On my visit to Kota Sattemma Temple, Nidadavolu (East Godavari Dist ) A.P.

 

Kota Sattemma Temple entrance

                                       

Way to the temple

                                              

Entrance Hall or Mukhamandapam

                                

  

                        

Kota Sattemma Idol in the sanctum

                                                      

Nangalamma idol near the Godavari canal

This temple was established by the eastern Chalukya king, Veerabhadra who married Kakatiya queen Rani Rudramadevi in Nidadavolu (Niravadyapuram). This Swaymbhu ten-feet high (self-manifested) idol was once seen in the king’s fort. This fort was a “Jaladurgam” of eastern Chalukya kings surrounded by water bodies. Once this town was the capital of Eastern Chalukya kings. King Veerabhadra ruled some parts of West Godavari district in 13^th century.  The Goddess was regarded as the protector of the fort. The Chalukya King Bhima, builder of Draksharama temple, won this region from Rashtrakutas.  Once there were more than one hundred Shiva temples in this region., Many of these temples were destroyed by Mohd bin Tuglk in 1323.Gradually the fort was gone. In 1934, a native of Thimmaraju Palem, Sri Devulapalli Rama Murty Shastri found this idol in his field. The goddess appeared in his dream and asked him to construct a temple. Shastri with the help of farmers constructed this temple. With the permission Rama Murty Shastri, this temple was once managed by Yadavas. Nidadavolu was developed prominent Arya Vaisyas. Timmaraju Palem is just three kms from Nidadavolu town.

The main idol is seen with four hands bearing a conch, dice, Abhayaa, Varada Mudras and bearing a Yagnopavita (the sacred thread). The conch in her hand represents power and sacred sound of “OM”. The dice in Her hand represents strategy and intelligence. She is also associated with (Hala) that is a plough since the idol was discovered by the plough while Krishna Sastri was ploughing the field. In 1992 the Endowments Department took charge of this temple. Nityannadanam (free meals) is done every day in the afternoon.

 Between 1976 and 1977, the temple was further expanded. In 2002 this temple was developed with a spacious premises. The opening hours of this temple are from 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.  On Sundays and Tuesdays, the temple is open from 3.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Many unmarried people and couples desiring progeny offer prayers here. Even Muslims visit this place to get their desires fulfilled.  On Sundays and Tuesdays, many devotees come to this temple in large numbers from East and Godavari districts, Srikakulam and Vijayanagara districts also.

 Special poojas are done on auspicious festival days like Ugadi, Sri Rama Navami, Toli Ekadasi, Vara Lakshmi Vratam, Krishnashtami, Vinayaka Chaviti, Navaratri, radha Mukkoti Ekadashi, Sankranti, and Radhasaptami festival days. During Navaratri days, Chandi Homam is done. The nearby temples in Chinna Kashi Revu, like Golingeshwara Alayam, Anjaneya Alayam, Someshwara Alayam,Madana Gopala Swamy Alayam, and the temple of local Goddess Nangamma Alayam.  Nanagalamma temple is in Samisragudem.

There are three buildings for devotees to stay here. There is also a shopping complex here to buy pooja material. All these temples are located beside the bank of Godavari canal.

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     30th May 2026                             Somaseshu Gutala