About Nookambika Temple
Sri Nookambika Temple is a prominent Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Nookambika, an incarnation of Shakti, located in Anakapalle town in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh. Situated about 34 km from Visakhapatnam, it is regarded as one of the important Shakti shrines in coastal Andhra. The temple is known for its traditional South Indian architecture, annual Kottha Amavasya Jatara, and its role as the gramadevata (village goddess) of Anakapalle.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a traditional South Indian temple complex with a gopuram, pillared halls and the sanctum housing the idol of Goddess Nookambika. The premises include open courtyards, offering shops and prasadam counters. The environment is devotional and often crowded, especially during festivals. Visitors can observe daily pujas, archana and abhishekam rituals, explore the temple architecture and participate in darshan in a queue system.
Key highlights
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Presiding deity Goddess Nookambika, worshipped as an incarnation of Shakti and gramadevata of Anakapalle
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Traditional South Indian temple architecture with gopuram and mandapas
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Annual Kottha Amavasya Jatara (Nookambika Jatara) attracting large numbers of devotees
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Daily rituals including abhishekam, archana and alankaram of the goddess
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Location in Anakapalle town, a cultural and commercial centre near Visakhapatnam
History of Nookambika Temple
The temple is believed to have origins several centuries ago and the present structure is traditionally attributed to Kakarlapudi Appalaraju, a local zamindar, in 1611 AD. It has undergone renovations over time and has historically been patronized by local rulers and zamindars as the gramadevata temple of Anakapalle.
Culture & Context
Dedicated to Goddess Nookambika, regarded as an incarnation of Shakti and protector of the region. The temple is the gramadevata shrine of Anakapalle and holds major cultural importance due to the annual Kottha Amavasya Jatara, which draws devotees from across coastal Andhra Pradesh and reflects Shakti worship and local folk traditions.
Route
| By air |
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