Religious Tourism

Religious tourism is also referred to as pilgrimage tourism, where the primary purpose of travel is for pilgrimage to Temples, Churches or Masjids. West Godavari is a notable place with its rich and varied temples and shrines. It is a place of rich tradition, heritage and historical significance. Here, we provide a list of some historical, most visited and famous pilgrimages in West Godavari district along with their details.

Sri Venkateswara Swami temple:

Sri Venkateswara Swami temple located in Jangareddygudem is also called parijathagiri temple. This is a very beautiful place to visit and worship. It is a common belief that Jangareddygudem is the only town in Andhra Pradesh where there is a collection of seven mountains other than Tirumala Tirupathi. This temple was recently restructured due to increased number of pilgrims . Due to the presence of large Kalyanamandapam in the temple,many of the marriages are also taking place in this temple. Annadhanam, the sacred tradition of offering food also happens every day in this temple. Srivari brahmotsavam is conducted annually in this temple which is celebrated for around nine days.

Sri BhuniLa Sameta Sri Janardhana Swamy Kanyakumara Parameshwari Ammanala Temple, Eluru:

The creator of this creation, who created the Trinity, wanted to make himself mature and said that Brahma wanted the Sanker to accept the Vishnu and agreed to accept the third and the same. The passenger accepted the words and did not like the third one and the shankar, as the shankar padammanatu the scene. It created that part of the four parts and created three parts.
Lakshmi and Parvati, the influence of the power that he had acquired.The rest of the fourth part of the 101 portions of the rest of the village was asked to live and give each village a village for grammar. Thus, the gods that Lord Shiva ordered in the village every village as villages. These were the ones who were born to Nokkalamma, Polaremma, Sattemma and Mahavishnu as the name Pothuraju.

Sree kottasathemma goddess, nidadavolu zone:

In the 13th Century, King Veerabhadra Chalukya, spouse of Rani Rudrama Devi, ruled a part of West Godavari District, with Niravadyapuram(Nidadavolu) as a Capital. During his rule Nidadavolu was designed as Fort and took place several wars. It is believed that the fort was protected by goddess kotasattemma. Niravadyapuram became famous during kakateeya dynasty.
Reddi dynasty succeeded after the decline of kakateeya dynasty. Floods and natural calamities swept away the temple and the statue of Ammavaru, which immersed in nature and remained unknown for several centuries. In 1934, a local farmer Sri Devulapalli Ramamurthy Sastry was plunging his land and accidently the plunging weapon hit on the statue of Ammavaru. The Goddess appeared in his dream and asked him to contrust a temple for her.Sri Sastry with help of other farmers contructed the temple and it was surrounded by compound walls. The Temple was administered by Yadavas. The temple of Sri Kota Sattemma Ammavari became very famous in a short period of a time and people developed more faith as they felt that their wishes are fulfilled by worshipping the goddess.

Sri Uma Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple:

This ancient site, Indu Umrameswara Swamy, is the main deity, Sri Ramachandra Ravanavada for Brahma Hattaya Papanakiana and Rameshwaram Lingam. The temple was built by the walled towers and the Swami’s Deepa Deepa Navayathas are the wealthiest donors of kings and zamindars. The devotees of the devotees and the devotees are serving the Swami. Swami has been continuously rewarding with the graceful hymns of the legendary mythical hankerasana. In the mythology of the famous Saptasagara Sanctuary, Gautama Vasishta is situated in the middle of the west of Vasishta “Achanta”. Its ancient name is “martyr”.Sri Rameswaran Lingusayam Umasamatumuga is the name of Lord Rama Chandra, in the north of the temple, in the north of the place, in the north and east of the area. These features are noteworthy.

AnjaneyaSwamy Temple:

Anjaneya Swami Temple is located at Relangi village belongs to Iragavaram mandalunder West Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.Sri Uma Rameshwaraswamy Temple .It is located around 5 kms distance from its mandal main town Iragavaram ,about 74 kms from the city Rajahmudry & 138 kms far from the city Vijayawada.The village is famous for Hindu Village Goddess (Grama Devi i.e. Grama Devatha) Sri Mantalama Talli Temple (or Mantalamma Devalayam). One can reach this place byroad and rail transport. All local trains running between Nidadavolu and Bhimavaram will stop in this village.

