Attirala Treteswara Temple

Attirala Treteswara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Attirala village near Rajampet in Annamayya District, Andhra Pradesh, on the northern bank of the Cheyyeru River. It is part of the Attirala temple complex which also includes the Kodandarama and Gadadhara temples. The temple is notable for its Chola-era architecture, its association with Treta Yuga legends and Parasurama, and its riverside setting.

Visitors can expect a small riverside temple complex with stone-built shrines, a Shiva lingam in the sanctum, and views of the Cheyyeru River bed. The Treteswara Temple is located close to the Kodandarama Temple within the same compound. The surroundings are rural and open, with ghats leading to the river, mandapas, and sculpted pillars. Pilgrims perform darshan and rituals, while tourists can explore the architecture and the riverfront area.

The Attirala temples are dated to the Chola period around the 10th century, with later contributions attributed to Vijayanagara rulers. The Treteswara Temple is traditionally believed to have been installed by Parasurama to atone for his sins, and the name Treteswara refers to its origin in the Treta Yuga. The complex shows early Dravidian architectural features and inscriptions related to Chola patronage.

The temple is revered as a Shiva shrine where devotees worship Treteswara Swamy. It is culturally significant due to its link with the legend of Parasurama and the Treta Yuga, and its location on the Cheyyeru River which is considered sacred for ritual bathing, especially during auspicious days and festivals like Maha Shivaratri. It forms part of a pilgrimage circuit with the adjacent Kodandarama Temple dedicated to Lord Rama.