Nellore - Notable Places

Notable Places

Kodur Velangani Matha Church this church was built like Vailankanni church in Tamilnadu. this is situated at Kodur beach. later this church is famous as kodur church. if any one prays in the church they will be blessed abundantly,. Talpagiri Ranganadhaswamy Temple

Sri Talapagiri Ranaganatha swamy Temple is located in Nellore city and is about 5 km (3.1 mi) away from Nellore-1 APSRTC Bus stand and 1 km (0.62 mi) away from Nellore railway station. Ranganada Swamy Temple in Nellore is more than 600 years old. This temple is situated on the banks of the River Penner and is marked by a huge 96 feet tall Galigopuram with seven gold kalasams and its architectural splendour constructed by SRI Yeragudapati Venkatachalam Panthulu. The annual Rath Yathra of the God is a much awaited ritual in Nellore.

There are seven kalisams, which brings beauty to the temple. Every year during the month of March–April (varies according to Hindu calendar) grand festival is celebrated. These are called Brahmotsavam.

On the bank of river penna sri kashyapa Maharshi performed yagna and as a fruit of his penance conferred upon him the gift of establishing himself as Ranganadha Swamy at Nellore. In 7th century, by Pallava ruler Sri Rajaraja Narendra, Subsequently in 13th century Sri Jatha Varma has offered precious stones and metal to Lord Ranganadha Swamy. The Andhra Maha Bharatam i.e. from Viratprvam to the end of the epic was written by the poet Sri kavi Brahma Tikkana, on the bank of pennar river. On the east there is seven storied Maha gopuram, south Sri Ranganayaki Lakshmi Devi temple and beautiful mirror dias, west is sacred Pennar river and north Sri Andal Ammavari temple.

Sri Kodanadarama Swamy Temple, Buchireddipalem

Sri Kodanda Ramaswamy Brahmothsavam: It is celebrated for eleven days from Chaitra Suddha Navami to Bahula Chaviti (March-April) at Buchireddipalem town in Nellore district. On the Navami day in the morning ‘Dwajarohanam’ is performed and in the evening, the Lord with his consorts is taken on Adi Sesha Vahanam on the main streets of the old town. On Dasami day Lord is made to ride on the Hamsa vahanam with beautiful flower decoration. On Ekadasi day the lord is atop Vyali vahanam in his majestic best. On the Dwadasi day Lord is carried on his shoulders by his most ardent devotee Hanuman and is a very popular vahanam among certain communities of the town. On the Triyodasi day in the morning Lord goes around the town in his famous Mohini avatar and in the night Lord is atop Golden Garuda with huge following of the public is taken out of the temple in a takeoff mode. This vahanam is made to go around the entire town and returns to the temple almost at the day break. Seetharamula Kalyanam is celebrated with full religious fervour with huge attendance from people from all over on the Chaturdasi day and this event is generally more popular among the women folk who throng to get the ‘Talambralu’ (Rice mixed in turmeric and used during the celestial wedding). Seetha Lakshmana sametha Rama is taken to the southern end of the city to shower their blessings on the town folks. Once they return Lord Rama goes on the Gaja vahanam On the pournami day the three deities are put on the elaborately decorated ‘Ratham’ (Temple car) and this ratham is pulled by the thousands of devotees who visit the town from far and near for this event. Normally it takes about 45 minutes for the Ratham to complete its journey and reaches the resting place. During the evening hours the Lord is taken for a boat ride on a specially built float ‘Theppa’ which is well decorated with lights in the temple tank for three rounds. On completion of the Theppotsavam, Lord goes around the town in Krishna avatar on ‘Ponnamanu seva’ On the Padyami day Lord goes on his Ashwa vahanam and there is a story of ‘Paruveta’ on triyodasi day chakrasnanam is performed and Dwaja avarohanam is conducted.

