Srikakulam Andhra Mahavishnu Temple

The Srikakulam Andhra Mahavishnu temple in Diviseema region, where Sri Krishnadeva Raya composed the Amukta Malyada.

Andhra Mahavishnu is the main deity of Srikakulam temple, believed to be an avatar of Vishnu himself, but as per some records and inscriptions he was an ancient king, much before the Satavahana era. But the general story is that he was an ancient ruler and a great warrior, who founded the kingdom of Trilingadesa, between Srisailam, Draksharama and Kaleswaram(now in Telangana), the ancient name for Andhra Pradesh, though one of the 3 Kshetras, is now part of Telangana.

As per some accounts he built a massive wall connecting the 3 Shaivite Kshetras of Srisailam, Draksharama and Kaleswaram, in which Shiva himself resided. He also is believed to have fought the Asura Nishambhu.Andhra Mahavishnu is generally considered a great warrior and ruler who has been raised to the status of a god by his subjects.

The first mention of Andhra Mahavishnu was made by Suchanda in the book Andhra Kaumudi, the temple was later renovated by the Satavahanas, and the Vijayanagara rulers and after the fall of Hampi, fell into neglect. It was the Zamindars of Chalapalli Samsthanam,who actually renovated the temple, when they heard of him from their court poet Kasula Purushottama Kavi in his work Andhra Nayaka Satakam .

The deity here holds the shankha in right hand and the chakra in left hand, unlike other Vishnu temples. Also the Dasavataras in this temple do not feature Krishna, though they have Balarama, Buddha and Kalki.

However the temple is most remembered for it's association with the great Emperor Sri Krishnadeva Raya, who composed the Amukta Malyada here, his first Telugu composition.

After conquering Kondapalli fort during his campaign against the Kalingas, Sri Krishnadeva Raya, heard about the Srikakulam temple, and decided to visit it, taking the blessings of Mahavishnu. He rested at this village after doing the Ekadashi Vratam, and it's believed that Andhra Mahavishnu himself came into his dream, and asked him to write about the story of his wedding with Andal.

His body was a radiant black, blacker than the rain cloud. His eyes wise and sparkling, put the lotus to shame. He was clothed in the best golden silk, finer still than the down on his eagle's wings. The red sunrise is pale compared to ruby on his chest.- Sri Krishnadeva Raya.

Andhra Mahavishnu asked him to compose the story of his wedding with Andal in Telugu, which resulted in one of the greatest poetic works ever Amuktamalyada, meaning one who offered the garland after wearing it themselves. Sri Krishnadeva Raya, apart from being a patron of many famous writers and scholars, was a great writer himself. His court was known for the Ashta Diggajas, 8 famous Telugu poets, as well as many great Kannada, Sanskrit writers.

Apparently Andhra Mahavishnu considered himself as Telugu Vallabhunda( Ruler of the Telugus) and so he ordered Sri Krishnadeva Raya to write the magnum opus in Telugu.

తెలుఁగ దేల నన్న దేశంబు దెలుఁగేను తెలుఁగు వల్లభుండఁ దెలుఁ గొకండ యెల్ల నృపులగొలువ నెరుఁగ వే బాసాడి దేశభాషలందుఁ తెలుఁగు లెస్స.

telugadElayanna, dESambu telugEnu telugu vallaBhunDa telugokanDa yella nRpulu golva nerugavE bAsADi dESa BhAShalandu telugu lessa.

“If you ask me why in Telugu, I am the Telugu Ruler of the Telugu Land, All the kings serving under you being Telugu, you shall know that Telugu is the greatest of all the languages here"

What it meant was that since he would be ruling over a large part of Andhra region, where his subjects and feudatories would be speaking in Telugu, it would be better if he wrote the work in Telugu itself.

Also as per Amuktamalyada, Sri Krishnadeva Raya had the darshan of Andhra Mahavishnu at Harivasara , the time between the last 4 muhurtam of Ekadasi and the first 4 muhurtam of Dwadasi, roughly around 6 hours. Amuktamalyada, details the separation and pining of Andal one of the 12 Alwars, for Ranganatha at Srirangam. The poem also describes Andal's beauty in 30 verses, in the kesadi-padam style from head to her feet.

Surrounded by lush green paddy fields and coconut groves, Srikakulam Andhra Mahavishnu temple is worth a visit for it's ancient sculptures, and the historic association with Sri Krishna Deva Raya.