Kadapa- Pushpagiri Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Address

Kadapa- Pushpagiri Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Chinnamachupalli – Pushpagiri Rd,

Kotluru, Andhra Pradesh 516162

Moolavar

Vaidyanatha Swamy

Amman

Kamakshi Devi

Introduction

• Location: The Kadapa Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple is located in the Pushpagiri Temples Complex in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It sits on the banks of the Pinakini River (also known as the Penna River).
• Dedication: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, specifically under the name Vaidyanatha Swamy.

Puranic Significance:

• The Vaidyanathesvara Swamy temple is believed to have been constructed by the Chola Dynasty. It was further patronized by Rashtrakuta King Krishna Vallabha, who generously gifted lands for the temple’s daily maintenance.

Special Features:

• Architectural Style:
  • The temple is west-facing and boasts a three-tiered Rajagopuram, an iconic architectural feature of South Indian temples.
  • It is traditionally attributed to the Chola Dynasty, reflecting the period’s architectural grandeur.
• Shrines Within the Temple Complex:
  • The temple houses two important shrines:
    • Vaidyanatha Swamy: The primary shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.
    • Kamakshi Devi: A shrine dedicated to the goddess Kamakshi Devi.
• Notable Features of the Shrines:
  • The Vaidyanatha Swamy Shrine is protected by two Dwarapalakas (guardian statues), which are imposing figures guarding the entrance.
  • The Maha Mandapam (main hall) features a distinctive 16-pillar layout arranged in two square patterns, contributing to the temple’s aesthetic and structural appeal.
• Spiritual Significance of the Srichakra:
  • In the Kamakshi Devi shrine, there is a Srichakra positioned on the left side when entering through the northern tower gate. This Srichakra holds significant spiritual value, as it was revered by the famous Adi Shankaracharya and later by Vidyaranya Swamy, the founder of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Artistic and Archaeological Value:
  • The temple is adorned with rich rock-cut sculptures and reliefs that portray various deities, gods, and goddesses.
  • The temple also houses a collection of idol artifacts and Hero Stones, which were discovered and preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), further enhancing its cultural and historical importance.

Century/Period

1255 AD

Managed By

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Nearest Bus Station

Pushpagiri

Nearest Railway Station

Gangayapalle Station

Nearest Airport

Kadapa

Location on Map

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