Bayalu Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple – Srishaila

Bayalu Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple – Srishaila

Suprabhatam

Bayalu Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple – Srishaila

Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple is located at Srishaila in Andhra Pradesh. As the temple doesn’t have a roof, this temple is called as Bayalu Veerabhadra temple.

Veerabhadra Swamy is the guardian of Srisaila Kshetram who is also known as Bayalu Veerabhadra Swamy. Usually, Lord Vishnu at Shiva temple and Lord Shiva at Vishnu Temple host themselves as guardians. But the significance of Srisailam is that Veerabhadra Swamy hosts as a guardian of Srisaila Kshetram. Facing the east, in a hall towards the southern road to Ganghadhara Mandapam that’s at the front of the main temple, is the Bayalu Veerabhadra Swamy temple. There is no roof to this temple, hence the god guards Srisailam without the fear of the scorching sun and tormenting rains. Few devotees, for this reason, address him as Kavali Veerabhadra Swamy.

The idol of the Lord depicts regional representation with 10 arms adorning a crown. The right arms from bottom to top hold, Sword, Restraint, Battle Axe, Trident and Arrow. Similarly, his left arms hold, Dalu, Knife, Studded club, Snake and Bow. He is seen wearing a crown with Shiva Lingam carved into it, a necklace and a garland of skulls. To his right features Daksha and to his left is Bhadra Kali.

Veera=One with Fierceness, Bhadra=One who is a form of goodness, Veerabhadra. Which means his fierceness is for our good. Lord Shiva has three forms namely, Ugra-Bhoga-Yoga. His Ugra form is Veerabhadra. Nandi-Parvata were born as a blessing of Lord Shiva. Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali were born from Lord Shiva’s matted locks. These two are an integral part of Kailasa. When the world’s Mother and Father, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi with all the powers vested in them start their journey towards, Earth’s Kailasa, the world’s centre, home to Vedas, Upasanakendra, their new called home, Srisaila Kshetram, Veerabhadra accompanied them to reside here to bless all devotees. There are many shrines dedicated to Veerabhadra all over India, but Srisailam is the only Kshetram where is he resides wholly with all his powers. Among the many avatars in which Lord Shiva resides in Srisailam, the avatar he chose to protect his devotees is Veerabhadram.

The devotees believe that worshipping this god rids them of troubles, illnesses and gifts them good health.