Vellala Sanjeevaraya Swamy Temple

Overview

The Vellala Sanjeevaraya Swamy Temple Vellala, Rajupalem Mandal, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman.

About The Temple

Later when the Karunya of Lord Sri Sanjeevaraya spread, a befitting temple was built for the Lord. Later rulers added more and expanded the temple. The temple is on the outskirts of the village and at the side of the main road leading from Proddatur to Allagadda. Today the temple welcomes the devotees with an imposing five tier Rajagopuram. Entering the main Rajagopuram to the outer prakara, one can see the Stone dwaja stampa of this temple which is special signature of Vijanagara style. Sri Ganesha and Sri Anjaneya are sculptured in the dwaja stampa. The stala purana of this kshetra written in Telugu is also seen here. The outer wall of the main temple is surrounded with a platform supported by stone pillers. As one enters through the muka dwara which has an arch decorated with figures of Sri Rama, Sita, Siva, Bhrhma all of them showing abhya mudra.

As one enters the mukha dwara the main mandapam and Garbhagraham could be seen. In the arch above the main mandapam Sri Anjaneya with folded hand in Sindura verna can be seen. From the main mandapam one can see the main deity.

About the Deity

Only if one stands nearer to entrance of the Garbhagraham one can see the main deity Sri Sanjeevaraya in full. The gigantic posture of Sri Sanjeevaraya is a feast to the eyes. Lord’s murthi is sixteen feet tall. In His gold like feet has nuupuram and in His ankle the Thandai adores. His left leg forward as He moves to the enemy territory to destruct the power of enemy. Lord is seen wearing peethambaram in kacham style, which is highly ornamented. He is wearing ornamental waist band. His long tail is raised above His head. With His right hand Lord is assuring the devotees not to fear through ‘abhya’ mudra. His left hand is resting on the hip holding the weapon ‘Gadha’ and in the kankana adorns the wrists. His utriyam is shown flowing. His chest is adorned with many malas and other ornamental chains and one of them has Sri Rama and Sri Sita embossed locket. His flowing hair is locked neatly. His eyes are glowing and mesmerizing showering blessing in abundance and assuring His devotees a pleasant wishes.

Legend and Stories

Why the name ‘vellala’

During Sri Rama – Ravana war, Lakshmana was inquired and fell unconscious. To bring him back from the unconscious state few medical herbs were required. Those herbs were told to be beyond the Himalayas. Sri Hanuman was ordained by Sri Rama to bring those medical herbs within short time. Sri Hanuman went leaping and got the mountain of herbs and was returning to Lanka. During the sandya time [sunset time], to offer prayers for Surya, He interrupted His journey in the bank of Kumudavathi. While He was performing His Sandya vandhan, devas and rishis came to witness His miraculous act of bringing the entire mountain. No sooner He finished His prayers, He was to leap again in the air. The rishis who were on the banks of the river requested the Lord to stay back in the kshetra itself, to which Lord told them since he is on the mission of Sri Rama, he ‘had to go’ [vellala villa vellala – in Telugu] and promised to come back to this kshetra.

Sri Sanjeevaraya

Later during fifteenth century this place was under the rule of governors of Vijayanagar known as Nayakas. During this time one Sri Hanumath Mallu an army chieftain came to this place for hunting. He fell sick while on sujorn and was compelled to stay at the village Vellala. While on camp at this place one day he was given a divine direction that he should bring to bank the statue of Sri Hanuman from inside the Kumudavathi River.

Chieftain sent his men in search of the statue in the waters of Kumudavathi River, although he was sick he supervised the operation. After a long search they could locate the statue of Sri Hanuman in the River. He had then arranged installation of the statue among the chanting of manthras and as per the prescribed rules ‘prana pradeshta’ of the staute was conducted. From then on Sri Hanuman of this kshetra bestowed all the blessings to His devotees.

Festivals

Bramhotsavam

Bramhotsavam celebrations of Vellala Sri Sanjeevaraya Swany is conducted during the vaisaka month of lunar calander. Swamy is taken on procession on a chariot during this time and ‘tirthavari’ in the Kumudavathi River is done. This function is well attended by the devotees of Sri Sanjeevaraya.

How To Reach

Airport

The nearest airport is Kadapa

Railways

The nearest railway station is Kadapa

Road

The nearest bus stop is Proddatur

Temple Address

Vellala Sanjeevaraya Swamy Temple,
Vellala, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh,
Pincode - 516359.