Vemulawada Rajeshwara Temple

Introduction:

Vemulawada Temple or Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and Goddess Parvathy. Lord Shiva is also called as Rajanna in this temple, who is surrounded by the Goddess Sri Raja Rajeshwari on one side and Lord Ganesha on the other side. It is located in the Karimnagar district of Telangana. This temple is also known as Dakshina Kasi and also as Hari Hara Kshetram. This temple is highly known for its religious integration, as there is a Durgah inside this temple, and two Vaishnav shrines inside this same temple complex. People without religious, caste, and creed differences would come and visit this temple.

Legends of Vemulawada Temple:

Once King Sri Raja Raja Narendra was hunting, he accidentally killed a Brahmin, who was drinking water from this pond. The king was then cursed with an incurable disease. To get redemption, he traveled across all parts of the world. Once he stayed in the temple, he drank the holy water from the town of Dharmagundam. Lord Shiva appeared in the dreams and asked him to replace the Shiva linga from the temple of Dharmagundam, and to place it in the temple of Vemulawada. He built a great temple over the hill, but the Shiva Linga was installed by a different Sages, which made the king slightly upset. Lord Shiva again appeared and promised that the legend of the king would never be forgotten in the course of history. Even today, anyone who comes to this temple would always remember the king.

Renowned Telugu poet “Bheemakavi” visited this place, and was identified as an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Legends connect this place with another renowned poet called “Pampa”, who was the court poet of Arikesari – II. He has dedicated “Kannada Bharatha” to his royal patronage.

Architecture of Vemulawada Temple:

The temple of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy was built from 750 to 973AD by King “Raja Narendra” who was a grandson of King Parikshit. There are several shrines for Lord Shiva, Lord Anantha Padmanabha Swamy, Lord Vinayaka, and Goddess Uma. There are several inscriptions and carvings. The idols are intricate with finer details. There is a magnificent temple tank called Dharma Gundam, where people would take a dip, before going to visit the shrine.

Festivals celebrated in Vemulawada Temple:

Shiva Rathri is celebrated with greater prominence. Koda Mokku is an important ritual where all the people would pray to Lord Nandi to grant them wishes. Maha Lingaarchana is a ceremony to worship Shiva Linga by many priests at the same time. All the ten days of Navarathri is celebrated with high reverence. Other important festivals are Deepavali, Ratha Saptami, Hanuman Jayanthi, Sri Rama Navami, Ugadi, and Makar Sankranti.

Benefits of worshipping Vemulawada Temple:

This place is highly mystical. People with challenges in their life would visit this temple, to gain prosperity. Health-related challenges are often cured by the magnificent grace of the Lord. People with financial constraints would come to this temple to worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu here. Other prayers like the job, career, life partner, progeny, and good health are also bestowed here.