Andhra Vishnu, better known as Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnu statue, was set up in Andhra in a pre-existing older temple. The previous deistic form worshiped in the temple is unknown.
Āndhra Vishnu temple
The deity of the temple is known as ''Andhra Maha Vishnu ''or ''Srikakulandhra Maha Vishnu''. The main sanctum of the temple survived at least since the time of the
Satavahana emperors. The deity for whom the Satavahanas built the temple is unknown.
The temple was also repaired and worshipped restored by the Rajas of
Challapalli after a period of decline due to Muslim raids.
This temple has many attractions and historical links. As many as 32 inscriptions, including those issued by
Krishnadevaraya
Krishnadevaraya (17 January 1471 – 17 October 1529) was emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1509 to 1529 and the third ruler of the Tuluva dynasty. Widely regarded as one of the greatest rulers in Indian history, he presided over t ...
, appear on the walls of the temple.
The presiding deity has some striking peculiarities. The deity holds a sankha in right hand and a chakra in left hand as against usual practice of vice versa.The inscriptions on Avatars were added after 1010 reconstruction. The oldest version had no reference to any other forms. Likewise, Krishna does not find place in dasavatara (the ten incarnations of Vishnu) here. The list includes, Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Buddha and Kalki. The present temple is said to be existing from 1010 A.D., and was reconstructed twice before now.
Andhra Kaumudi
In ''Andhra Kaumudi'', a Telugu grammar book it was mentioned that he was son of Suchandra. It seems Āndhra Viṣhṇu having built an immense wall, connecting
Sri Sailam,
Bheemeswaram, and
Kaleshwaram, with the Mahendra hills, formed in it three gates, in which the three eyed
Ishwara, bearing the trident in his hand and attended by a host of divine gods resided in the form of three lingams. Āndhra Viṣhṇu assisted by divine gods having fought with the great giant Nishambhu for thirteen yugas killed him in battle and took up his residence with the sages on the banks of the river
Godavari
The Godavari (, �od̪aːʋəɾiː is India's second longest river after the Ganga River and drains the third largest basin in India, covering about 10% of India's total geographical area. Its source is in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik, Maharash ...
, since which time, the Andhra country has been named Trilingam.
Andhra Nayaka Satakam
''Andhra Nayaka Satakam'' was written by
Kasula Purushottama Kavi, a poet who enjoyed the patronage of the Zamindar of
Challapalli in
Diviseema
Diviseema is a small and deltaic island in Krishna District of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It comprises seven Mandals in total - Avanigadda, Challapalli, Mopidevi, Nagayalanka, Koduru, Ghantasala and Movva . Diviseema was also known a ...
region of
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh (ISO 15919, ISO: , , AP) is a States and union territories of India, state on the East Coast of India, east coast of southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, seventh-largest state and th ...
. After hearing this satakam and being moved by it, the Srikakulandhra Maha Vishnu Temple was also repaired and worshipped restored by the Zamindars of
Challapalli.
This satakam is notable because of the ''vyāja ninda'' and ''vyāja stuti'' employed to denounce Andhra Viṣhṇu and put him down for his various qualities and actions while actually praising him indirectly.
Āmuktamālyada

Once the
Vijayanagara
Vijayanagara () is a city located in Vijayanagara district of Karnataka state in India.[Vijayanagara](_blank) emperor
Krishnadevaraya
Krishnadevaraya (17 January 1471 – 17 October 1529) was emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1509 to 1529 and the third ruler of the Tuluva dynasty. Widely regarded as one of the greatest rulers in Indian history, he presided over t ...
was travelling via
Vijayawada
Vijayawada ( ), formerly known by its colonial name Bezawada, is the second largest city and a major commercial hub in the Andhra Pradesh state of India. The city forms an integral part of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region and is situated on th ...
during his
Kalinga campaign. He had conquered
Vijayawada
Vijayawada ( ), formerly known by its colonial name Bezawada, is the second largest city and a major commercial hub in the Andhra Pradesh state of India. The city forms an integral part of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region and is situated on th ...
