Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Chaturbhuja Kesava Swamy Temple, popularly called the Mandapaka Keshava Temple, stands in the village of Mandapaka, about 4 km west of Tanuku in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the Pancha Kesava Kshetras – the five sacred temples of Lord Kesava (Vishnu) in the Godavari region – and is especially revered for its link with the sage Mandavya, after whom the village is named.
Sthala Puranam (Legend)
According to the sthala purana, the sage Mandavya Maharshi performed long penance here, on the bank of a sacred pond, and continued to live here after his prayers were fulfilled. The place therefore came to be known as Mandavya Kshetra, a name that in the course of time became Mandapaka. Tradition holds that the temple of Lord Kesava was established by Mandavya himself, and the priests say with pride that the image worshipped today is the very one he installed.
The Deity
The presiding deity is Chaturbhuja Kesava Swamy – the four-armed Kesava – carved in granite and installed on a pedestal about five feet high. The Lord stands upright, holding the conch Panchajanya, a lotus, the discus Sudarshana Chakra and the mace Kaumodaki, with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side. The temple also has images of the sages Sanaka and Sanandana, which are worshipped with great reverence – such representations are rarely seen in temples.
The Temple
The temple is built in the Dravidian style, with several smaller shrines for the attendant deities (parivara devatas) around the main sanctum. Worship is offered according to the Agamas. Mandapaka also has an old Shiva temple, the Someswara Alayam, which stands in the middle of the village, and the Sri Ellaramma (Yellaramma) Ammavari Temple, whose spring Vasantotsavalu are famous across the region. The village is also the birthplace of the celebrated Telugu poet Devarakonda Balagangadhara Tilak, author of Amrutham Kurisina Ratri.
The Pancha Kesava Kshetras
The five Kesava temples of the region are at Mandapaka, Tanuku, Kotalaparru, Ryali and a fifth place that some accounts give as Duvva and others as Vakatippa. Of these, Mandapaka is said to draw special devotion because of its association with Mandavya Maharshi.
Festivals
- Kalyanotsavam and Rathotsavam – the temple's annual festival (Tirunallu) in the month of Phalguna (usually February–March), with the celestial wedding of the Lord, the car festival and the Garuda Vahana Seva, drawing thousands of devotees.
- Karthika Masam – special pujas through the month (usually October–November).
- Dhanurmasam – special early-morning worship (usually mid-December to mid-January).
- Vaikuntha Ekadasi – darshan of the Lord on this most sacred day for Vishnu temples (usually December–January).
Visitor Information
- Timings: official timings are not published; the temple is usually open in the morning and evening. Please check locally before a special visit.
- Crowds: the Phalguna Kalyanotsavam and car festival are the busiest time of the year.
- Etiquette: traditional dress is recommended; remove footwear before entering.
How to Reach
- By Road: Mandapaka is about 4 km from Tanuku; autorickshaws are easily available from the town. Tanuku is well connected by APSRTC buses with Rajamahendravaram, Bhimavaram, Eluru and Vijayawada.
- By Train: Tanuku railway station is about 4 km away.
- By Air: the nearest airport is Rajahmundry Airport, Madhurapudi (RJA), about 59 km away by road.
Nearby Temples
In Tanuku, about 4 km away, are the fellow Pancha Kesava Kshetra Sri Kesava Swamy Temple and the Sri Uma Someswara Swamy Temple, Sajjapuram. The Pancha Kesava temple at Ryali is about 35 km away.
