Gajuwaka Vasavi Temple Timings:
Morning: 5:30 AM to 8:30 Noon
Evening: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari History:
Kusuma Sresti, the king of Vysyas ruled the kingdom by making Penugonda (called Kasi of Arya Vysyas) the capital of the 18 mahapattana during the X-XI centuries. Kusumamba was his wife. They were an ideal match and led a peaceful life. They worshiped Nagareswara swamy (Lord Siva) and Janardhana Swamy (Lord Vishnu) as part of their daily tasks. His kingdom was an integral part of Vengidesha, which was ruled by Vishnu Vardhana-7 or Vimaladitya Maharaj. The couple were childless and worried about who would succeed them. They approached their family teacher Bhaskaracharya. The Kulaguru advised them to perform Puthra Kamestiyaga that Dasharathahad had observed. During the auspicious hour, the couple Kusuma Sresti started the yaga. The gods were happy and sent a fruit blessed by God as prasadam through Yagneswara. There was a divine expression that they would have children after eating prasadam. With great devotion, they ate the prasadam and within few days Kusumamba became pregnant. She expressed unusual wishes, saying that she would give birth to children who would fight for the well-being of all.
Kusumamba gave birth to twins on 10 Vaishakha. The boy child was named as Virupaksha and the girl as Vasavamba. During childhood, Virupaksha demonstrated leadership qualities, while Vasavamba leaned towards art, architecture and music and demonstrated a philosophical approach to life. Under the guidance of Vysya kula guru Bhaskaracharya, Virupaksha learned Vedas, fencing, horse riding, martial arts and archery. Vasavamba studied fine arts and mastered philosophical subjects. Virupaksha married Rathnavathi, the daughter of Aridhisresti from the city of Aelur.
Kusumasresti welcomed and entertained Vishnu Vardhna in Penugonda during his visit on an expedition to expand his empire and defeat his enemies. During his visit, Vardhna noticed Vasavamba and decided to marry him. This caused Kusumasresti a dilemma: he was unable to accept or reject Vardhna’s wishes. Disparities in age and caste, as well as the fact that the emperor was already married, were important objections, but, in consultation with counselors and family members, Kusumasresti decided that Vasavamba should make a decision. Her response was to express the desire to never get married and to focus her life on less trivial matters. Kusumasresti informed Vardhana of her daughter’s decision, which provoked fury and an attempted forcible capture of Vasavamba. The battalion sent to achieve this objective was thwarted by the Penugonda Vysyas. Kusumasresti organized a large conference composed of the heads of the 18 cities and the heads of the 714 gotras, which will be held in the presence of Bhaskaracharya. There were differences of opinion at the conference, with 102 Gotra chiefs preferring resistance to Vardhna’s overtures and attacks, but leaders of the other 612 Gotra leaders believed that the marriage alliance would be safer and more beneficial. Bhaskaracharya favored minority opinion, saying that respect was more important than protecting life, and Kusumasresti was inspired by this support. Consequently, the Vysyas unit disbanded and the 102 gotras prepared for the defense of Penugonda against further attacks by Vardhana.
Vasavi came to the scene and said, “Why should there be bloodshed between us for the sake of a girl? Why sacrifice the lives of soldiers for our selfish desire? It is better to abandon the idea of war. Instead, let’s rebel in a new way. We can control war by nonviolence and self-sacrifice. Only people with strong willpower and moral strength can participate in this type of self-sacrifice. “Vasavi’s new idea was delightful for his parents and they decided to act on Vasavi’s instructions.
As per the directions of Vasavi, at the holy place of Brahmakunda on the banks of Godavari, the royal servants arranged 103 Agnikundas (fire pits) in a special way. The whole city was observing that day as a festival day. Then Vasavi asked the couples of the 102 Gotras: “Will you plunge into this holy fire along with me?” Everyone of them whole heartedly gave their consent. They suspected Vasavi must be an incarnation of God and requested her to show her real nature or swarupa.She smiled and revealed her true self, which had the glittering radiance surpassing the brightness of the sun. She said: “I am the incarnation of Adiparashakthi. To safeguard the dignity of woman and to protectDharma, to destroy Vishnu Vardhana and to reveal to the world the magnanimity of Vysya’s I come here in Kaliyuga. Like Sati Devi who was insulted entered into holy fire, I too plunge into the holy fire and enter the other world. Kusumasresty during last birth was a great Saint by name Samadhi as per his aspirations he could attain salvation along with the people of 102 Gotras. That is why I asked you all to undergo Athmam Balidhana.” Vasavi advised the gathering about patriotism, honesty, social service, and tolerance.
Devi disappeared as soon as the divine words came out of her mouth and people saw her in human form. Then all of them entered into holy fire after meditating upon their Gods. Though Vishnuvardhana felt bad omens, he marched ahead and reached the main entrance of Penugonda. Then his detectives reported all that had happened in the city. He could not bear the great shock and his heart shattered into pieces. He fell down vomiting blood and he was no more. The self-sacrifice of Vasavi and the end of Vishnuvardhana was the talk of the town. People condemned the deeds of Vishnuvardhana and appreciated the epoch maker Vasavi and her non-violent principle.
The son of Vishnuvardhana, Raja Raja Narendra rushed to Penugonda and repented about the incident. Later, Virupaksha consoled him and said: “Brother, let us learn and formulate the present and future on the strong base of past. Vasavi had come to rescue of the people without giving room for great bloodshed. Her non-violence gave a good result”. Hence forth Vysya’s shall not fight or rule states but shall engage in service and as well wishers of others including services such as trade and agriculture. Virupaksha visited many pilgrim centers like Kasi, Gaya and others under the guidance of Vysya kula guru Baskaracharya. To commemorate the pilgrimage they installed 101 lingas for each gotra in Penugonda. Then, Narendra installed a statue of Vasavi as a token of respect. From that day onwards all Vysya’s began performing poojas to her and she is considered as Vysyakula Devatha-Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari. Vasavi’s life is worth remembering because of her faith in non-violent religious values and her defense of the status of women. She became immortal because she has been mainly responsible for the propagation of the reputation of Vysya’s throughout the world. Vasavi, who had rejected worldly pleasures, won the minds of Vysyas and is the champion of peace and non-violence and is remembered by the faithful.
Gajuwaka Vasavi Temple Donation Details:
Lakshmi Vilas Bank
SB A/c : 0279301000002524
IFSC CODE: LAVB0000279
Gajuwaka Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari Temple Address:
Gajuwaka,
Visakhapatnam – 530026.
Phone: 9949612578