Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam, the abode of Lord Eshwara or Shiva is situated in Vemulawada village of Rajanna Sircilla district. It is one of the ancient and famous Shaivite temples in the region. The shrine is known for its architectural grandeur as well as spiritual sanctity and is one of the famous Shaivite temples in South India, which has been mentioned in the puranas.The presiding deity of this temple, Lord Raja Rajeshwara is seen in the form of NeelaLohitha Siva Lingam and is known for great benevolence towards fulfilling the wishes of the faithful.

The presiding deity of the temple, Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy is fondly called as Rajanna. This shrine is also known popularly as ‘Dakshina Kasi’ and ‘HariharaKshetram’ due to the presence of two Vaishnava Temples in the main complex namely Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple and Sri Seetharama Chandra Swamy Temple. Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy is considered the KshetraPalaka of this temple.

There is also a durgah within the precincts of this temple, which stands as a symbol of religious tolerance. Pilgrims have divine bath in a holy tank called 'Dharma Gundam', before they head for darshan as these holy waters are believed to possess medicinal properties. Every year during Maha Shivarathri, devotees flock in large numbers to Vemulawada, to offer prayers to Rajanna.

Sthalapuranam

According to BhavishyotharaPurana, the Sun God Surya Bhagavan had recovered from disability after praying at the shrine and therefore the shrine is also termed “BhaskaraKshethram”. Lord Indra worshiped Lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara swamy for purifying himself from BrahmahatyaDosham.

The temple was initially built by Raja Narendra, the grandson of Parikshit who was in turn the grandson of Arjuna, and was cured of Leprosy when he killed Muniputra accidentally. After taking bath in the Dharmagundam i.e. Pushkarni, it is said that Lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara and Goddess Sri Raja Rajeshwari Devi appeared in a vision and directed him to build a temple and also to install a Shiva Lingam which was until then lying in the bed of the Holy Pushkarni

Historical Importance

Historically the region was the capital of the Vemulawada Chalukyas, from 750 AD to 973AD. There are rock cut inscriptions discovered here, which refers to this place as Lemulavatika. The place is known for its association with well-known Telugu poet “Bheemakavi” and the famous Kannada poet “Pampa” who lived here at the court poet of Arikesari – II, dedicating his “Kannada Bharatha” to the rulers. This temple is known for a special offering called Kodemokku by devotees. It is a ritual where the devotees perform pradakshinam of the temple with a kode (bull), which is the vahanam (nandi) of Lord Shiva.

Other Temples in the Complex

The Temple stands picturesquely on the banks of a large tank, called Gudicheruvu. The GarbhaGriha has Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi followed by Lord Raja Rajeshwara in the form of Neelalohitha Siva Linga while the idols of Goddess Sri Raja Rajeshwari Devi and Nandeeshwara face the Lord.

The sanctum sanatorium here also encompasses the temples of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple; Sri AnjaneyaSahithaKasiVisweswara Swamy and Sri Seetharama Chandra Swamy Temples including Sri Dakshina Murthy Temple; SreevalliDevasenaSamethaSubramanyaSwamy Temple; Sri Someshwaralayam; Sri Uma Maheshwaralayam; Sri MahisasuraMardhani Temple; Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi Temple and Sri Kala Bhairava Swamy Temple.

The pujas and rituals are performed here according to Smartha Agama while in the Vaishnavite temples located in this temple complex, these are performed according to the Pancharathra Agama. The idol of Lord Raja Rajeshwara is consecrated everyday withChatukala Pujas like Prathakala Puja; Madhyahnika Puja; Pradosakala Puja and Nishikala Puja along with the sacred idols of Goddess Sri Raja Rajeshwari Devi and Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi located in the Maha Mandapam.

How To Reach

Vemulawada Raja Rajeshwara Swamy temple is located about 38 km from Karimnagar and about 150 km from Hyderabad via Rajiv Rahadari. It is well-accessible by road.

Accommodation

Tourists can avail of temple accommodation and other lodges at Vemulawada. There are many hotels and accommodation facilities available in Karimnagar town.