Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Motupalli, Andhra Pradesh

Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Motupalli, Andhra Pradesh

Veerabhadra Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra, a fierce form of Lord Shiva, located at Motupalli village in Prakasam District in Andhra Pradesh, India. The Temple is situated on the shores of Bay of Bengal. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

Motupalli has been an important port with flourishing trade with South Asian countries especially during the medieval period. The village is also referred to as Mohanagiripuram. Motupalli is also referred as Mutfili in the accounts of Italian merchant Marco Polo who visited the Motupalli in the 13^th century CE. The prominence of Motupalli declined gradually with the advent of the Britishers on the East coast who focused their trading activities mostly from Machilipatnam, located in the present Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.

Excavations taken up by the ASI had led to unearthing of Chinese ware and copper coins of the Ming dynasty, coins belonging to the Chola era, bronze articles and pottery in Motupalli. The temple was built during the reign of Chola dynasty and extensively renovated during Kakatiya rule. There are a several inscriptions engraved on the pillars and walls of the temple in Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit languages. The inscriptions dated to the reign of Ganapathi Deva (1199 – 1260 A.D) refer to the tax remissions on articles of export and import done through the port of Motupalli and the concessions given to the merchants in sea trade.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. The Temple consists of Mukha Mandapa, Ardha Mandapa, Maha Mandapa, Antrala and Sanctum. Balipeedam, Nandi Mandapa and a Lingam can be found facing the sanctum. There is no idol in the sanctum. The Vimana over the sanctum is of three tiers. There is a four pillared Mandapa to the left side of Nandi Mandapa. There are a number of inscriptions engraved on the pillars and walls of the temple in Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit languages.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 6 Kms from Kadavakuduru Railway Station, 16 Kms from Chirala, 18 Kms from Chirala Railway Station, 18 Kms from Chirala Bus Stand, 32 Kms from Bapatla, 44 Kms from Ongole, 115 Kms from Amaravati and 132 Kms from Vijayawada Airport. The Temple is situated on Ongole to Bapatla route. The Temple is easily reachable from Chirala and Bapatla, which are well connected by the road and railways. Direct bus to Chirala is available from major cities of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Location | Photos