Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Valli Devasena Sameta Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple in Attili, Andhra Pradesh, is one of the best-known temples of Lord Subrahmanya in the Godavari delta. Here the Lord is worshipped with his two consorts, Valli and Devasena, and the temple's annual Shashti Tirunallu – celebrated every year since 1928 – is one of the biggest festivals of the region, drawing thousands of devotees from the surrounding villages.
Legend and History
There are several stories of how the temple came to be, and all of them speak of a serpent that was often seen – appearing and then vanishing – on the bund of what was then the village's drinking-water tank. Lord Subrahmanya is widely worshipped in the form of a serpent, and the villagers came together to build a temple for him at that very spot. According to the Subrahmanya Shashti committee, the temple was built in 1910.
The Deity
The presiding image is carved on a single stone (ekasila), showing Lord Subrahmanyeswara together with Valli and Devasena. Devotees pray to him especially for the blessing of children, for relief from sarpa dosha, and for good health.
Shashti Tirunallu
The great festival of the temple is held around Subrahmanya Shashti in the month of Margasira (usually November–December). It has been celebrated on a grand scale every year since 1928:
- The Kalyanam of the Lord with Valli and Devasena is celebrated over nine days, and the whole Tirunallu lasts about fifteen days.
- Processions of the Lord are taken out through the village.
- On Shashti day, free annadanam is offered to all devotees; a dedicated annadana satram was built for this purpose, along with a kalyana mandapam used during the festival.
- The village committees arrange Harikathas, Burrakathas and dramas, and the festival grounds come alive with a fair, exhibitions and stalls, magic shows and circus tents.
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.
- Festival crowds: Attili is very crowded during the Shashti Tirunallu, especially on Shashti day; plan your travel early.
- Etiquette: traditional dress is recommended; remove footwear before entering.
How to Reach
- By Road: Attili is about 13 km from Tanuku and about 24 km from Bhimavaram, with regular APSRTC and private buses; extra buses run during the Shashti festival.
- By Train: the nearest major railway station is Tanuku, about 15 km away by road.
- By Air: the nearest airport is Rajahmundry Airport, Madhurapudi (RJA), about 68 km away by road.
Nearby Temples
About 500 m away is Attili's ancient Shiva temple, the Sri Uma Siddeswara Swamy Temple, linked with Atri Maharshi. Devotees of Lord Subrahmanya in Andhra Pradesh also visit the famous Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple at Mopidevi.