Sri Gayathri devi Vishwakarma Temple

The Vedamata Gayathri devi, and Veda pitha sri.Virat Vishwakarma Temple is located at Virat nagar, in main road of Nellore.This temple is considered to be one among the biggest Gayathri devi temples of Andhra pradesh.The temple is attracting huge number of devotees and is said by devotees that, five times circumbenation of the temple sanctorium fulfills their wishes. Sree Govindamambadevi sametha, Sree veera brahmendra swamy temple is also located at this temple premises.

Jonnawada

Mallikarjuna Swamy kamakshi tai temple is located about 12 km (7.5 mi) from Nellore. It has good connections with the Railway station at Nellore. A famous Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakhsi Tai temple is located on the bank of river Pennar, 12 km (7.5 mi) from Nellore. It attracts many pilgrims. The village is part of Buchireddipalem Mandal. In Tretayuga Mahamuni Kasyapa Brahma performed yagna and pleased Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy thus this place is named as ‘Yagnavatika Jonnawada’. Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakhsi tai grant to the innumerable devotes their desires, as their God head. Since then he continues conferring boons and his blessings on his devotees. This temple is constructed in the year 1150 (Tretayuga). The goddess Kamkshi is believed to be an incarnation of Shakti. A ‘Sri Chakram’ was installed here by Sri Jagadguru Sankaracharya. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the lake known as Kachpateertham, near the temple, which washes away all their bad karma. Brahma Rushi Sri Kashyap Mahamuni visited Bhoolokam (The Earth) and wanted to perform Yagna and chosen north of vedadri as Yagna Vatika (place to perform yagna) after successful completion of the Yagna a bright light appeared. It has spread over the whole bhoolokam. Later Lord Eswara appeared as Lord Mallikarjuna, who came out from fire of Yagna.

There is bus service from Nellore to Jonnawada. For the convenience of the pilgrims there are choultries of the Devastanam and TTD and also private choultries. Every year, during the celebration of Brahmstsavam in the month of Vaisaka, Lakhs of devotees throng the holy centre to worship the goddess to attain salvation and Friday is the day very dear to Kamakshitai. One can find persons, persecuted by evil spirits, circumambulating in the temple precinct. A bathing ghat has been built on the bank of the Penna, for the convenience of the pilgrims.

Narasimha Konda

Vedagiri Lakshmimarasimha Swamy devastanam came into being nearly 500 years ago, on the summit of Narasimhakonad. According to the rock inscriptions, this temple was built by the Pallava king Narsimha Varma in the ninth century. Legend goes that the sage Kasyapa established the temple on the bank of Pinakini. And the vedic scripture Brahma Puranareveals that the seven sages (Saptarishis) performed “yagnam” (Sacrifice) on the top of Narasimhakonda. The seven (Koneru) tanks were renovated with Mandapas on the hilltop. The holy place lies 15 km (9.3 mi) away from Nellore, on the southern bank of the river Pinakini. Every year “Brahmotsavams” are celebrated here in the month of May. Jonnawada is to the north of the river.

Penchalakona

This is a very ancient sacred place (pilgrim centre). Legend says that Lord Narasimha manifested himself here as a huge of rock in “Yoga mudra” (in an entwined contemplative posture) and hence it acquired the name of “Penusila” (huge rock) and in course of time became famous as “Penchalakona”. Legend has it that after slaying the demon Hiranya Kasipa, Lord Narsimha bathed in Penchalakona and withdrew that “Avatara”(incarnation) of Narasimha, shedding his anger and ferocity. The Lord here goes by the name of Somasila Narasimhaswamy and has become one of the Nava Narasimhas (nine manifestations). People believe that because the sage Kanva resided in this area in the past, the river flowing here acquired the name Kanva Nadi and that with efflux of time it became Kandaleru. It is also learnt that the temple was renovated in the 10th century.

Penchalkona lies at the foothills of Veligondalu (mentioned earlier), at a distance of 80 km (50 mi) from Nellore. Narasimha Jayanthi is celebrated every year in the month of May and devotees flock specially on Saturday. The Devestanam choultries provide facilities to the pilgrims and there is bus service too.