Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Pydithalli Ammavari Temple in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, is the temple of Sri Pydithalli Ammavaru (Pydimamba) – the gramadevata, or guardian goddess, of Vizianagaram. She is the protecting Mother of the town and of the whole north Andhra region, and her annual Sirimanotsavam – when the temple priest is carried high above the crowds on the tip of a tall wooden pole – is one of the most spectacular festivals of Andhra Pradesh, drawing lakhs of devotees.
The Legend of Pydithalli
According to local tradition, Pydithalli was the sister of Vijaya Rama Raju of the Pusapati family, the ruler of Vizianagaram, in the 18th century. At the time of the Bobbili war of 1757, while she herself lay ill, she learned that her brother had died, and she told her companions that she would merge with the village goddess. Later her image was found by fishermen in the waters of the Pedda Cheruvu, the great tank near the fort of Vizianagaram, and a temple was built for her. Since then she has been worshipped as the Mother who watches over the town.
The Two Temples
- Chaduru Gudi – the main temple, on MG Road near the Three Lanterns junction in the heart of Vizianagaram, close to the fort. Most devotees come here for darshan.
- Vanam Gudi – the first temple built for the Goddess, beside the Pedda Cheruvu tank, near Vizianagaram railway station, where her image is said to have been found.
The Sirimanotsavam
The greatest festival of the Goddess is the Sirimanotsavam, held on the first Tuesday after Vijayadashami (usually October), as the high point of a month of festivities that begin in Aswayuja during Navaratri:
- Pandirata – the festivities open with this ceremony at the temple, and the priest and many devotees take up a mandala deeksha.
- Tolella Utsavam – on the evening before the main day, the Goddess receives special worship.
- The Sirimanu procession – the Sirimanu, a tall wooden pole about sixty feet long, is carried three times between the Vizianagaram fort and the temple, with the priest seated at its tip as the living presence of the Goddess. It is accompanied by the white-elephant chariot and the Anjali chariot. Tradition holds that each year the Goddess shows the priest in a dream the tree from which the Sirimanu is to be made.
- Teppotsavam and other rituals follow, ending with the completion of the deeksha.
Worship
Devotees offer turmeric, kumkum, saris and lamps to Ammavaru in fulfilment of their vows, and pray to her for the protection and well-being of their families. Tuesdays and Fridays are especially dear to the Goddess.
Visitor Information
- Timings: official timings are not published; the temple is usually open from early morning to night. Please check locally, especially in the festival season.
- Sirimanotsavam crowds: the town is extremely crowded on the festival day; roads near the fort are closed for the procession, so plan to walk and arrive early.
- Etiquette: traditional dress is recommended; remove footwear before entering.
How to Reach
- By Road: the Chaduru Gudi is in the centre of Vizianagaram on MG Road, near the Three Lanterns junction; Vizianagaram is about 60 km from Visakhapatnam with frequent APSRTC buses.
- By Train: Vizianagaram Junction is about 3 km away.
- By Air: the nearest airport is Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram (VTZ), about 32 km away by road.
Nearby Temples
Pilgrims in north Andhra also visit Simhachalam (about 50 km), the Sun temple at Arasavalli and the Kurma temple at Srikurmam.