Gatlakanapuram - Ranganayaka Aalayam

The temple owes its existence to the bandits, who were notorious highway men in the dim past, when the entire region was nothing thick forest, inaccessible to regular traffic. The natives of this area were sturdy boyas normally engaged for building works, but here were living by thieving. That is the difference. They were going in groups and denuding the innocent travelers mercilessly. It so happened once they came upon an unusually enchanting big icon when moving about in the pathless forest. Enthralled at its beauty and craftsmanship and embellished by its polish and glistening, they carried it home desiring to encash its inestimable worth later. This could not be concealed for long. Should the burning charcoal be tied in a cloth and kept in a box undetected? Somehow the news reached the ears of the prominent wealthy karaeam called Velidanda Ramachandra Rao. Utilising his status and influence he convinced them to part with it for installation and regular worship. They acceded to this plea.

Soon a sufficiently big temple with all component parts was built with the personal property of that pious bhakta, aided and abetted by generous philanthropists. Agamic puja was introduced and when the miracle of the Lord were published, its glory started ascending. The archamurti in his recumbent pose on the seven hooded Ananta is extremely grand and wrings veneration. The annual festival like car festival falls in Vaisakha and celebration begins with Talambralu offering and ends with car pulling. Huge crowds gather and worships the Lord.

It lies in the taluq of Nagar Kurnool of Palamur district of Andhra Pradesh, commanding bus facilities.

[ Back ] [ Temples Of India ] [ Up ] [ Next ]