Sri Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple, Ponnur
📍 Ponnur Town, Ponnur Mandal, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh
An 11th-century Vishnu shrine in Ponnur, Guntur district, revered as "Sakshi" (witness) Bhavanarayana Swamy for a legend of divine testimony, and counted among the five sacred Pancha Bhavanarayana Kshetrams of Andhra Pradesh.
🕒 Practical Information
🕉️ Spiritual Details
Sri Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy (Lord Vishnu)
Bhavanarayana Swamy, invoked in his role as divine witness ("Sakshi")
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Sri Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy (Lord Vishnu)
Sri Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple, Ponnur Town, Ponnur Mandal, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh 522124, India
Spiritual Highlights
Believed to bestow the fulfillment of sincere vows and promises, and to bless childless couples with progeny.
According to the temple's Sthala Purana, a Brahmin named Kesavaiah, accompanied by his relative Govindudu, prayed for children at the Bhavanarayana shrine in Kashi. Kesavaiah was later blessed with a daughter, Akkalakshmi, and had promised Govindudu her hand in marriage as witnessed before Lord Narayana at Kashi. When Akkalakshmi came of age, Kesavaiah reneged on the promise; Govindudu returned to Kashi and prayed for Vishnu to personally testify to the vow. Moved by this devotion, Lord Narayana is said to have manifested at Ponnur to bear witness to the broken promise — giving rise to the name Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy. A further local belief holds that Lord Brahma bathed at the temple's sacred tank, Brahma Pushkarini, while performing penance at nearby Ghostivanam.
Pilgrims offer prayers seeking the fulfillment of promises and vows, pray for children, and participate in the temple's grand annual Rathotsavam (chariot festival) procession.
Belief in vow fulfillment, blessings for progeny, and the accumulated merit locally described as equal to worshipping at 108 Tirupati shrines.
About Sri Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple, Ponnur
Sri Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple traces its construction to the 11th century CE under the local ruler Nalaparaju, later undergoing renovation under the Chola king Kulothunga. Centuries afterward, the temple received further patronage from Vasireddy Venkatadri Naidu, the 18th–19th century zamindar of Amaravati renowned for restoring several major Guntur-region temples, including those at Amaravati, Mangalagiri, Chebrolu, and Bapatla. The town itself carries deep historical layers: it was once known as Swarnapuri ("City of Gold") before coming under Tamil-speaking rulers, whose language shaped its present name — Ponnu (gold in Tamil) plus ur (town), giving "Ponnur." The temple is one of five Pancha Bhavanarayana Kshetrams in Andhra Pradesh, sharing lineage with the Bhavanarayana shrines at Bapatla, Pattiseema, Sarpavaram (Kakinada), and Bhavadevarapalle (Krishna district). Local devotional belief holds that worship here carries the merit equivalent to visiting 108 Tirupati temples.
Festivals & Celebrations
Annual Rathotsavam chariot procession and special Pancha Bhavanarayana Kshetram pilgrimage observances.
Visitor Guidelines
Traditional Indian attire customary at Andhra Vaishnavite temples; no specific dress code documented for this shrine.
Located within Ponnur town, with standard ground-level temple access.
Online Sevas & Darshanam
Book official temple sevas, pujas & paroksha sevas directly
కొబ్బరికాయ రుసుము
కొబ్బరికాయ రుసుము
అష్టోత్తరము
అష్టోత్తరము
సహస్రనామార్చన
సహస్రనామార్చన
అభిషేకము
అభిషేకము
ద్విచక్ర వాహన పూజ
ద్విచక్ర వాహన పూజ
భారి వాహన పూజ
భారి వాహన పూజ
వ్రతములు
వ్రతములు
ఏకవార రుద్రాభిషేకము
శ్రీ కాశీవిశ్వేశ్వర స్వామి వారికి
ఊంజల సేవ
ఊంజల సేవ
కళ్యాణం/ వాహన సేవలు
కళ్యాణం/ వాహన సేవలు
Nearby Temples (40)
Within about 200 km driving distance from Sri Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple, Ponnur. Plan a yatra and cover as many of these as you can.
Sri Sahasra Lingeswara Swamy and Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Temple, Ponnur
Ponnur Town, Ponnur Mandal, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Balakoteswara Swamy Temple, Govada
Govada Village, Amruthalur Mandal, Bapatla District
Sri Poleramma Ammavari Temple Kondapaturu
Kondapaturu Village, Kakumanu Mandal, Guntur District
Sri Lakshmi Padmavathi Sametha Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple
Vykuntapuram, Tenali, Guntur
Sri Jagannadha Swamy Lalapet
Lalapet, Guntur
Sri Malleswara Swamy Temple, Pedakakani
Pedakakani, Guntur
Sri Mahamkali Ammavari Temple
Kantamrajukonduru, Duggirala
Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam
Mopidevi
Mangalagiri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
Mangalagiri, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Durga Nageswara Swamy Vari Devasthanam
Pedakallepalli Village, Mopidevi Mandal, Krishna District
Frequently Asked Questions
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Sri Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy (Lord Vishnu)
Goddess Rajyalakshmi Devi (consort, worshipped within the temple complex), Goddess Vishalakshi
Sri Sakshi Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple, Ponnur Town, Ponnur Mandal, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh 522124, India
How to Reach
Vijayawada International Airport (VGA) — approximately 64–79 km depending on route
Nidubrolu Railway Station — roughly 1 km from Ponnur town; Guntur Junction (GNT) is about 32 km away
Ponnur APSRTC Bus Station, in the town itself, on the Guntur–Bapatla–Chirala (GBC) road
Ponnur is one of the five Pancha Bhavanarayana Kshetrams. Combine with nearby Sahasra Lingeswara Swamy Temple in Ponnur town.