Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakshi Tayee Ammavari Temple, Jonnawada

History of temple:

Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy, Kamakshi Tayee Temple is situated on the Northern Bank of the River Pinakini in S.P.S. Nellore District, 10 Kms to the Western side to Nellore.  Zainawada shines fourth as the formost of all the sacred places in this District. Mother Kamakshi and Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy dwell here in all their divine glory. Zannawada is no other than SRUPRAYOGA on the banks of the holy River Pinakini clerbrated in the Brahmanda and other Puranas. The Purana of his holy place is wonderful one describing the great miracle of the Avatara of Lord Mallikarjuna.

According to the Furanas this holy place was selected by the great saint named KASHYAPA for his Brahma sacrifice. He built up the holy fire GARHASPATYA at this place and the holy fire and the holy fire DAKSHINAGNI on the vedagiri hill nearby. After establishing the triple holy fire Kashyapa completed the yagnam. As the site of the great sacrifice performed by Kashyapa, the place naturally acquired the name YAGNAVATIKA which mean place of sacrifice. The name was later become popular at Zattawada.

It is an article of faith to all Hindus that a dip in the River behind the Temple at Zannawada will clean their sin. In the Puranas, Soota the narrator and the great sages led by SHAUNAKA comprising the audience, a speak in no uncertain terms of the power and Glory of Places’ Many great sages have worshipped Lord Mallikarjuna and Mother Kamakshi Tayee of Zannawada. It is also said that great Sankaracharya visited Zannawada and worshipped Mother Kamakshi.

Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakshi Tayee Temple was built in the year 1150 A.D. and is located on the banks of Penna river. 

Once Kasyapa Prajapathi wanted to perform Yagna and started searching for the place in the southern part of India. meanwhile he reached Rajathagiri, which is located north to Penna river and decided to perform Yagna there. Kasyapa installed three Yagna Gundams namely, Daskhanagni, Aahananiyagni, Aaraspathyagni to perform Yagna. Lord Siva was very much pleased with Kasyapa’s Yagna and emerged out of Yagna Gundam in a Linga shape. It is mentioned in the Skanda Purana, that the place where Yagna is held is called Jannada, which later took the form as Jonnavada.

Goddess Parvathi then reached Jonnavada in search of Lord Siva. Lord Siva requested Goddess to stay here at this place. On his, request Goddess self manifested and started residing in the Penna river. Later fishermen installed the idol on the banks of Penna river and started offering prayers, which caught in their fishing net.

During the 4th century, Aadi Sankaracharya on his way to Kailasagiri found that this Idol is the manifestation of the Goddess Parvathi and installed the idol along with Lord Siva in the temple.

There is a lake near to temple which is called Kasyapa Theertham, belief is that whoever takes a dip here will be free from committed sins in the present life.

Timings to visit

5:00 AM – 1:00 PM |  4:30 PM – 9:15 PM

Festivals celebrate at Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakshi Tayee Temple

Dusserah, Vaisakha Brahmotsavams.

How to Reach 

By Air: Tirupati International Airport – 143 km

By Train: Nellore Railway Station – 15 km

By Bus: Nellore – 12 km