Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Vari Temple, Gandi

The sacred temple of Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy is situated in Vempalli Village on the right side of the banks of the river Papagni near Palakondalu in YSR Kadapa District. It has gained a great name and fame as vayukshetra.

As per the temple legend, Lord Rama visited this place in his return journey from Lanka after killing Ravanasura and stayed here for some time over the wish of Vayudeva, the father of Anjaneya.

Vayudeva built a Golden Arch on the mountain and welcomed Srirama. At the time Sri Rama engraved the picture of Hanuman with his sharp-edged bow on a hill stone. This idol was consecrated by sage Vyasa. The temple was built in that place. All the religious Kainkaryams are performed in this temple as per Pancharatra Agama.

Sri Veeranjaneya Temple or Gandi Kshetram is a Hindu temple situated at Gandi, a village in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh in India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman) who is referred to as Veeranjaneya in this temple.

The history of Kshetram dates back to the period of the Ramayana, Treta Yuga. According to the legend, Lord Rama himself had drawn the picture of Lord Hanuman on the rock with his arrow while resting at this place and was receiving the hospitality of Lord Vayu (God of Air and Father of Lord Hanuman).

Lord Sri Rama has completed the drawing of Lord Hanuman except for the little finger of Lord Hanuman's left hand. Later Vyasaraja has sculptured this drawing into an idol, while Vyasaraja tried to sculpt even the little finger of Lord Hanuman's left hand, it is said that the finger of the idol was cut off by itself and started bleeding. Which displays Lord Hanuman's intention to keep the idol as drawn by Lord Sri Rama.

Legends also say that after listening to the news of Lord Sri Rama's victory over the Demon Lord Ravana, Lord Vayu has decorated this place with a festoon of golden flowers to welcome Lord Sri Rama on his way back towards North to Ayodhya. People believe that this festoon of golden flowers can be seen by those who are near to death.

The temple, at present is being administered by ENDOMENTS DEPT AP