Name: Vijayawada
Rating: 3.6

Subramanya Swamy Temple, Vijayawada Overview

Dedicated to the Lord of serpents Kartikeya, the Subramanya Swamy Temple is a shrine located in Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), set on the foot of the Indrakiladari Hills. The temple worships all three forms of Lord Subramanya- Sri Dandayudhapani Swamy as a boy, Sri Valli Devayanai- his original form and lastly in the form of a serpent. It is carved out of sparkling white stone with intricate stonework embellishing the facade. The temple also houses a silver covered Garuda pillar which holds great religious significance for the devotees. There is an anthill by the temple, the natural habitat of snakes, which is worshipped by the devotees with equal zeal and belief.

Situated in the midst of beautiful mountains, forests and rivers, a visit to this temple is an unanticipated rendezvous with nature a well. One has to take a holy dip in the Kumaradhara River to reach the temple gates. The entrance to the temple is made from the back, from where you can walk around the deity.

Beyond the aforementioned Garuda, the pillar is the main sanctum of the temple where the presiding deities, Subramanya and Shesha reside. These deities are worshipped on a daily basis by pilgrims from all across the country, and this temple is fast gaining popularity.

History of Subramanya Swami Temple

Legend says that after killing the demon ruler Tharaka, Shurapadmasura and Lord Shanmukha reached Kumara Parvatha with his brother Ganesha. He was received by Indra and his followers, who offered his daughter Devasena's hand to Lord Kumar. The wedding ceremony took place on Margashira Shudha Shashti at Kumara Parvatha.

Waters of several holy rivers was brought down for this ceremony, and with these waters, Mahabhishek also descended which later came to be known as Kumaradhara. Serpent King Vasuki performed penance for several years in the Biladwara caves of Subrahmanya to avoid the attack of Garuda. Shanmuka appeared to Vasuki and declared him his primary devotee. Hence, the prayers offered to Vasuki are nothing but the prayers to Lord Subrahmanya.

Prayer Services at Subramanya Swamy Temple

The Ashlesha Bali Pooja and the Sarpa Samskara are the two major prayer services held at this temple. The Ashesha Sarpa prayer service is performed as a protective ritual against Kaalasarpa Dosh. The timing slots for the same are 7:00 AM and 9:30 AM. The Sarpa Samskara is done for ridding oneself from the Sarpa Dosha- a fault in the person's birth chart which makes him susceptible to adverse effects of the serpent curse. Affected people can seek the guidance of the priests and perform the required rituals to free oneself from the curse.