Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Kesava Swamy Temple in Tanuku, Andhra Pradesh, is the best-known temple of the town, dedicated to Lord Kesava – Lord Vishnu. It stands in the Timmarajupuram area of the old town, near Muppala Ranga Raman Road, and is counted among the Pancha Kesava Kshetras – the five sacred Kesava temples of the Godavari region.
The Pancha Kesava Kshetras
Just as the Godavari delta is famous for the five Shiva shrines of the Pancharamas, local tradition honours five temples of Lord Kesava along the river's course. They are at Tanuku, Mandapaka, Kotalaparru, Ryali and Vakatippa – though some accounts name Duvva in place of Vakatippa. Of these, the Sri Jaganmohini Kesava Swamy Temple at Ryali is the most widely known. Many devotees make a pilgrimage to all five, and the Kesava temple in the heart of Tanuku is a natural starting point.
Tanuku and the Tarakasura Legend
According to the sthala puranas of the region, the land of present-day Tanuku was once the capital of Tarakasura, the king of the asuras, and local accounts say that traces connected with this story have been found in the surrounding area. Tarakasura is also the asura of the Pancharama legend: after he was slain by Lord Kumaraswamy, the Shiva Linga he wore broke into five pieces, which fell at the five Pancharama Kshetras – among them Palakollu and Bhimavaram, both close to Tanuku. In this way Tanuku stands at the meeting point of the Shaiva and Vaishnava sacred geography of the Godavari delta.
About the Temple
The temple's founding year has not been published. Today it is the most celebrated temple of Tanuku and a centre of daily worship for the town, drawing devotees especially on Saturdays and on the festivals of Lord Vishnu.
Festivals
- Vaikuntha Ekadasi – the most important festival for Vishnu temples, when devotees pass through the Uttara Dwaram (northern gateway) for darshan (usually December–January).
- Dhanurmasam – a month of special early-morning worship of Lord Vishnu (usually mid-December to mid-January).
- Saturdays – the weekly day especially dear to devotees of Lord Vishnu.
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.
- Getting around: the temple is in the busy old town; walking or an autorickshaw from the railway station is easiest.
- Etiquette: traditional dress is recommended; remove footwear before entering.
How to Reach
- By Train: Tanuku railway station is less than 1 km away.
- By Road: Tanuku is well connected by APSRTC buses with Rajamahendravaram, Bhimavaram, Eluru and Vijayawada.
- By Air: the nearest airport is Rajahmundry Airport, Madhurapudi (RJA), about 54 km away by road.
Nearby Temples
In Tanuku itself, the Ganesh Chowk Temple is less than 1 km away, and the Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Palangi, whose Shiva Linga always rests under water, is about 3 km away. The fellow Pancha Kesava Kshetra at Ryali is about 30 km from Tanuku. About 500 m away is the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Venkatarayapuram, and about 2 km away in Sajjapuram is the Sri Uma Someswara Swamy Temple.
