Annavaram Temple/East Godavari

Between Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry a must stop pilgrim centre “Annavaram”. It is situated in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. River ‘Pamba’ flows besides Annavaram. It is 80kms by road and 87kms by train from Rajahmundry, 125kms from Visakhapatnam. Annavaram Railway station is 2kms from the temple, many trains atop here. 




You can also travel by road as it is connected by NH5 raod.  Co-ordinates of these place is 17⁰16’55.16”N 82024’19.89”E   / 
17.28198890N   82.4055250⁰E.

History

Annavaram is considered as second to the Tirupathi because of its importance. This temple is situated on Ratnagiri hill. Anna resembles to “What you desire”, Varam resembles to “boon”. So Annavaram is a place where you get what you desire. Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy is the preceding deity of this temple along with Anantalaxmi Satyavathi Ammavaru. According to mythology, Meruvu Lord of hills along with wife pleased Lord Vishnu and were rewarded a boon of 2 children named as Badhra and Ratnakara. Badhra was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He pleased Lord Vishnu with his devotion and was blessed by him and became Badhrachalam on which Lord Rama’s temple is situated. Ratnakara followed his brother footsteps by pleasing Lord Vishnu and rewarded as carrier of Lord Vishnu’s avatar Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy and called as Ratnagiri hill.

Architecture:

The construction of the building is very beautiful and attractive. Vishwakarma Brahmins architectural skills are shown at every part of the temple. The temple is about 91m above sea level and about 460 stone steps leads to the top of it. The main temple is constructed in the form of a chariot. In front of the temple a Kalyanamandapam is constructed, as we go down a Ramalaya, Vana Durga, Kanaka Durga shrines are constructed.

Rituals And Sevas:

Many rituals and sevas are conducted by Devastanam. Devotees can participate in this sevas by paying a certain amount of donation. Some the sevas timings are given below.

1.	Sri Swamy Suprabhata Seva	3:30 AM
2.	Sri Swamy vari Vratham	6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
3.	Sri Swamy vari special Vratham	6:00 AM  to 6:00 PM
4.	Sri Swamy vari visishta Vratham	6:00 AM  to 6:00 PM
5.	Sri Swamy vari Nithya Kalyanam	9:30 AM
6.	Sri Swamy vari Pavalimpu Seva	2:00 PM
7.	Sri Swamy vari Laksha Patri Puja	8:00 AM
8.	Sri Swamy vari Kumkumarchana	8:00 AM
9.	Sri Swamy Vari Abhishekam on Lunar star day of  makha	1 day only

Annavarm Prasadam is famous in all over India. Devotees feel that it is the token of blessing. Devasthanam constructed cottages and guest house for devotees who visit this place. They also provide locker facility for their luggage; advance reservation facility is also available for all the people. 

Some of the choultry’s names are given below.

Sri Seeta Rama Choultry	Rs. 150
Old Centenary Cottages	Rs. 400
New Centenary Cottages	Rs. 500
Sri Vana Durga Choultry	Rs. 150
T.T.D. Choultry	Rs. 75
T.T. D. VIP Rooms	Rs. 150
Sri Satya Deva guest house	Rs. 300
Prakash Sadan A/C Rooms	Rs. 850

For Advance reservations of Pujas and cottages visit Annavaram Devasthanam website.

Near By Places To Visit:

Nearby Annavaram Pilgrim centre another most powerful and most visited temple is situated near Tuni called as Thalapulamma talli.  It is 70kms from Kakinada, 106kms from Rajahmundry and 6kms from NH5.  The Thalapulamma talli Lova temple situated between heavily forested hillocks. This temple is believed to be Swayambu (self incarnate). The meaning of the name Thalapulamma itself shows the devi’s greatnees. “Thalapu” means thought. A mere thought of this Devi is enough to get her blessings. Many vehicle owners especially cars and Lorries visit this place regularly and get their vehicles blessed by performing some rituals. It was believed that Thalapulamm talli will protect them from all possible road accidents. The important festival is celebrated in Chaitra Masam buhula vidiya tadiya for about 15 days. 28 cottages are constructed by the Devasthanam for the devotees who visit here regularly.

Official Website : -  http://www.annavaramdevasthanam.nic.in/index.htm