Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple

Pilgrimage

Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From Vemulawada Bus Station): 2 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1-2 Hours

Transportation Options: Cab / Auto

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 2 km from Vemulawada Bus Stand, Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple (Vemulawada Temple) is one of the most famous pilgrim sites in Telangana and the prime attraction of Vemulawada.

This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the ancient and famous Shiva temples located in Telangana. The presiding deity of the temple is locally popular as Rajanna. The idol of the main deity is in the form of Neela Lohitha Siva Lingam. The deity is accompanied by the idols of Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi and Siddi Vinayaka.

The temple complex also housesAnantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Seetha Rama Temple, Anjaneya Temple, Kasi Visweswara Temple, Dakshina Murthy Temple, Subramanya Temple, Bala Tripura Sundari Devi Temple, Someshwara Temple, Uma Maheshwara Temple, Mahisasura Mardhani Temple, Kotilingalu and Kala Bhairava Swamy Temple.

According to Puranas, the Sun God recovered from disability by praying at the shrine here and so this shrine is termed Bhaskara Kshethram. Indra, the King of Gods by devoutly worshipping Lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara, purified himself from Brahmahatya Dosham. It is said that this temple was built by Raja Narendra, the grandson of Parikshit had a vision where Lord Shiva and Goddess Raja Rajehwari Devi appeared and directed him to build a temple and install Siva Lingam which was laying in the bed of a Pushkarni.

Devotees carry out the unique ritual of Kode Mokku, the tying of ox and taking around the temple. The locals believe that Lord Rajanna fulfills the wishes of devotees when devotees take the ox around the temple. After taking the ox around the temple, devotees hand over the ox to the temple authorities. It is believed that major income of Vemulawada temple comes from Kode Mokku.

Every year at the time of Maha Shiva Rathri and Sri Ramanavami, devotees in large numbers flock to Vemulawada to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Lord Rama. It usually takes around 1 hour to complete darshan on normal days and it can go up to 2-3 hours on special occasions.

Timings: 4 AM to 9 PM. Photography is not allowed inside the temple.