The history of Vizianagaram Pydithalli Temple dates back to 18th century. As per legends, the goddess Pydimamba was the sister of king Vijaya Rama Raju of the Gajapati Dynasty. In 1756 there was a continuous rivalry between the king of Vizianagaram and the king of Bobbili. Vijaya Rama Raju, with the help of the French army led by General De Bussy, attacked Bobbili which led to the “Bobbili Battle” on 23rd January 1757. During the battle, several Bobbili soldiers were killed and the Bobbili fort was almost demolished. The wife of king Vijaya Rama Raju and his sister Pydimamba, who was suffering from a disease, tried to convince him to avoid the battle. While Pydimamba was performing a pooja she understood that his brother was in trouble.
Through a soldier named Patiwada Appala Naidu, she tried to convey a message to her brother. On Vijaya Dasami she got the sad news that Vijaya Rama Raju was killed by Tandra Papa Rayudu. Hearing the tragic news, she fainted and fell ill. She felt that it was time for her soul to join goddess Durga. She died and on next Tuesday the villagers found an idol of her at the western part of Pedda Cheruvu (lake). They constructed a temple at that place and installed her statue near the lake.
Sri Pydithallamma Temple Timings:
6.00 am to 1.00 pm and 1.30 pm to 8.00 pm.
Vizianagaram Pydithalli Temple Sirimanu Utsav:
Sirimanu means a big tree. Sirimanu Utsav is celebrated every year on the first Tuesday after Vijayadasami. It is believed that 15 days before the beginning of Sirimanu Utsav, goddess Pydimamba will appear in the dream of the temple priest (pujari) and tell him the location of the Sirimanu for that year. The Pujari will go and find out the sirimanu and will cut it and perform puja. Wherever be the location of that sirimanu, the owner must agree to cut it for the festival. After neatly converting it into the desired shape, the Sirimanu will be placed over a chariot, which will be brought to Lanters junction around 2 PM in the afternoon. The Pujari will make darshan of Goddess and will sit on the Sirimanu chariot. Between 3 PM to 4 PM, this sirimanu will move 3 times to Vizianagaram fort and temple. Sitting on the top of the fort, the Vizianagaram Rajas will watch the festival. The Rajas will give new clothes to the pujari and puja will be performed. There will be a chariot in the shape of a White elephant in front of Srimanu.
Importance of White elephant:
Many people are not aware of the importance of the white elephant moving in front of Sirimanu chariot. It is said that during the festival celebration in the olden day’s Maharajas used to sit on this white elephant to participate in the Sirimanu Utsav. Now it has become a tradition to move the white elephant in front of Sirimanu.
Importance of Anjali Chariot:
According to legends, Sri Pydimamba died before she got married. So it has become a tradition to sit five married women on the Anjali chariot which moves in front of Sirimanu. Since there are five married women sitting on this chariot, it is called Anjali chariot. Sirimanu Paladhara is another interesting tradition, which comprises of an umbrella made of fishing nets, decorated with flowers and fruits.
Importance of PalaDhara:
There is a story behind the tradition of Paladhara. When the idol of the Goddess was found in the western side of the lake, Patiwda Appalanaidu arranged professional swimmers of Yata Veedhi to take it out. They agreed to do it, but instead of accepting money, they put a condition that they would be allowed to participate in the Srimanu utsav with an umbrella made of fishing nets. Patiwada Appalanaidu agreed and he got permission of the Rajas to follow this tradition. Since then it became a tradition to use Sirimanu Paladhara.
The celebration of the Sirimanu Utsav ends just before sunset. Thousands of devotees from different parts of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh participate in the Sirimanu Utsav. Farmers used to keep a small portion of the branch near the plough at their house with a belief that they will get a good crop in the coming year.
Sevas/Poojas in Pydithalli Ammavari Temple:
- Sarva Darshan (Free Darshan)
- Sahasra Deepalankarana Seva (At Vanamgudi) – Rs.2,500/-
Every Friday: 1 Kanduva, 1 Blouse Piece and 4 Laddus are given as prasadam. - Saswata Panchamrutha Abhishekam (Ksheera Abhishekam) – Rs. 1,500/-
- Saswata Nithya pooja every day – Rs. 1,500/-
- Chandi Homan – Rs.500/-
(At Vanamgudi,Every Month on Moola Nakshatra and every month 3rd tuesday at chaduru gudi) 1 Kanduva, 1 Blouse Piece and 4 Laddus are given as prasadam. - Sri Chakra Kumkum Archana to Durgamma in Dasara Navaratri – Rs.300/-
1 Kanduva, 1 Blouse Piece and 2 Laddus are given as prasadam. - Everyday at 8.00 am Sri Chakra Kumkum Archana – Rs.300/-
1 Kanduva, 1 Blouse Piece and 2 Laddus are given as prasadam. - 108 Swarna Pushpa Archana Seva – Rs.216/-
1 Kanduva, 1 Blouse Piece and 2 Laddus are given as prasadam. - Everyday at 8.00 am Vishista Kumkum Archana Rs.150/-
Except Tuesday - Every Tuesday at 8.00 am Ksheera Abhishekam – Rs. 150/-
1 Kanduva, 1 Blouse Piece and 2 Laddus are given as prasadam. - Pancha Harathulu Seva – Rs. 150/-
(Everyday at 6.30 pm in Vanamgudi and chaduru gudi)
1 Kanduva, 1 Blouse Piece and 2 Laddus are given as prasadam. - Anthralaya Dharsan – Rs.30/-
- Seegra Darshan – Rs.50/-
(Only During Festival Seasons in chaduru gudi) - Seegra Darshan – Rs.30/-
(Only During Festival Seasons Vanamgudi) - Special Darshan – Rs.20/-
(Only During Festival Seasons in chaduru gudi) - Special Darshan – Rs.20/-
(Only During Festival Seasons Vanamgudi) - Jammi Chettu Pooja – Rs.10/-
Daily at Vanamgudi - Gotra Nama Archana Daily – Rs.5/-
- Kesha kandana Daily (Head Shaving) – Rs.10/-
- Adala Mandapam Darshan – Rs.2/- Daily at Vanamgudi
Vizianagaram Pydithalli Temple Address:
Sri Pydithalli Ammavari Temple
Sivalayam Street,
Vizianagaram,
Andhra Pradesh – 535002.
Phone: 08922-222789, 233744, 233982.