Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Devasthanam, Annavaram
Ratnagiri hill, Annavaram, Kakinada district · Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy (Satyadeva), Vishnu as the Lord of Truth, worshipped as a union of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, with Sri Anantha Lakshmi and Shiva beside him
The home of the Satyanarayana Vratham: thousands of couples perform the Lord of Truth's puja here every day on a chariot-shaped hill temple.
Annavaram, on Ratnagiri hill above the Pampa river between Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam, is the most famous shrine of Lord Satyanarayana, the form of Vishnu whose vratham (vowed puja with a story) is performed in Hindu homes across India. The image was found on the hill and consecrated in 1891, and the stone temple, built in 1933–34, is shaped like a chariot with four wheels at its corners. The 13-foot cylindrical idol embodies Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva together. What sets Annavaram apart is scale: the Devasthanam runs the Satyanarayana Vratham all day in large halls, and newly married couples, families with new homes or jobs, and pilgrims fulfilling vows come specially to perform it in the Lord's own presence.
Timings
- Suprabhata Seva: 3:30 – 4:00 AM
- Abhishekam and archana (priests): 4:00 – 5:15 AM
- Balabhogam and Panchaharathulu: 5:15 – 6:00 AM
- Sarva darshan: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM (pauses for Rajabhogam about 12:30 – 1:30 PM)
- Vratham batches: approx. from early morning to evening; continuous on busy days. Paroksha vratham 9:00 – 11:00 AM
- Ammavari Ekanta Seva (closing): 8:30 – 9:00 PM
- Note: Times from the AP Endowments portal (October 2026). Kartika month, Ekadashis and festivals have extended hours.
Darshan types and costs
- Sarva Darshan (free) – Free
- Seeghra Darshan – ₹200 per person
- Yantralayam Darshan – ₹100 per person
- Vratham ticket holders – With vratham
Sevas and costs
- Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Vratham – ₹300 ticket – ₹300 (Daily, batches through the day (approx. from early morning to evening))
- Satyanarayana Vratham – ₹1,000 ticket – ₹1,000 (Daily, batches through the day)
- Satyanarayana Vratham – ₹1,500 ticket – ₹1,500 (Daily)
- AC Vratham – ₹2,000 (Daily)
- Paroksha Vratham (in absentia) – ₹1,116 (Daily, 9:00 – 11:00 AM)
- Suprabhata Seva – ₹316 (Daily, 3:30 – 4:00 AM)
- Sri Swami Vari Nitya Kalyanam – ₹1,116 (Daily, 9:30 – 11:00 AM)
- Veda Aseervachanam – ₹558 (Daily (time at counter))
- Yantralayam Abhishekam – ₹100 per ticket (Daily, 8:00 AM – 12:00 noon)
- Sri Vana Durga Pratyangira Homam – ₹1,116 (Every Pournami (full moon), approx. 9:00 – 11:00 AM)
- Vana Durga Chandi Homam (paroksha) – ₹1,116 (Saturdays, 9:00 – 11:00 AM)
- Kanaka Durga Chandi Homam (paroksha) – ₹1,116 (On Moola nakshatra, 9:00 – 11:00 AM)
- Ayush Homam (paroksha) – ₹2,116 (Daily, 9:00 – 11:00 AM)
- Makha Nakshatra Abhishekam (paroksha) – ₹3,116 (On Makha nakshatra, 3:30 – 5:30 AM)
- Surya Namaskaramulu (paroksha) – ₹1,116 (Sundays (portal), 9:00 – 11:00 AM)
How to book darshan
Vratham tickets, darshan, Nitya Kalyanam, paroksha sevas and cottages are booked on the AP Endowments Temple Management System. Counters on the hill also sell vratham and darshan tickets on the day.
Dress code
Traditional dress is required for the vratham and recommended for darshan: dhoti/pancha or kurta for men, saree or churidar with dupatta for women. Avoid shorts, sleeveless tops and jeans.
Best time to visit
October to February. Kartika month (October/November) is the peak vratham season and extremely crowded but auspicious. Ekadashis, Pournamis and wedding seasons also draw large crowds. Summer (April–June) is very hot.
How to reach
- air: Rajahmundry airport is approx. 80 km; Visakhapatnam airport approx. 125 km.
- rail: Annavaram railway station on the Chennai–Howrah line is about 3 km from the hill; many express trains stop here. Tuni (18 km), Samalkot and Rajahmundry are larger stations.
- road: On NH16. Tuni 18 km, Kakinada 51 km, Rajahmundry 72 km, Visakhapatnam about 120 km. A ghat road and steps lead up Ratnagiri; Devasthanam buses run from the foothills.
Festivals
- Swamy vari Kalyana Mahotsavam – Annual; Vaisakha (April/May) – check dates
- Swamy vari Jayanti – Annual (check dates)
- Kanaka Durga Jatara – Chaitra Bahula Shashti to Amavasya (per the Devasthanam)
- Devi Navaratri – Ashvayuja (September/October)
- Kartika month – October/November
- Other festivals – Through the year