The state of Telangana is home to one of the most well-known temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. The devotees of the temple at Vemulawada worship the presiding deity, Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy. The Sri Raja Rajeshwari Devi temple and a sacred statue of Sri Laxmi Sahitha Sidhi Vinayaka are both located within the temple complex. The primary god, who presides over this place is also known as Rajanna.
During festivals, especially Shivarathri and other auspicious occasions, throngs of worshippers swarm the temple. The historical significance of Vemulawada Temple, which served as the Vemulawada Chalukyas’ capital from 750 AD to 973 AD, is established by the rock-cut inscriptions that have been discovered in and around the temple.
Namilikonda Rajeshwar Sharma, head priest at the Rajanna temple, said that according to the Puranas, during the Krita Yuga, Dwapara Yuga and Treta Yuga, this spot was used to attain salvation or Mukti by gods. The inscriptions on the temple, also known as Dharmagundam temple depict a story narrated in the Puranas. It revolves around the slaying of the danava or asur Vrita by Lord Indra.
In Vaishnavism, Vrita is depicted as a devotee of Lord Vishnu and hence his death at the hands of Lord Indra made Indra a sinner. Indra becomes guilty of Brahmahaitya and to wash his sins away, the gods instruct him to take holy baths and worship Lord Vishnu. This story is narrated on the walls of the temple.
There is also a story behind how the temple was built. Inscriptions say that this temple was rebuilt by Rajaraja Narendra, after whom it was named. According to legend, Rajaraja Narendra was suffering from leprosy and he had tried every possible way to get cured but in vain. He travelled extensively looking for a cure. When he reached Dharmagundam, he fell into a pool of water and was instantly cured. Sensing divine intervention in the area, he built the temple there.