Duvva - Venugopalaswamy Aalayam

The ancient name for Duvva is Durvasapuram and it is said to have been built by that formidable sage - a by-word for short temper. There are several temples here dedicated to both Vaishnava and Saiva gods. Among the Vaishnavate temples, Venugopalaswamy Aalayam, Sitaramaswamy Aalayam and Kesavaswamy Aalayam are ,aid to have been built in 1330 AD. It is of modest dimensions, possessing all the component parts. The archamurti is Swayambhu and is about three feet in height. Of the peculiar features found here, the placing of Garuda vahana at the feet of the Iord deserves mention. The icon of Rukmini - a good specimen of fine sculptural art is seen to the right of archamurti. A charming idol of Satyabhama and beautiful icons of Dasavatara murtis are installed here and they lift the souls by their enchanting shapes and sizes. The presiding deity - Venugopalaswamy casts a spell on the viewers by his enticing form adorned with tripundram on the forehead and tulasimala almost touching the knees, dazzling karnakundals to the ears and Kousthubham together with flute in his hands. It is indeed a sight which the visitors keep locked up in their minds for long. Incidentally, it is one of the five Kesavaswamy Aalayas extant. The annual festival of Kalyanotsav falls in Phalguna masa and lasts for 7 days, when huge crowds avail the special prayer services with great zeal.

It lies 12 km off Tadepalligudam and 6 km to Tanuku town of West Godavari district of AP commanding transport facilities.

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