Ainavilli – ecoheritage.cpreec.org

Ainavilli is a village in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. The village is famous for Sri Vara Siddi Vinayaka Temple. The temple has gained significant popularity in recent years with thousands of devotees visiting the temple. Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy temple is an ancient and very popular shrine in the Konaseema area.

The Vinayaka idol here is said to have been installed by Veda Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata. As per the legends Vyasa Maharshi, during the beginning of his tour of the South, had installed the Son of Parvati at this place and this age – old “SIDDI VINAYAKA” is reputed to fulfill the wishes of devotees.

According to the kshetra purana, Daksha Prajapati is said to have offered prayers to this Vinayaka idol before his Yagna.

Sati, the consort of Shiva was the daughter of Daksha Prajaapati a descendant of Brahma. Sati had married Shiva against the wishes of her father. The vain Daksha performed a great yagna (with the sole aim of insulting Shiva), to which he invited all of the gods and goddesses except his son in law Shiva. Against Shiva’s wishes, Sati attended this sacrifice and was insulted by her father. Unable to bear this insult, Sati immolated herself.

Enraged at the insult and the injury, Shiva through Veerabhadra, destroyed Daksha’s sacrifice and cut off Daksha’s head. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu approached Lord Siva and prayed to shed his anger. Siva became calm and agreed to restore Daksha’s life for yagna completion. As his head could not be traced, head of a lamb was fixed on Daksha’s body and he was revived.

It is believed that Daksha realising his mistake of not praying to Lord Ganesha before the commencement of yagna, performed puja to Lord Ganesha for successful completion of his yagna. Ainavilli is believed to be the place where Daksha prayed to Lord Ganesha seeking his blessings.

Draksharamam town which is 17 kms from Ainavilli is believed to be the place where Daksha head of all prajapatis performed the yagna. The name Draksharama is said to be a corrupted form of ‘Draksharama’ or the garden of Daksha prajapathi.

Temple

Built in a large, extended, and upraised area, this temple has two gopurams (towers) sculpted skilfully with tales and idols related to the deity present in the temple. One can access this temple from two sides i.e. from the south and from the east. One can approach from the south where it leads to the shrine of the presiding deity Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy and from the east one can approach Sri Vishveshwara Swamy. The presiding deity, Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy has been installed in a unique way i.e. in the Southwest corner facing the South direction. It is believed that if one installs Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy facing in the south direction, it brings wealth and prosperity.

Apart from the shrine of the presiding deity Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy, there are also other shrines which have been installed and are situated in this temple premises. There is a shrine of Annapurna Devi along with Sri Vishveshwara Swamy which faces east. To the right side of this shrine is the shrine of Sri Keshava Swamy along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi. In the northeast corner of the temple complex, there is a shrine of Sri Kala Bhairava Swamy which faces east, and is considered the Kshetra Palaka.

The sanctum is just past the entrance, over which is a three-tiered gopuram. The image of Lord Siddhi Vinayaka is gold-plated.

The temple itself is small, as compared to the other big, famous ones, but the crowd it attracts has to be seen to be believed. Devotees from far and near visit this temple, and then return to fulfil their vows.

Festivals

Every year the following festivals are celebrated in this temple –