Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy
Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy Temple is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Veerabhadra Swamy. Located in the Kuravi mandal of the Mahabubabad district in Telangana State, India, this temple is dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra swamy, who is fierce looking Deity with three eyes and ten hands.
According to local legend, the Kuravi Veerabhadra Swamy temple was said to have been built during 900 AD by Bheema Raju of Vengi Chalukya dynasty. Later the renovation of temple was taken up by Kakatiya ruler Betharaju I.
The reference of this temple has also made by the famous traveler ‘Marco-Polo as it stood as the capital of Vengi Chalukya Dynasty.
As Kakatiya kings were known to be followers of Lord Shiva, they constructed several temples across the empire and improved those already existed. Peddacheruvu is spread over on 100 acres of land and is just one kilometer to the historic Lord Veerabhadra Swamy temple. It has got excellent potential for development into a tourist spot.
Kuravi is unique for its culture. Lord Veera Bhadra Swami and Bhadrakali temple is famous in temple. So many Tribal and non-tribal people comes to temple to get blessings of the god. Maha siva rathiri festival is biggest event in Kuravi. Other festivals people celebrate in Kuravi are “Bathukamma”, “Bonalu”, etc.
History of the Temple
This temple is believed to be constructed by the famous ruler ‘Bheema Raju’ of Vengi Chalukya Dynasty and renovated by the Kakatiya ruler ‘Betharaju-I. The reference of this temple has also made by the famous traveler ‘Marco-Polo’ as it stood as the capital of Vengi Chalukya Dynasty. The presiding deity is Lord Veerabhadra swamy is fierce looking Diety with three eyes and ten hands. The annual jathara Brahmotsavams will be celebrated during the Maha Shivarathri Festival.
Brief Story of Veerabhadra Swamy
Veerabhadra, also known as Veerabhadra Swamy, is one of the Shiva Ganas. Veerabhadra is also worshipped as an independent Hindu God in some temples and in such worships He is considered as the son of Lord Shiva. Veerabhadra originated from a single strand of hair that was thrown on to earth by Lord Shiva on hearing the death through self immolation by Goddess Sati. Thus Veerabhadra is manifestation of Shiva’s anger or the human form given to his unparalleled fury.
Despite Shiva’s warnings, Goddess Sati went to her father, Daksha’s Yajna to ask why her husband, Shiva, was not invited for Yajna (sacrifice). Daksha insulted Sati and Shiva and unable to stand her fathers insults, She immolated herself.
Shiva Gana Veerabhadra Swamy upon hearing the news of Sati’s immolation, Shiva’s anger knew no bounds and he removed a strand of hair from his matted locks and threw to the ground. A huge volcano leaped from the spot and from the fire came – Veerabhadra – Shiva’s anger personified. From every spark of fire from the volcano arose another smaller volcano and from it came out a smaller figure resembling Veerabhadra.
Veerabhadra is usually depicted as having several hands with different weapons and an angry face.
An army of millions of Veerabhadras marched towards Daksha’s palace and they only knew death and vengeance. They destroyed whatever they saw. Finally, Veerabhadra found Daksha and cut off his head.
But wife of Daksha, Prasuti, prayed to Lord Shiva for her husband’s life. Shiva granted it and Veerabhadra placed a goat’s head on Daksha’s body.
Then Lord Shiva took the body of Goddess Sati and walked away – but the anger did not subside. The universe was being consumed by Shiva’s anger. To save the universe and bring back Shiva to the world, Lord Vishnu shot arrows at Sati’s body. Wherever a part of Sati’s body fell became Shaktipeetahs and Shiva’s anger subsided. When Shiva’s anger was fully subsided – Lord Veerabhadra, the manifestation of Shiva’s anger too vanished.