Penugonda Temple, West Godavari
from Andhra Pradesh Temple Guide and from West Godavari Travel Guide

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The Birth place of Vasavi Matha. The holy Sri Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari temple which finds mention in various ancient religious texts. According to a legend, Vasavi Kanyaka Paratneswariwas fambus for her beauty. The holy temple enshrining the august triple deities- Sri Nagareswaraswamy, Mother Kanyakaparameswari and Mahishasuramardini. The temple is built in strict accordance with vastu sastra and so possessing sturdy prakars, tall gopuras , spacious courtyards, several minishrines, vast garbagrihas, grand mukhamandapas etc. it faces east and a tall tower surmounting over the broad mahadwara beckons the visitors with its beautiful sculptural pieces adoring it from top to bottom and on all four sides too. In front of it lies a vast courtyard with several buildings housing the office room, choultry and quarters for the staff. In the second Prakara, there are many mandamus installed with adorable deities, like Vinayaka, Bali, Navagrahas, besides the exquisitely made colorful statues of Mother Kanyakaparameswari standing in fire -pit with parents by her side. The garbha griha of Nagareswaraswamy is quite spacious, and its spick and span together with the elevated vedh for the lingam in the center is masterly planned and tastefully executed. The imposing ling installed on a broad, high pedestial adorned with colorful garlands and the triple lines studded with diamonds is so captivating that the devotees raise their hands in veneration the moment it gleams into their sight. And feel transported to Kailas for a while. Its size and sheen are its plus points. The other two garbha grihas frankling this housing Mahishasuramardhini and Vasavamba are equally grand, and the icons beautified with dazzling jewels and colorful outfit mesmerises the adorers. A single darsan leaves unforgettable impression on the minds of the devotees and beckons repeated visits on and on. Visit it for not profit and pray for emancipation. An unexplained mystery of this temple is that the sandalwood paste smeared around the linga remains fresh and wet till the next morning.

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