Vemulawada is a small temple town located in Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. The town is very famous for the Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple. It is a major site of worship for Hindu pilgrims. The locals also call the temple as Rajanna. The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. It is one of the main pilgrimage places in Southern India. It is also known as Dakshina Kasi which means Benares of the South. The temple town attracts several visitors throughout the year. People from up North come here during Maha Sivarathri to witness the celebrations.
About the temple
This temple was constructed in 750 AD by the Chalukya Kings. It is a massive temple with a huge dome in the shape of a pyramid. Raja Rajeshwara Swamy is considered as an avatar of Shiva. There are several notable points in the temple. The Addala Mantapa which means podium of mirrors is a structure that is completely decorated with mirrors. According to historians several classical dancers used to perform here during the festive seasons.
There is a huge corridor that is lined with several idols of Lord Shiva in his different forms. There is a small pool outside the temple called Dharma Gundam where pilgrims bather before entering the temple complex. It is believed that by bathing in this pond they are purified soulfully.
During Maha Sivarathri this small town which barely has 60,000 people witnesses more than 500,000 visitors. A huge procession of the idol of Shiva is carried through the temple complex.
History
There are several legends about the temple. One of them is that the Sun god worshipped the lord at the temple site when he was disabled and he recovered after praying here. Another legend states that the king Raja Narendra who built the temple was suffering from leprosy. He got cured of the disease when he worshipped here. Even today this temple is considered to be a sacred place that cures people of their illnesses. That is one reason why people flock here all through the year. They say that touching the Shiva Lingam will cure them off the skin diseases. There are several such stories about the temple. Also this temple was one of the rarest temples of India which was not destroyed in wars. Even today it remains intact.
Getting there
There are direct buses from Hyderabad to Vemulawada. One can also take a train to Karimnagar and take a bus from the district to the temple town. Getting around the town is easy as there are many horse carts and auto rickshaws available. Staying at Vemulawada is not a problem as there lodges available. One can also choose to stay in Karimnagar.
About the temple
This temple was constructed in 750 AD by the Chalukya Kings. It is a massive temple with a huge dome in the shape of a pyramid. Raja Rajeshwara Swamy is considered as an avatar of Shiva. There are several notable points in the temple. The Addala Mantapa which means podium of mirrors is a structure that is completely decorated with mirrors. According to historians several classical dancers used to perform here during the festive seasons.
There is a huge corridor that is lined with several idols of Lord Shiva in his different forms. There is a small pool outside the temple called Dharma Gundam where pilgrims bather before entering the temple complex. It is believed that by bathing in this pond they are purified soulfully.
During Maha Sivarathri this small town which barely has 60,000 people witnesses more than 500,000 visitors. A huge procession of the idol of Shiva is carried through the temple complex.
History
There are several legends about the temple. One of them is that the Sun god worshipped the lord at the temple site when he was disabled and he recovered after praying here. Another legend states that the king Raja Narendra who built the temple was suffering from leprosy. He got cured of the disease when he worshipped here. Even today this temple is considered to be a sacred place that cures people of their illnesses. That is one reason why people flock here all through the year. They say that touching the Shiva Lingam will cure them off the skin diseases. There are several such stories about the temple. Also this temple was one of the rarest temples of India which was not destroyed in wars. Even today it remains intact.
Getting there
There are direct buses from Hyderabad to Vemulawada. One can also take a train to Karimnagar and take a bus from the district to the temple town. Getting around the town is easy as there are many horse carts and auto rickshaws available. Staying at Vemulawada is not a problem as there lodges available. One can also choose to stay in Karimnagar.
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