Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple
Sri Raja Rajeshwara temple, located in the town of Vemulavada is yet another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Fondly called Rajanna, the deity is famous all over Telangana. Though the temple is Hindu, inside the temple complex, lies a Dargah where devotees, irrespective of their religion offer prayers. The devotees are first supposed to take a bath in the holy waters called Dharma Gundam, as only after cleansing their body can they proceed for darshans. The sacred waters are said to contain medicinal properties with the ability to cure incurable diseases.
History of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple
It is said that Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple was built from 750 to 973AD by Raja Narendra grandson of Parikshit. Tradition associates this place with the famous Telugu poet “Bheemakavi” but there is more definite proof of the famous Kannada poet “Pampa” living here as the court poet of Arikesari – II and dedicated his “Kannada Bharatha” to his royal patronage.
Architecture of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple
There are two Vaishnava Temples in the main temple complex i.e. Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple and Sri Seetharama Chandra Swamy Temple. Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy is the Kshethra Palaka of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple.
The other deities in the temple are Goddess Raja Rajeshwari Devi to the right of the presiding deity and the left Lord Vinayaka. There are three mandapas on the Dharmagundam and the statue of Lord Shiva resides in the middle. The Lord is seen in a meditation posture with five Lingams surrounding the Holy Tank.
Sub Temples: Even though the main deity is Lord Siva at this place there are other sub-temples on the premises.- Lord Bala Rajeshwara Temple and Koti Lingas
- Lord Uma Maheshwara Temple
- Lord Someshwara Temple
- Goddess Bala Tripura Sundari Devi Temple
- Lord Shanmukha Temple
- Lord Dakshina Murthy Temple
- Lord Chandikeshwara Temple
- Goddess Parvathi Devi Temple
