Sri Sarangadhareswara Swami Temple or Sarangashara Metta is one of the most famous temples situated on the Korukonda Road in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Godavari River, about 5. 4 km away from the city and about 5 km away from the Rajahmundry Railway Station. Here Lord Shiva is worshipped as Sri Sarangadhareswara Swamy. Mahasivaratri Kalyanam, Devinavarathrulu, Karthikamasam, Kanuma Theertham and Subramanya Sasti are the major festivals celebrated here.
The capital of the country was Rajamahedri. He had a son named Sarangadharudu, the king also had a second wife named Chitrangi and was very affectionate towards her. He had a bitter enemy who was also his stepmother’s son named Vijayadityyudu. One day, Chitrangi, the king’s second wife, invited her son-in-law Sarangadhara to a feast. But as Sarangadhara was very fond of hunting, he went hunting and ignored his stepmother’s invitation. Because of this act, his stepmother was very angry with him. This information was brought to the attention of Vijayaditya by the intelligence agency (Vegulu).
He made bad propaganda claiming that there is illegal contact between Sarangadhara and his stepmother with the wrong motive of creating conflict in Raja Raja Narendra’s house, probably unknowingly. That he ordered his people to cut off the innocent Sarangadhara’s hands and legs, in pain of punishing Yuvaraju, and that it was obligatory to obey the king’s orders to punish Yuvaraju. They took Yuvaraju to the north side of the city where there is a forest and a hill. There they executed the king’s orders by cutting off the legs and hands of the king’s son. The delicate son of King Sarangadhara in a flood of blood cries like something unable to bear the pain.
Meanwhile, he heard the voice of celestial voice saying that Sarangadhara had not committed any sin in the present life. This was due to his past life (janma) and the present punishment was the result. His huge cry reaches the ears of a Sivabhakta named Meghanadha, who resides in this mountainous valley. He immediately ran to Sarangadhara and learned the facts and did a service by advising him to pray to Lord Shiva and get his blessings. Saranghadhara did as Siva Bhakta Meghanadha advised, prayed to Lord Siva and got his Darsanam. Lord Siva was very impressed with his prayer and gave up his lost legs and hands and made him a beautiful person.
Rajahmundry Shiva Temple Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM
Sarangashara Metta Address:
Korukonda Road,
Rajahmundry,
East Godavari District,
Andhra Pradesh.