Sri Chengalamma Temple — Attraction in Andhra Pradesh

Sri Chengalamma Temple, located in Sullurpeta, Andhra Pradesh, is a spiritual gem that beautifully balances tradition with modern amenities, providing a serene and enriching experience for all who visit.

Ambience: From the moment you enter the temple premises, you are enveloped in a sense of tranquility and peace. The temple's architecture is stunning, with intricate carvings and vibrant colors that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region. The serene surroundings, complemented by the gentle sounds of devotional music, create a soothing atmosphere that allows visitors to connect deeply with their spirituality. The lush greenery around the temple adds to the calming ambience, making it a perfect place for meditation and reflection.

Cleanliness: The temple is impeccably maintained, with a strong emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene. The pathways and the main sanctum are spotless, and you can see the staff regularly cleaning and ensuring that the premises remain tidy. This dedication to cleanliness enhances the overall experience and allows devotees to focus on their prayers without any distractions. The restrooms and other facilities are also well-maintained, which is a testament to the temple’s commitment to providing a pleasant experience for all visitors.

Organization: The management of Sri Chengalamma Temple deserves high praise for its exceptional organization. From the queue management during peak hours to the well-planned schedule of rituals and events, everything runs smoothly and efficiently. The staff and volunteers are courteous and helpful, always ready to assist visitors with any queries. Information boards and signs are placed strategically throughout the temple, guiding devotees and ensuring a hassle-free experience. Special arrangements are made during festivals to accommodate the increased number of visitors without compromising on comfort or convenience.

Food: The temple offers delicious and hygienic prasadam to all visitors, which is prepared with great care and devotion. The taste of the food reflects the authenticity of traditional South Indian cuisine, leaving devotees with a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Additionally, the temple’s canteen provides a variety of vegetarian dishes that cater to different tastes, ensuring that every visitor can enjoy a wholesome meal after their spiritual journey.

Accessibility: Sri Chengalamma Temple is easily accessible, with well-connected roads and ample parking facilities for visitors traveling by car. Public transport options are also readily available, making it convenient for devotees from nearby areas and far-off places to visit the temple. The temple is designed to be inclusive, with ramps and wheelchair access ensuring that everyone, including those with mobility challenges, can experience the divine atmosphere without any barriers.

Conclusion: In summary, the Sri Chengalamma Temple is a must-visit for anyone seeking a peaceful and spiritual retreat. With its pristine ambience, commitment to cleanliness, efficient organization, delectable food offerings, and excellent accessibility, the temple provides a divine experience that leaves a lasting impression on every devotee. Whether you are a regular visitor or exploring for the first time, this temple promises a memorable and...

oddess Chengalamma Parameswari manifested herself in the village of Sullurpeta on the Kolkata-Chennai highway and the temple for her was built on the bank of the Kanlangi river. History tells us that it was established during the fourth and fifth centuries. People also refer to her as the village goddess “Tenkali�. With the passage of time, she is being worshiped regularly by devotees as Chengalamma. Devotees turn up in large number to witness “Chengalamma Jatara� (fair) The Village goddess who was called Tankali gained reputation as Sullurpeta Chengalamma Thalli and her idol in the temple faces the sea. Devotees from different parts of the State visit the place and fulfil their vows, referring the goddess as the mother who grants boons liberally. The naturally-formed image of the goddess adorning the hanging roots (vooda) of the banyan tree is really an awe-inspiring spectacle. Legend goes that chengalamma idol was found in the near by river by few boys who were swimming and they brought it to the current location. Periodically there will be celebrations called tirunallu. During this time, thousands of people from surrounding villages take part. During these 'tirunallu',during one day a goat will be tied one end of the pole and will be circled in the air in front of the temple. This process is called "sullu", hence the name Sullurpeta. In addition to the 'sullu', there is also 'teppotsavam' where the idol of Sri Chengalamma will be carried on a "teppa", a boat, in the Kalangi river, which flows near the temple. Tirunallu also involve Mahishasura mardini and fireworks.

Sullurupeta is an important place in Nellore district as it is the gateway to the India's spaceport - Satish Dhawan Space Center, SHAR, Sriharikota, which is 17 km from Sullurpeta.

By Bus : Any bus towards Chennai goes through sullurpeta, vice versa the buses towards Vijawada, Nellore will go through sullurpeta. It is middle of Chennai and Nellore , you will find buses from all major locations. In addition to the govt owned bus service there are so many private bus services between Nellore and Chennai. By train : You can reach temple easily by trains, few super fast trains like Charminar, Hyderabad express, Pinakini trains have stage in sullurpeta , apart from this local trains also operated to Chennai...

ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதுவதற்கு மன்னிக்கவும். dt 7/3/23

We will come back to the Kashi trip review later.

After having our breakfast, we kind of drove steady towards this temple.

We have travelled many times on this route to various destinations and we used to see the arch on the right hand side of the highway. Knew there was a temple but didnt know how popular and powerful it was.

Couple of days back we were travelling on this route and we halted at Kinerra 45 for our lunch, when the owner of the hotel, came and sat with us to have a chit chat and while doing so he was talking about how powerful this temple was.

We felt it was "Amma" himself coming that owner form, asking us, why we havent visited her temple so far. Hence we decided to visit and have a darshan of the Goddess on this pournami day.

There is no dedicated car park, one has to park the car in the main road only. Temple has a nice 7 stage Raja gopuram facing west. Amma faces south. Not sure if we saw a kodimaram in the temple.

Area wise temple is kind of not that big, but very very busy, lot of crowd. Temple also has choultary for devotees who come from far off places to stay. Lot of construction was going on at the time we visited.

The time we entered the temple, it was kind of closed since the morning abhishekam was going on and some one was doing the "Gho Pooja" also. We had to wait for sometime, before the darshan started.

Once we entered the inner sanctum, we noticed that amma sanctum sanctorum was below ground level, (or may be the ground level must have been raised due to road etc) and it was mind blowing to see the sanctum sanctorum plastered with gold sheets all the way to the top.

The sanctum sanctorum was kind of very small but it was very very neat and clean.

We did have a wonderful aarthi darshan even though there was a sizeable crowd. We felt very very happy to have such a darshan of Chengalamma.

Before we finish our small review, one stanza from abhirami andhathi..

மணியே, மணியின் ஒளியே, ஒளிரும் மணிபுனைந்த அணியே, அணியும் அணிக்கழகே, அணுகாதவர்க்குப் பிணியே, பிணிக்கு மருந்தே, அமரர் பெருவிருந்தே. பணியேன் ஒருவரை நின்பத்ம பாதம் பணிந்தபின்னே

Definitely worth a visit if you are travelling on...