Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple

Introduction to the Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple

Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple is one of the 108 Vishnu temples in Hamasala Deevi village. Hamsaladeevi, or Swans Island, is a village in Diviseema, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. The village is situated on the bank of the Krishna river. The river branches into two streams at Puligadda near Avanigadda.

The Hamsaladeevi village is also famous for its Sagara Sangamam. It is the point of confluence of the Krishna River and the Bay of Bengal, where visitors can see three differently-colored waters merging.

Legend of the Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple

The Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple has many interesting legends. As per the folklore, once two Gandharvas, while flying over the Krishna delta, saw a dark-complexioned sage. The Gandharvas insulted him by pointing out his color. The infuriated sage cursed the Gandharvas to become crows. The Gandharvas regretted their mistake and pleaded with the sage for a remedy. The sage asked them to bathe in the Krishna river near Hamsaladeevi. As advised, the Gandharvas bathed there and regained their actual form, swan (Hamsa). Hence, the place is called Hamsaladeevi. Another legend claims that sages in the form of swans used to worship Sri Venugopala Swamy at night after bathing in the Krishna river. Hence, this place got the name Hamsaladeevi.

History of the Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple

The Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple has a great history of saving the lives of many villagers from the floods of 1864 and 1977. This ancient temple has survived the floods and saved hundreds of lives.

Balatripura Sundari and Annapurna Sameta Kashi Visveshwara Temple are also located near this Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple. Some of the ruins of the sculptures on the temple premises reflect the temple's history.

The Architecture of the Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple

It was built during the reign of the Eastern Chalukyas. The temple displays the Dravidian style of architecture. Chalukyas & Mauryan emperors hugely contributed to the Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple. This 1000-year-old temple is renowned for its architectural brilliance. Shri Tirdandi China Jeeyar Swamy inaugurated it in 1977.

Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple has a five-tiered Raja Gopuram. Dhwaja Sthambham is located before the temple. Visitors can see the episodes in the epic Ramayana carved on the temple's walls. There are many beautiful sculptures of various deities around the temple. An ancient marriage hall is located northeast of the temple. Visitors can see many inscriptions on the pillars of the facade of the Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple.

Sri Venugopala Swamy is the presiding deity who is an incarnation of Vishnu. He graces with his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama in this ancient Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple. Sri Janardhanaswamy, Sri Rajyalakshmi, and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Upalayas (sub-shrines) are located in this temple.

Festivals in the Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple

Magha Pournami (February), Ugadi, Janmashtami, Sankranti, Sri Rama Navami, Ekadashi, Makara Sankranti, and Kalyanatosavam are grandly celebrated in the Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple

Magha Pournami is considered auspicious in the Hamsaladeevi Venugopala Swamy Temple. During the day, hordes of devotees bathe at the merging points of the Krishna River and the Bay of Bengal. It is believed that taking a bath in the holy waters can bring blessings and prosperity. Devotees strongly believe that staying in the temple for a night can grant progeny blessings for barren couples.