Vemulawada Rajeshwara Temple

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Introduction

The temple shrine is also called Dakshina Kasi and HariharaKshetram due to the presence of two Vaishanavite temples in the main complex – the Sri AnanthaPadmanabha Swamy temple and the SreeSeetharama Chandra Swamy temple.
The Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy temple is the KshetraPalaka of the Vemulawada temple.

Legend of VemulawadaRajeshwara Temple

Legend has it that Shiva, after staying at Kashi, Chidambaram, Srisailam, and Kedareswar, chose to say at Vemulawada.
Another legend has it that the Surya Deva (Sun God) was suffering from a disability and had recovered after praying at the shrine. The shrine is also known as Bhaskarakshetram. It is believed that Indra, king of the Gods, worshipped Sri Raja Rajeshwaraafter purifying himself from the Brahmahatya Dosham.

History of Vemulawada Rajeshwara Temple

The famous temple was initially built by Raja Narendra, the grandson of King Parikshit, who in turn was the grandson of the renowned Pandava Arjunaand was cured of leprosy after he killed Muniputra accidentally. King Narendra took a holy dip in the Dharmakundam (Pushkarni) ...
... of the Vemulawada Rajeshwara Temple).
Later,he saw a holy vision of Shri Raja Rajeshwara and Goddess Sri Raja Rajeshwari Devi directing him to build a temple and install a Shiva Lingam, which was lying in the bed of the Holy Pushkarni.
There are rock-cut inscriptions here. The place is associated with the renowned Telugu poet Bheemakavi and the famous Kannada poet Pampa, who was the court poet of Arikesi II.

Architecture of Vemulawada Rajeshwara Temple

The temple was built by King Raja Raj Chozha. The main deity is Sri Raja Rajeshwara, popularly called Rajanna, and his consort is Sri Raja Rajeshwari Devi on the right side and Sri Vinayaka on the left side.

The Garbagriha has Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi and Sri Raja Rajeshwara in the form of Neelalohita Shiva Linga. The idols of Goddess Sri Raja Rajeshwari Devi and Nandeeshewara face the main deity.

The temple also houses Sri Dakshinamurthy temple, Sree Valli DevasenaSametha Subramanya Swamy temple, Sri Someshwaralayam, Sri Uma Maheshwaralayam, Sri MahishasuraMardhini temple, Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi temple and Sri Kala Bhairava Swamy temple.
Vemulawada was built on the banks of the Mulavagu stream and was once the capital city of the VemulawadaChalukya dynasty between 750 -973 C.E.The temple stands on the banks of a large tank called Gudicheruvu. The temple has the Dharmakundam (holy water tank) on the premises where devotees take a holy dip before entering the temple.

Significance of Vemulawada Rajeshwara Temple

Devotees coming to the temple make a very special offering called KodaMokku. The devotees make a Pradakshinamof the temple with akode (bull), which is the Vaahan (mount) of Shiva.

The temple houses other deities inside the premises, including AnanthaPadmanabha Swamy, Kodanda Rama, Bhimeshwara Swamy, and Kasi Visveswara. There is also a Dargah (tomb of a Muslim saint) on the temple premises.The temple holds great significance in that there are deities of other communities and reflects religious integration at its best.
The holy waters of the tank are said to contain medicinal properties that heal.

Rituals and Festivals Celebrated by Vemulawada Rajeshwara Temple
The temple performs all poojas and rituals every day, according to the Smartha Agama. In the Vaishnavite temples located in the complex, they are performed according to the Pancharatna Agama. The idol of Sri Raja Rajeshwara is consecrated everyday with Chatukula poojas like Prathakala pooja, Madhyahnika pooja, Pradoshakala pooja, and Nishikala pooja.

The temple celebrates MahaShivratri on a large scale. Thousands of devotees flock to the temple on this festive occasion. The months of Shravan andKarthika see a lot of celebrations in the temple premises. The temple celebrates other festivals, including Deepawali, Ratha Saptami, Sri Rama Navami
, Sri Shiva Kalyanotsavam, Sri Hanuman Jayanti, Sri Ganesha Navarathrotsavams, Sri Devi Navarathrotsavams, among others.

Benefits of Worshipping at Vemulawada Rajeshwara Temple

People come to worship at the temple facing numerous challenges. People facing health-related issues and financial losses visit the temple. Others visit for progeny, good career and good health.

Facilities Available at Vemulawada Rajeshwara Temple

Devotees and tourists can avail of accommodation near the temple and other lodges at Vemulawada. There are hotel facilities in Karimnagar town also.

Temple Timings
The temple is open between 04.00 a.m. to 09.00 p.m.

How to Reach Vemulawada Rajeshwara Temple

By Air- The nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International airport, which is 185 kilometers away.
By Rail – The Karimnagar railway station is the closest to the temple located 36 kilometers away.
By Road - The Vemulawada bus station is close by, and buses are frequent from Karimnagar and Hyderabad.