Dhavaleswaram- Janardhanaswamy Aalayam

Panchadurgi Durga was the ancient name of the present Rajahtnundry, proudly displaying many relics of both historical and spiritual importance. Among the five durgas only one is surviving and going by the name of Dhavalagiri, a hill of modest altitude. The township surrounding it is called Dhavaleswaram, which is almost the extension of Pajahmundry. This was called Vedagiri kshetra and Ramapada kshetra in the past. The legends are quite fascinating with proofs of its past glory. According to legend the holy Vedas fell from the lips of Brahma and the sages taking the forms of moving mountains collected and placed them here and so it was celled Vedagui. For the Ramapada kshetra, the story becomes somewhat credible, since the foot-prints of Sri Rama now worshipped on the hill are said to have been imprinted on the hill when he visited this place during his exile. And Ramabhakata Hanuman stayed here worshipping them regularly. There is a Hanuman temple on the hill and the two peepal trees now found in the compound are the self same ones planted by Sri Rama, says the priest. The Janardhanaswamy Alayam is said to have built by Narada. It is of modest size and the archamurti is in standing posture buffeted by Sridevi and Bhudevi. A special feature of the temple is - there is a cave in the compound with an interior passage connecting it to Banaras, goes the local version. In addition, there is Santanagopalaswamy icon here in the same cave and the belief is current that barren women gain fertility and beget children if they pray here soulfully. Abounding in such credible and incredible stories, this Dhavaleswaram is luring theists and tourists regularly.

It is 8 km off Rajahmundry, the district head quarters town of Andhra Pradesh having town bus service linking it from early morning to late night.

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