Temples of Yanam District are spectacular religious structures, which have been existent since ancient periods in the Indian Union Territory of Puducherry. Various temple festivals are celebrated in these regional temples, which boast of marvellous sculpture as well as architectural grandeur. The Rajarajeswara Temple and the Venkanna Babu Temple are some of the well-known temples located here, which attract innumerable tourists from all across the country.
Rajarajeswara Temple
Lord Sri Rajareswara Temple is located at the region of Yanam on the banks of Atreya Godavari River, which is also referred to as Corangi River. It is believed to have been built during the 15th century by rulers belonging to Chalukya Dynasty, particularly the Chalukya kings of Rajamahendravaram or Rajahmundry. The interiors of this temple contain sculpture which was prevalent during that period. Festivals like Rathostavam and Kalyanotsavam were performed at the temple premises and it is still done by devotees who sing `bhajans` and slogans. The regional inhabitants of Yanam organise the festival of Kalyanotsavam during the month of January to February. Certain rituals are followed during this festival, when Lord Rajarajeswara is dressed up like a bridegroom and carried out in a procession, through the local streets.
Venkanna Babu Temple
There exists a renowned Lord Vishnu temple, in Vishnalayam Street, Yanam, which is also popularly known as `Alivelu Manga Sametha Shri Venkateswara Alayam`. The presiding deity of this temple is `Meesala Venkanna`, `Chaldikudu Venkanna` or `Venkanna Babu`. A unique characteristic of this temple is the Swamy Idol which possesses large moustaches like those of Swamy Sathyanarayan Swamy of Annavaram. This beautiful temple was erected by the Chalukya rulers of Rajahmundry during the 15th century. This temple was once quite reputed for the performance of child marriages, particularly during the pre-independence age of the country.
Though child marriage was abolished at that time, due to the implementation of the Sarada Act (Prevention of Child Marriages), by the British Raj, it continued as a practise in this temple. This was due to the fact that Yanam District was governed by the French Government during that point of time. The temple would be thronged by many devotees from the nearby areas, for the purpose of performance of child marriages. It is said that people would arrive from places like Hyderabad, Chennai and Madras for accomplishing this mission of organising child marriages. In the olden days, innumerable child marriages had been performed at this very temple, and therefore it earned the temple the name of `Kalyana Puram`.
