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 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 mandal under 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 Rajahmundry & 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 by road 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.

 

Ramalingeswara Swami Temple:

Palakollu is located in West Godavari 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.

 

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.