Sri Raja Rajeswara Temple - Vemulawada

Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple is situated in Vemulawada town in Karimnagar District in the state of Telangana.The temple is one of the very old and powerful ones devoted to Lord Siva, popularly known as Dakshina Kashi.

History :

 It is said that during 750 to 973 AD this temple was built by Raja Narendra-the grandson of Parikshit who in turn the grandson of Arjuna.

Legends :

Legend says that Bhavishyothara Purana mentions that the Sun-God [Surya Bhagavan] recovered from disability by praying at the shrine here and so this shrine is termed “Bhaskara Kshethram”. And, Indra- the King of Astadikpalaka by devoutly worshipping Lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara-the presiding deity of the shrine, purified himself from Brahmahatya Dosham.

Further, It is said that during 750 to 973 AD this temple was built by Raja Narendra-the grandson of Parikshit who in turn the grandson of Arjuna, was not only cured of Leprosy by which he was afflicted by virtue of killing Muniputra accidentally, by taking bath in Dharmagundam [Pushkarni] but also seen Lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara and Goddess Sri Raja Rajehwari Devi in a vision and received blessings with directions to build a temple and install ‘ Siva Lingam’ which was lying in the bed of the Pushkarni.

Temple :

The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy who is locally popular as Rajanna who is adorned on both the sides by the idol of Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi on the right side and to the left is the idol of Sri Laxmi Sahitha Siddi Vinayaka.The Temple  stands on the bank of a large Tank which is called as Gudicheruvu.

Other Temples in the complex :

• Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple
• Sri Seetharama Chandra Swamy Temple
• Sri Anjaneya Sahitha Kasi Visweswara Swamy Temple
• Sri Dakshina Murthy Temple
• Sreeevalli Devasena Sametha Subramanya Swamy Temple
• Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi Temple 
• Sri Someshwaralayam 
• Sri Uma Maheshwaralayam
• Sri Mahisasura Mardhani Temple
• Sri Kala Bhairava Swamy Temple
• Kotilingalu.

Festivals :

Mahasivarathri Jathra is a very major and notified festival in this Devasthanam. Lakhs of pilgrims from all corners of the State and from other States also visit this shrine during the Jathra and offer their vows to Lord Raja Rajeshwara. Temple would be opened round the clock during the Jathra.On Mahasivarathri festival day, Maha Lingarchana & Lingodbhavakala Mahanyasa Purvaka Eakadasa Rudrabhisekam would be performed in a befitting manner in adherence to Vedic Injunction at 6.30 P.M. & midnight respectively. The State Government offers Pattu Vastrams to the Presiding deity on this festival day.

Sreerama Navarathrotsavams – Vaisnavate festival would be performed in this temple. On Navami day, Sri Seetharama Chandra Swamy Varla Kalyanotsavam & Rathotsavam would be performed in a grand manner and Lakhs of devotees visit this temple and witness the celebrations. Elaborate arrangements would be made for the convenience of pilgrims.

• Sri siva Kalyanotsavam (5 day festival) 
• Sri Hanuman Jayanthi
• Ganesh Chaturthi
• Devi Navartrulu, Dasara
• Gita Jayanthi
• Deepavali
• Sravana And Karthika Masam
• Sri Thyagaraja Aaradhanotsvam
• Sri Sankara Jayanthi.

Temple Timings :

DAILY PUJAS AND SEVAS OFFERED TO THE DEITY

Mangala Vaidyam	from 4.00 AM to 4.10 AM
Suprabhata Seva	from 4.10 AM to 4.30 AM
Prabhata Harathi	at 4.35 AM
Aalaya Suddhi [Cleaning]	from 4.35 AM to 5.00 AM
Gomatha Puja & Kode Puja	from 5.00 AM to 5.15 AM
Prathakala Puja	from 5.15 AM to 6.15 AM
Nithya Kalyanam	from 10.30 A.M. to 12.30 P.M.
Madhyanhika Puja & Nivedana & Anna Puja.	from 11.40 AM to 12.10 PM

Note: During Monday, Masa Sivarathri & Sani Thrayodasi days, Madhyanhika Puja & Nivedana & Anna Puja would be performed from 2.30 PM to 3.00 PM

Pradosakala Puja	from 6.00 PM to 7.00 PM
Nishikala Puja	from 9.00 PM to 10.00 PM
Pavalimpu Seva	from 10.00 PM to 10.20 PM & temple would be closed

Note: During Mondays which are not covered with the Thithi i.e., Eakadasi, Dwadashi, Sankramana, Masa Sivarathri, Bahula Astami etc., Eakantha Seva would be performed to the deity.

TIMINGS FOR DARSANAM & ARJITHA SEVAS:

Sarva Darsanam	from 4.35 AM to 5.00 AM
Dharma Darsanam & Abhisekam	from 6.15 AM to 11. 30 AM
Darsanam & Anna Puja	from 12.10 PM to 2.00 PM
Darsanam & Bilvarchana, Sivarchana.	from 2.30 PM to 5.55 PM
Darsanam & Aakula Puja, Maha Puja, Pallaki Seva, Pedda Seva	from 7.10 PM to 9.00 PM

Note: During Monday, Masa Sivarathri and Sani Pradosam, Abhisekam would be performed from 6.15 AM to 2.30 PM & Anna Puja would be performed from 3.00 PM to 5.00 PM and Bilvarchana would not be performed

Sathyanarayana Vratham	from 1.00 PM to 3.00 PM
Kalyanam	from 10.30 AM to 12.30 PM
Maha Lingarchana	from 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM
Kumkuma Puja	from 6.15 AM to 8.30 PM
Kode Mrokkubadi	from 6.15 AM to 8.30 PM
Gandadeepa Archana	from 6.15 AM to 8.30 PM

Note: During Monday and other peak days when the inflow of pilgrims is at very high side Kode Mrokkubadi Puja would be started at 4.30 AM for the convenience of the pilgrims.

Accomodation avaliable at temple premises.

How To Get Here :

Vemulawada is just 35 kms from Karimnagar.Karimnagar is well connected with Trains and Buses.