Chennur Agastheeswara Swamy Temple is a historic Shiva shrine associated with the Godavari and longstanding local traditions. According to temple-history accounts, the shrine has connections with Kakatiya and Vijayanagara-period patronage. Local tradition also preserves the story of an Akhanda Jyothi that has been maintained for more than four centuries.
The Godavari at Chennur is traditionally described as taking a northward course for about five kos, or approximately 15 km, and this stretch is known locally as Panchkosha Uttara Wahini. The river and temple are associated with ancestral rites including ash visarjan. The shrine also attracts devotees during Maha Shivaratri and other religious occasions.
Visitor Information
Address & Access
Chennur Agastheeswara Swamy Temple
Chennur, Mancherial District,
Telangana – 504201
Approx. 35–40 km by road from Mancherial
Approx. 270 km from Hyderabad
Contact & Enquiries
For current temple timings, ritual arrangements, river access and festival-day facilities, confirm locally before travelling.
More Information
Timings & Best Season
Reported temple timings: 6:00 AM–12:30 PM and 4:00 PM–8:00 PM. Timings may change on festivals and special occasions; confirm locally before visiting.
Best season: October–February, when temperatures are generally more comfortable for temple and riverside visits.
Summer: March–May can be very hot; early morning or evening visits are preferable.
Monsoon: June–September can bring higher Godavari water levels and slippery riverbanks.
Special occasions: Maha Shivaratri and Godavari Pushkaralu attract additional pilgrims.
River Safety
The temple is associated with the Godavari riverbank. River access, bathing and ritual activity should follow current local instructions, especially during floods, monsoon conditions and Pushkaralu.
Legend – Sage Agasthya’s Lingam
According to local religious tradition, Sage Agasthya Maharshi travelled southward from Kasi during his Dakshina Yatra and reached the banks of the Godavari at Chennur. The tradition holds that the sage installed a Shiva Lingam at the site and worshipped it. The shrine subsequently became associated with the name Agastheeswaram, giving rise to the present name Agastheeswara Swamy Temple.
This account belongs to the temple's religious tradition and should not be treated as independently established historical evidence.
Akhanda Jyothi – A Centuries-Old Temple Tradition
One of the temple's notable traditions is the Akhanda Jyothi, or continuously maintained sacred lamp. According to local temple accounts, the lamp has been kept burning for approximately 410 years. The tradition is associated with a Brahmin priest named Jakkepalli Sadashivayya, after whom responsibility for maintaining the lamp is said to have passed through his descendants.
Because the 410-year continuity is based on local temple tradition rather than an independently verified historical record, it is best understood as a longstanding religious tradition of the shrine.
Historical Reconstruction – Kakatiya & Sri Krishnadevaraya
Temple-history accounts associate Chennur Agastheeswara Swamy Temple with the Kakatiya and Vijayanagara periods. According to the local historical account, Kakatiya king Prataparudra reconstructed the temple in 1289 AD. The same account states that the temple's pyramidal tower was subsequently damaged during the military campaigns associated with Malik Kafur.
The account further states that Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya later visited Chennur and was associated with another phase of reconstruction. Temple sources report that historical details are recorded on an inscriptional stone in front of the temple in Telugu and Kannada.
These details should be read as the temple's reported inscriptional and historical tradition unless independently verified through a published epigraphical or archaeological record.
Panchkosha Uttara Wahini – The North-Flowing Godavari
The Godavari at Chennur is traditionally described as taking a northward course for about five kos, or approximately 15 km. This stretch is locally known as Panchkosha Uttara Wahini. In Hindu religious tradition, a north-flowing river is regarded as especially sacred, and such locations are associated with ritual bathing and ancestral rites.
At Chennur, the Godavari is also associated with ash visarjan and other rites for the departed. The exact location and availability of river access can vary with water levels and local arrangements, so visitors should follow current instructions from local authorities and temple personnel.
Godavari Pushkaralu 2027–2028
Godavari Pushkaralu is traditionally observed in connection with Jupiter (Brihaspati) entering Simha Rashi (Leo) and is generally associated with a 12-year cycle. The next Adi Pushkaralu is scheduled for 26 June–7 July 2027. The separate Antya Pushkaralu is scheduled for 13–24 July 2028.
The Pushkaralu period is associated with sacred bathing, ancestral remembrance, temple visits and charity. River access, bathing locations, traffic arrangements and ritual facilities can vary by location and should be confirmed through current district, temple and local notices.
Ash Visarjan – A Sacred Final Journey
Chennur is traditionally associated with ash visarjan, the immersion of cremation ashes in the Godavari. The practice is connected locally with the sanctity attributed to the Panchkosha Uttara Wahini stretch of the river.
Families planning ancestral rites should confirm the current river-access arrangements and seek guidance from qualified local priests regarding the appropriate ritual procedures.
How to Reach Chennur Temple
By Road: Chennur is connected by road with Mancherial, Bellampalli and other towns in northern Telangana.
- From Hyderabad: Approximately 270 km by road via the northern Telangana road network; travel time varies with traffic and road conditions.
- From Mancherial: Approximately 35–40 km by road, depending on the route.
- From Bellampalli: Chennur is farther from Bellampalli than the earlier 30 km estimate; allow approximately 55–60 km by road depending on the route.
The temple is associated with the Godavari riverbank at Chennur. Confirm current parking and river-access arrangements locally.
