Annavaram (Annina varam) temple

During my visit to Kakinada, in July, this year, we had decided to visit some of the famous holy places nearby, Annavaram and Draksharamam.

Annavaram literally means Anna (what you desire) and varam (boon) Thus as per the legend, the deity fulfills ones desire (annina varam) as a boon.

Located atop the Ratnagiri hill, 300 feet above sea level, on the banks of the Pampa river , the temple of Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swami and Goddess Anantalakshmi Satyavathi Ammavaru is very popular. The panaromic view of the lush green fields from the temple is breathtaking !



Vaikuntha Narayana Mahadwaram, entrance to the temple at the foot of the hill




To reach the temple, we took a rickshaw ride which was fun - though slightly scary, due to the hairpin bends. But the auto driver, maneuvered the way ahead very well, he seemed to be an expert driver.....

 The main temple has two floors. The ground floor is for Pada darshan or to view the feet of the Lord. In the first floor the upper part of the Lord Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy resides.


Here we go to seek Lord's blessings




The main door and entrance to the temple




Inside the two storied temple




Admiring the beauty around the temple




A view of the temple complex


The temple is constructed in the form of a chariot with the four wheels at each of the four corners. It has been constructed to depict: that the Lord not only remains at the heart’s center but also permeates into the entire universe. The wheels of the chariot depict the Sun and the Moon , reminding us that the world rotates on the wheels of time – forever……..

Located, 125 km from Visakhapatnam, 40 km from Kakinada, and 80 km from Rajahmundry, there are many buses plying this route.

Facilities are available to perform pujas and marriages are available amidst the temple complex alongwith accomodation.


Puja (offering prayers to the Lord) being performed...




The decorated chariot


For more information, please visit the temple website: http://annavaramdevasthanam.nic.in/

Scenic view from the temple

Diwali Celebrations !

Diwali, literally means row of lights. In the evening, the diyas (lamps) are lit, to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, into the house.
Some of the Diwali (November 13) celebrations, this year, at my home.............

 

Marigolds and mango leaves decorate the entranceway





Lakshmi devi puja





Rangoli at the entrance





Colorful lamps




The traditional clay diyas (lamps)




Deepavali - string of diyas (lamps)



Lighting our lives !

May this Diwali, bestow happiness !!

Narkachaturdashi

Celebrated one day before Diwali, Narkachaturdashi is celebrated today, on November 12. As per mythology, Lord Krishna, the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu, killed the demon, Narkasur on this day, which is followed by celebrations -fireworks, music, sweets etc.
On this day, almost in every street, in Goa, enthusiastic kids and youth make effigies of Narkasur, go around with these huge idols and then later burn these, late in the evening – to mark the triump of GOOD over evil. Competitions are held to judge the best Narkasur effigies.

A giant Narkasur being assembled by enthusiastic kids

This slain form seems to be vying for the first place in the 'Best Narkasur Competition'

Frightful - as it is meant to be so......

The demon smiling ? Seems trouble here


Let us endevour to be good and discourage evil !

Akash Diwa – Diwali lantern

The festive Diwali spirit is in the air. The local markets are flooded with sweets, lamps (diyas), firecrackers, gift articles, lanterns etc.


During Diwali, every Hindu household, even some of the shops, hang the traditional Akash diwa (hanging lanterns) outside in their balconies or in the facade. These colorful lanterns come in varied colors, shapes and sizes and are sold in local markets. Handmade of paper, plastic, cloth or bamboo, they bring out the best of talented artists.





A variety of Akash diwa's for sale at a busy street in Aquem, Margao, Goa



For sale at one of the local stalls

A new Lotus variety of lantern introduced this year

The traditional Akash diwa

Spreading light around...

Some more variants

Let light prevail over darkness !