Information of Chennakeshwara Alayam Temple, Gadwal Fort, Mahbubnagar, Telangana

The Chennakeshwara Alayam is situated within the Nalla Somanadri fort or Gadwal Fort, in Gadwal, in the district of Mahbubnagar, in the state of Telangana, in South India. The principal deity of this shrine is Lord Venkateshwara who is affectionately called Chennakeshwara. This Lord was prayed wholeheartedly by the ancient and medieval rulers of Gadwal. It is to be remembered that Gadwal region was known as "Vidvadgadwala". It is located on National Highway No. 7 in between Kurnool and Hyderabad. It is just 16 Kms away from Erravelli Junction. It is a historical temple that is largely associated with this Fort with a lot of perfection.

Chennakeshwara Alayam Temple Religious Significance

The Chennakeshwara Alayam has lot of historical and religious significance related to this region to a great extent. This shrine was largely associated with the Royal family for centuries. This temple received regular patronage from the Royal family and local people to a great extent. The religious functions and activities are conducted as per the ancient Vedic rules and regulations. A good number of tourists, visitors, adherent devotees and pilgrims visit this particular fort and its temples located within the fort complex with great devotion and commitment in a religious manner. The temple is kept wide open for all from early morning to noon hours. Later, the temple is again opened and kept available for devotees from early evening hours to night.

Chennakeshwara Alayam Temple Architectural Significance

During the 17th Century, the Gadwal rulers named Peda Soma Bhupaludu who is also known as Somanadri has built this fort in Gadwal in the district of Mahbubnagar. This particular fort is really impregnable and very strong because it was constructed in a successful manner with huge walls plus moats around it. The fort is now nearly 300 years old still it is very strong. The fort comprises of a water body known as Koneru, Sri Ramalayam, Sri Venugopala Swamy temple and Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple. The temple architecture style and pattern of this shrine is largely based on the South Indian ancient Hindu temple architecture. There are also a perfect blend of local architectural style and pattern of this region in certain aspects. The interior and exterior of this shrine is very attractive as it gives a perfect blend of ancient and medieval Hindu customs and tradition with a lot of perfection. There are lot of beautiful carvings on the pillars, walls, ceiling and flooring of this shrine. The prayer hall of this shrine has many pillars that actually support the entire building structure. This shrine is specious with large courtyard that is suitable for different types of Hindu religious activities and functions to a great extent. The main sanctum is on the raised platform. There are fleets of steps to this raised platform. There are attractive concrete structures within and outside this temple complex. The temple architecture seems unique in this fort premises. The temple is four sided walled with entry and exist gateway with small towers or Vimana.

Festivals at Chennakeshwara Alayam Temple

On major and minor Hindu festivals such as Deepavali, Holi, Telugu New year, Raksa Bandan, Ekadasi, etc, large number of adherent devotees from the district of Mahbubnagar and rest of the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh visit the Chennakeshwara Alayam with family members, relatives and close friends. On these auspicious days and festive days, the shrine is marked with special poojas, homams, yagnas and other religious activities and functions. The priest of this shrine maintain a good discipline in the temple premises with a lot of perfection.