Monday 10 July 2023

Sri Chennakesavaswami Temple / ஸ்ரீ சென்னகேசவ சுவாமி கோயில் / శ్రీ చెన్నకేశవస్వామి దేవాలయం Śrī cennakēśavasvāmi dēvālaya, Chennavaram, Katheragandla, YSR District / Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh.

The visit to this Sri Chennakesavaswami Temple, Chennavaram was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu Temples / Rock cut Cave temples of Andhra Pradesh Visit”, on 24th June 25th June 2023. This 14th Century Sri Chennakesavaswami Temple at Chennavaram a part of Katheragandla is about 500 meter off from the main road and west side of River, a tributary of Penna River.
  

Moolavar  : Sri Chennakesava Perumal
Consort    : Sri Lakshmi

Some of the salient features of this temple are....
The temple is facing east with Garuda thoon or Deepa Sthambam, Balipeedam and Garudan. Moolavar Sri Chenna Kesava Perumal, Utsavars Sri Chennakesava Swami, Sridevi & Bhudevi and a Bana Shiva Lingam are in the sanctum sanctorum. Maha Vishnu’s various forms are in the koshatam. Moolavar Sri Chennakesava Perumal is in standing posture with right hand in abhaya hastam and left hand is in kadi hastam.

Dwarapalakas are in the form of bas reliefs at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Vishvaksenar and Alwars are in the ardha mandapam.

In praharam, inscription stones, a Vinayagar bas relief flat stone, a veerakallu / Hero stone and Nagars.

Thayar Sri Lakshmi is in a small sannidhi on the left side of Moolavar. Thayar Lakshmi is in sitting posture with abhaya varada hastam. 




Visvaksenar

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, navaranga mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is of square in shape on an upanam and a kapota bandha adhistham with Padma jagathy, kadaka / silambu kumudam and Kapotam. The upanam has bas reliefs of dancers, drummers, ladies hunting scene etc,.   

Kumbha panjaras are between Karnapathi and salaipathi. Bas reliefs of Maha Vishnu’s Various avatars, Krishna leelas, fish, tortoise, etc,.

The bhitti starts with Vedika and Pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with Kalasam, kudam, mandi, palakai  and poomottu pothyal. The prastaram consists of Valapi with bird, kapotam with keerthi mukha nasi kudus and Vyyalavari.  A two tier stucco vimanam and a Dravida sigaram is on the top. There are no images in the Vimanam.

The Mukha mandapam, Ranga mandapam pillars are not uniform, but of different styles and shapes. 




Mukha mandapam pillar

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It was told that the temple was built during Sangama dynasty ( Vijayanagara Dynasty ) King Virupaksha ( 1404- 05 CE ) / Bukka ( 1405 – 06 CE ).

When the major renovations were carried out after construction is not known, since some changes in the pillars can be seen.

The construction of Vimanam over the sanctum sanctorum, the Dwjasthamambam and Deepa sthamabam are added during latter date.




POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Since oru kala pooja is conducted, no special celebrations are conducted.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened during morning hours. Since the Bhattar / Priest is staying inside the temple and may be requested for darshan.

CONTACT DETAILS
Achutha Swami may be contacted on his mobile +91 9000239359 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH
The temple at Chennavaram is about 5.8 KM from Porumamilla, 40 KM from Badvel, 84 KM from Kadapa railway station, 149 KM from Nellore.
Nearest Railway station is Kadapa.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE







Krishna Leela & Kalinga nardhanar on the top 

Lakshmi Narasimhar


Hero Stone 
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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