Ramanarayanam at Vizianagaram Town

"Ramanarayanam", an aesthetic and spiritual project, which has been constructed by the NCS Charitable Trust for the past five-and-a-half-years on the Vizianagaram-Korukonda Road, is opened to public during Sriramanavami 2014.’ The utsav would continue from March 19 to 22. The facility spreading over 15 acres would certainly be a visual treat for the young and old alike. The structure was built in the shape of ‘Rama Dhanuvu’ (the sign Sagittarius in the zodiac) has two floors with Sri Maha Vishnu temple on the one and Sri Rama temple on the other. Linking both the temples in the shape of a bow is the ‘Pranava Margam’ that bears all-important ‘khandaas’ of Saint Valmiki’s Srimadhramayana in visual forms.


With Lord Vigneswara temple at the entrance, the path in the shape of an arrow leads to the complex that has colour fountains. At the tip of the arrow, a 60-feet-high Hanuman statue has been installed which is visible even from a distance of 1km. In foreground of the two-floor complex, Sri Lakshmi and Sri Gnana Sarswati idols have been installed. The complex has meditation centre, Veda pathsala, where Sama Veda is being taught to children. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ Valmiki Grandhalayam (Library) offers a number of books on spiritualism to the visitors. Located 6 km away from Vizianagaram Town 

Pydithallamma Temple in Vizianagaram Town

Pydithallamma is village goddess of Vizianagaram Town. Every one who comes to Vizianagaram visits this temple. 

Kanyakaparameswari Temple in Vizianagaram Town

This temple is situated in Vizianagaram Town and it was built in the year 1890 by the Komatis (Trading community) in the honour of a village girl belonging to their community, who committed suicide to protect her honour. The temple was constructed on the land donated by the Maharaja of Vizianagaram. 

Gyana Saraswati Temple in Vizianagaram Town

Gyana Saraswati temple is located in SVN nagar exactly 2 KM away from Vizianagaram Railway Station and Bus Station. It is the only saraswati temple in Vizianagaram District. 

Jagannath Temple in Vizianagaram Town

The Temple is located in Vizianagaram Town. The temple of Lord Jagannadha situated in the coastal town of Puri in Orissa is an important pilgrimage site for the Hindus. As per traditions, replica of the idol of Lord Jagannadha is immersed into the sea every twelve years. The Maharaja of Vizianagaram requested the priests of Puri to permit him to bring the replica to Vizianagaram with the intent of installing the idols in a temple, but his request was denied. It is said that a band of loyal followers of the Maharaja’s dived into the sea and retrieved the idol on the night of the immersion. This idol was brought to Vizianagaram and installed in the Jagannadha Swamy temple. 

Gumchi Temple in Vizianagaram Town

The Temple is located in Vizianagaram Town. It is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the faithful disciple of Lord Rama. In Hindu mythology, Hanuman was the son of the Surya Deva (Sun God) and had features of a monkey. He was a faithful devotee of Lord Rama and helped him vanquish the demon king Ravana.The structure was originally built in 1713as a post for the guards to protect a nearby lake ‘Amma Koneru’ (Mother Lake). It was converted to a temple in the early 20th century when an idol of Lord Hanuman was found in a nearby well. This is the only temple in India where the idol of Hanuman has the paws of a monkey. 

Ramathirtam at Nellimarla Mandal

The village is situated in Nellimarla mandal at a distance of 10 KM to the North East of Vizianagaram. It is one of the holiest places in India, Ramtirtham, is a unique temple where three major faiths - Jain, Buddhist and Hindu - are represented. The complex is spread over three hills - Bodi Konda, Gurubhakta Konda and Durga Konda - containing Jain and Buddhist relics. Commemorative seals, remains of Chaityas (Prayer Halls) and Stupas (Semi Circular Buildings), dating back to the Buddhist period, have also been found here. It is believed that these hills were the abode of Lord Rama during his exile in the forest. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and is believed to have been consecrated by Yudhishtira, the eldest of the Pandava Princes of the epic Mahabharat.

In the vicinity are the ruins of a brick shrine with images of Jain Thirtankaras. Furhter up on the hill under a massive hanging rock one can see several jain sculptures. Located at 13 Kms from Vizianagaram. Accommodation is available at R & B Guest House, Vizianagaram 

Kumili at Bhogapuram Mandal

This small village is famous on account of a huge complex of temples built by local devotees over a period of 10 years. The temples are unique with extremely attractive sculptures, paintings on the walls and idols. The temples within the complex are of Ganapathi, Shiva, Kalika Devi, Navagrahalu, Satyanarayana Swamy, Subramanyeswaraswamy, Seetharamaswamy, Anjaneya Swamy and Venu Gopalaswamy. Incidentally, The village was the former seat of the erstwhile Vizianagaram Kingdom and ruins of a mud fort still exist. Located at 20 Kms from Vizianagaram.

