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Vemulawada Shiva Temple – History and Story of Vemulawada Shiva Temple

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.