PENUGONDA - SRI VASAVI KANYAKAPARAMESWARI TEMPLE

Penukunda, was the original name but in the popular usage it became Penukonda. And it is said that the original nagar was built by Viswakarma at the behest of Mahavishnu. Markandeya Purana eulogizes its glory in several verses with sparkling phrases. Mother kanyakaparameswari was born to the feudal Lord Kusuma Chetty after Putrakamesti yagna, similar to that of Dasartha's for the birth of legal heir to the solar dynasty . 

Should not such unprecedented reputed holy land own one shrine befitting its splendid past? It possesses now one shrine imposing in size and splendour, matching its former glory. It is of huge dimensions with a sturdy prakara and a broad mahadwar surmounted by a tall multi-storeyed tower, vast courtyards and extensive mania mandap accommodating three spacious garbha grihas one for Nagareswara the Kuladaivam of the community and other for Mother Parvathi that blessed Vasavamba, the crest jewel of womanhood, and the third for Vasavamba. In the courtyards there are many mandapas for parivaradevathas such as Navagrahas, Balaji and a grand minishrine for Kusuma Chetty couple exclusively, in front of which lies the very same fire pit into which Kanyaka Parameswari entered. Regular puja is offered daily and the periodical festivals like Vasavi jayanti, Navaratri are celebrated with colour and pegeantry par excellence.

It lies 35 km of Rajamundry of Andhra Pradesh one of the premier towns accessible by four wheelers.

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