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 !
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| 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.
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| Here we go to seek Lord's blessings |
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| The main door and entrance to the temple |
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| Inside the two storied temple |
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| Admiring the beauty around the temple |
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| 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.
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| Puja (offering prayers to the Lord) being performed... |
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| The decorated chariot |
For more information, please visit the temple website:
http://annavaramdevasthanam.nic.in/
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| Scenic view from the temple |