Gunupudi Someswara Janardhana Swamy Temple:

Gunupudi Someswara Janardhana Swamy Temple is located in Bhimavaram, West Godavari district of Andhrapradesh in India. This place is well known for the temple ‘Somarama’ which is considered as one of the Five Pancharama temples. Sri Someshwara Janardhana swamy temple is Located at Bhimavaram with a very good bus and train facility from all other places of India. An Other Pancharama Kshetra ‘Ksheerarama’ is located at Palakollu just 20Kms away. The attraction of Bhimavaram is spiritual as the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Sri Someswara Janardhana swamy. The main contribution for temple construction was made by the King Chalukya Bheema during 4th century. The Shiva lingam is called someshwara as it is believed that this lingam has been installed by Lord Chandra. The colour of the linga changes during full moon day and Amavasya. Goddess Annapurna temple is situated just above the Garbalayam saying that Lord Shiva holds the Goddess Ganga on his head this cannot be seen anywhere else in India.. To the South of the Garbha Gruham, Goddess Adilakshmi can be seen and wedding hall at ground and first floor are constructed. Marriages are conducted both in the new hall and also in Goddess Annapurna mantapam. To the East side of this temple, there is a Pushkarini pond which is also called Soma Gundam. Inside the temple, Lord Anjaneya Swamy, God Kumara Swamy, Navagraha, Sun God, Lord Ganesha can also be seen. In front of the main entrance, 15ft pillar is constructed.

Dwaraka Tirumala-Chinna Tirupati Temple:

This pilgrimage centre is called “Dwaraka Tirumala” after the great saint, “Dwaraka” who located the self manifested idol of Lord “Sri Venkateswara” after severe penance in a ‘Valmikam’ (ant hill). The devotees call Sri Venkateswara as Kaliyuga Vaikunta Vasa. This place is also called Chinna Tirupati. As per Sastras North Indian rivers like Ganges and Yamuna are considered to be more and more holy as they go up to the origin and south Indian rivers like Krishna and Godavary are more and more holy as they go down the river to its mouth to the Sea. It is why there are numerous shrines and holy bathing ghats, at close intervals, on both sides of the great grand rivers Krishna and Godavary in their lower regions. The region covered by our Dwaraka Tirumala is commanding the top most conspicuous position in India, being garlanded by these two great Indian rivers Krishna and Godavary, as pointed out by Brahma Purana. The devotees who wish to go and offer their donations, or tonsures or any other offerings to Lord Venkateswara, Lord of Tirumala Tirupati, called as Pedda Tirupati, due to some reason, if they are unable to go there, they can offer their donations, prayers and worship in Dwaraka Tirumala temple.

Ramalingeswara Swami Temple:

Palakollu is located in West Gosdavari district of Andhrapradesh in India. This place is famous for Lord Siva temple which is considered as one of the Pancharama temples. The temple here is called Sri Kshira Rama Lingeshwara swamy Temple. The other four temples are Amararama at Amaravati, Dist. Guntur, Draksharama at Draksharama, Dist. East Godavari, Kumararama at Samarlakota, East Godavari Dist. and Somarama at Bhimavaram Dist.West Godavari. The Sivalingam (Moola Virat) can be seen from all the four sides through windows in the Garbhaalayam. Additionally, Sun God, Kashi Vishweshwara, Goddess parvathi, Goddess Lakshmi, Nagareshwara Lingam, Dundi Vigneshwara, Veera Bhadra, Sapta Matruka, Kanaka Durga, Brahma, Saraswathi, Kumara Swamy, Kartikeya, Mahishasura Mardhini, Nagasarpa, Nataraja, Dattatreya, Kala Bhairava, Nageshwara, Saneeswara, Radha Krishna can also be seen in the temple. There is a belief that the Sivalingam is installed (pratistapana) by Lord Vishnu.

