Vemulawada Shiva Temple is located at Vemulawada in
Telangana. The temple is around 180 km north of Hyderabad. This a very ancient
temple and its history can be traced to the Bhavishyothara Purana. The story of
the origin of the temple is associated with the holy temple tank known as Dharma
Gundam.
The unique aspect of the temple is that Lord Shiva is
flanked by Goddess Raja Rajeshwari (Goddess Durga) and by Lakshmi Sanhitha
Siddhi Vinayaka in the main sanctum.
Lord Shiva in the form of Sri Raja Rajeshwara is popularly known
as Rajanna of Vemulawada. The shrine is located at the center of the town atop
a small hill.
The temple has a gateway leading up the hill and a typical
south Indian style gopuram marks the entrance to the shrine.
Story of Vemulawada Shiva Temple
The shrine has got a holy tank named Dharma Gundam, the
waters of the tank is believed to have medicinal properties. Legend has it that
in ancient times a king bathed in the tank and got cured of his leprosy. He
also found a Shivling in the water. He then installed it in the temple.
Devotees take a holy dip in the waters and then visit the temple in wet
clothes.
There are numerous smaller shrines in the temple complex.
Important among them are Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy form of Vishnu with
Krishna murti in the center and another one dedicated to Sita Ramaswamy. There
are also other shrines in the complex dedicated to Shiva and Durga.
It is believed that the architecturally beautiful shrine was
built between 9th and 10th century by Vemulawada Chalukyas.
The temple attracts maximum devotees during Shivratri and
during Kartik Month (November – December) in Telugu Calendar.
It is believed that if one pulls a bull around the temple
one’s wishes will be fulfilled.