Pedakallepalli Temple

Introduction to the Pedakallepalli Temple

The Pedakallepalli Temple, or Sri Durga Nageswara Swamy Temple, is located at Pedakallepalli, Andhra Pradesh. It is on the banks of River Krishna and is also known as Dakshina Kasi. This area was known as Kadalipalli during the Buddhist period.

Legend of the Pedakallepalli Temple

According to legend, the Pedakallepalli Temple is called Dakshina Kasi because of many similarities to Benaras. The River Krishna flows here towards the North as the River Ganges flows towards the North in Benaras. Viswanatha Swamy Temple is in Kasi, and Nageswara Swamy is in Pedakallepalli. The Kshetra Palak in Kasi is Sri Bindu Madhava Swamy, whereas it is Sri Venugopala Swamy at Pedakallepalli. According to Padma Purana, Vishwamitra installed Sri Venugopala Swamy.

The Pedakallepalli Temple is called Kadalipuri or Kadali Kshetra in the Purana.

The Architecture of the Pedakallepalli Temple

The Kakatiya Rajaguru Somashivacharya raised the Pedakallepalli Temple for the first time in 1292 AD. Challapalli Raja and Sri Yarlagadda Kodanda Ramanna, the 13th Zamindar, renovated it in 1782. The Hereditary Trustee, the 15th Zamindar, Sri Yarlagadda Nageswara Rao Naidu, constructed the Rajagopuram in 1795. The Shasanam is fixed on the inside wall of the Rajagopuram. Sri Somasivacharyulu, the Deputy of Pushpagiri Peetam, built the present temple in 1982.

The presiding deity, Sri Nageswara Swami Varu, is a Swayambhu Lingam. Devotees worship him with great reverence. Durga Ammavaru is the consort of Sri Nageswara Swami Varu, who is one among the Navadurgas.

There is a sacred pond on the northeast of the temple. As Karkotaka of Nagulu dug the holy pond, the pond is called Naga Gundam. It is also known as Nagahrada Mani and Naga Sarovaramani. Priests follow the Vaideka Agama principles for worship in the Pedakallepalli Temple.

The Linga appears as a crystal Linga in the shape of a snake named Karkotaka. There is Satyasthambham, a marble pillar, on the way around the temple. It has an indistinct Brahmi script on it with Buddhist symbols believed to be the oath of Dhaggara.

Pilgrims can worship the deity only after visiting this Satyasthambham. Visitors can see the sculptures of various Hindu deities on the temple’s walls. Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali are in the southern part of Upalayam, and Durga Mata is worshipped in the northern Upalayam. A 16-pillared marriage hall is in the north-east direction.

Festivals in the Pedakallepalli Temple

The Pedakallepalli Temple celebrates Ugadi, Krishna Janmashtami, Mahashivratri, Laksha Kumkum Archana on Shravan Purnima, Devi Navratri, Arudra Darshan and Laksha Bilva Archana in Karthikai month grandly.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Pedakallepalli Temple

It is believed that there is no rebirth for the people who bathe in Krishna Uttaravahini and perform Pooja in the Pedakallepalli Temple.