Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is a neighbourhood temple of Lord Venkateswara – Srinivasa, the Lord of the Seven Hills – in the Venkatarayapuram area of Tanuku, Andhra Pradesh. Close to the railway station and to the town's other old temples, it brings the worship of the Tirumala Lord to the doorstep of local families who cannot always make the long pilgrimage to Tirumala.
About the Temple
The temple's founding year and history have not been published. Like many Venkateswara temples in the towns of the Godavari delta, it is a place of daily worship for the surrounding community, and draws its largest gatherings on Saturdays – the day especially dedicated to Lord Venkateswara – and on the major Vaishnava festivals.
Lord Venkateswara
Lord Venkateswara is worshipped as the form of Lord Vishnu who came to dwell on the Seven Hills of Tirumala to bless devotees in the Kali Yuga. Devotees pray to him for the removal of difficulties, for prosperity and for the fulfilment of vows, and many offer their hair, tulasi garlands or special sevas in gratitude. Neighbourhood temples like this one let devotees offer daily prayers to the Lord close to home.
Festivals
- Vaikuntha Ekadasi – the most important festival for Vishnu temples, when devotees seek darshan through the Uttara Dwaram (northern gateway) (usually December–January).
- Dhanurmasam – a month of early-morning worship with the recitation of the Tiruppavai (usually mid-December to mid-January).
- Saturdays – the weekly day of special worship of Lord Venkateswara, and especially the Saturdays of the month of Shravana (usually July–August).
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: Saturdays and Vaikuntha Ekadasi are the busiest days.
- 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; autorickshaws are available in town.
- By Air: the nearest airport is Rajahmundry Airport, Madhurapudi (RJA), about 54 km away by road.
Nearby Temples
Within walking distance in Tanuku are the Sri Kesava Swamy Temple, one of the Pancha Kesava Kshetras (about 500 m), and the Ganesh Chowk Temple (about 1 km). Devotees of Lord Venkateswara in the region also visit the Vadapalli Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple (about 35 km) and Dwaraka Tirumala, the "Chinna Tirupati" (about 70 km).
