Sri Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple
శ్రీ భావనారాయణ స్వామి దేవాలయం
Lord Bhavanarayana Swamy · Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh
Ancient
About the temple
Chief Pancha Bhavanarayana Kshetra giving the town its name (Bhavapattana / Bapatla) Traditional belief: Attainment of peace, liberation from rebirth, and domestic harmony
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 20:30
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
Deity
Lord Bhavanarayana SwamyGoddess Rajya LakshmiLord Chennakesava SwamyAlwarsGaruda
- Deity form
- Standing Chaturbhuja Vishnu in black granite holding Shankha, Chakra, Gada, and Padma
- Religious tradition
- Vaikhanasa Agama
- Sanskrit name
- श्री भावनारायण स्वामी देवालयः
- Also known as
- Bapatla Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple; Ksheera Bhavanarayana Kshetram
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM
- Break timings
- Closed daily between 01:00 PM and 04:00 PM
- Special days
- Early morning Thiruppavai parayanam during Dhanurmasam (Margashirsha)
- Festival timings
- Open continuously from 04:00 AM on Vaikunta Ekadashi & Rathotsavam
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 06:30 AM
- Midday aarti
- 11:45 AM
- Evening aarti
- 06:30 PM
- Night aarti
- 8:15 PM
- Special aarti days
- Saturdays, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Rathasapthami, Pournami
- Ritual schedule
- Suprabhatham, Thomala Seva, Sahasranamarchana, Bali Haranam, Sayana Seva
- Pooja timings
- 06:30 AM - 11:30 AM; 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM
- Abhishek timings
- 07:00 AM - 08:30 AM (Fridays for Moolavar)
- Special poojas
- Available
- Online pooja booking
- Yes
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Cholas (Kulottunga Chola I) & later Gajapatis / Vijayanagara kings
- Architect / builder
- Chola Royal Sthapatis
- Construction materials
- Solid black granite blocks, lime mortar, carved stone pillars
- Historical events
- Consecration under Chola imperial authority documented in stone records
- Renovations
- Renovations recorded under Vijayanagara empire; ASI/Endowments conservation in modern times
- Archaeological importance
- State Protected Inscriptional Monument with significant Chola epigraphs
- Legends
- Traditional belief: Sage Agastya worshiped Bhavanarayana Swamy here to remove sins
- Inscriptions
- Numerous Tamil and Grantha-Telugu inscriptions of Kulottunga Chola I and Rajendra Choda
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- c. 11th - 15th Century CE
- Structure
- Prakara-enclosed temple complex with vimana and mandapas
- Floors
- 2
- Gopuram
- Five-tiered towering Rajagopuram with traditional stucco Vaishnava sculptures
- Mandapa
- Intricately carved Chola Mukha Mandapa and Maha Mandapa on granite base
- Sculptural features
- Exquisite Chola reliefs of Dashavatara, carvings of celestial dancers and Alwars
- Artistic elements
- Ornate stone friezes on vimana adhisthana; lotus medallions on ceiling slabs
- Construction technique
- Dry stone ashlar masonry with interlocking granite slabs
- Unique features
- One of the rare Pancha Bhavanarayana Kshetras; historic solar alignment during equinoxes
Festivals & events
BrahmotsavamVaikunta EkadashiUgadiRathasapthamiKartika Pournami
- Festival calendar
- Vaishakha Shukla Padyami to Pournami (Brahmotsavam); Margashirsha
- Special celebration days
- Rathasapthami, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Saturdays in Purattasi
- Cultural events
- Veda parayanam, classical dance recitals during Brahmotsavams
- Annual events
- Bhavanarayana Swamy Rathotsavam (Car Festival) and Kalyanotsavam
- Peak crowd season
- December - January (Dhanurmasam / Vaikunta Ekadashi) and May (Brahmotsavam)
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
- Parking capacity
- 20+ Vehicles
- Parking fees
- approx. 20 INR
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer
- Prasadam
- Laddu; Pulihora