Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple

Introduction to the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple

The Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple is in the Kuravi village, Warangal district, Telangana.

Veerabhadra Swamy

Veerabhadra Swamy is one of the Shiva Ganas. He originated from a single strand of hair thrown on earth by Shiva on hearing about the death of his wife, Sati. Thus, Veerabhadra Swamy is the manifestation of Shiva's anger. Kala Bhairava, Ganapati, Kartikeya, and Swami Ayappan are his brothers. Veerabhadra Swamy is the ultimate destroyer of ego.

Legend of the Veerabhadra Swamy

Legend says that Sati married Shiva against the wish of her father, Daksha Prajapati. When Daksha conducted a Yagna, he invited all except Shiva and Sati. But Sati attended the Yagna, where she and her husband Shiva were insulted. Sati was ashamed and jumped into the sacred fire and self-immolated. After hearing of the death of Sati, Shiva was enraged and threw a single strand of his hair onto the earth, from which Veerabhadra sprang forth.

Veerabhadra killed Daksha and severed his head. All the Devas requested Shiva not to stop the Yagna for the universe's sake. Hence, Shiva attached a goat's face to the body of Daksha and he was allowed to complete the Yagna.

After this, Shiva became calm, but Veerabhadra was still in his fierce form. Maha Shakti sent 'Bhadrakali,' one of her sixteen forms, to Veerabhadra to appease his anger. On seeing Bhadrakali, he became calm, and they tied the knot here at Kuravi Bhadrakali Sametha Veerabhadra Swamy Temple.

The Architecture of the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple

Bheema Raju built the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple in 900 AD, which belonged to the Vengi Chalukya dynasty. Later, Betharaju-1 from the Kakatiya dynasty took the responsibility of the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple and did renovations. This temple was also known as the holy Shaiva temple of Warangal. The Kakatiya kings followed and worshipped Shiva; hence they constructed many Shiva temples across the empire and renovated many.

The temple has a 3-tier Rajagopuram. The Dhwajasthambam of the temple is said to be very powerful as it has Shakthi Yantra inside it. People who hug the Dwajasthambam are believed to speak the truth.

The presiding deity of the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple is Veerabhadra Swamy. He is fierce-looking, with three eyes and ten hands. The deity is black with a heavy moustache. He has five pairs of arms. The first pair holds Khadgam and Trisulam, the second pair has flowers and Gada, the third pair has Dandam and Damarukam, the fourth has a Snake and Vellu, and the fifth pair of arms has an Arrow and Muddaram.

Bhadrakali, Ganesha, Ramalingeshwara Swamy, and Chandramouleeshwara Swamy have separate shrines. Hanuman, Nagendrudu, Saptamatrikas, and Navagrahas are also installed in the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple. Tribal people visit the temple frequently to get the blessings of Shiva and Koriveeranna.

Festivals in the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple

The temple grandly celebrates Ugadi, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Sankranti, Sri Rama Navami, and Diwali. Maha Shivratri Brahmotsavam is an important festival which is held for 16 days. Devotees from all places visit the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple on this grand occasion. Every Monday and on Ashtami Tithi, the temple receives huge crowds.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple

It is believed that worshipping Veerabhadra Swamy in the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple can relieve mental stress, shield against evil eyes, and eliminate negativity and ignorance.