SRI VASAVI KANNIKA PARAMESHWARI TEMPLE-PENUGONDA

SRI VASAVI KANNIKA PARAMESHWARI
"Kasi of Vysyas", Sri Vasavi Kannika Parameshwari Temple is a holy place for vysyas. Temple is situated in Penugonda, is the birth place of Goddess Sri Vasavi Kannika Parameshwari. The temple is dedicated to Mother Kanyaka Parameshwari and Sri Nagareswaraswamy.
Multi-colored seven-storied tower Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari Temple features with beautiful architecture. The temple has several others shrines dedicated to Mahishasuramardini, Bali, Lord Ganesh and Navagrahas.
Vasavi Kanyaka Paratneswari was famous for her beauty. The holy temple enshrining the august triple deities- Sri Nagareswaraswamy, Mother Kanyakaparameswari and Mahishasuramardini.
Sturdy prakars, tall gopuras , spacious courtyards, several minishrines, vast garbagrihas, grand mukhamandapas and many more are main attraction in the temple premises, and temple built with vastu sastra in strict accordance. Facing east, surprising the visitors with its beautiful sculptural pieces a tall tower surmounting over the broad mahadwara adoring on all four sides from top to bottom. A vast courtyard with several buildings housing the office room, choultry and quarters for the staff are also present. There are many mandamus installed with adorable deities Vinayaka, Bali, Navagrahas, besides the exquisitely made colorful statues of Mother Kanyakaparameswari standing in fire -pit with parents by her side in the second Prakara. Nagareswaraswamy shrine is quite spacious, the lingam in the center is masterly planned and tastefully executed.
During 10th –11th Century A.D the king of vysyas, Kusuma Sresti was ruling the kingdom making PENUGONDA as capital city. Kusumamba was his wife. The couple were great devotees of Lord Siva (Nagareswara swamy) as the part of their daily duties. There was no successor to look after the administration of the Kingdom. Approaching Kulaguru (family Teacher) Bhaskaracharya advised them to perform Puthra Kamestiyaga. Within a few days the sign of pregnancy was found with Kusumamba. Kusumamba gave birth to twins, one male the other female on Friday the tenth of vaisaka. Vasavi, the inclination towards art & architecture, adoration music and philosophical approach. And Virupaksha, the features of a powerful king, leadership qualities were clearly visible.
Vimaladitya (Vishnu Vardhana) spotted Vasavi, and made up his mind to marry her. The desire of Vishnuvardhana was like a deathblow to Kusumasresty. Kusumasresti sent a denial message to the king Vishnuvardhana. As a result, the king rose into high anger and sent a Battalion of his army with words to attack mercilessly and to get Vasavi for him. At this crucial juncture, Kusumasresti called for Great Conference of the Chief of all the 18 cities the people of all 714 Gotras. The conference was presided by kusumasresti in the begin presence of Bhaskaracharya. Later on Bhaskaracharya told "we must safeguard our respect even at the cost of our lives".
Vasavi, now entered into scene and told "Why there should be bloodshed among ourselves for the sake of a Girl? It does not look nice to sacrifice the lives of soldiers for our selfish desire. It is better to give up the idea of war. Instead, let us rebel in a novel way. We can control war through non-violence and self-sacrifice. Only people with strong will power and moral strength can participate in this kind of self- sacrifice.
Then Vasavi asked the couples of 102 Gotras as "will you plunge into this holy fire along with me?' everyone of them whole heatedly gave their consent. There was strong faith in the minds of those persons that Vasavi must an incarnation of God. They requested her to show them her real nature or swarupa.
Devi disappeared as soon as the divine words came out of her mouth and people saw her in human form. Then all of them entered into holy fire after meditating upon their Gods. Though Vishnuvardana felt bad Omens, he marched ahead and reached the main entrance of Penugonda. Then his detectives reported what all had happened in the city. He could not bare the great shock and his heart shattered into pieces. He fell down vomiting blood and he was no more.
The self-sacrifice of vasavi and the end of Vishnuvardana was the talk of the town. People condemned the deeds of VishnuVardana and appreciated the epoch maker Vasavi and her non-violent principle.
Vasavi Jayanthi which falls in May, is the major festival celebrated amid much pomp and splendor. Vasavi Matha Athmarpana Day and Devi Navaratrulu are also celebrated with much religious importance. Sri Nageswara Swamy Temple situated nearby is another point of attraction.
Tanuku Railway Station (15 km) and Rajahmundry Airport are the nearest railway station and airport respectively. Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshwari Temple is a highly revered shrine situated at Penugonda, about 15 km from Tanuku, in West Godavari District.