Shri Chandrala Parameshwari Temple – Sannati

Once upon a time, there was a king named Rajasena who had a beautiful daughter named Chandrala. In his quest to find a suitable groom for his beloved daughter, the king organized a ‘Swayamvara’ where princes were invited to compete for her hand in marriage. The challenge was to see the reflection of a metal pillar in the water and bring it down. However, no prince was willing to take up such a daunting task, leaving the king in despair.

A few days later, a goddess appeared in the king’s dream and assured him that the one destined to marry his daughter would arrive in the town garden the next day. True to the goddess’s words, Narayana Muni, a handsome young man, arrived in the town the next day. The king welcomed him warmly and requested him to take up the challenge and marry his daughter. Initially hesitant, Narayana Muni eventually agreed to the king’s request.

Narayana Muni and Chandrala were married and began their new life together on the banks of the Bheema River. However, their happiness was short-lived when an evil king cast his eyes on the beautiful Chandrala. To escape his wicked designs, Chandrala vowed to undertake penance for 40 days and sought refuge at the Someshwara temple.

Meanwhile, Narayana Muni, realizing his wife was missing and suspecting the evil king’s involvement, decided to act. He journeyed to Hingula Peeth near Kashmir and prayed fervently to Goddess Hingulambake for assistance. The goddess agreed to help him on one condition: Narayana Muni must walk in front of her, guiding her to his town, but he should not turn back to look at her until they arrived. Narayana Muni accepted the condition, using the sound of the goddess’s anklets to ensure she was following him. However, when they reached the banks of the Bheema River, the sounds of nature drowned out the anklet noise, causing Narayana Muni to turn around inadvertently. Immediately, the goddess turned into a stone and declared she would stay there.

Before leaving, the goddess handed Narayana Muni a coconut, instructing him to break it in the evil king’s palace. When Narayana Muni broke the coconut, a swarm of bees emerged and attacked the king, who, in his panic, jumped into the river and drowned. The place where this occurred is still known as ‘Seethuraja Maduvu.’

Chandrala, unable to complete her penance, became one with the divine. In her memory, the Chandrala Parameshwari Devi Mahotsav is celebrated every year during the Navaratri festival. The temple, known locally as ‘Sannati,’ boasts a history of nearly 800 years and underwent renovation in 1985. Located about 20 km from Nalavar, this ancient temple attracts devotees from all over the state, seeking a glimpse of its revered history and spiritual significance.