Golagamudi Sri Venkaiah Swamy Temple — A Sacred Abode of the Avadhuta Saint

 

Located near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, this temple is dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Venkaiah Swamy, a revered Avadhuta and spiritual guide known for his miracles, dhuni worship, and deep compassion. Often called the “Shirdi of the South,” Golagamudi draws thousands of devotees seeking healing, blessings, and spiritual solace.

Location Overview

• Village: Golagamudi, Venkatachalam Mandal, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh
• Temple Address: Golagamudi, Nellore – 524321

Presiding Deity & Subshrines

• Main Shrine: Samadhi of Sri Venkaiah Swamy, revered as an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya
• Other Shrines:
• Sri Veera Anjaneya Swamy Mandir — located nearby
• Navagraha Mandir, Ramalayam, and Swamy’s Kutiram (hermitage)
• Dhuni (Sacred Fire): Continually burning since Swamy’s lifetime, believed to purify karma and grant wishes

Temple Highlights

• Spiritual Legacy:
• Swamy lived a life of simplicity, yogic sadhana, and service
• Known for cryptic teachings, miraculous healings, and divine predictions
• His mantra: “Om Narayana Adi Narayana” still echoes in the temple
• Architecture:
• Serene layout with Mukha Mandapam, Garbha Griha, and Jyoti Deepam
• Cotton thread prasadam tied on the wrist for protection
• Rituals:
• Dhuni Pooja, Abhishekam, Pallaki Seva, Uyalla Seva, and Saswatha Pooja
• 108 Pradakshinams around the temple for dosha remedies
• Festivals:
• Aradhana Utsavam: August 18–24 annually, marking Swamy’s Mahasamadhi
• Weekly Pallaki Seva: Every Saturday night
• Miracles & Beliefs:
• Devotees believe Swamy still protects and guides them
• His Samadhi is considered a living source of divine energy

Tips

• Saturday evenings are especially divine with Vuyyala Seva and Pallaki Seva.
• Dhuni Pooja at 9:00 AM is considered spiritually potent.
• Annadanam is offered daily — a tradition started by Swamy himself.

Temple Timings – Monday to Sunday

• Morning Darshan: 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM
• Midday Darshan: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
• Evening Darshan: 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
• Night Darshan: 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Pooja & Ritual Schedule

• Gho Pooja:
• Monday–Saturday: 3:30 AM
• Sunday: 1:30 AM
• Suprabhatha Seva:
• Monday–Saturday: 4:00 AM
• Sunday: 2:15 AM
• Abhishekam:
• Monday–Saturday: 4:30 to 5:00 AM
• Sunday: 2:30 to 3:00 AM
• Alankaram:
• All days: 5:00 AM (Sunday at 5:30 AM)
• Morning Pooja:
• Monday–Saturday: 5:30 to 6:30 AM
• Sunday: 4:00 to 5:00 AM
• Saswatha Pooja:
• All days: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Evening Pooja:
• All days: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
• Ekantha Seva:
• Performed on all days except Thursday and Saturday: 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM
• Temple closes after Ekantha Seva.

Getting Here

By Road

• From Nellore RTC Bus Station: Frequent APSRTC buses run every 30 minutes to Golagamudi.
• From Tirupati or Chennai: Travel via NH16 to Nellore, then take a local bus or taxi.
• Local Transport: Autos and cabs are available from Venkatachalam.

By Train

• Nearest Station: Nellore Railway Station
• From the station, Golagamudi is just 12 km away — autos and taxis are readily available.

By Air

• Nearest Airport: Tirupati Airport (~130 km)
• From Tirupati, take a train or bus to Nellore, then proceed to Golagamudi by road.

Travel Tip: Plan to arrive early on Saturdays and festival days like Aradhana Utsavam (Aug 18–24), as the temple gets crowded. Special buses may operate during these events.