Penugonda - Janardhanaswamy Aalayam

For the emergence of the sacrosanct Kanyakaparameswari shrine at this famous kshetra - Penugonda, the Trimurthis are the protagonists, and particularly at the behest of Mahavishnu alone, this town was materialized by Viswakarma, whose magnificence and splendour far exceeded that Amaravathy, the capital of Devendra. In accordance with the assurance to the primal Vysya mahamunis, Mahavishnu has been abiding here and protecting under the new name of Janardhanaswamy with Lakshmi in her changed name of Konakamala, and Maheswar in the name of Nagarthar, whereas Brahma, taking human form guiding that venerable Munikulam as Kulaguru. Though this happened yugas before for the benefit of mankind, through the ministrations of said commercial community, the relics are still existing to corroborate Mahavishnu's monumental commitment. The Vysya munis obeyed, and witnessed soul-lifting ups and life ravaging downs in their earthly sojourn and left behind their replicas in several forms.

Among them, there are two splendiferous shrines - one for Maheswar and the other for Mahavishnu in the names of Nagarthar and Janardhanaswamy. Of course, renovations were carried out several times, and so, they are like old wine in new bottles and enjoying the adorers' grateful worship. The Janardhanaswamy temple is sufficiently, a big temple with all the indispensable component parts., In the garbhagriha, the archamurti is installed on a high vedika, and gives an eyeful darsan in captivating and eye catching decorations. Many mini-shrines with new look are enshrining Upadevathas to bless the devotees.

Agamic worship is offered regularly and the periodical festivals are celebrated on a grand scale exhibiting the status of wealthy merchant class. They are visited by devotees in thousands and thousands round the year.

It is about 40 km off Rajahmundry of East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, commanding bus service.

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