Vemulawada is one of the famous pilgrim centers in Karimnagar distrcit of Andhra Pradesh. It is also called as ‘Dakshina Kasi’. To prove historical, religious and cultural significance of this holy place, we have many inscriptions. The temple of Swayambhu Lingam of Lord Sri Raja Rajeswara Swamy, one of the manifestations of Lord Shiva, made the place sacred. The Swayam Bhu Lingam is much ancient than the Vemulawada village.

Legend of Lord Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple:
After demolishing the demon, Vrithasura, Lord Indra went to a lot of places to purify himself. But he could not purify. Lord Bruhaspati, Guru of Gods, advised him to visit Sri Raja Rajeshwara Kshetram and to worship the Lord. Indra then visited the place and took a holy dip in Dharma Gundam and blessed by the Lord to rule the Gods with peace and prosperity. This ancient legend gives us an astonishing evidence about the presence of Lord Raja Rajeshwar in Krita Yuga.

Another Legend of Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Swayambhu Lingam:
While hunting in this place, King Raja Raja Narendra, who ruled Southern part of India, killed a brahmin brahmachari (boy). He killed the boy mistakenly, as the boy was driking water from a pond and the king thought that it was a wild animal drinking water and hit him with an arrow.

To remove his Brahma Hatya Dosham (killing a brahmin is considered as killing Lord Brahma), he went to many places. One night while he was sleeping at this place, he got a dream in which Lord Shiva appeared and told him to bring out the Lingam and establish a temple for it. King did the same thing as he was told in dream by Lord Shiva.

The king brought the Lingam from the Darma Gundam (above said pond) and established a temple. But when was sleeping some Saints came and established the Lingam in the temple. Despite the missed opportunity to establish the Swayambhu Lingam, king Raja Raja Narendra was given a boon by Lord Shiva that the Lingam will be called as Raja Rajeshwara Swamy.

Vemulawada Temple – Popular Hari Hara Kshetram:
Many legends and stories explain the existance of Raja Rajeshwara Swamy’s Swayambhu Lingam in Krita Yuga, Tretha Yuga and Dwapara Yuga. According to many mythologies, many Saints and Sages visited the place and worshipped Lord Raja Rajeshwara Swamy. Even though the main deity is Lord Raja Rajeswara Swamy, the temples of Lord Sri Kodanda Rama and Lakshmi Sameta Anantha Padmanabha Swamy are also have importance. Hence, Vemulawada temple premises is also called as ‘Hari Hara Kshetram’.

Some more famous temples in the main temple premises:
Lord Sri Bheemeshwara Temple
Goddess Baddi Pochamma Temple
Lord Nageshwara Temple
Lord Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple
Lord Hanuman (Anjaneya) Temple
Lord Mandapa Hanuman Temple
Goddess Mahalaxmi Temple

Here, Goddess Parvati (Vaarahi) sameta Shiva Shankara murthi and Goddess Lakshmi sameta Lord Anantha Padamanabha are the festive idols.

Important Festivals Celebrated in Vemulawada Temple:
1. Maha Shivaratri festvial: Maha Shivaratri is the important festival to celebrate in Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple. In 2009, Shivarathri is celebrated on 23rd February, Monday.
2. Shiva Parvati Kalyanam (Marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati)
3. Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam
4. Sri Gita Jayanthi
5. Sri Tyagarajotsavam
6. Durga Devi Navaratri (Sharan Navratrulu)