Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple Penugonda:
The goddess Sri Vasavi Kannika Parameshwari is worshipped at the well-known Sri Vasavi Kannika Parameshwari Temple. It is located in the town of Penugonda in Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district. For Vysyas, this temple is a sacred site. It is referred to as the “Kasi of Vysyas.”
The Komati community in Andhra Pradesh is the primary devotee of the Hindu deity Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshvari. Her followers mainly see her as a virgin embodiment of Parvati; occasionally, they also identify her as a manifestation of Lakshmi in the Vaishnava faith.
According to the various versions of the Vasavi Puranamulu, which were written in Telugu during the 18th century CE, she is considered a kuladevata by the Komati community as well as the Arya Vaishya, Kalinga Vaishya, Arava Vaishya, Marathi Vaishya, Beri Vaishya, and the Trivarnika Vaishya communities.
She is revered by the Jaina Komatis as Shanti Matha Vasavi, who is thought to have espoused ahimsa for the good of all people and prevented conflict and casualties via peaceful ways.
Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple Penugonda Story:
The mythology of Vasavi is not historical, and there are various interpretations among Komati and non-Komati classes. The stories spoken orally by bards differ between areas, religious groups, castes, and sub-castes.
Legend has it that in the eleventh century CE, Vishnuvardhana, a strong Chalukya emperor, governed Andhra. Kusuma Sreshti, a well-known Vaishya, resided at Penugonda, which was under the king’s jurisdiction, during this time. The king treated the man as a chieftain because of his wisdom. The merchant was childless, so he prayed to Virupaksha, who granted him a son, Virupaksha, and a daughter, Vasavi, who grew up to be a lovely and devout young woman. The monarch was drawn to her and wanted to marry her. Her parents opposed the match, but they were unable to stop the monarch from fulfilling his desire. The bride, her parents, and all 102 gotra leaders demonstrated their disapproval on the day of the wedding by engaging in the act of agni pravesam, which involves jumping into the homam fire. Vasavi’s soul was raised to the status of a divinity at Penugonda after her death.
Virupaksha erected 101 Lingas in Penugonda, one for each Gothra, to commemorate the events. King Narendra, the son of Vishnu Vardhana, erected a statue of Vasavi as a mark of respect. Ever since that day, Vasavamba has been worshipped by all Vysyas, and she is now called Vysyakula Devatha-Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari.
The story, in which Vasavi decides to take her own life rather than be forced to marry the king—who was already married and belonged to a different varna than her—is said to serve as an example of ceremonial impurity in Hinduism.
Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple Penugonda Timings:
Morning : 06-00 AM to 12-00 PM
Evening : 03-30 PM to 08-00 PM
Annadanam Timings at Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple Penugonda :
Morning : 6-00 AM onwards
Lunch : 12-00 PM onwards
Dinner : 7-00 PM onwards
Penugonda Temple Address:
Penugonda – 534320, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India
Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple official website – http://www.penugondavasavi.org/
How to reach Penugonda Vasavi Temple:
By Air: The closest airport, Rajahmundry Airport, is about sixty-seven kilometres from the Penugonda Kanyaka Parameswari temple.
By Train: 16.3 miles separate the Penugonda Parameswari temple from the closest train station, Palakollu.
By Road: 28 km to Adepalligudem, 30 km to Nidadavolu, and 14.7 km to Palakollu. Private cars, taxis, and taxi cabs can all be used to get to the shrine.
Penugonda Temple Distance:
penugonda temple distance to bhimavaram – 59 min (39.0 km) via Attili – Narasapuram – Marteru Rd/Narsapur Aswaraopet Rd and Atili – Komara – Bhimavaram Rd
penugonda temple distance to vijayawada – 2 hr 43 min (151.3 km) via Chennai – Srikakulam Hwy
penugonda temple distance to kaikaluru – 2 hr 6 min (74.9 km) via Narsapur Aswaraopet Rd and NH165
penugonda temple distance to hyderabad – 7 hr 50 min (425.6 km) via Chennai – Srikakulam Hwy and NH 65
penugonda temple distance to tirupati – 10 hr 4 min (559.4 km) via NH16
Penugonda Vasavi Temple Photos:
