Sri Nookambika Ammavaru is one of the famous forms of Nine Shakti. The deity is popularly known as Sri Anagha Devi in the primeval days. It is located in Gavarapalem, Anakapalle. It is also famous as the Nookalamma temple and Kakatambika temple. Kakarlapudi Appalaraju, the diwan of the Arcot Nawab, built this temple for their family goddess Kakatambika in 1611 AD. Later the goddess got the name of Nookambika.
Cultural and Spiritual Significance Of The Temple:
The temple is the finest example of Indian sculpture and beauty. The idol of the deity is also very beautiful. The Nookambika Temple Vishakhapatnam is one of the famous tourist places in the state. The deity is so famous among the local people that the town Anakapalli is named after goddess Anagha Devi. It is believed that the goddess always protects her devotees from all kind of woes, and offer them peace and prosperity. It is also believed that devotees; especially girls come here to get married to the person of their choice, and Goddess Nookambika fulfills their desires. Married women also come here to pray for the health and prosperity of their husbands. Various festivals are observed by the devotees to celebrate the spiritual significance of Devi Nookambika.
Some More Facts About The Deity:
Devi Nookambika is a local goddess who is one of the forms of the Nine Shaktis. The Goddess has few other names as Nookalamma or Kakatambika. The local people believe that the deity is always present there to protect the villagers from all kind of hazards in their life. In the era of Kakatiya dynasty, the temple was renovated. The local people worshiped the same goddess with the name Sri Kakatamba. Pujas and other rituals were performed on the daily basis. As the Kakatiya kings started losing their dynasties, the daily rituals were intermittent. As a result, the temple and the goddess have lost their previous glory.
More Details Of The Idol:
The idol of the goddess is very vibrant. She has a kind of glow in Her face that can encourage the devotees. The idol has four hands like most of the Hindu goddess. She is holding a Trishul in one of her hands as well as a sword in her another hand, which is the sign of protection from the evil. She is also holding a purna Kalash and a damaru in her other two hands. The deity has vibrant eyes that can see the universe and protect the needy. The deity is decorated with flower ornaments on special occasions.
Other Significant Shrines:
The temple does not have any other important shrines inside the complex. It is solely dedicated to Devi Nookambika.
Usual Daily Rituals:
Daily pujas, deeparadhanas are performed in this temple. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays are considered auspicious days for performing puja to Devi Nookambika Ammavaru. If you want to visit this temple, then you are asked to get information about the Nookambika Temple timing before going there. This will help you to know which is the right time to visit the temple. The temple remains open for the devotees daily from 7 am to 7 pm. Devotees come with garlands and incense sticks to offer their prayers to the Devi.
Some Special Occasions:
The local devotees take part in the daily pujas and archanas to offer their homage to the Goddess Nookambika. However, there are some special festivals, which are observed for the deity. The biggest festival of Sri Nookambika Temple is Nookalamma jathara. This held for one month long. The festival begins on Kottha Amavasya, which is a day before the Telegu New Year or the Ugadi festival.
The Nookambika Devi has great significance among the local devotees, but the goddess is famous among the religious people of the entire state of Andhra Pradesh. Not only the Andhra Pradesh but also the neighboring states like West Bengal and Orissa has devotees of this goddess who come to this temple to join the jathara during the Ugadi. The festival is celebrated every year in the month of March or April as per the Telegu calendar. On the last day of the festival, there is a festival known as “Nela Pandaga.” People from all across the world come to this place to seek the blessings of the Devi during this auspicious occasion. The devotees also observed other festivals like Vinayakachavithi, Sri Devi navaratrulu. Apart from that special pujas are performed on “Makara Sankranti”.
Significance of the pilgrimage:
With so many big and small festivals, the Nookambika temple receives the visits of thousands of pilgrimage every day. On the special occasions, the number of the visitors increases automatically. They come here for Nookambika Temple darshan and to offer their prayers to the deity. The devotees come here with the belief that the goddess will listen to their prayers and fulfill them.