Located at Achanta, Rameshwara Swamy temple is a famous and ancient temple dedicated to Rameshwara Swami, one of the form of Lord Shiva. Popularly called as Achanteswara Swami and Achannuteswarudu, the Shiva Lingam in this temple is said to be self-manifested. There are about six Shiva lingas in this temple compound namely Lakshmaneswara Linga, Someswara Linga, Markandeya Linga, Bhimalinga, Skanda Linga and Indra Linga. It is believed that this temple was built during the reign of Eastern Chalukyas.
location Andhra Pradesh, West Godavari, Amaravathi
Legend
According to the legends, once two shaivites started travelling
to Kasi to worship Lord Shiva during Lingodhbava time. On their way, they met a
prostitute and one of the devotee got attracted to her and dropped the plan of
Kasi while the other continued the journey. The other person reached Kasi and
started worshipping the Lord but he got distracted by thinking about the
pleasures of his friend. At that time, the devotee who went with the prostitute
started regretting his decision and
assumed Prostitute's breast as Linga and started worshipping with
devotion during Lingodhbava time. Impressed by his devotion, Lord Siva
self-manifested here. Hence the Lord got the name Achanteswara (Aa Channu to
Eswara) as it looks like a female breast.
Architecture
The temple has a huge gopuram with five storeys at the
entrance. On the top of this gopura, two lions are standing over the head of
elephant and there are five kalashas in between these two lions. A tall Dwajastambham can also be seen in
front of the mukha mantapam inside the temple. There are sub-temples of Lord
Vigneshwara (Lord Ganapati), Goddess Saraswati and Saptamatrukulu inside the
main temple. The temple has a sacred Pushkarini beside the temple.
Culture
The district is well known for its wool-pile carpets and
hand woven products. There are many landmarks and tourism destinations in the
district. Eluru is the largest city of the district with many destinations
related to Buddhists and Archeological importance such as Guntupalli Caves near
the city.Eluru city hosts 74 feet high Buddha statue in the heart of the
city.Buddha Park at Eluru.Some of the religious destinations include, Dwaraka
Tirumala known with the name as Chinna Tirumala,Pancharama Kshetras of Palacole
and Bhimavaram etc.Other destinatins of tourism importance are Perupalem Beach
at Narasapuram, the Kolleru Lake being the largest fresh water in the country
and a bird sanctuary,Dowleswaram Barrage and Godavari river.
Darsan Info
Temple timings: 6.00 AM to 8:00 PM
Darsan Dresscode
Wear modest clothes and avoid western outfit while visiting
temple
Famous Festival
Mahasivarathri
Temple Rituals
Morning pooja and abisheka to be performed to Lord Shiva at
3:30 AM onwards and thereafter, archana and astothram and daily seva programs
to be performed inside the temple.
Additional Info
R.S Restaurant
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