Sri Moolastaneswara Swamy Temple – Nellore’s Ancient Shaiva Kshetra

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Location Overview

  • Place: Mulapeta, on the western side of Nellore city, Andhra Pradesh
  • Accessibility:
    • Just 2 km from Nellore bus station
    • Well-connected by road and rail from Tirupati and Chennai
    • Nearest airport: Tirupati

Presiding Deities & Subshrines

  • Main Deity: Sri Moolastaneswara Swamy (a form of Lord Shiva)
  • Consort: Sri Bhuvaneshwari Devi
  • Subshrines within the temple complex:
    • Sri Vinayaka Swamy
    • Sri Subrahmanyaswara Swamy with Sri Valli and Sri Devasena
    • Sri Kala Bhairava Swamy
    • Sri Virabhadra Swamy
    • Sri Sahasra Lingeswara Swamy
    • Sri Saraswati Devi and Sri Durga Devi
    • Sri Dakshinamurthy Swamy
    • Navagrahas (Nine planetary deities)
    • Sri Nataraja Swamy
    • Sri Venugopala Swamy with Sri Satyabhama
    • Sri Surya Narayana Swamy

Temple Significance

  • Historical Depth: Believed to be over 1400 years old, with architectural influences from the Kakatiya and Chola dynasties
  • Sacred Origin: Legend tells of a cow anointing a Shiva lingam with milk at an anthill. When struck accidentally, the lingam bled—prompting King Mukanti Reddy to build the temple following a divine dream
  • Cultural Importance:
    • Tikkana Somayaji, the famed Telugu poet, began his translation of the Mahabharata only after offering prayers here
    • The temple is considered the oldest Shaiva Kshetra in Nellore

Daily & Weekly Rituals

  • Suprabhata Seva: Early morning awakening of the deity with Vedic chants
  • Abhishekam: Ritual bathing of the Shiva Lingam with milk, curd, honey, and sacred water
  • Alankaram: Decoration of the deities with flowers, sandal paste, and traditional attire
  • Archana & Harathi: Regular offerings and waving of camphor lamps
  • Prasadam Distribution: Devotees receive sacred offerings after puja

On Mondays, special Shiva pujas are performed, drawing larger crowds due to the day's auspiciousness for Lord Shiva.

Major Festivals Celebrated

1. Maha Shivaratri

  • The most significant festival here
  • Includes Jagaran (night vigil), Rudra Homam, and special Abhishekams
  • Devotees fast and chant “Om Namah Shivaya” throughout the night

2. Karthika Masam (October–November)

  • Month-long celebrations with daily deepams (lamps) lit around the temple
  • Karthika Pournami is marked by mass lighting of lamps and special pujas
  • Devotees perform Shiva Lingarchana and Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam

3. Sravana Masam (July–August)

  • Special pujas to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari
  • Fridays are especially auspicious for Devi worship

4. Navaratri & Dasara

  • Celebrated with Devi Alankaram and Chandi Homam
  • Cultural programs and devotional music add vibrancy

5. Vinayaka Chaturthi

  • Worship of Sri Vinayaka Swamy with modakas and special rituals

6. Subrahmanya Shashti

  • Devotees offer prayers to Sri Subrahmanyaswara Swamy with kavadi and milk abhishekam

Temple Timings – Sri Moolastaneswara Swamy Temple, Nellore

  • Morning Hours: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Evening Hours: 05:00 PM to 09:00 PM

The Nelli Tree Connection

  • It is believed that Lord Shiva manifested under a Nelli tree (Phyllanthus emblica).
  • The town’s name “Nellore” is derived from this sacred tree: Nelli + Uru (village).

Devotee Beliefs

  • Wish Fulfillment: Devotees believe that sincere prayers here lead to the fulfillment of desires, especially related to health, family harmony, and spiritual growth.
  • Powerful Shiva Kshetra: It is considered one of the oldest and most potent Shaiva temples in the region, drawing pilgrims from across Andhra Pradesh.
  • Protective Energy: Worship of subshrines like Kala Bhairava, Veerabhadra, and Sahasra Lingeswara is believed to ward off negative energies and grant inner strength.

How to Get There

  •  Location: Mulapeta, Nellore City, Andhra Pradesh
    Just 2 km from Nellore Bus Station, easily accessible by auto or cab

By Train

  • Nellore Railway Station (NLR) is a major stop on the Chennai–Kolkata line
  • Well-connected to cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Vijayawada

By Air

  • Nearest Airport: Tirupati Airport (~130 km)
  • Alternate Option: Chennai International Airport (~175 km)
  • From either airport, take a bus or taxi to Nellore

By Road

  • Located on NH16, part of the Golden Quadrilateral
  • Regular APSRTC buses from Tirupati, Chennai, and Vijayawada
  • Private cabs and autos available from Nellore city center

Tips

  • Best Time to Visit: Early morning (06:00–08:00 AM) or evening (05:30–07:30 PM) for peaceful darshan
  • Dress Code: Traditional attire preferred; modest clothing recommended
  • Language: Telugu is widely spoken; basic phrases can help with local interactions
  • Photography: Restricted inside sanctum; check with temple staff before clicking
  • Nearby Attractions: Visit Jonnawada Kamakshi Temple or Penchalakona Narasimha Swamy Temple if you have time

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