Sri Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana Swamy Vari Devasthanam Annavaram — Attraction in Andhra Pradesh

This is the original place Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy appeared under a soapnut tree.

"Moolatho Brahma roopaya Madhayathashca Maheswaram Agrathah Vishnuroopaya Traika roopayathenamaha"

The lord Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy is a form of Trinity like that of Dattatreya, with Lord Brahma at the base, Lord Shiva in the middle and Lord Vishnu at the top.

This sacred Hindu pilgrim center is located on a hilltop called Ratnagiri. There´s a story how the name Ratnagiri came to be called. Meruvu, the lord of the hills and his consort Menaka did great penance and begot two sons by the grace of Lord Vishnu. One was named Bhadra and the other Ratnakar. Bhadra pleased Lord Vishnu with his devotion and penance and with His grace became Bhadrachalam on which Lord Sri Rama had permanently settled. Ratnakara desired to emulate his brother and succeeded in pleasing Lord Vishnu by his penance and with His grace became Ratnagiri (hill) on which Lord Sri Vishnu settled on him as Lord Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy. Later, a temple was built in 1891 by Sri I.V. Ramanarayana, a zamindar, as said to have been commanded by the Lord in his dream. The idol was traced from the hill and placed at the current spot which we now know as Annavaram.

There is also a myth related to the place as how the idol was discovered. It is said that the Lord Vishnu himself came into the dreams of a villager named Earanki Prakasam and told him that his Vigraha (idol) was lying on the Ratnagiri hill, under a tree, unattended and abandoned. He told him to trace it and sanctify it again. That villager informed this very fact to Sri Raja I.V.Ramanarayanam, the then landlord of Gorsa and Kirlampudi estates. The landlord with the help of villagers acted accordingly and found the idol underneath a tree on the hill.

The Temple is built in the dravidian style and the glory and richness of lord satyadeva was widely described in revakhanda of skandhapuranam. The presiding deity is lord satyadeva with his consort sri anantha lakshmi on one side and with lord siva on the other side. He has taken a beautiful manifested form of the divine trinity namely hari hara hiranya garbha thrimurtyatmaka. This place is enriched by the installation of srimathripathvibhuti vykhunta maha narayana yantra, which plays a dominant and important role with the power of attraction of money (dhana janakarsha). The peetham of swamy varu is highly adorned with the installation of panchayatana befitting the glory and sanctity of the deity. The main temple constructed in the form of a chariot with the four wheels at each of the four corners. The akriti of this temple is, according to the agni purana, merely a manifestation of the prakriti. According to this the chariot of the temple is intended as a symbol of the seven lokas and the seven lokhas above with, the garbhalaya of the lord, at the hearts center ruling over the entire universe. The wheels depicting the sun and the moon serve to remind us that this juggernaut (jagannath´s chariot) moves on the wheels of time, and goes on forever and ever, thus, the annavaram temple satisfies both the ritualistic values and the spiritual aspirations of the devotees. The shrine is constructed in two storeys, the lower one containing the yantra and upper one housing vigrahas of the lord. The idol which is about 4 metres; about 13 feet high is in...

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the Annavaram Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple: 🕉️ Overview & Deity

Location: Perched atop Ratnagiri Hill (~300 ft elevation) in Annavaram, Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh, overlooking the sacred Pampa River .

Deity: Lord Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy – a unique Trimūrti idol combining Brahmā (base), Śiva (middle), and Viṣṇu (top) . Accompanied by Goddess Anantha Lakshmi and Lord Shiva .

Spiritual Role: Devotees believe it fulfills wishes during rituals like Satyanarayana Vratham, particularly for wealth, health, marriage, and children . 🏛️ History & Architecture

Origin: Initially consecrated in 1891, rebuilt circa 1933–34 .

Legend: According to Sthāla Purāṇa, the hillock is Ratnakar from Meru and Menaka’s penance; idol rediscovered by Brahmin Earanki Prakasam per divine dream .

Design: Dravidian style, chariot-shaped with four symbolic wheels, two-storied sanctum, gold‑plated entrance & Gopuram .

Special Yantra: Houses the rare Srimath Tripathvibhuti Vykhunta Maha Narayana Yantra on the ground floor, revered for “Dhana Janakarṣa” (attracting wealth) .

⛅ Visiting & Rituals

Access: Reachable via ~460 stone steps or a ghat road. Footsteps preferred by devotees for spiritual tapas .

How to Reach:

By road: Buses every 30 min from Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Tuni along NH16.

By train: Annavaram Station (~2–3 km away) on Howrah–Chennai line .

