SATYA NARAYANA SWAMY - ANNAVARAM

SATYANARAYANASWAMY TEMPLE:

                                                                                           Annavaram is famous for Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy temple, Located atop the Ratnagiri Hills on the banks of the river Pampa. One of the most popular temples in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is constructed in two storey, the lower one containing an Yantra and higher one housing of the Idol of the Lord.
This temple is dedicated to Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swami and is built atop the Ratnagiri. The temple resembles a chariot. The distance from the foot of the hill there is a path laid out in stone steps. The temple is of recent origin. There is no Sthalamahatmyam (epigraphic record) in the temple. The temple has its own choultries. The river Pampa is considered sacred and runs close to the temple. Devotees bath and then go to the temple since the temple has no tank of its own. There is also a pathasala-school for students. The Satyanaravana Vratham is dedicated to Vishnu Sahasranamam, which has to be performed on the Bhishma Ekadashi day, and Annavaram. The temple is dedicated to Lord Satyanarayanaswami where this Vratham is performed.                  

There is a yantra here based on the Tripad Vibhuti Narayana Upanishad, and is a part of the Devarshi Sakha of Atharvaveda. The shrine is constructed in two stories, the lower one contains the yantra, and the upper one contains the vigrahas of the Lord. The garba griha has four entrances. The center is like a panavattam under the Shivalinga, three peethas are constructed here and on top is the chiseled Beejakshara Samputi of the Yantra. At the apex there is a monolith pillar and on top is the idol of the Lord with the goddess to the right and Shivalinga to the left. The idols are exquisite and covered in gold.

Trikala archana is performed every day both to the Yantra as well as to the idols. Salagramams of great value and efficacy and Sri Chakram in crystal are also worshipped along with the main idols. On the ground floor of the Garbhalaya the idols of Aditya, Ambika, Gananatha and Maheswara are instilled in the four corners and all these with the main idol of Lord Sathyanarayanaswamy in the centre form of the Vishnu Panchayatanas The templeis dedicated to Lord Satyanarayana swami where this Vratham is performed. This temple is dedicated to Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swami and is built atop the Ratnagiri. The temple resembles a chariot. The distance from the foot of the hill there is a path laid out in stone steps. Annavaram Satyanarayana Swami TempleLegend: There is an interesting legend about the discovery of the idol. The Lord revealed himself in a dream, where he told his vigraha was abandoned on a hill without worship and the local people must consecrate again. The local people discovered the idol at the foot of a tree, worship was offered and the idol was installed at the present spot. (The idol was discovered a little to the northeast of the main temple). Festivals: There are many festivals held in this temple including Kalyanam, Devi Navaratri in September, the Swayamvara Vardhanti of Sravana Sudd a Ekadashi Day, Srirama Kalyana, the Kanakadurga Yatra, the Prabha Utsavam, the Teppa Utsavam and the Jalatoranam. There is a vratam called the Satyanarayana vratam, which actually puts into practice, this sacred mantra, and this vratam is one of the most popular and powerful of all the vratams of the Annavaram temple. Hence the Satyanarayana vratam which is specially dedicated to Vishnu Sahasranamam, has to be performed on the Bhishma Ekadasi day, and Annavaram temple which is dedicated to Lord Satyanarayanaswamy, is the very shrine in which the vratam is performed with great sancity. Hence literly thousands of pilgrims flock to the temple on the Bhishma Ekadasi day and perform this Satyanarayana vratam in the direct presence of the Lord. Location:Annavaram near Kakinada, East Godavari. 48-km From Kakinada And About 80-km From Rajahmundry, East Godavari District Main Deity : Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy. Other Deities : Anantha Lakshmi, Satyavathi Devi. Deity: Satyanarayana. The presiding deity is installed along with Shiva representing the oneness of Shiva and Vishnu. The main temple is constructed in the form of a chariot with the four wheels at each of the four corners. In front of the main temple is the Kalyana mantapa, constructed and decorated with modern pieces of architecture. The shrines of Vana Durga and Kanaka Durga are found. Goddess Vana Durga is held in great veneration and the Devi is said to be seen even to this day, In the nights, going about the holy precincts perpetually guarding the Lord.