Sarpavaram Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.Temple is located in the Kakinada rural and is of 500 years old.
Shrine’s History
As per the Legends, Sage Kasyapa married Kadru, daughter of Daksha Prajapati. Kasyapa had many other wives among them Vinata is popularly known. Kasyapa and Kadru were blessed with 1000 serpents. Kadru had a bet with her sister Vinata, whoever loses the bet will serve other. Here is the bet, Kadru said that the Indra’s White Horsetail is black when Vinata disagreed on this. Kadru too knows that the Horsetail is white, she wants to play a trick so that she can enslave her sister. For which she asked her Sons twine themselves to the tail themselves so that it looks black. But Kadru’s sons disobeyed her request for which she angered and cursed them that they all will die in the Yagna fire. Worried Kasyapa approached Brahma and Brahma told him that your sons are noble so they will not die. Ananta, Son of Kadru, did penance here for the Lord Vishnu and Lord Vishnu appeared before him and accepted his as his residing place. Hence, the popular by the name Sarpavaram.
Legends Associated with This Shrine
Once Narada while in SatyaLoka, Abode of Lord Brahma, told Brahma that he will not fell for Vishnu Maaya. During his visit to the Earth saw a beautiful lake and fond of taking a bath in it. After three dips in the lake, he forgot the past and transformed into a young lady. The King Nikunta of Pithapuram dynasty, while on his hunt saw this young lady and took her to his palace as she doesn’t remember her past. He fell in love and married her. They were blessed with 60 children. Later, King Nipunjaya invaded this region and killed the King Nikunta and his Sons. After losing husband and Sons, she decided to end her life.
Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a Brahmin, created a lake and asked her to take 3 dips with left hand not to get wet. After three dips Narada regained the actual form and recollected by seeing the bangles on his left hand. He then realised that this is the play of Lord Vishnu. Sage Narada to get rid of the bangles, did penance here for the Lord and installed Lord Bhavanaraya Swamy with His Consort Rajya Lakshmi
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The architecture of this ancient temple is very beautiful and heart-warming. The temple was built with high surrounding walls, with the Gopura in the north and Simhadwara in the east. The Kalyan Mandap is in the north and the Dhvajashtambh in the east; with the Garuda Vahana and Anjaneya Swamy on both sides. Lord Vishnu appears on the Garuda Vahana in the Paatala Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple and adjacent to it is the Maanavalla Mahamuni Sannidhi; while on the opposite side is the Lakshmi Devi Sannidhi. Just next to this is the Asthana Mandap where the Sevakas Jaya and Vijayas used to reside.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
The direct bus with frequency is available from Kakinada.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is at Kakinada which is 7 km away
By Air
The nearest domestic airport is at Rajahmundry which is 56 km away. The nearest international airport is at Visakhapatnam which is 159 km away.
Shrine Timings
6:00 am – 11:00 pm to 5:00 am – 8:00 pm
