Sri Nookambika Ammavari Temple located in Gavarapalem in Anakapally is a famous temple in Vizag. The presiding deity in this famous temple is Goddess Nookambika, a village deity who is said to protect the people of the village. The imposing idol of the deity casts a spell on devotees, who strongly believe that She is always there to protect them.
Shrine’s History
Sri Sri Nookambika Ammavari Temple was built by one Appalaraju around 1450 AD. Appalaraju defeated the local rulers and captured their kingdoms and gifted them to the Nawab of Arcot. The Nawab in return gifted Appalaraju, the Sabbavaram region, which he ruled making Anakapalle as its headquarters. He constructed a fort and on its south he built a temple for his family deity known as Kakatambika. After Appalaraju died, the rulers of Vizianagaram took over the kingdom and the fort. They renamed the goddess as Nookambika. Goddess Nookambika soon came to be known as Nookalamma in local parlance.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Buses are available from all places in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to reach Sri Nookambika Ammavari Temple in Anakapally.
By Rail
The Nearest railway station is Anakapalle Railway Station, which is 25 km away from the temple. From here local buses and taxis are available to the temple in Anakapally.
By Air
The Nearest airport is Visakhapatnam Airport, which is 22 km away. Buses and taxis are available to access the temple at Anakapally.
Shrine Timings
7.00 am to 7:00 pm.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Regular poojas, archanas and deeparadhanas are performed in this temple. Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are considered auspicious days for performing puja to Sri Nookambika Ammavaru. The biggest festival comes once in a year called Nookalamma Jathara, which is held for a month long. This Nookalamma jathara begins on Kottha Amavasya, which is a day before Ugadi festival, a Telugu New Year. Thousands of devotees from neighbouring states like Orissa and West Bengal and from different parts of the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana attend this Jathara and worship Nookambika Devi.