idol from amidst the road to a corner of the road. During which period i.e., in the year 1917 the dangerous contagious disease ‘Plague’ spread over the town and so many deaths occurred in Visakhapatnam village. The people of Visakhapatnam were afraid of the incident and thought the devastation was due to shifting of idol of goddess ‘Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi’ and therefore, re-erected Ammavari Idol to its original place i.e., at the center of the road as it existed now. Owing to re-erection, the ‘Plague’ disease was cured and normalcy was restored. With this, the villagers have a staunch belief that it is all due to miracle of Goddess, and thus from then onwards the Villagers used to worship the Goddess by performing sevas with much devotion. Further, the people of the vicinity have strong belief that ‘Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Ammavaru’ is the ‘MOTHER OF TRUTH’ and will always bless her devotees by fulfilling their requirements. The lady devotees have staunch belief that the Goddess bless them with “Sumangali”.he devotees of Goddess bring their newly born babies to the Temple; and keep them at the pial of Goddess and seek blessings. How to reach the Temple: This Temple is situated in the heart of the Visakhapatnam city. Hence all the trains run through Visakhapatnam are having halts at Visakhapatnam and the Temple; is situated within the radius of 2 Kms from Railway Station.From Railway Station/ Bus Station to Temple;Bus Facility/Autos etc. Number of city buses plying from Railway Station to the Temple Much more autos and taxies are also plying from Railway station to the Temple.   Chandanotsavam at Lord Lakshmi Nrusimha Swamy Temple Simhachalam :   Simhachalam is one of the best places in India which resembles the rich Culture and Heritage. Simhachalam Hill Ranges are the host for one of the most unique Temple;s of Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami is India.   The Chandanotsavam or the Nijaroopa Darshanam Day, is the annual ritual conducted at the Temple;. It is only on this day that devotees would have a chance to see the actual shape of the lord ( Nirjaroopam ). On normal days, the Lord in the Temple; is visible with a layer of Chandanam (Sandalwood paste) covered. This process is conducted on the Vaisakha Suddha Tadiya as per the Telugu almanac. It is on the Chandanotsavam day that the Lord's Sandalwood paste is removed and is covered with a fresh layer of Sandalwood paste brought from Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. The ceremonial process would take some time and during the process of removal of the sandal paste, the sanctum sanctorum doors will be closed. Abhishekam and special pujas will be performed after the diety is fully uncovered. This happens at around 3:00 PM. Heriditary Trustee of the Temple , Ananda Gajapathi Raju will be the first person to have the darshan of the Lord on this day at around 4:00 PM. Millions of people from round the world, particular from the coastal states of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu vist the Temple; to take the darshan of the Lord in his true form. As like any other Chandanotsavam Day, authorities of the Temple; have taken additional steps to make this festival day an easy one for the Devotees. The Executive Officer of the Devasthanam oversees and ensures that all facilities were implemented so that devotees can take the darshan of the Lord easily. Special Queues will be setup for both Tickets and the Prasadam's. An estimated 50 Lakh laadoos will be sold and thus the Devastanam has made arrangements for the production of the same. About 3 Lakh people will be provided with free food (Anna-Danam) on this day alone. The Visakhapatnam City Police will look at all Security arrangements and Special Police teams will be deployed to make sure no brench of security takes place. APSRTC is running special Buses from many parts of the state. Special City buses will also be run from various parts of Visakhapatnam to Simhachalam. A representative from the Government of Andhra Pradesh will generally be presenting the slik-woven clothes to the Lord on this day. On the Chandanotsavam Day, special tickets in the denominations of Rs. 30, Rs. 100, Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 will be sold at the Temple; premises. Of course, there is always a Dharma Darshanam, or a free Darshan that generally draw huge crowds. Simhachalam                   Simhachalam means the hill of the lion. refers to the 11th century Temple; of Lord Narasimha - an incarnation of lord Vishnu. It has been hailed as the most famous and the best sculptured shrine Millions of devotees from round the world visit this Temple; every year. It has Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy as the presiding deity. Simhachalam Temple; is known as the second richest Temple; (after Tirupati) for earning a revenue. A famous pilgrim centre Simhachalam, also known as Simhagiri, devotees coming over here steadily growing and this is the west facing Temple; According to religious belief, An east-facing entrance brings prosperity while the west - facing one brings victory. There is a Trekking route available for trekking lovers from Madhavadhara side, two hours climbing to Temple; premises with steep natural stone steps and a beautiful view of Vizag city and at the other side the Temple; view from hill top. The presiding deity in this most revered Temple; gives 'Nijaroopa Darshan' (holy appearance in true form) for only 12 hours in a year, on all the remaining 364 days and 12 hours, the Lord is covered with sandalwood paste. The real shape of the deity can can be viewed only during Chandanayatra Festival (March-April). The local people believe that an ancient image of Sivalinga was converted into Varahanarasimha form ( The present idol of the Temple;) by Ramanuja, the founder of the Visistadhvaitham of Hinduism. It signifies the celebration of Kamadahana (burning of the god of Love) festival. The origins of the Temple; are shrouded in mystery. The artwork here has elements of similarity with that of Konark. Elephants, flowers and plants are portrayed in plenty. This Temple;boasts of a beautiful stone chariot drawn by horses. Within the Temple; the Kalyana Mandapa has 16 pillars with bas reliefs depicting the incarnations of Vishnu. Narasimha, the man lion incarnation of Vishnu is seen in several depictions throughout the Temple. Elephants, flowers and plants are portrayed in plenty and the artwork here has elements of similarity with that of Konark. The outer walls of the sanctum depict images of a royal personality (said to be King Narasimha) in various postures.   Simhachalam is 16 km from Visakhapatnam Airport. Visakhapatnam is a center for Religious Traditions. There are hundreds of Temples, Churches, Mosque's in Visakhapatnam City. Visakhapatnam upholds the rich traditions of India and respects its cultural and religious diversity.