,
Kondapalli fort and the surrounding areas. He learned of the holy temple of Andhra Viṣhṇu and visited Srikakulam village for a few days. He performed the
Ekadasi Vrata
Vrata is a Sanskrit word that means "vow, resolve, devotion", and refers to pious observances such as Fasting#Hinduism, fasting and pilgrimage (Tirtha (Hinduism), Tirtha) found in Indian religions such as Hinduism and Jainism. It is typically ...
m during that time. It is here that Andhra Viṣhṇu appeared to the emperor in an early morning dream.
Krishnadevaraya said
Andhra Viṣhṇu told him to compose the story of his wedding with
Andal
Andal (ISO 15919: Āṇḍāḷ), also known as Godhai, Nachiyar, and Godha Devi, is the only female Alvars, Alvar. (Orthodoxy posits the number of Alvars as ten, though there are other references that include Andal and Madhurakavi Alvar, ...
at
Srirangam
Srirangam is a neighbourhood in the city of Tiruchirappalli in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. A river island, Srirangam is bounded by the Kaveri River on one side and its distributary Kollidam on the other side. Considered as the first among ...
. He also ordered the emperor to tell the story in the Telugu language. The emperor obliged, composing ''
Amuktamalyada'', which is one of the most famous poetic works in
Telugu literature
Telugu literature includes poetry, short stories, novels, plays, and other works composed in Telugu. There is some indication that Telugu literature dates at least to the middle of the first millennium. The earliest extant works are from the ...
. From 14th poem of this work we can see that the Lord Śrī Āndhra Viṣhṇu refers himself as King of Telugus (Telugu Vallabhunḍa).
Within ''Amuktamalyada'' itself it was mentioned that on a ''Harivasara'', Sri Krishnadevaraya had the Darsan of Andhra Viṣhṇu. ''Harivasara'' is the time between the last four
muhurtas of Ekadasi and the first four muhurtas of Dwadasi, i.e., 6 hours and 24 minutes. This incident of visiting the temple must be between
Ahobilam
Ahobilam (Telugu: ఆహోబిలం, Tamil: திருசிங்கவேள் குன்றம், Sanskrit: अहोबिलम्) is a revered town, collection of temples, and a sacred pilgrimage site nestled within the rugge ...
Śaasanam (dated December 1515) and
Simhāchalam Śaasanam (dated 30 March 1515)
[Amuktamalyada Vol1, Acharya Tummapudi Koteswararao, Malayakuta Publications, 2001. So, May be in January 1516 he might have visited the temples. Beyond this no other valid references are available for exact date of visit.]
Popular culture
In 1962, the
Telugu movie named ''
Srikakula Andhra Maha Vishnu Katha'' was made based on the story of this legendary king, directed by A. K. Sekhar, casting
N. T. Rama Rao,
Jamuna,
S. V. Ranga Rao,
M. Balaiah,
Relangi, Girija, L. Vijaya Lakshmi,
Chaya Devi,
Mudigonda Linga Murthy. Producer was D. Lakshminarayana Chowdary and music was given by
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Pendyala Nageswara Rao (6 March 1917 – 31 August 1984), known mononymously by his surname Pendyala, was an Indian composer, multi-instrumentalist, conductor, music producer known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema along with Tam ...
.
gallery
Ganesha stone carved Relief Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnu Temple.jpg
Gopuram Srikakaula Andhramaha vishnu temple.jpg
Stone carved Vishnu relief Srikakulam Village Krishna District.jpg
Relief of Godess Durga at AndhraMaha Vishnu Temple Krishna District.jpg
Rear view Andhra mahavishnu Temple Krishna District.jpg
Srikakulandhra Maha Vishnu Temple Panorama.jpg
References
Srinivas, Sistla., (Tr.) Sri Krishna Deva Raya's Amuktamalyada, Visakhapatnam, 2010.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Andhra Vishnu
Telugu people
History of Andhra Pradesh
Indian Hindus
Hindu monarchs