Location:
Located in Nerravada village, Duttalur Mandal, Sri Potti Sreeramulu Nellore District, Sri Vengamamba Perantalu Ammavari Devasthanam is a prominent temple. It is registered under the Endowments and Charitable Trusts Act 30/1987, Section 6A (2), and is managed according to the "Shaiva Agama" traditions.
Jonnawadaa Village, Buchireddypalem Mandal, SPSR Nellore District
Historical Significance:
Nerravada village is famous for its quality cattle and superior cows. It is located near Udayagiri in Duttalur Mandal. Compared to surrounding villages, it is relatively large. At the center of this village stands the temple dedicated to the goddess. The neighboring villages of Ulavavaripalem, Gudevaripalem, and Vaddipalem are in close proximity. The Vengamamba temple, situated at the intersection of these four villages, has become a revered site, granting devotees their wishes.
In the 16th century, during the reign of Sri Krishna Devaraya over the southern region, Vengamamba was born to the pious couple Paccana Vengamanayudu and Saayamma in Vaddipalem, blessed by Renukadevi. She is recognized as a divine goddess, embodying the three powers of Sri Gauri, Sri Dakshayani, and Sri Sati Devi, revealing her greatness to her devotees through her divine manifestations.
Everyone is equal; the disparities of caste are not to be tolerated, as the mother demonstrated through her actions. She addressed the inequalities and the faults of untouchability with her compassionate heart. Indeed, the supreme essence resides in all beings.
When the Harijans suffered from a lack of water and surrounding villages experienced droughts, Vengamamba first prayed to her beloved Renukamata, and as a result, rain poured down, bringing joy to everyone. It was then that her greatness became known throughout the world. Yogis recognized her as the embodiment of the divine feminine.
The Glory of Pativrata Dharma:
In her childhood, having listened to her mother’s teachings about Sati Anasuya and Sati Savitri, especially the story of Sati Devi, who was burned in the yogic fire for the humiliation of her husband by her father, Vengamamba firmly established the eternal significance of Hindu dharma in her heart. Her unwavering determination to transform into a goddess and protect the world was innate to her.
Marriage:
Vengamamba's parents arranged her marriage to Vemuru Guravayya, a man from their village. Upon entering her new home, she became renowned as a harmonious daughter-in-law, coordinating everyone with grace. She embraced the responsibilities of a housewife, showering her husband with love and affection, thereby winning the admiration of the community. The mutual affection and the way the new couple lived together received praise from all.
With her divine beauty, Vengamamba was perceived as a goddess in human form, embodying great humanitarian values. In gratitude for the services and love shown by the Harijans in her area, they gifted her a beautiful yellow saree as a token of appreciation. Vengamamba placed the saree in her prayer room, honoring the Harijans. When she entered the fire, she wore that saree as a symbol of respect.
One day, while gathering cattle fodder near Dodda Konda with her husband and friends, they were surrounded by fearsome bandits. Guravayya, her husband, fought valiantly against the thieves and drove them away. However, the bandit leader threw a poisoned dart that struck Guravayya’s heart, causing him to collapse. Despite this, he threw his sword and defeated the fleeing leader.
Vengamamba desperately tried to save her husband, performing various acts of service to keep him alive for a while. Meanwhile, the villagers rushed to their home and provided medical assistance, but the doctors declared that he could not be saved. In her anguish, Vengamamba expressed a desire to transform into a goddess and do great good for the world. She thought that if she died before her husband in accordance with the principles of pativrata dharma, she could protect everyone through her virtue and convey the glory of eternal dharma to all.
Despite warnings from many, Vengamamba resolutely convinced everyone, including her family, to accept her decision. As they mourned, she assured them that she would become a goddess and relieve their suffering. She comforted her grieving friend, Pedavengamma, and promised that their couple would also join in worship alongside her and Guravayya. She reassured an elderly blind man that he too would be included in the worship beside her.
Vengamamba declared that even if she burned in the pyre, her mangalsutra (wedding necklace) and other auspicious symbols would not be harmed. She instructed them to collect these items, construct a temple for her, and worship her. With that, she entered the fire, transforming into the goddess Sri Vengamamba Perantalu.
Thus, Vengamamba entered the pyre while her husband was still alive. Shortly after, Guravayya passed away, and both were cremated together. Once reunited in the afterlife, they became immortal divine beings, receiving worship in the temple. Every year, beginning from the Sunday after the full moon in the month of Jyeshtha, grand celebrations are held, culminating in the wedding of the blessed couple on the fourth day of the festivities.
