Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple

Introduction to Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple

Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple is a famous Anjaneya Swamy shrine located in Kasapuram village, Guntakal, Andhra Pradesh. As Anjaneya Swamy graces his devotees with his right eye, this place is called "Nettikanti." Devotees consider Anjaneya Swamy to be Kalpatharu and Varapradata.

Legend of Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple

The Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple has an interesting legend. Shambhu Karna, an assistant to Brahma, was born as Vyasaraya during the 14th century. Vyasaraya was an ardent devotee of Anjaneya Swamy. He had the darshan of Anjaneya Swamy in his original form. Vyasaraya used to take his food only after completing Poojas to Anjaneya Swamy. He remained at the ashram of Vijaya Dasara Teertha Swamy at Silpagiri (now Chippagiri in Kurnool district).

One day, he had the darshan of Anjaneya Swamy in his dream. Anjaneya Swamy told him that his idol was under the earth and a withered Neem tree was above it. He also said the tree would become fresh once Vyasaraya reached the spot and asked him to reinstall the idol there. The next day, Vyasaraya located the spot in Nettikallu village and asked the villagers to dig the place. He found a 10-foot idol of Anjaneya Swamy and reinstalled it in the same place. Hence, the newly reinstalled deity was named Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy. Thus, Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Kasapuram, came into being.

The Architecture of Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple

Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple was constructed between 1509 and 1530 A.D. Sri Vyasaraya consecrated the idol of Anjaneya Swamy here. He also installed 732 idols of Anjaneya Swamy in different places. He attained Mukti in 1539 AD. Vijayanagara kings were the significant patrons of this temple. It is in the Dravidian architectural style.

Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple faces the East. It has a 5-tiered Raja Gopuram, which is 70 feet high. Dhwaja Sthambham is placed inside the Gopuram. The five kalasas of the Raja Gopuram are roofed with a gold plate. There is an entrance on the western side where a three-tiered gopuram is located. The main entrance, or 'Mukha dwaram', is made of a wooden door covered with engraved silver plates.

The principal deity of the temple is Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy. His idol looks at the South with his face directed towards the East, so he is also called Poorvabhimukhi.

His left hand is firmly placed on his waist with Abhayahasta mudra. Anjaneya Swamy has a club in his right hand. He uses it to crush evil spirits. The deity graces in a peerless style and measures 10 feet tall. The outer walls are sculpted with images of different deities. There are separate shrines for Shiva, Vishnu, and Lakshmi.

There is a sacred tank with steps on all four sides in the west-north corner. Taking a bath in the holy water of the tank is believed to cure many diseases and purify the mind. The tank's sanitation is well maintained here.

Festivals in Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple

Sri Nettikanti Anjaneya Swamy Temple celebrates Ugadi Utsavamulu Rathotsavam, Sree Sita Ramachandra Swamy Vari Tirukalyana Mahotsavam, Hanuman Jayanthi, Navratri, Diwali, Holi and monthly Purnima in a grand way.