The temple that gave the village its name

In Ichhapuram of Srikakulam district, the goddess Swechadevi is being worshiped as Santa Murthy, Usually the village deity appears as a fierce figure with big eyes and a sword in hand. But none of these features are found in the statue of Goddess of Swechadevi. Devotees believe that the form of Narayani is being worshiped here as Karunamurti. That is why animal sacrifice is prohibited in this temple premises. A large number of devotees from Telugu states, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and other states come here to participate in the festival of the Goddess, which has a history of more than a thousand years. Those who cannot come at that time come with their families on some day of the year and worship the goddess.

Sthalapuranam:

Thousands of years ago this place was a dense forest. It doesn't even have a name because it is a small town with tens of houses with two streets adjacent to this forest. Once there was a smallpox epidemic in the village. Many people died due to this. In that condition, the farmer who lives in the area where the temple is now used to burden the god and cultivate the field. One day while plowing the field, the plow got stuck in the ground. No matter how much the plow pulls, the plough did not come out. He called bystanders and tried to pull him out with their help but in vain. So he left the plow and went home. That night the village elder saw Amma in her dream and told her that she was there where the plow had stopped and that her name was SWECHAVATHI. Next day came to the place where the plow was with the villagers. Amma prayed for them and dug in the ground and found a stone with the name given by Amma. Anointed it and put it under the canopy and started worshiping it. The village was named after the goddess SWECHAVATHI.  In the course of time, the locals believe that this town has become Ichchapura, 

Once in 12 years..

Once in twelve years "Mahasambar" is performed in this temple with great pomp and splendor to the Goddess. The month- long festival begins with the Abhishekam of the Goddess. On the same night, a red flower bouquet is placed on the idol of the goddess. While the 12 Vedic scholars were chanting, a flower falls from the decorated flowers on Ammavari's head. The same is considered the permission of Ammavari. The festival statue of the Goddess of that flower is the home of the local Gilai clans It is brought to the village by putting it in a jar brought from there. From there they are paraded in all the streets of the village for month. After that, the celebrations end with Amma's ghata being brought to the temple. Devotees consider Tuesday as the most beloved day of the Goddess SWECHAVATHI. That is why special recitations are performed in this temple on Tuesdays. Along with these, Abhishekam, Sindura Archana and Shanti Homam are held on the day of every month. Dussehra Navratri celebrations are celebrated here. In the name of Navadurga, the form is decorated every day and pujadikas are performed in that name. It is remarkable that the same decoration and pooja are done for Srisailam Bhramarambika Devi and Srikakulam Goddess SWECHAVATHI.

How to come:

There are rail and road routes to visit the Goddess SWECHAVATHI. The temple is about a kilometer away from the Ichhapuram railway station. Bus service is available from all major cities of the state. Private buses are also available from Odisha's Brahmapura to this field.