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Annavaram is situated at a distance of about
3-km from Annavaram railway station on the
Vijayawada-Waltair broadguage
section of the South Central Railway, 48-km from
Kakinada and about 80-km from
Rajahmundry. Annavaram is one
of the reputed centres of pilgrimage in the Andhra Pradesh on account of a
temple of 'Sri Vira Venkata Satyanarayana Swami'. The temple is situated
on the sacred Ratnagiri Hills.
The
distance from the foot of the hill to the temple is about four furlongs.
From the foot of the hill, to the top of the hill, there is a proper path,
well laid out with stone steps. The river Pampa that is considered a
sacred river is running close to the temple and is a furlong away from the
foot of the hill. Generally before going to the temple pilgrims have their
bath in the river.
A Chariot Temple
The construction of the main temple resembles a chariot with four wheels
in four corners. The 'Kalyanamandapam' constructed in front of the temple
is decorated with modern architecture. As we go down the way, we come
across Ramalaya and then the shrines of 'Vana Durga' and
'Kanaka Durga'.
The temple was built in such a way that it satisfies both the ritualistic
values and the spiritual aspirations of the devotees. The idol, which is
about 4m high, is in a cylindrical form. The base in the lower sanctum
represents Lord Vishnu. The middle portion represents Lord Shiva. This
image of the deity, forming a single idol and representing the Hindu
Trinity, is of unique attraction.
Another important item of interest in the temple precincts is the sundial
showing the Indian Standard Time. Around the main temple and the
Kalyanamandapam at a lower level, a 'Mandapam' was constructed to provide
space to conduct one thousand 'Satyanarayana Vratams' at a time.
'Kalyana Utsavam' or Kalyanotsavam,
'Bheeshma Ekadasi' and 'Vysakha Ekadasi' are the important festivals at
this temple apart from daily 'Satyanarayana Vratam' performed by devotees
(only couples should perform the 'Vratam') to fulfil their wishes. Around
one lakh vratams (fasts) are being performed here every year. The most
important festival conducted at the place is the Kalyanotsavam of the
deity during May when thousands of pilgrims congregate from all parts of
the state.
Rail: Annavaram is located on the
Chennai -Calcutta
rail route and almost all the express and passenger trains stop here.
Trains passing through this station are bound to various destinations viz.
Vishakhapatnam,
Vijayawada,
Hyderabad ,
Chennai, Calcutta, Delhi
and Mumbai .
Road: There are regular bus services to Annavaram from Tuni,
Kakinada,
Rajahmundry and Yeleswaram.
The Annavaram Devasthanam has made arrangements for pilgrims to stay at and around the hill and there are sufficient cottages, choultries and rooms here.