If there are temples built by the gods themselves, there are some dedicated by the devotees. But in this Bhavanarayanaswamy temple, Lord Vishnu is seen not only as Swayambhuvu but also in two other forms consecrated by Naradu and Ananthu. That is why it is believed that the devotees who visit this temple will get the blessing of seeing 108 Vishnu Murthy Kshetras. In this temple which has a history of 5000 years, it is special that Lord Vishnu appears on Garudavahanam like nowhere else.
In Telugu States:
Bhavanaara Yanaswamy Temples in Telugu states... Pancha Bhavanarayana Kshetras are mentioned among them Sarpavaram Kshetra near Kakinada is the most glorious one. In this temple, which is also known as Narada Kshetra, there are two other idols enshrined in the form of Swamy along with Rajya Lakshmi and the self- luminous serpent named Ananthu. It is said that the idol of Swami with a stick on Garudavahanam is seen only here and this idol is worshiped as Patala Bhava Narayana.
Sthalapuranam:
This place got the name Sarpavaram due to the fact that once Ananthu did penance here. Further, Brahmavaivarta Puranam, Kashikhandam and Bhimakham contain stories related to the appearance of Swami. Narada, who once went to Bhuloka Sancha, went down to take a holy bath in the lake there and then transformed into a woman. Just at that time, the Maharaja of Pithapuram, who came there, fell in love with Narada in the form of a woman and married him. Over the years, the couple had sixty children, but all of them died along with the Maharaja of Pithapuram in a war. Narada with grief When he was suffering, Lord Vishnu came and ordered him to bathe in the lake without touching his left hand. On doing as Swami said, Narada regained his original form, but his left hand remained with glasses. It is believed that after doing penance for the Lord again... Srimanna Rayana appeared in the form of Bhavanarayana and blessed Narada and then took a bath here as Swayambhu. After that, Narada along with Rajya Lakshmi consecrated the idol of Swami. It is also said that the serpent named Anam Tudu performed Hora Tapas for salvation and got the blessings of the Lord and then installed the idol of Vishnu. Here, along with Srimanna Rayana's self- measuring, there are idols installed by Sage Narada and Ananthu.
Rathasaptami is preferred:
In the sanctum sanctorum, Swami appears to the devotees as a quadruped.. along with Rajya Lakshmi. Along with the daily pujas here, priority is given to worshiping the lord on Sundays in Maghamasam. Especially with the Telugu states on the third Sunday of the Magham year.
Devotees from Maharashtra reach the temple in thousands and cook prasadam on a fire made with cow dung and report to the Lord. Devotees believe that if they offer wheat and alum jaggery to the lord and do twelve circumambulations and plant anything, it will be fulfilled. Due to Bhavanarayana Swami and Suryu being the same birth star, special pujas are performed during Rathasaptami as well. Two eyes are not enough to see the seven- day Brahmotsava for the Lord in the month of Vaisakh and the Sudarshana Homa held every full moon. The idols of Narada and Gopalakrishna found in the premises of this temple impress the devotees.
How to reach:
Devotees who want to come by plane
If you land at Vizag airport... there are buses and private vehicles to go to the temple from there. If those coming by train alight at Kakinada railway station, the temple is six kilometers away from there. Also, devotees who want to come by bus can reach the temple via Kakinada.