Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
The Sri Vijaya Rajarajeswari Ammavari Temple is a peaceful shrine of the Divine Mother at Pedapulipaka, a village on the outskirts of Vijayawada near the banks of the Krishna river. Devotees from Pedapulipaka, Yanamalakuduru, Penamaluru and the eastern parts of Vijayawada come here to seek the blessings of the Goddess, who is lovingly called Ammavaru – the Mother.
Main Deity – Sri Rajarajeswari
The presiding deity is Goddess Sri Rajarajeswari, whose name means "the Supreme Queen of all kings". She is a gracious form of Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari, the Divine Mother praised in the Lalitha Sahasranamam and worshipped through the Sri Chakra. She is traditionally pictured holding a noose and a goad, with a bow of sugarcane and arrows of flowers – symbols of her power to bind attachment, guide the mind, and fill life with sweetness and devotion. The word Vijaya (victory) in the temple's name reflects her blessing of success over obstacles.
Devotees in this region feel a special closeness to this form of the Mother: at the nearby Sri Kanaka Durga Temple on Indrakeeladri, Goddess Kanaka Durga is decorated as Sri Rajarajeswari Devi on Vijayadasami, the final day of the Dasara celebrations.
Worship and Festivals
- Devi Navaratri / Dasara (September–October): the most important season for any temple of the Divine Mother, with special decorations (alankarams), Kumkuma pujas and recitation of the Lalitha Sahasranamam.
- Fridays and Pournami (full moon): days considered especially auspicious for the Goddess, when more devotees visit and offer kumkuma archana.
- Karthika Masam (October–November): lamps are lit in the evenings.
Temple Timings
- The temple is generally open in the morning until about noon, and again in the evening.
- Timings may change on festival days; please check locally.
How to Reach
By Road: Pedapulipaka is about 12 km from the centre of Vijayawada, beyond Yanamalakuduru. City buses, autos and taxis are available from Vijayawada.
By Train: Vijayawada Junction is about 13 km away.
By Air: the nearest airport is Vijayawada International Airport, Gannavaram (VGA), about 25 km away.
Visitor Information
- Dress code: traditional, modest clothing is recommended.
- Offerings: devotees commonly offer kumkuma, flowers, bangles and sarees to the Goddess.
- Nearby temples: combine your visit with the Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam on Munigiri hill, Yanamalakuduru, and the Sri Kanaka Durga Temple on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada.
