Sri Bhadrakali Sametha Veerabhadra Swamy Temple

  Historical Significance of Sri Bhadrakali sametha Veerabhadra Swamy Temple,

  Tegada Village, Charla Mandal

------------     Compiled by Y. Bhanu prakash

                                                                          ( English translation done by Murthy Kvvs)

 Sri Veerabhadra Swamy, with the consort of Bhadrakali Ammavaru, now the reigning deity of Tegada village. In fact, they had been worshipped at the village of Gommugudem village earlier, almost for more than two hundred fifty years. Lakhs of devotees were used to worship the deity , on the occasion of Mahasivaratri festival celebrations. Such was the glory in those days. Two "Vibhuti Balls" were worshipped as the two deities in lieu of idols.

We, being hailed from Veerasaiva Jangama, have to adorn Sivalingam around our neck which was considered as our Atmalingam. That means Lord Siva is our Clan's deity and all in all for us. We should perform rituals and ablutions every morning to the Sivalingam that we wear around neck. In line of that, our ancestors were said to be worshipped "Bhadrakali sametha Veerabhadra Swamy".

Our Veerasaiva community is blessed with Peethams at Srisailam, Kaashi, Rambhapuri,Ujjain and Kedarnath. All these are called illumined Pancha acharya Peethams. Each principal temple inducted us as the chief priest , So we are fortunate to serve Lord Parameswara and As Veerasaivas, this is a great boon for us.

1st Generation : Our ancestors had been sent to Lingala village to perform traditional rituals at the Lord Siva's temple. Sri Yallmandala Sivayya garu came to this place on the order of Kakatiya rulers in that line. In fact, our ancestors were serving in the Thousand pillars temple, located at Warangal. With the donation of 600 acres of land for the purpose of expenses towards the temple, our ancestors were appointed as priests in those days.

They have started performing pujas to the Vibhuthi Balls earlier. The Holy deities installed in that form instead of idols. They also keep doing pujas to the Atmalingams that they have on their bodies. And at the same time, they were performing their priestly duties. Arrangements were made on large scale on the occasion of  Mahasivaratri festival.

2nd Generation : In the time of Sri Yallamandala Bhadrayya garu  (s/o Sivaa garu) also worship had been done for Vibhuthi Balls , considering them as holy deities. Mahasivaratri Jatara started on a grand note at Gommugudem in this phase.

3rd Generation : Sri Kantayya garu (s/o Yallamandala Bhadrayya garu) shifted his base to Gommugudem and several other kinsfolk also followed him to serve in the work of the God. He performed Mahasivaratri in a grand manner at his residential place. With Vibhuthi Balls inside the teak box, they would offer Prasadam.

When ,one day, sri Kantayya garu  was out of the place to meet the zamindar of Venkatapuram,some burglars barged into the house and tried to destroy iron box and other boxes but no harm happened. Desperately the evil people had set ablaze the house but by the grace of Almighty their effort went futile.

Sri Kantayya garu came to home and slept happily, leaving everything to Sri Bhadrakali and Veerabhadra Swamy. How could evil be won when the grace of the God was with pious people..? In the same night, Swamy appeared in the dream of Sri Kantayya garu and ordered to make Panchaloha idols. Artisan was in Dhowleswaram, so he has to bring Artisan secretly to make the idols. It was a revelation of the Almighty.

There was no road facility to Dhowleswaram in those days. He took boat upto Dummugudem and from there travelled by steamer upto Dhowleswram. Artisan Narasimhachary was brought and made the Panchaloha idols secretly. With penances of 5 day long, taking only water and using 16 kgs of ghee, the Panchaloha idol was made. It was created so elegantly.

Sri Kantayya garu paid the Artisans more than what he promised earlier. He placed them safely back at Dhowleswaram. That's how the Divine couple made their journey from Vibhuthi Balls to Panchaloha Idols. Mahasivaratri celebrations drew people in a large way, right from Ummidaaram to Gommugudem.

4th Generation : Mahasivaratri celebrations had done in a grand manner during the life time of Sri Lingayya garu (s/o Sri Yallamandala Kantayya garu). Large gatherings were seen all across the banks of Godavari, at the side of Gommugudem.