Maddi Anjaneya Swamy ( Lord hanuman ) temple:

Maddi Anjaneya Swamy ( Lord hanuman ) temple is at 3 KM distance from Janareddigudem town. The name of the village is Gurvaigudem. Many devotees visit this temple in Tuesday and offer prayer to Lord Anjaneya Swamy. Like any other temple of South India there is nice queue system to get Darshan of Lord Hanuman. There is a special line of Rs 20 to go for a quick darshan bypassing the crowded free Darshan queue. There is a tradition of walking around the main temple sanctum 11 times ( known as Pradakshina) before going for darshan and your wishes will be fulfilled in a year time. Each round will take approximately one minute 30 seconds to one minute forty-five seconds depending on your walking speed. There is no fee for Photography or video inside the temple complex. There is no restriction on photography inside temple. Professional photographers are available to take your photo with temple in background.

MAVULLAMMATEMPLE, BHIMAVARAM

The temple history of Jaganmatha Sri Mavullamma came to limelight in the year 1880 AD, since then only the temple history is available to us. It is believed that she is laid in Motupallivari street, under couple of pipal and Neem tree. Every year in the month of “Jyesta masa” (third month of auspicious Telugu almanac calendar) on “Paadyami” (new slender crescent moon day). A devotee (worshippers) celebrates one month long celebration in this month. There is a festive look every where in and around the town. The Devastanam (Temple committee) and local fruit and vegetable trader’s committee felicitates artists, actors, actresses, musicians, great men of all walks of the life.

In 1910 AD floods the Mulavirat (Statue of Mavullamma) partially damaged. Later reinstates by great artist, sculptor Sri Grandhi Narasanna’s son Sri Grandhi Appa Rao. He carved the Mulavirat (Mavullamma Statue) from ferocious stature to pleasant present peace form.

JUTTIGA AND NATTA RAMESWARAM (DAKSHINA KASI):

Juttiga & Natta Rameswaram (Penumantra Mandal, W.G.Dt) are twin Villages assumed religious importance on account of the temples of Swayambhulingam known as Sri Uma Vasuki Ravi Someswara Swamy at JuttigaVillage and the lingam which is made of shells and cones named as Natta Ramalingeswara Swamy at NattaRameswaramVillage. Every “SIVARATHRI” Festival day “Edurukolotsavam” is being celebrated at the border place of two villages. Thousands of Pilgrims attend to that celebration. It is one of the important pilgrim centre in the District.

Sri Vasavi Kanyakaparameswari Temple, PENUGONDA:

Located at a distance of 15 kms from Palakollu & 16 kms from Tanuku.Situated here is the famous Sri Vasavi Kanyakaparameswari Temple which finds mention in various ancient religious texts. According to a legend, Vasavi Knayakaparameswari was famous for her beauty. Hearing thus, the Chalukyan ruler Vishnu Vardhan proposed to marry her. But being aware if his ignoble intentions, she preferred to end her life by immolation. Soon after, the king’s head is believed to have been

shattered into thousand pieces. A temple dedicated to her was then built. Nearby, is the templeSri Nageswara Swamy, which houses a huge Lingaroopa of the Swamy.

An unexplained mystery of this temple is that the sandalwood paste smeared around the Linga remains fresh and wet till the next morning.

Sri Adikesava Embermanar Swamy Temple.

Sri Adikesava Embermanar Swamy temple, which is a sacred pilgrimage destination

for the Vaishnavites. The temple, constructed over two centuries ago, is reminiscent of the style of the renowned Sri perambadur temple in Tamil Nadu. The annual Brahmotsava celebrations conducted on a lavish scale in the month of April- May, which attracts thousands of devotees.

Gowripatnam:

India is very generous to have many religions and it is tolerant towards all that come from outside. South India is very famous for its pastures, valleys, mountains and Rivers. It is comprised of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Nirmalagiri is situated near the village called Gowripatnam. Nirmalagiri is a steep forest-hill area and is situated on the National highway of Chennai – Kolkatta facing the River Godavari at 20 K.M. distance.

Syed Baji Hazarat Dargah (ELURU)

Hazarat Syed Yaakub Jaan Mahatmulavari Dargah. Eluru Eastern Street; Paidichintapadu; Eluru.

Abhaya budda Statue, Eluru

A magnificent 74 feet Buddha statue was constructed in the middle of the pond named Gajjalavari Cheruvu[3] and a painting gallery was also created to spread the Buddha’s teachings. The pedestal is decorated with famous Amaravathi sculptures along the railings of the foot bridge up to the statue. ,