Temple Timings: Typically open from ~4:30 AM to 9 PM with interval breaks; darshan in morning, afternoon & evening—check before visits .

Major Sevas:

Satyanarayana Vratham – daily at approx. 7 AM & 5:30 PM .

Nitya Kalyānam – divine wedding daily around 9:30–11:30 AM, ticket ~₹1,000 .

Archana, Abhiṣheka, Annādāna etc. with ticketed offerings; online booking available .

🎉 Festivals & Highlights

Festivals:

Chaitra Śuddha Padyami (Telugu New Year)

Sita-Rama Kalyānam

Krishna Jayanti & Lord’s Jayanthi (Sravana)

Ganapati Navaratri, Sarannavaratri, Kanaka Durga Jatara

Giripradakṣinam, Dīp-Jvāla Toranam in Karthika month .

Mela: Held at foot of hill—Teppa Utsavam (float festival) and Jwalā-tōranam light ceremony .

🏨 Facilities & Accommodation

On‑site lodging includes cottages, choultries, VIP rooms, guesthouses (~₹50–₹1,500/night) .

Amenities: cloakroom for mobile & camera, vehicle parking uphill, security checks .

📢 Recent News

A local businessman donated a diamond necklace (122 g, 174 diamonds, ₹19 lakh) for Goddess Anantha Lakshmi at the temple—a new attraction drawing devotees .

✨ Why It’s Special

Rare inclusion of Trimūrti (Brahma‑Śiva‑Viṣṇu) in one idol.

Unique Maha‑Narayana Yantra reputed for prosperity.

Scenic hill‑top setting, panoramic views & spiritual ambiance.

Major pilgrimage draw—second only to Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh .

✅ Planning Your Visit

Reach early (5–6 AM) to avoid crowds and catch sunrise views.

Book special sevas (Vratham/Kalyānam) online in advance (via official Meeseva portal).

Wear modest attire; steps may be steep—comfortable footwear advised.

Don’t miss taking a dip in Pampa River and exploring nearby shrines (Rama, Vana Durga, Kanaka Durga).

Combine with visits to Rajahmundry, Kakinada, and Simhachalam if planning a...

Very peaceful environment. System for darshan is very good and well managed. Mobiles are not allowed inside the temple.

Sri Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana Swamy Vari Devasthanam, commonly known as Annavaram Temple, is a renowned Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana Swamy. It is located in Annavaram, a village in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Here are the key aspects of the temple and its significance:

Historical and Spiritual Significance: The primary deity of the temple is Lord Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple also houses deities of Goddess Anantha Lakshmi Satyavathi Ammavaru, consort of Lord Sathyanarayana Swamy.

According to legend, the temple's origin dates back to the Treta Yuga. It is believed that the temple was built following the divine instructions received by a local devotee named Earanki Prakasam, who discovered a self-manifested (Swayambhu) idol of the deity on Ratnagiri Hill.

The temple is situated on the Ratnagiri Hill, about 460 feet above sea level. The main sanctum is a two-storied structure with the lower floor housing the deities and the upper floor consisting of a Vimana (tower) depicting the forms of the divine trinity - Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

The temple architecture is a blend of South Indian and Dravidian styles, characterized by its grand gopuram (tower), intricate carvings, and spacious halls.

The most significant ritual performed here is the Satyanarayana Vratam, a special puja dedicated to Lord Sathyanarayana Swamy. Devotees believe that performing this ritual brings prosperity, happiness, and success.

The temple follows a strict schedule of daily rituals, including Suprabhata Seva, Nitya Kalyanam (daily marriage ceremony of the deities), and other regular offerings. Major festivals like Kalyanam (divine wedding), Rathotsavam (chariot festival), and Devi Navaratri are celebrated with great fervor, attracting thousands of devotees.

Annavaram is well-connected by road and rail. The nearest railway station is Annavaram Railway Station, and the temple is easily accessible from major cities like Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam.The Devasthanam provides various accommodation options for pilgrims, including cottages, guest houses, and dormitories. Booking facilities are available online and on-site.

The temple can be visited throughout the year, but the months during major festivals and the cooler season from October to March are considered the best times. The temple complex is equipped with modern amenities like prasadam counters, dining halls, and transportation facilities to the hilltop.

The Devasthanam is involved in various philanthropic activities, including providing free meals (Anna Prasadam) to devotees, conducting educational programs, and supporting healthcare initiatives.

Visiting Sri Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana Swamy Vari Devasthanam in Annavaram is a spiritually enriching experience, offering devotees a chance to seek the blessings of Lord Sathyanarayana Swamy and participate in the vibrant cultural and religious life...