Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy

Significance
Vemulawada is famous for the temple of Rajarajeshwara Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It was built by one of the governors of Kalyani Chalukyas by name Rajadithya between 11th and 12th centuries. The presiding deity is locally popular as Rajanna who is accompanied by the idols of Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi and Siddi Vinayaka. It houses several temples dedicated to other deities including Anantha Padmanabha Swamy, Bhimeshwara Swamy, Kodanda Rama and Kasi Visweswara. Apart from these there is a tomb of Muslim saint.

History
Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam – Abode of Lord Eashwara – at Vemulawada village of Karimangar District in Andhra Pradesh State is one of the ancient and famous Shivate temples. The Institution was categorized as Regional Joint Commissioner Cadre Temple under G.O.Ms.No: 262, Revenue [Endts.I] Department, dated 10/03/1992. The shrine deserves a special mention in terms of its architectural grandeur and spiritual sanctity and is one of the famous Shivate Temples in Andhra Pradesh State. Existence of this shrine is lost in the mists of antiquity and even Puranas mention the existence of the Deity.

The presiding Deity – Lord Raja Rajeshwara in the form of “Neela Lohitha Siva Lingam is known for his boundless benevolence in fulfilling the wishes of the devotees.

This Shrine is popularly known as ‘Dakshina Kasi’ [Southern Banaras] and also as “Harihara Kshetram” for their being two Vaisnava Temples in main Temple complex i.e., Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple & Sri Seetharama Chandra Swamy Temple and Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy is Kesthra Palaka of this Temple being consecrated with Pujas/ festive rituals [both Shivate & Vaisnavate festivals] and Sreerama Navami is the 2nd major festival in this temple.

A Dargah within the precincts of the temple stands as an ample evidence for religious tolerance.

Bhavishyothara Purana mentions that the Sun-God [Surya Bhagavan] recovered from disability by praying at the shrine here and so this shrine is termed “Bhaskara Kshethram”. And, Indra- the King of Astadikpalaka by devoutly worshipping Lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara-the presiding deity of the shrine, purified himself from Brahmahatya Dosham.

Further, It is said that during 750 to 973 AD this temple was built by Raja Narendra-the grandson of Parikshit who in turn the grandson of Arjuna, was not only cured of Leprosy by which he was afflicted by virtue of killing Muniputra accidentally, by taking bath in Dharmagundam [Pushkarni] but also seen Lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara and Goddess Sri Raja Rajehwari Devi in a vision and received blessings with directions to build a temple and install ‘ Siva Lingam’ which was laying in the bed of the Pushkarni.

Legend
Sometime in the distant past a lord named Sri Raja Narendra resulted in these present circumstances place to chase wild creatures. In any case, unintentionally he murdered a Brahmin kid who was drinking water from a lake. At that point he got a hopeless illness and went on journey to numerous heavenly places and returned back to this place. One day he drank the Holy water from the Dharmagundam and rested the night imploring the Lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy. Ruler Shiva showed up in King's fantasies and requesting that he take out Lingam from Dharmagundam and place it in the sanctuary.

At that point the lord took out the Lingam and cleaned it with Dharmagundam water. He has manufactured a sanctuary on the slope to keep Lingam inside the sanctuary, while he was dozing in the night Holy Sidhas came and built up the God's golden calf inside the sanctuary. When ruler was stressed over missing the opportunity to set up Shiva Lingam, Lord Shiva showed up in his fantasies and guaranteed that ruler's name will be related with the place for eternity. From that point his hopeless malady additionally got cured.

According to another legend, Once Dharma Devata was doing compensation to Lord Shiva. God was awed with the atonement of Dharma Devata and showed up before Her. Dharma Devatha requested that an awesome blessing keep Her as transportation method of Lord Shiva. Master Shiva has allowed the demand saying that you will be My transportation mode and additionally You will be supplicated by every one of My enthusiasts. So according to the legend, offering calf to Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy is asking Dharma Devata in the lead position.