Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple in Vemulawada, dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Raja Rajeshwara, is also known as “Dakshina Kasi” (Southern Banaras) and “Harihara Kshetram”. Spanning about 5 acres, the temple is set by the sacred Dharmagundam tank in Rajanna Sircilla district. Constructed in Chalukya architecture, it draws pilgrims from all over India.
Mythological Importance
One story tells of Raja Narendra, a Chalukya king, who killed a sage’s son by mistake and got leprosy. Lord Shiva and Goddess Raja Rajeshwari appeared in his dream, telling him to bathe in the Dharmagundam tank and build a temple with a Shiva Lingam from its bed. He was cured and followed the command, making the shrine holy. Another tale says Surya, the Sun God, prayed here and was healed, earning the temple the name Bhaskara Kshethram. Indra, king of gods, also purified himself here from a curse, Puranas say. The Neela Lohitha Shiva Lingam, known for granting wishes, makes Vemulawada a key Shiva shrine, called Dakshina Kasi, or Southern Banaras.
Historical Overview
The temple’s history goes back to 750–973 CE, built by Raja Narendra of the Vemulawada Chalukyas, who ruled the region, inscriptions say. Vemulawada, 150 km from Hyderabad, was their capital, called Lemulavatika in rock-cut records. The temple grew under Chalukya kings, who added halls, old writings show. In the 11th century, Kannada poet Pampa lived here, dedicating his Kannada Bharatha to king Arikesari II, while Telugu poet Bheemakavi is also linked to the site, local tales note.
In the 1300s, invasions hit, but priests kept the Lingam safe. Vijayanagara kings in the 1400s restored rituals, temple logs say. In the 1700s, local chiefs supported it, and Hyderabad’s Nizams protected it in the 1800s, records note. After 1947, Telangana’s Endowments Department took over, making it a major shrine in 1992.
Temple Structure and Design
The Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple in Vemulawada, Telangana, is constructed in Chalukya style architecture. The gopuram, with tall towers, has stone carvings of Shiva with his trident, Parvati with lotuses, and celestial dancers, painted in cream and gold. A stone gate with vine patterns leads to the sanctum, where the Neela Lohitha Shiva Lingam sits, flanked by Raja Rajeshwari Devi on the right and Lakshmi Ganapathi on the left, under a stepped vimana glowing with oil lamps. The sanctum’s walls, smoothed by time, hold faint Chalukya etchings of Shiva’s dance, sacred and old.
The complex has many shrines: Anantha Padmanabha Swamy, Seetharama Chandra Swamy, and Anjaneya with Kasi Visweswara, all in Vaishnava style, making it a Harihara Kshetram. Other shrines include Dakshina Murthy, Subramanya Swamy, Bala Tripura Sundari, Someshwaralayam, Uma Maheshwaralayam, Mahisasura Mardhani, and Kala Bhairava, carved from granite with open roofs. A Dargah in the complex shows unity, a rare feature. The Kotilingalu shrine, with many small lingams, adds mystic air.
Set by Dharmagundam tank, the temple has three mandapas on the water, with a Shiva statue in the middle. The courtyard, paved with granite, feels holy, shaded by neem trees. The tank’s waters, used for ritual baths, are believed to heal, with edges showing Chalukya fish carvings. Low walls have niches for Naga deities, guarding the grounds. Carvings on pillars show Shiva’s tales—his marriage to Parvati, his fight with demons—etched to guide devotees.
Rituals and Festivals
Maha Shivaratri, in February or March, is the biggest festival celebrated here, with Maha Lingaarchana by many priests and Kode Mokku, where devotees walk a bull around the temple for wishes. Sreerama Navami in March or April has Seetharama Kalyanam and chariot walks, drawing lakhs. Navarathri, Deepavali, Hanuman Jayanti, and Ugadi are also big, with lamps and chants. Daily worship includes Chatukala Pujas—Prathakala, Madhyahnika, Pradosakala, and Nishikala—for Shiva, Raja Rajeshwari, and Ganapathi. Sevas like Abhishekam (150 rupees) and Shiva Kalyanam (1000 rupees) can be booked online or at the office. A prasad stall gives free jaggery sweets to devotees.
Kode Mokku is a unique ritual where devotees circle the temple with a bull, Shiva’s vehicle, believing it fulfills wishes. The temple keeps oxen for this, and some are given to poor farmers, logs say. Rituals in the main shrine follow Smartha Agama, while Vaishnava shrines use Pancharathra Agama.
Information for Travelers
Hours and Entry: Open daily, 4:00 AM to 10:20 PM. Entry is free, but sevas cost 100-1000 rupees.
Clothing: Wear modest clothes covering shoulders and knees. Men doing rituals wear dhotis, often bare-chested, as custom.
How to Get There:
Air: Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, 194 km away, is nearest. Taxis take 3.5 hours, costing 3000-4000 rupees.
Train: Karimnagar Railway Station, 38 km away, links to Hyderabad (3 hours). Autos to the temple cost 200-300 rupees.
Road: Vemulawada is 150 km from Hyderabad. Buses from Hyderabad’s Jubilee Bus Stand (3 hours) stop at Vemulawada, 1 km away. Autos cost 20-50 rupees.
Places to Stay: Vemulawada has choultries like Rajeshwarapuram (750 rupees) and Sri Nandeeshwara Complex (350 rupees). Hotels like Sri Lakshmi (500-1000 rupees) are available. Karimnagar, 38 km away, has more options. Stalls sell idli, dosa, and tea.
Best Time to Visit: October to March has cool weather, 20-30°C. Monsoon (July-September) is scenic but wet. Weekdays are calm; Shivaratri and Navami bring crowds, so book early.
Nearby Attractions: Sri Bhimeshwara Swamy Temple, 1 km away, shows fine Chalukya work. Baddi Pochamma Temple and Nampally Gutta are also close, adding to the spiritual trip.
Final Thoughts
The Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple in Vemulawada is one of the finest temples in Telengana preserving the ancient heritage of South India attracting thousands of devotees from all across India making it a must see temple.
