One can see the magnificent Lingam of the Lord with matted locks around it in the sacred temple of Sri Koppulingeswara Swamy.
Shrine’s History
According to the Sage Agastya, he was meditating on the banks of the River Kowsiki came to know about the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi and wanted to attend the divine wedding.But other devas were afraid that if Sage Agastya witness this celestial wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, it would bring destruction to the world.Hence they sent Vishwabrahma to convince Sage Agastya that the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi was over. Sage Agastaya got suprised and he wanted to see the celestial wedding with his “Divyadrishti” . Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi appeared in his Divyadrishti with their turmeric coated wedding.Sage Agastya prayed to Lord Shiva to appear before him.
Then he requested Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi to reside here as Lord Agasteswara Swamy on a single “peetham”. After sometime, Lord Agasteswara Swamy came to be known as Shri Uma Koppulingeswara Swamy. According to the legends, the head priest of this Lord Agasteswara Swamy Temple inspite of being married had a mistress which angered the people and they went to their King and complained about it. The king who at first ignored finally came to Temple only to find the absence of the head priest. The head priest on coming to know about the Kings visit, hurried to the temple along with a garland he had given to his mistress as there were no garlands in the Temple. The king who took the garland from the head priests hands found a long black hair in it. He at once questioned the head priest about it.But the head priest lied to the King that the hair was of the Lord Agasteswara Swamy itself.
For this, king asked him to show him the hair around the Shivalingam. The priest then said as it was already afternoon and the puja being over, the Lord already being decorated with Nagabharana (ornaments) couldn’t be taken away till the next early morning and added that he would show the King the Lords hair the next day. The King agreed to this and said that if the priest failed to show him the hair of the Lingam, he would be beheaded. Terrified at this, he prayed to the Lord all the night. The priest wept before the Lord and confessed his sin. He begged the Lord to protect him by wearing hair around his head. He beat his head on the Lingam of the Lord and fainted. Lord Shiva to fulfill the wish of the priest then wore his hair around his head. The fainted priest regained consciousness and saw the Lord with the hair. But no one believed in the words of the priest. The King then ordered the priest to pluck a hair of the Lord and show him which the priest did so. The King could see blood on the plucked hair. Immediately the King lost his eyesight. The King realised his mistake and prayed Lord to pardon him.
The benevolent Lord took pity on the King and restored his eyesight. Shri Koppulingeswara Swamy appears with the Goddess Uma Devi on the same “peetham” in this Temple. On the right side of the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Shri Vigneswara Swamy has been installed. There are 2 mandapams here in this Temple which are Kaylana Mandapam, and Nandi Mandapam. Near to this Temple there is a small pond also for performing poojas to the Lord.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
Shri Koppulingeswara Swamy appears with the Goddess Uma Devi on the same “peetham” in this Temple. On the right side of the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of Shri Vigneswara Swamy has been installed. There are 2 mandapams here in this Temple which are Kaylana Mandapam, and Nandi Mandapam. Near to this Temple there is a small pond also for performing poojas to the Lord.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Palivela is 10kms from Ravulapalem, 7kms from Mandapalli Saneeswara Swamy temple. From Rajahmundry, it is 43kms, 163kms from Vijayawada and 25kms from Amalapuram.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Nidadavole railway station
By Air
The nearest airport Rajahmundry
Shrine Timings
06:00 to 12:00 (All days of the week(Morning)) 17:00 to 20:00 (All days of the week(Evening))
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
The Kalyana Mohotsavam of Lord Uma Koppeswara Swamy takes place on the day of Mahasivaratri every year in Kalyana mandapam renovated by Rajaraja Narendra in the 11th century. People from far and wide come to see the Kalyanotsavam, Radhotsavam that takes place on the day of Mahasivaratri.
Extra Information About this Shrine
NEARBY FAMOUS TEMPLES
1. Saneeswara Swamy temple, Mandapalli —- 7KMS,
2. Lord Jaganamohana Kesava Swamy, Ryali — 19kms,
3. Ainavilli Vinayaka temple, Ainavilli —- 19kms,
4. Sri Skhana Muktheswara Swamy Temple —- 1.2kms from Ainavilli.