Mandapalli Mandeshwara Swamy Temple is the most popular Shani Temples in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is located at Mandapalli in Kothapeta Mandal in East Godavari district.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
In those days, this region had the holy ashram of the sage Dhadhichi Maharshi. The sage Dhadhichi Maharshi has done a great sacrifice of his spinal cord for the powerful weapon called as Vajrayudham of the Lord Indra. This weapon was used to kill the deadly asuraas. The weapons wielded by the eight suras in the eight directions are called astadikpalakas, that killed innumerable ghostly demons. To take revenge of the demon’s death , Aswadha and Pippale attacked the devalokhas and brought the havoc. People requested the help of the sage Agastya living in the South India when he assured them of the death of these giants in the hands of the ‘Lord Sani’, son of the God Sun. Hence, they approached Sani Deva to protect them by putting an end to these demons ‘Aswadha and Pippala’.
Then Lord Sani made up his mind to kill the monsters for which he had to wage a war for one long year and killed them. As a tribute to his glorious victory, he installed an idol of ‘Lord Shiva’ here. God Sani got relieved from the Brahma hatya dhosha by installing and adoring Lord Shiva. It is said by the God Sani that, those worshipping Linga by offering the Gingelli oil would be blessed. Due to this, Lord Shiva is popularly known as Saneswara or Mandeswara. So people offer gingelli products which are dear to Sani who is the deity here. The other temples in the temple complex are : Shri Brahmeswara Swamy This is the place where Lord Brahma performed a great yagna, which is called as Brahmagundam, as the sacred fire of the Yagna has not extinguished for a long time. Gouthama Maharishi made the river Godavari flow through it. Hence it is also known as Brahmagundam. Lord Brahma installed the idol of “Lord Eswara” in this place. Shri Nageswara Swamy After Saturn killed the asuras , he gifted away the holy region to the Maharishis and Brahmans. Here “Karkotaka” a ferocious snake-king had performed penance.
The maharishis were terribly afraid of the Karkotaka and at their request, the “Karkotaka” left the place. Shri Venugopal Swamy Dhadhichi Maharshi presided in the Gopala Kshetram on the banks of the Godavari. Gowthama Maharshi implored Trayambakeswara for river Ganga to flow out from his Jhata Jhutam, in order to get rid of the sins. Gowthama Maharishi installed the idol of Lord Venu Gopala Swami beside the river and hence this place is called as Gopala Kshetram.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Amalapuram , Pithapuram are nearby by towns to Mandapalli having road connectivity to Mandapalli.Ravulapalem APSRTC Bus Station , Mukkamala APSRTC Bus Station , Pulletikurru APSRTC Bus Station are nearby by Bus Stations to Mandapalli .APSRTC runs Number of busses from major cities to here.
By Rail
There is no railway station near to Mandapalli in less than 10 km. Pithapuram Rail Way Station, Gollaprolu Rail Way Station are the Rail way stations reachable from near by towns. How ever Rajamundry Rail Way Station is major railway station 33 KM near to Mandapalli
By Air
The nearest airport is Rajamundry.
Shrine Timings
05:00 to 11:00 (All days of the week(Morning)) 17:00 to 20:00 (All days of the week(Evening))
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Daily Abhishekam and Archanas are performed. ·Dusserah Navaratri Festival. ·Yearly once Kalyanam is performed on Maha Bahula Ekadasi. ·Special Poojas are performed during Karthika Masam. ·On Shani Trayodashi Tailabhishekam (Abhishekam with oil) is performed for Shani Deva.
Extra Information About this Shrine
Nearby Places: Sri Uma Bharmendra Swamy, Sri Uma Nageswara Swamy, Sri Venugopala Swamy