Govindapuram at Pusapatirega Mandal

Govindapuram is situated in Pusapatirega Mandal at distance of 30 K.Ms from Vizianagaram Town. The magnificent temple here is renowned for its sculptural beauty and is based on the essence of Bhagawat Gita. Gyana Ratham with Lord Krishnaon the chariot is an impressive image which enthralls the visitors. Located at 20 Kms from Vizianagaram 

Punyagiri at Srungavarapukota Mandal

It is situated at a distance of 3 KMs from S.Kota, the mandal headquarters. Sri Dara-gangamma and Sivalayam is the ancient temple, which is situated on the hill known as “Punyagiri” in the vally of Eastern Ghats at a height of 1000 ft. above the sea level. The place is known for its mean water falls and valleys with beautiful surroundings of nature. On the right side of the way to hill, there is another waterfall known as “Chinaputtudara” which is said to be eminate from the idol and develops as natural spring. There are pathways leading to surrounding tribal villages from the Punyagiri hill. Large number of devotees and piligrims congregate for 3 days on the occasion of Mahasivaratri festival for worship and fulfillment of vows. Folklore states that the Pandavas stayed in this forest during their “vanavas” or exile. The Shivalingam in the Punyagiri temple is washed by the waters of a near by perennial spring. Traditionally after cremation of the dead, the ashes from the funeral pyre are scattered in this spring and “astikalu” pooja is performed here to provide solace to the soul of the departed.
One of the oldest Shiva temples is situated here.The sanctum has an underground water source which ensures that the Shivalinga is perpetually bathed with water.In the nearby Trimurthi cave,three lingas are installed over which water constantly drops.Considered to be a very holy spot, a large numbers of devotees flock here during the Mahasivaratri festival.Legend has it that one bathes in the waterfall nearby and then has Darshan of Lord Shiva,he attains Moksha. Located at 4 Kms from Srungavarapukota and 25 Kms from Vizianagaram 

JamiVruksham at Jami Mandal

Legend has it that the Pandavas hid their weapons on a "Jami Tree" before embarking on the final year of their exile (Agnathavasam). During their stay, King Dharmaraj and Kunthi installed the idols of Sri Thirupuranatha Swamy and Sri Janardhan Swamy, at this place. 500 years ago villagers found an idol of Sri Madhava Swamy and established it between the earlier two temples and named it Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple The jami tree at the Tripurtantaka Swamy temple is considered to be holy for its miraculous properties. The temple is said to be thousands of years old. Falklore says that the local inhabitants tried to shift the temple but they could not uproot the sivalinga. Modern day gelogists estimate that the Shivalinga extends more than 179 feet deep in to the earth. Located in Jammi on the banks of the river Gowthami, 10 Kms from Vizianagaram 

Saripalli Ibbilingeshwara Swamy temple

This temple is situated in Saripalli Village in distance of 7 KM from Vizianagaram towards North East. The beautiful and ancient Ibbilingeswara temple shows influence of the architectural style prevalent during the Kalinga period and is situated on the banks of river Champavati. The temple is constructed with stones chiselled perfectly to fit each other without any bonding medium. Because of its beauty, the local inhabitants believe that, the temple was constructed by the Gods. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is estimated to have been constructed around 1000 AD
Saripalli temple history: Constructed between 7th and 9th century by kalingas.Comprises modern medieval architecture of Kalinga similar to Srimukahalingam(Srikakulam Distirct), Jayati temple, narayanapuram temple(bobbili), mahendragiri(orissa). Located on banks of champavathi river Undertaken by ASI Unique Speciality: dakshinamurthy facing west direction. Located at 12 Kms from vizianagaram town at saripally village, Denkada Mandal. 

Bobbili Venugopal Swamy Temple

The House of Bobbili was deeply religious. The temple of the family deity – Venugopala Swamy - had been in existence since Bobbili was founded, but the present temple was built by Chinna Ranga Rao, when he took over the reins of Bobbili after the ill-fated war. It is located close to the royal residence and is the most revered temple in Bobblili. The Gopuram (Entrance) was built by Swetha Chalapati Ranga Rao in 1851. It is the only temple in the region where the Gopuram is higher than the main temple. The base of the Gopuram is made of solid stone while the six stories over it are made of stone and brick masonry. The base of the Gopuram itself is approximately 9 meters high. On festive occasions, the idols of the deities in the temple are adorned with jewellery made of gold and precious stones, estimated to be worth millions of dollars.

The Vasant Mandapam stands aloof in the placid waters of a lake. The idol from the temple of Lord Venugopala Swamy is brought to the lake annually to celebrate the onset of spring. Legend has it that the Lord enjoys a day of solitude with his wife here. Post sojourn, the idol is installed in Dola Yatra Mandapam on the banks of the lake for a day and then carried back to the main temple. The mandapams were constructed by Maharaja Krishnadas Ranga Rao, in 1825. 

(Source: vizianagaram.nic.in)