Annapuja - Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple

Annapuja at Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple in Vemulawada is a holy ritual where devotees offer cooked food like rice, dal, sweets, and payasam to Lord Shiva with devotion. The food, seen as a symbol of life energy, is blessed by chanting mantras and then shared as prasadam with everyone. It is believed that performing Annapuja removes poverty and brings abundance, peace, and prosperity. This ritual is often done during festivals or important life events. It shows the great spiritual importance of anna daanam—the offering of food—which is highly respected in Shaivism.

Annapuja at Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Temple begins with Sankalpam, stating the devotee’s name and intent. Food is prepared in a clean, sattvic manner without onion or garlic. Dishes like rice, dal, vegetables, sweets, and payasam are offered in a puja thali. Ganapati Puja is performed first, followed by invoking Lord Shiva with mantras. The food is offered with incense, a lamp, and flowers, and then aarti is done. The naivedyam becomes prasadam, later distributed to devotees and the needy with blessings.