According to the words of the goddess, on one side, her friend Pedavengamma and her husband are receiving worship from devotees, while on the other, the blind elder, Musalayya, is also being honored. This demonstrates the essence of equality and love, showcasing that the bond of marriage holds immense power, which can extend across seven lifetimes. Through dharma, I remain as a divine presence in this sacred space, fulfilling the wishes of all devotees, and granting them dreams of realization.
In these times, many couples forget their love for each other, engaging in conflicts that lead to the breakdown of their marital bonds, resulting in various hardships. Those who visit this sacred site of the goddess and offer their prayers will surely experience great benefits. Particularly, those struggling with business failures, family issues, childlessness, health problems, or long-term illnesses, as well as separated couples wishing to reunite and youth facing difficulties in marriage, will have their wishes fulfilled if they bow to the goddess and pray sincerely.
Many devotees, whose desires have been granted, participate in this grand Brahmotsavam celebration. Come, visit this sacred place, worship the goddess, and quickly obtain your wishes.
Significance of the Sacred Site:
Devotees believe that for major events and business ventures in their lives, taking loans (or making deposits) from the goddess's donation box and using that money for initial expenses will bring them all good fortune. This practice is evidenced by the flourishing businesses of the goddess's devotees, both within our state and beyond. Those who have received the goddess's blessings in their business endeavours are actively engaged in various welfare programs at this temple.
Darshan Timings:
Morning6:30 AM to 01:00 PM
Evening3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Daily Puja Details:
5:30 AM: Establishment Ceremony
6:00 AM: Kumkum Archana
6:30 AM: Harathi
8:30 AM to 9:00 AM: Nivedana Ceremony (Offering)
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM: Devotees’ Darshan, Kumkum Archana, Ashtothara
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM: Mahaanivedana Ceremony
12:30 PM to 1:00 PM: Devotees’ Darshan
Afternoon Schedule:
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Devotees’ Darshan, Ashtothara
5:00 PM to 7:30 PMDevotees’ Darshan, Kumkumarchana, Ashtothara
Special Puja Details:
Every Thursday and on important festival days at 11:00 AM, there will be a Palaki Seva (palanquin service) for Sri Ammavaru. Devotees can also arrange Kalyanam (marriage ceremony) for Sri Ammavaru on requested days. Additionally,special puja programs will be held during Ugadi, Sankranti, Vinayaka Chavithi, Dasara Navaratri, and Kartika Masam.
Sri Ammavari Brahmotsavam are celebrated every year in the month of Jyeshta, starting from the first Sunday after Pournami (full moon) to Thursday, for a total of five days. Regarding Sri Vengamamba Ammavaru, during the Brahmotsavam, Tummala Devarillu will be included.
The first day (Sunday night) will feature the Pasupu Kumkum Dandu (turmeric and kumkum ceremony). On Monday night, village festivities will occur at Vaddipalem.
On the third day (Tuesday morning), Mangalavaram will host festivities near Shivudu Bavi.
On the fourth day (Wednesday morning), celebrations will take place at Gudivaram and at Vaddipalem in the evening.
On the fifth day (Thursday morning), Gudivaram will hold a state-level cattle exhibition, along with Pongal festivities.
Following the Brahmotsavam, there will be special ceremonies for five Thursdays. These Thursdays will feature unique puja programs for the fifteen-day festival and monthly Pongal celebrations.
Accommodation Facilities:
Devotees visiting Sri Ammavari Devasthanam can avail accommodation through guest rooms, resting halls, and a resting pavilion located above the Kalyanakatta.
Routes to Reach Sri Ammavari Devasthanam:
By Bus:
From Nellore via Nellore Sangam:Vijnamur, Duttalur, Narrawada
From Ongole via Ongole: Kandukur, Pamuru, Narrawada
From Udayagiri via Udayagiri:Duttalur, Narrawada
From Kadapa via Badvel:Nandipadu, Duttalur, Narrawada.
By Rail:Nearest Railway station:
Nellore Railway station (101 KM)
Kadapa Railway station (112 KM)
Ongole Railway station (125 KM)
By Air:Nearest Airport: Tirupati International Airport (180 KM)and Chennai International Airport (277 KM)