Shree Veerabhadra Swamy Temple - Rayachoti (Kadapa Dist), AP

Legend

Sati was the Shree Veerabhadra Swamy Temple - Rayachoti (Kadapa Dist), AP daughter of Daksha, the chief of the gods. When Sati grew up she set her heart on Shiva, worshipping him in secret. In the Swayamvara of Sati, Daksha invited all gods and princes except Shiva. Sati cast her wreath into air, calling upon Shiva to receive the garland; and behold he stood in midst of the court with the wreath about his neck. Daksha had no choice but to marry Sati with Shiva.

One day Daksha made arrangements for a great horse sacrifice, and invited all the gods omitting only Shiva. Sati was enraged by this deliberate exclusion of Shiva and set out to attend, and confront her father Daksha. She instructed her father that Shiva was in fact the Supreme Being of the Universe and demanded her father invite Shiva to no avail. Daksha then went on to insult Shiva; and as Sati's rage at the disrespect toward Shiva peaked, she declared to her father, "I will tolerate no more of your filth" and she released the inner consuming fire, and fell dead at Daksha's feet. Then Sarvajna Lord Shiva came to know about this incident through meditation and became furious at the non-righteous yagna. Shiva burned with anger, and tore a lock of hair , glowing with energy in Kailasa. At that moment, was born the son of lord shiva, lord Veerabhadra, the destroyer of ajnana, sprang from it, his tall body reached the high heavens, he was dark as the clouds, he had a thousand arms, three burning eyes, and fiery hair; he wore a garland of skulls and carried terrible weapons. Veerabhadra bowed at Shiva's feet and asked his will. [edit]Destroyer of Daksha Virabhadra with Daksha Lord Veerabhadra of Yadur, Dist Belgaum “ Maheshwara replied, 'Spoil the sacrifice of Daksha'. Then the mighty Virabhadra, having heard the pleasure of his lord, bowed down his head to the feet of Shiva; and starting like a lion loosed from bonds, despoiled the sacrifice of Daksha, knowing that this had been created by the displeasure of Devi. She too in her wrath, as the fearful goddess Rudrakali, accompanied him, with all her train, to witness his deeds. - Vayu Purana  ” Shiva directed Virabhadra: "Lead my army against Daksha and destroy his sacrifice; fear not the Brahmanas, for thou art a portion of my very self". On this direction of Shiva, Virabhadra appeared with Shiva's ganas in the midst of Daksha's assembly like a storm and broke the sacrificial vessels, polluted the offerings, insulted the priests and finally cut off Daksha's head, trampled on Indra, broke the staff of Yama, scattered the gods on every side; then he returned to Kailash.When confronted with Vishnu, according to Skanda Purana, Vīrabhadra defeats Vishnu which seems improbable since Lord Vishnu is the killer of Demons. The Srimad Bhagavatam makes a mention about this pastime according to Srila AC BV Swami Prabhupada.

Art

Vijayangara style temple having broad mantapa and exquisitely carved deities inside

History

The Veerabhadra temple itself is 1000-years old. It is said that the great King Krishnadevaraya used to camp at Rayachoti whenever he visited Srivari temple at Tirupati. In old Rayachoti near the river to the west of the town is a stone very conspicuously set up, with a Tamil inscription dated S.S. I155 which corresponds to A.D. 1233. It records a grant to a temple by a certain king, but none of the names given can be identified with any place in the vicinity. The king is called Nissankapratapa Raya, lord of Karkatapura. Another inscription of the same date at Abbavaram, a village included in the Rayachoti constituency, mentions the name of another king, Thomba, who was 'first ruling from Kalukatayapuram and then Marujavaduyandapuram his capital.' It is probable that Karkatapura and Kalukatayapuram refer to the same place and it is possible that Thomba who 'was first ruling' there was expelled there from by Nissankapratapa who calls himself 'lord of Karkatapura.' It is not known to Rayachoti what dynasties these kings or chiefs belonged.

 The Veerabhadra Swamy temple is situated in Rayachoti which is the third biggest town in Kadapa District. This temple is built during the era of Vijayanagar Empire by the Vijayanagar Kings. The temple of Veerabhadra Swamy is considered to be 1000 years old and is supposed to be constructed during 12th century A.D. The renovation work of this temple is recently completed and it is attracting devotees in large numbers from all over the State. Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar used to visit this temple to offer prayers.

How to Reach this Temple
Rayachoti is on NH 18 and is well connected to Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. The nearest railway station is Kalikiri on the Pakala-Dharmavaram line twenty-eight miles to the south. The distance to Kadapa on the north is 33 miles (48 KM), and Rajampet and Kadiri lie some thirty five miles east and west respectively.

Timings:
Open on all days except for Grahanam. 5 am to 12 noon and 5pm to 9pm Archana is regular & Abhishekam is done every morning.

Events and Festivals
Every year Sivarathri and Karthika Pournami celebrations are held on a grand scale. Devotees from far off places especially from Karnataka, visit the shrines regularly.

Lodging and Boarding
Temple guest houses near temple and few hotels near bus stand

Travel Advice
This place is very hot in summers

Importanat Places Around
Visit old sivalayam in patha Rayachoti on the other side of the river