Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
The Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam crowns Munigiri, a rocky hill at Yanamalakuduru on the banks of the Krishna river, on the edge of Vijayawada. From the hilltop, devotees enjoy a wide view of the river and the city, and the temple has long been a favourite place of Shiva worship for families of Vijayawada and the surrounding Krishna and Guntur regions. It is best known for its grand Maha Shivaratri Prabhala Utsavam.
Main Deity
The presiding deity is Lord Shiva worshipped as Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy, in the form of a Shiva Lingam revered as self-manifested (Swayambhu). The hill also has shrines of Lord Vinayaka, Nagendra Swamy (the serpent deity) and Sri Ayyappa Swamy, and a tall figure of Sri Anjaneya welcomes devotees.
Sthala Puranam
According to the local sthala purana, the Shiva Lingam on this hill was consecrated by the sage-warrior Parashurama – which is why the Lord is called Rama-Lingeswara. Tradition also holds that a thousand sages once performed long penance on this hill to win Shiva's grace. The hill therefore came to be called Munigiri (the hill of sages), and the village was known as Veyi Munula Kuduru – "the gathering place of a thousand sages" – a name that, over time, became Yanamalakuduru.
The Temple Today
The hilltop shrine is an old place of worship that has been renewed by devotees over the years; its tower (shikharam) was rebuilt in the 1980s with the support of local devotees. A road and steps lead up the hill, and the temple also maintains a goshala (cow shelter).
Festivals
- Maha Shivaratri (February–March): the biggest celebration of the year. Villagers prepare towering prabhas – decorated festival structures some 40 to 50 feet tall, lit with electric lamps and flowers – and carry them in procession around the hill on Shivaratri night, accompanied by drums and devotional music. The festivities continue over the following days with the Kalyanotsavam (celestial wedding) and Vasanthotsavam.
- Karthika Masam (October–November): lamps, abhishekams and special pujas, especially on Mondays.
Temple Timings
- The temple is generally open in the morning and again in the evening.
- Timings change on Maha Shivaratri and other festival days; please check locally.
How to Reach
By Road: Yanamalakuduru is about 8 km from the centre of Vijayawada, close to Patamata and Benz Circle. City buses, autos and taxis reach the foot of the hill easily.
By Train: Vijayawada Junction, one of the busiest railway junctions in India, is about 8 km away.
By Air: the nearest airport is Vijayawada International Airport, Gannavaram (VGA), about 22 km away.
Visitor Information
- Dress code: traditional, modest clothing is recommended.
- Best time: early morning or evening, when the hilltop is cool and the view over the Krishna is at its best.
- Shivaratri: expect very large crowds on Maha Shivaratri night; plan transport in advance.
- Nearby temples: the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam (Kanaka Durga Temple), Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada, and the Sri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Mangalagiri.
- Nearby shrine of the Mother: the Sri Vijaya Rajarajeswari Ammavari Temple, Pedapulipaka, a short drive away.