5th Generation : Sri Yallamandala Lingayya garu had three sons., Somaya garu,Sivaya garu,Bhadraya garu. Bhadrayya garu was more pious and he performed pujas. Being a zamindar by birth, he conducted Mahasivaratri with great pomp and gaiety. During the floods of 1953, base of divine couple shifted to Tegada village. Bhadrayya garu served as a district president of Congress party. He was a humble and down to earth person. He was always applauded by his brothers for his devotional nature.

While shifting, the people of Gommugudem pleaded with him not to do so, he promised them that the holy idols would come here to have offerings on the festival of Mahasivaratri. In that way, the holy idols would stop here for a rest and accept their offerings even to this day, especially on the occasion of  Mahasivaratri.

Right from 1954, the same custom has been going on, having done ablutions in the nearby Godavari waters and stopping at Gommugudem is still in vogue. Then only Swamy moves from here to Tegada village with a great procession.

Sri Bhadrayya garu, in the same year, wanted to build a huge temple, own house and to buy two cars but unfortunately he attained Sivasaaujam and his dreams remained unfulfilled. Sri Kasu Brhmananda Reddy and Sri Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy came to the house to solace the spouse. One can understand his stature through this incident.

6th Generation : Sri yallamandala Somaya garu has two sons, named by Sri Kantayya garu and Nagendrayya garu. Sivaa garu has no issue. Nagalingayya, Sivapratap, Somasekhar, Sravan kumar, Veerabhadra swam garlu are the sons of Bhadrayya garu. Nagalingayya garu performed priestly duties for more than 3 decades. Along with siblings, he conducted Mahasivaratri celebrations for 5 years.

Dignitaries of Tegada and remaining villages of Charla mandalam started to provide their contributions to help Nagalingayya garu since his financial position was not in good condition. All people, barring age differences, had extended their wholehearted support as the were very responsive in nature. Even 10 days before to the Mahasivaratri, Tegada village would become joyful with festive atmosphere.

During 1977-78, Sri Maddi Ramayya garu took Sravan kumar garu (fourth son of Sri Yallamandala Bhadrayya garu) to devotees for a rapport and he taught Sravan garu what he had learnt from Bhadrayya garu. He was always with Sravan garu in disbursing priestly duties with the help of Nagalingayya garu. From that onwards, Sravan kumar garu started to shoulder the work of Mahasivaratri celebrations every year.

It was 1987. Just 9 days before to Mahasivaratri festival, Veerabhadra swamy appeared in my father's dream ordered to build a new temple. My father met elders at once. Sri Datla Ramachandra Raju garu donated 30 bags of cement with kind heart. Sri Nadimpalli Suryanarayana Raju garu provided a tractor. With all these new construction had been done and Swamy vaaru entered the new temple on the Mahasivaratri festival, after having completed ablutions performed with the Godavari waters.

All pujas have been performed in this temple during 1987-2018. Since Swamy was Utsavamurthy, devotees were unable to have Darshanam when the idols went to Godavari for ritual bath. My father, then, thought of "Alaya sikhara nirmanam" and "Mulamurthy" installation. Another temple has to be built to start Sikharam because older one has some flaws in its foundation which was suggested by expert sculptor.  

New temple sankhusthapana  had taken place on April 30, 2008. And completed by 2018. Under the aegis of Sri Vilaparti Veera venkta satanarayana murthy garu (Machavaram) installed Sri Bhadrakali sametha Veerabhadra Swamy and all Sivaparivaram in the temple, all it has done during June 30 and July1 and 2 of 2018. Now it has become a Panchayatana Kshetram.

Sri Padala Ramakrishna garu and his team built the temple and financial assistance rendered by Sri Doddi Lakshminarayana garu. Right from 1987, the elders of Tegada village and remaining villages of Charla mandalam have been helping Sri Sravan kumar garu with their contributions, which are collected from the people.  

Brothers of Sravan kumar garu and children of his brothers like Maddi Bhaskar Reddy,Yenuganti Chadrasekhar, Kona Murali, Kandrapu Chittibabu keep helping him apart from the people of Tegada village.

Present Generation : Children of my father's brothers keep extending their co operation to me. Mandapam, Mukhadwaram, Wall around the temple have to be constructed in the future. So I, Yallamandala Bhanuprakash, request you all earnestly to extend your financial support to get completed the due works. My heartfelt salutations to one and all.

 Yours

 Sri Bhadrakali sametha Veerabhadra Swamy vaari Devasthanam

 Tegada

 Temple priest : Sri Yallamandala Bhanuprakash

 MOB : 99089 00590