Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swami Temple, Vemulawada — Attraction in Telangana

⭐️⭐️ Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swami Temple – Vemulawada: A Spiritual Place with Deep Management & Ethical Issues

Hi all, I visited Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swami Temple - Vemulawada with my father, mother, younger sister, and my favorite — my pet dog, Sweety (Indian Pomeranian) after a peaceful darshan at Sri Vidya Saraswathi Shani Temple - Wargal.

Unfortunately, my experience here was quite distressing due to poor management, misbehavior by locals, lack of basic facilities, and most importantly — a heartbreaking incident involving animal abuse inside the temple premises.

🚧 1. Entrance & Signage Issues The main road leading to the temple was blocked, and there were no clear signboards or police assistance to guide devotees. The entrance routes were confusing and left us struggling to find our way to the temple.

🚗 2. Parking Chaos There is ample open space, but no sheds, no trees, and no shade — even in intense afternoon heat. I tried to park near a shaded area beside some shops because my pet was in the car, but rude shopkeepers came out, shouted, tapped aggressively on my car window, and behaved in a threatening way.

I had to let my family proceed to darshan while I spent an hour searching for a shaded parking spot. This was very distressing and disrespectful, especially when you're coming for spiritual peace.

💸 3. Premium Darshan (₹300) There was no clear signage for the ticket counter. With help from a policeman, I finally found the ticket counter hidden inside an RMO office. Even after getting the ticket, no proper directions were given. After much confusion, I managed to find the entry point and completed my darshan in 15 minutes.

⏳ 4. Free Darshan Experience (My Family) My family had opted for free darshan, expecting it to take an hour or two. Shockingly, they were stuck in the same queue for over 5 hours, due to negligence by the police and temple staff, who were repeating the same line for regular devotees while allowing VIPs and businessmen to bypass the system.

This kind of behavior is deeply disappointing and goes against the values of Sanatana Dharma.

🐂 5. Heartbreaking Nandi Abuse (Must Read) Inside the temple, there is a sampradayam (tradition) where devotees pay ₹200 to take the sacred Nandi (bull) and walk around the temple.

To my shock, I witnessed that the caretakers were not feeding the bulls, yet they were forcing them to walk repeatedly, even when they were clearly in distress and crying. Worst of all, I saw caretakers beating the bulls, and some devotees — including children — were also encouraged to hit them, cheered on by shameless parents.

This was heartbreaking and absolutely disgusting. How can people claim to be devotees of Lord Shiva, the protector of Nandi and all creatures, and then abuse animals in his name?

To those people: No God will bless you if you harm animals or nature. Such acts will never lead to moksha — only karma and suffering. Honestly, at that moment I felt ashamed of being human. We are the only species capable of cruelty for no reason. Even I felt worthless as a human witnessing that scene.

🌳 6. Suggestions to Management Plant trees and install shaded parking areas — for people and pets.

Add clear signboards and directions to help first-time visitors.

Train shopkeepers and staff to treat devotees respectfully.

Stop animal abuse in the name of tradition. Treat sacred animals with dignity.

Ensure fair darshan opportunities for all — not just VIPs.

Despite the temple's ancient and spiritual significance, the mismanagement, cruelty, and disrespectful behavior by both authorities and devotees ruined what should have been a peaceful visit.

Har Har Mahadev...

Vemulawada Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple is one of the most sacred and historically rich Shiva temples in Telangana, located in Rajanna Sircilla district. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy, and is believed to have been constructed between 750–973 CE by the Chalukyas of Vemulawada. The architectural style is a beautiful blend of Chalukyan and Kakatiya elements with intricate stone carvings and spacious pillared halls.

The temple complex includes Dharma Gundam, a sacred tank where devotees take a holy dip before darshan. The main deity is flanked by Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi and Sri Lakshmi Sahitha Siddi Vinayaka. A unique offering here is “Kode Mokku”, where devotees offer a bull as a vow fulfillment ritual. The temple holds great significance, especially for Shaivites, and attracts pilgrims, scholars, and poets — playing an important role in the region’s spiritual and literary culture.

Major festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Sri Rama Navami, Dasara, and Karthika Masam are celebrated grandly with lakhs of devotees, cultural events, and spiritual activities.

Now, sharing my personal experience:

As I reached Vemulawada Bus Station, plenty of autos were available charging ₹20 per person to reach the temple. Rooms in the range of ₹400–₹500 are easily available near the temple. We directly went to the Dharma Gundam with our luggage, took a holy dip, and used the changing rooms available for ladies. There is also a locker facility where we stored two large bags for ₹70.

Inside the temple, photography is not allowed, which maintains the sanctity of the space. We also saw cows within the temple premises, and as per Hindu belief, taking their blessings added to the divine feel. The overall atmosphere was very spiritual and peaceful. After darshan, we received Laddu prasadam (₹10 each) and left the temple with a heart full of peace and devotion.

Truly, a must-visit temple for anyone seeking divine blessings and a connection with ancient...

The revered Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swami Temple, a centuries-old sacred shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, is nestled in the heart of Vemulawada, a quaint town in the Rajanna Sircilla district of Telangana. This ancient temple is a beacon of spirituality, attracting devotees from far and wide who seek the blessings of the mighty Lord Shiva.

One of the most significant aspects of worship at this temple is the Kodela Seva, a sacred ritual that holds great importance in the eyes of the devotees. This seva is a testament to the deep-rooted traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations.

The temple complex is also home to a beautiful dargah, a symbol of communal harmony and mutual respect. This unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture is a reflection of the region's rich cultural heritage, where people of different faiths come together to celebrate their shared values and traditions.

For those planning to visit this sacred shrine, various sevas (puja details) and accommodation facilities are available. Devotees can book these services and inquire about more details at the CRO office, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience.

As one partakes in the sacred rituals and receives the blessings of Lord Shiva, the laddu prasadam and pulihora offered at the temple are a treat to the senses. These traditional delicacies are not only a delight to the taste buds but also a reminder of the temple's rich culinary heritage.

For the convenience of devotees, ample free parking is available at the rear of the temple premises, ensuring a hassle-free visit.

A visit to the Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swami Temple is an experience that will leave one feeling blessed and spiritually rejuvenated, with the divine blessings...