RajaRajeshwara Temple, Vemulwada

Raja Rajeshwara Temple in Vemulawada, Telangana is also known as Raja Rajeshwara Kshetram and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. In this temple, Lord Shiva is known as Raja Rajeshwara Swamy and locally as Rajanna. The temple also has two other names – Dakshin Kashi and Hari Hara Kshetra as there are two Vaishnava temples within the complex. Located about 35 km from Karimnagar the temple is a destination for large numbers of devotees. 

The Legend of King Narendra

A long time ago a king Known as Raja Raja Narendra was hunting in the area around where the temple now stands. Accidentally he killed a brahmin who was drinking water from a pond. The king had mistaken the brahmin for a deer. As a result, the king was afflicted with a dreadful disease that could not be cured by any of his royal doctors (Vaids). The king went to various holy sites and pilgrimages, praying for a cure. At last, the king returned to the place where the brahmin had been killed. He bathed in the pond and slept on the bank of the pond. Miraculously Lord Shiva appeared in his dream and asked him to retrieve a Shivling from the pond and enshrine it. Lord Shiva blessed the king to be cured of the disease. 

The next day the king found the Shivling in the pond, cleaned it, and decided to build a temple. That night when the king was sleeping Siddhas came and enshrined the Shivling and made a temple over it. When the king woke up he was astonished to see the temple in front of him. He was also a little disappointed that he could build the temple. Once again Lord Shiva appeared in the King’s dream and said the king’s name will forever be associated with the temple. The king was a very happy man now – his disease was cured and a divine temple had come up. The pond from where the Shivling was recovered is now known as Dharmagundam.

The Present Temple

The temple as seen today was built by a grandson of King Narendra in about 750 CE. On the pond known as Dharmagundam, there are three large mandapams (Halls). In the middle is a statue of Lord Shiva. In the sanctum is the Shivling that was recovered from Dharmagundam. On one side of the Shivling is a murti of Devi Raja Rajeshwari and on the other side is a murti of Devi Lakshmi Sahitha Siddhi Vinayak.

There are a number of other shrines in the complex – Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Sri Sita-Ramachandra Swamy Temple, Sri Anjaneya Sahitha Kasi Visweswara Swamy, Sri Dakshinamurthy Temple, Sri Valli Devasena Sametha Subramanya Swamy Temple, Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi Temple, Sri Someswaralayam, Sri Mahishasura Mardini Temple, Kotilingala and Kala Bhairava temples.

Raja Rajeshwara Temple complex has shrines for Vaishnava and Shaivite sects making it an attraction for both sects. One more unique feature is that there is also a Muslim dargah in the complex, making it an extremely tolerant place of worship. Devotees take a bath in Dharmagundam before entering the temple. The waters of the kund are said to have medicinal properties. Festivals such as Navratri, Mahashivratri, and more are celebrated in this temple.

Temple Timings

Puja Timings

(On Mondays, Maha Shivaratri, Shani Trayodashi days – Madhyanhika Puja,  Naivedyam and Anna Puja will be done from 2.30 PM to 3.00 PM)

How to reach Vemulawada

The nearest Railway Station is Warangal, about 114 km from Vemulawada.

The nearest airport is Hyderabad Airport, about 194 km from Vemulawada.

Where to stay in Vemulawada

There are a number of hotels and guest houses to stay in Vemulawada. 

For an economical and convenient stay click on the link below – 

Vemulawada Dharamshala Booking

Distances from Vemulawada

Nanded – 241 km

Vijayawada – 335 km

Solapur – 431 km

Visakhapatnam – 649 km

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