| King Narasirnha I
of this dynasty is said to have constructed the central shrine, the Mukhamantapa, the
Natyamantapa etc., in 1267 A.D. The Reddy king of Rajahmundry, the Vishnu-Vardhana
Chakravarthins of Panchadarla and others have all contributed to enrich the temple.
Krishandevaraya the famous Vijayanagar king visited this temple twice in 1516 and 1519
A.D. and the jewelry offered by him to the Lord is still in existence. The temple is maintaining a number of charitable institutions like the Agama
Pathasala, a hospital, a poor home etc.The main festival of the temple is theChandana
- yatra which falls in the first week of May and which is peculiar to this temple.
The Vyasapournami and the Ashadhapournami days, and the Kalyanotsava in the first week of
April are the other important festivals. This temple, for which the Vijayanagar Rajahs are
the hereditary trustees, is an important and sacred one in the northern limits of Andhra
and attracts pilgrims in large numbers, even now. |
