History, Importance, Interesting Facts, Facilities and Travel Guide of Sri Satya Narayana Swamy Temple, Annavaram, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayanaswamy Temple also famous as Annavaram Temple is located at Annavaram town in east Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is situated on the sacred Ratnagiri hill and devotee can reach by foot step – around 460 or by road. The temple is dedicated to Veera Venkata Satya Narayana or Lord Satya Deva or Lord of truth, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is second most famous sacred shrine of Andhra Pradesh after the Tirupati Balaji Temple. Millions of devotee of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva reach here throughout the year to worship Lord Satya Deva and Shiva. Initially temple was constructed by Raja Ramanarayana in 1891 and the subsequently re constructed in 1933-34 and during 2011-2012.
The presiding deity Lord Satya deva and his consort Sri Anantha Lakshmi on one side and with Lord Shiva on the other side. The Satyanarayana Swamy at Annavaram is also followed by sacred Pampa River touching the feet of the Rantagiri hill. The temple is constructed in the form of the Chariot with the four wheels at each corner. The main sanctum is in two floors and main entrance had been gold plated. The idol is about 13 feet high in a cylindrical form, the base being in the lower sanctum representing Lord Brahma and the top is in the upper sanctum representing Lord Vishnu. The middle portion represents Lord Shiva. The image of the Lord forming a single idol representing the Trimurthis- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva is of unique attraction.
Another key attraction of the temple is Srimanthripathvibhuti Vykunth Maha Narayana Yantra – the unique Yantra. It is placed in ground floor along with the Peetham of the Lord. On the four sides of the yantra, idols of four deities Ganapati, Suryanarayanaswamy, Bala Tripurasundari and Maheswaraswamy are installed. On the 1st floor idols of Lord Satyanarayana swamy in the centre, Goddess Anantha Lakshmi on the right and Lord Shiva on the left are placed. Sun dial or shadow clock is installed on the Ratnagiri hill which used to cast a shadow over them following the movement of the sun. There is also a temple of Sri Rama and the shrines of Vanadurga and Kanaka Durga nearby main shrine. The temple of gramadevatha (village deity) is worshiped in the village at the foot of the hill.
As per the legend, it is said that food was distributed continuously in this place thus it became famous as Annavaram (Annam means food in Telugu). It is also believed that Ratnagiri hillock is second son of sacred Hill Meru, Ratnakar did great penance of supreme Lord Shree Vishnu and get the blessing. Thus Lord Satya dev decided to settle here on Ratnagiri hill at Annavaram.
The people celebrated a Vrat or a festival called Sri Satya Narayana Vratham throughout India for wealth, education, prosperity, relief from troubles and sickness and success in business.
As thousands of devotee visit here across the India, thus temple trust manages all required facilities for pilgrims. This includes accommodation, canteen, transport service, lockers, medical service etc. Trust also manages the various social and spiritual activities, free education, Gaushala and dispensary service. Devotee can perform various Puja Rituals in temple campus like Sri Swamy Vari Vratham, Ayush Homam, Chandi Homam on Every Friday etc.
How to reach Sri Satya Narayana Swamy Temple, Annavaram – There are frequent buses available from major cities of the state. You can also hire private vehicles to reach the temple. Annavaram Railway Station is just at a distance of 3.2 kms. The nearest Airport is Vishakhapatnam Airport at a distance of 120kms.
