Devipuram is a Hindu temple complex located near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Belonging primarily to the Shakta school of Hinduism, it is dedicated to the goddess Sahasrakshi, and her consort Kameshwara (a form of Shiva).
Shrine’s History
Construction of the Sahasrakshi Meru Temple in Devipuram began in 1985, and its completion and consecration took place in 1994. In accordance with Hindu tradition, the temple was re-consecrated for its twelfth anniversary in February 2007. The founder of Devipuram is Dr N. Prahalada Sastry , a former university professor and nuclear physicist who left a successful 23-year career with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai to begin work on the Devipuram temple in 1983. Now a noted spiritual guru, better known as Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati, Sastry reports that his creation of Devipuram was based on several visions of the Divine Mother, which specified both the design and mission of the temple complex.
Each of the many murthis within the Sahasrakshi Meru Temple was individually sculpted to Sastry’s specifications, physically manifesting his meditative visions of these deities. According to Devipuram’s official history: “In 1983, during Devi Yajna, Guruji was approached by the brothers of the Putrevu family with a request to build a temple for the Divine Mother. In addition to the 3 acres of land that they had donated, Guruji bought the adjoining 10 acres and it was registered as land for the Devi temple.” The history continues: “Having acquired the land, Guruji was looking for divine guidance, a sign of approval to commence construction of the temple. In the vicinity of the donated land, there was a small hillock where Guruji would often spend time in meditation. On the slopes of the hillock, he noticed a formation very similar to that of the Kamakhya Peetam in Assam. One day while in meditation he experienced himself lying on the peetam , while four others performed a homa, with flames emanating from his body. And during purnahuthi , he felt a heavy object being placed on his heart. Awakening from his meditative state, Guruji was prompted to dig that site. Unearthed from that very spot, he found a Sri Chakra Maha Meru made of panchaloha.
It was later discovered that a huge yajna had been performed in that area more than 250 years earlier.” Soon afterwards, “Guruji had visions of the Devi as a 16-year-old girl. With her blessings, he built the Kamakhya Peetam on the hillock and a Siva temple on the peak in 1984. Construction of the Sahasrakshi Meru Temple in Devipuram was started in 1985.” A recent Devipuram publication reflected, “Even a fleeting glance at what has been accomplished around what used to be a no man’s land is enough to astound anyone.”
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Buses are available from all places in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to reach Sahasrakshi Meru Temple in Devipuram.
By Rail
The Nearest railway station to Devipuram Temple is Simhachalam North Railway Station, which is about 25 km from the temple.
By Air
Vizag is the nearest airport and well connected to all major cities of the country. Airport is located at 31 kilometres from a temple.
Shrine Timings
Morning 9.00 AM to 2.00 PM and in the evening from 3.00 PM to 5.00 PM.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Navarathiri September/October Dassara festival (Vijayadashami) October
Extra Information About this Shrine
Nearby temple Tripurasundari temple Ugra Narasimha Temple Simhachalam Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple Dharmalingeswar Temple Kalabhairava Temple Matyalingeswara Temple
