Markapur Chennakesava Swamy Temple

One of the well known Vishnu temples in Andhra Pradesh, is the Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swami Temple at Markapuram in Prakasam district. It was originally part of Kurnool district till 1971 and later became part of Prakasam district. The small town is famous for it’s slate manufacturing and in ancient times was known by various names like Gajaranya during Krita Yuga, Madhavipuram in Treta Yuga and Swargasopanam in Dwapara.

There was a milk maid by the name of Marika, a devotee of Vishnu. who worshipped him with milk. Pleased with her devotion, Vishnu blessed her with a son. In gratitude she built a small temple for him, around which the town grew. It was originally called Marikapuram and in due course of time, it became Markapuram.

As per the Sthala Purana, an Asura called as Kesi, used to harass the Rishis meditating on the banks of the Gundlakamma river. Rishi Markandeya, pleaded with Vishnu to protect them. Vishnu realized that Kesi had a boon by which he could only die from a snake. He sent Adisesha, who killed Kesi with his poisonous fumes.

He then asked Markandeya to ask for a boon, who asked Vishnu to reside here, which he did in the form of Chennakesava along with his consort Mahalakshmi. Vishnu is called Keshava because he killed the demon Kesi, and Chennakesava is a form of him which is beautifully decorated. Vishnu is known to be an Alankara Priya, someone fond of decorating himself, and Chennakeshava is such a form of his.

It was during the Vijayanagara era between 1405-59 that the temple was expanded and renovated. It is known for it’s magnificient gopurams, the first storey was built by Shri Krishna Deva Raya, while others were added later. The walls were constructed around 1452 AD, and have 18 inscriptions describing the life and culture of the people there. Rayalavaaru visited this temple after a succesful campaign in Dhanyakataka region.

One of the attractions of the temple is the 135 ft tall Gaaligopuram, which is constructed in a such a manner, that every year between December 23 to January 3, the sun’s rays at dawns, would enter the sanctum sanctorum, through specially placed windows and fall at the feet of the deity, for around 20 minutes, making it glow.

There is also a beautiful 40 pillared mandapam in the temple, built during Rayalavaaru’s time that has carvings of Krishna, Hanuman, Garuda, while the Kalyana Mandapam here has 6 musical pillars, that produce the Sapta Swaras when you gently tap them. The temple is also famous for it’s Brahmotsavams that were started during Rayalavaaru’s time.

Markapur is located on the Amaravati-Anantapur Express Highway, and can be reached by road from Ongole, Vijayawada, Guntur, Nandyal. Also the Guntakal-Vijayawada rail route passes through the town.