Vemulawada
Temples of Andhra Pradesh

 

Vemulawada near Karimnagar is home to an ancient temple dedicated to Shiva - Rajarajeswara.

Based on temple inscriptions it is learned that this temple was built by Narasimha I of a clan of local chieftains known as the Vemulawada Chalukyas about a thousand years ago.

The legend associated with the temple is as follows. Narendra the grandson of Arjuna killed a sage by mistake and to make amends for his sin, spent his life in prayer and pilgrimage in seek of pardon. When he reached this site and bathed in the lake which is now known as Dharma Kundam, he was relieved of his curse. He delved into the lake and retrieved a Shivalingam which he then installed as Rajeswara.

Legend also has it that the ruler of the gods, Indra was relieved of his Bhrahmahatti dosham after worshipping at this shrine.

Another legend has it that the sun God Surya, lost his arms after coveting the offerings at a vedic ritual meant for someone else and that his arms were restored after worshipping here.

This temple celebrates the kalyanotsvam in the Indian month of Phalgun and Mahasivaratri once a year.

Also in this town are other ancient temples dedicated to Kedareshwara, Waddegeswara and Bhimeswara.

 

See Also: 
Abodes of Shiva