Sri Bhu Lakshmi Sametha Chennakeshava Swamy Temple is located in Gadwal town, Jogulamba Gadwal district, Telangana. The temple stands within the old Gadwal Fort area, in the heart of the town. Gadwal lies close to the banks of the River Tungabhadra.
The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu, worshipped here as Sri Chennakeshava Swamy, accompanied by Sri Bhu Lakshmi, the Earth Goddess. The Lord is also revered in the form of Bhoovaraha, symbolizing Vishnu’s divine act of lifting and protecting Mother Earth. The deity represents beauty, balance, protection, and prosperity, and is deeply revered by Vaishnava devotees.
The temple is renowned for its magnificent and intricate architecture, reflecting a fine blend of Vijayanagara, Kakatiya, and later South Indian styles. The pillars and walls are adorned with sculptures of deities, celestial beings, floral motifs, and scenes from Hindu epics and Puranas. The ceilings display. The temple structure is built mainly of stone and features beautifully carved pillars, ornate mandapas, and a well-defined sancty elegant carvings, and the overall layout follows traditional Vaishnava temple design.
Sri Bhu Lakshmi Sametha Chennakeshava Swamy Temple is believed to have been built approximately 400 years ago, during the 17th century, by the rulers of the Gadwal Samsthanam, particularly during the reign of Peda Soma Bhupaludu. The Gadwal rulers were powerful feudatories who supported religion, culture, and the construction of temples. In earlier times, the temple formed part of a larger palace–fort complex. While most of the royal buildings and fort structures have collapsed over time, the temple alone has stood strong, preserving the spiritual and architectural legacy of Gadwal.
According to the Sthalapurana, the land of Gadwal in ancient times suffered from instability due to floods, shifting soil, and disturbances caused by natural forces around the Tungabhadra region. The people believed that the land itself needed divine protection and balance. Sages and devotees performed intense prayers to Lord Vishnu, seeking stability, prosperity, and peace.
Pleased by their devotion, Lord Vishnu manifested here in the Bhoovaraha form, symbolizing His cosmic act of lifting Bhudevi (Mother Earth) from the primordial waters. The Lord stabilized the land and removed all obstacles affecting the region. After restoring balance, the Lord chose to reside permanently at this sacred place in the serene and beautiful form of Chennakeshava Swamy, along with Bhu Lakshmi, blessing the land and its people.
It is believed that the Gadwal rulers experienced divine inspiration and visions, leading them to build a grand temple at this exact spot. Since then, the region has flourished, and devotees strongly believe that worshipping here removes land-related problems, brings prosperity, mental peace, and family harmony.
The temple celebrates several Vaishnava festivals with devotion and grandeur. The annual Brahmotsavam is the most important festival and attracts devotees from nearby districts. Vaikuntha Ekadasi is observed with special poojas and decorations. Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Rathotsavam, and regular Ekadasi poojas are performed with traditional rituals. Saturdays and festival evenings are considered especially auspicious for darshan.
