Location:
Jonnawadaa Village, Buchireddypalem Mandal, SPSR Nellore District
History
Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy and Kamakshi Tayee Temple is located on the northern bank of the River Pinakini in S.P.S.R. Nellore District, 10 kilometres west of Nellore. Jonnawadaa stands out as one of the foremost sacred places in the district. Mother Kamakshi and Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy reside here in all their divine splendour. Jonnawadaa is none other than Srutprayoga on the banks of the holy River Pinakini, celebrated in the Brahmanda Purana and other ancient texts. The legend of this sacred place tells of the miraculous incarnation of Lord Mallikarjuna.
According to the Puranas, this holy site was chosen by the great sage Kashyapa for his Brahma sacrifice. He established the holy fire of Garhaspatya at this place and the Dakshinagni fire on the nearby Vedagiri hill. After setting up the triple sacred fires, Kashyapa completed the yagna (sacrifice). As this was the site of Kashyapa’s great sacrifice, the place naturally earned the name Yagnavatika, meaning “place of sacrifice.” Over time, the name evolved into Jonnawadaa.
It is a matter of deep faith for Hindus that a dip in the river behind the temple at Jonnawadaa can cleanse them of their sins. In the Puranas, Sootha, the narrator, along with the great sages led by Shaunaka, speaks clearly about the power and glory of this holy place. Many great sages have worshipped Lord Mallikarjuna and Mother Kamakshi Tayee at Jonnawadaa. It is also believed that the great Adi Shankaracharya visited Jonnawadaa and worshipped Mother Kamakshi.
Temple Deities & Agama:Major Utsavams (Festivals) and Celebrations:
Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy
Sri Kamakshi Tayee
Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Swamy
Sri Valli Devasenasametha Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy
Sri Tarakeswara Swamy
Sri Kasi Annapurneswari Ammavaru
These deities, along with the Navagraha Mandapam and Addala Mandapams, are located within the premises of Zannawada Kshetram. All rituals are performed with Thrikala Archana, and daily rituals and services (Nitya Sevas) follow the customs of the temple according to Saiva Agama tradition.
Accommodation:
The temple owns 4 choultries that provide accommodation for pilgrims, which are:
AP Tourism Guest House:6 A/C Rooms
Rajithagiri Choultry:5 A/C Rooms
BM Choultry:3 A/C Rooms and 28 Non A/C Rooms
TTD Choultry:20 Ordinary Rooms
Darshan Timings:
Morning7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Evening5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
How to Reach:
By Road:Nellore – Buchireddypalem (19.4 KM)
By Rail:Nearest Railway station: Nellore Railway station (17.3 KM)
By Air:Nearest Airport: Tirupati International Airport (130 KM)and Chennai International Airport (195 KM)