Ponnur Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Introduction to the Ponnur Temple

Ponnur Sri Veera Anjaneya Swamy Temple, or Ponnur Temple, is a famous Hanuman Temple in Ponnur town, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh.

History of the Ponnur Temple

The Ponnur Temple was constructed with donations collected from various villages. Kota Jaganatha Swamy acquired 63 acres of land and constructed the temple.

The Architecture of the Ponnur Temple

The Ponnur Temple is in the Dravidian architectural style. Kota Jaganatha Swamy built the temple in 1969 and installed the statues of Anjaneya Swamy and Garuda. The presence of five Akhanda Deepas is the most attractive feature of the Ponnur Temple. The temple has a 5-tiered Rajagopuram. A 42-foot single-stone Dhwaja Sthambam is present in front of the Rajagopuram. Two Gali Gopurams are facing west. Visitors can see mythological scenes painted on the walls. The temple sprawls over 6 acres of land and has six temples in its complex.

Ponnur Temple is famous for Sahasra Lingams (100 Shiva Lingams). The Sri Sahasra Lingeshwara Swamy temple is in the temple complex and was built in 1938. Five Lingams are present near the feet of Shiva, which are alike despite various sizes. The idol of Parvati is carved on a black stone.

Anjaneya (Hanuman) is the main deity of Ponnur Temple. He is 24 feet tall, 12 feet wide, and 4 feet thick. A monolithic black granite was used to carve the statue of Anjaneya Swamy. It is said that local people brought the stone from Edlapadu near Chilakaluripet under the supervision of Bhavanarayana Swamy. Ponnur Temple enshrines a 29 feet high, 15 feet wide, and 6 feet thick Garuda statue in the Garuda Temple facing Anjaneya Swamy Temple.

Sri Kalabhairava Swamy Temple, Swarna Venkateshwara Swamy Temple, Dasavathara Temple, Nandi (divine vehicle of Shiva), and Navagrahas are the other temples on the premises of Ponnur Temple.Priests perform Poojas as per Saiva Agamas in Sri Sahasra Lingeshwara and Sri Kalabhairava temples. Amaravathi Amareswara Swamy temple in Amaravathi, Sri Trikoteswara Swamy temple in Kotappakonda, Sri Panakala Narasimha Swamy temple in Mangalagiri, Sri Laxmi Chennakesava Swamy temple in Macherla and Pedakakani Sivaalayam temple in Guntur are some nearby attractions.

Festivals in the Ponnur Temple

Hanuman Jayanti, Ratha Saptami, Maha Shivratri, Holi, and Makar Sankranti are grandly celebrated in the Ponnur Temple. Devotees from across the Ponnur town throng here to worship the deity.
Priests perform Yagna everyday in the Yagna Shala. The Shiva Lingams found near the feet of Shiva are worshipped. His sandalwood covering is removed annually.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Ponnur Temple

Devotees believe that infertile women who perform a forty-day Pooja here will be blessed with progeny