By Rail: Mancherial and Bellampalli are the nearest major railway stations serving the area. From the station, continue to Chennur by road.
By Air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, is the nearest major commercial airport.
Nearby and Regional Attractions in Mancherial District
Suggested 1-Day Pilgrimage Itinerary
- Morning: Travel from Mancherial to Chennur and visit Agastheeswara Swamy Temple.
- Late morning: Visit the Godavari riverbank and observe the traditional Panchkosha Uttara Wahini landscape. Follow current river-safety instructions.
- Afternoon: Continue toward Mancherial or another regional attraction depending on road conditions and available time.
- Evening: Return to Mancherial or continue onward.
Tip: For a longer northern Telangana trip, combine Chennur with other Mancherial and Adilabad heritage or nature destinations.
Essential Tips & Rituals
Important: The Godavari riverbank can become slippery or hazardous during monsoon and high-water conditions. Do not enter the river unless bathing or ritual activity is specifically permitted at the time of your visit. Temple photography and access to restricted areas are subject to local temple rules. During Maha Shivaratri and Pushkaralu, expect larger crowds and possible changes to access arrangements.
Where to Stay & Eat
Accommodation
- Mancherial: The main nearby town for accommodation, with hotels and lodges across different price ranges.
- Bellampalli: Additional accommodation options are available in the town.
- Regional nature stays: Accommodation near destinations such as Kuntala may be considered when planning a wider northern Telangana itinerary.
- Chennur: Accommodation options are more limited than in Mancherial; confirm availability before travelling.
Food & Dining
- Small local eateries and tiffin establishments are available in Chennur.
- Mancherial provides a wider selection of restaurants and food options.
- Carry drinking water and basic refreshments when travelling to the temple and surrounding riverbank.
Location Map
Chennur, Mancherial district – the temple is associated with the Godavari riverbank.
Best Time to Visit Chennur Temple
October–February: Generally more comfortable weather for temple visits and outdoor sightseeing.
March–May: Hot conditions are common; early morning and evening visits are preferable.
June–September: Monsoon conditions can raise Godavari water levels and make riverbank areas slippery or inaccessible.
Maha Shivaratri: Major religious observance with increased devotional activity and crowds.
Godavari Adi Pushkaralu: 26 June–7 July 2027. Antya Pushkaralu are scheduled for 13–24 July 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions – Chennur Agastheeswara Swamy Temple
Q: Is there an entry fee?
A: No general entry fee is currently reported, but visitors should confirm any special arrangements or charges locally.
Q: How old is the Akhanda Jyothi?
A: Local temple tradition says the Akhanda Jyothi has been maintained for more than 410 years. This is a longstanding temple tradition rather than an independently verified historical record.
Q: Can ash visarjan be performed here?
A: Chennur is traditionally associated with ash visarjan in the Godavari. Families should contact local temple priests and confirm current river-access arrangements.
Q: What is Panchkosha Uttara Wahini?
A: It is the traditional name associated with the north-flowing stretch of the Godavari at Chennur, locally described as about five kos or approximately 15 km.
Q: When is Godavari Pushkaralu?
A: The next Adi Pushkaralu are scheduled for 26 June–7 July 2027. The separate Antya Pushkaralu are scheduled for 13–24 July 2028.
Q: Can we take photographs inside the temple?
A: Photography may be subject to temple rules. Ask temple authorities before photographing the sanctum or ritual areas.
Q: Can we bathe in the Godavari here?
A: River access and bathing permission can vary according to water levels, safety conditions and local arrangements. Follow current instructions rather than assuming bathing is permitted.
Q: What is the historical significance of the temple?
A: Local temple-history accounts associate the shrine with Kakatiya-period reconstruction under Prataparudra and a later Vijayanagara-period reconstruction associated with Sri Krishnadevaraya.
Q: What is the temple associated with Sage Agasthya?
A: Local religious tradition holds that Sage Agasthya installed and worshipped the Shiva Lingam at this site. This is a traditional account rather than independently established historical evidence.
Q: What is the nearest major town?
A: Mancherial is the principal nearby town and provides broader transport, accommodation and dining facilities.
Key Features Summary
- Name: Chennur Agastheeswara Swamy Temple
- Also known as: Chennur Shivalayam, Agastheeswara Alayam
- Location: Chennur, Mancherial district, Telangana
- Sacred River: Godavari River
- Distance from Mancherial: Approximately 35–40 km by road
- Deity: Lord Shiva (Agastheeswara)
- Associated Sage: Sage Agasthya Maharshi, according to local tradition
- Historical Association: Kakatiya and Vijayanagara-period reconstruction accounts
- Kakatiya Reconstruction: Traditionally dated to 1289 AD under Prataparudra
- Akhanda Jyothi: Locally said to have been maintained for more than 410 years
- Special River Tradition: Panchkosha Uttara Wahini – traditionally described as a north-flowing Godavari stretch of about 15 km
- Major Festival: Maha Shivaratri
- Godavari Adi Pushkaralu: 26 June–7 July 2027
- Godavari Antya Pushkaralu: 13–24 July 2028
- Temple Timings: Reported as 6:00 AM–12:30 PM and 4:00 PM–8:00 PM; confirm locally
- Best Season: October–February
- Suitable for: Pilgrims, cultural travellers and heritage enthusiasts
References & More Information
- Godavari Pushkaralu 2027–2028 – Adi & Antya Pushkaralu
- Godavari Pushkaram – Wikipedia
- Telangana Tourism