Sri Pydithalli Ammavaru Temple

This 18th century temple, legend says, houses the goddess Pydimamba who belonged to the Gajapati Dynasty and was the sister of king Vijaya Rama Raju. In 1756, the king of Vizianagaram faced a constant rivalry with the king of Bobbili. With the the help of French army, led by General De Bussy, Vijaya Rama Raju set out to invade on Bobbili which led to the "Bobbili Battle" on 23rd January 1757. Many Bobbili soldiers were killed and the Bobbili fort was almost destroyed. The wife of king Vijaya Rama Raju and his sister, who was suffering from Masuchi (a disease), tried to convince him to avoid war. His sister, Pydimamba, was performing a pooja while she came to know that his brother was in trouble. She enquired about his whereabouts and tried to convey a message to him through a soldier named Patiwada Appala Naidu. On Vijaya Dasami (a famous Hindu festival), she got the news that Tandra Papa Rayudu killed Vijaya Rama Raju. On listening to that she fainted and fell ill. She told that she could not live anymore and her soul would join goddess Durga. Soon after, she passed away and the next Tuesday, villagers found an idol of her at the western part of Pedda Cheruvu (lake), where the temple is constructed. Also, her statue is erected near the lake.