The short answer
Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Gollala Mamidada: what visitors should know first
Worth the drive if you like temples and countryside. Plan a morning trip, allow about an hour on site, and combine it with the Kodandarama temple in the same village. It is not a major sightseeing stop for non-pilgrims.
History and context
The story behind Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Gollala Mamidada
District records say the temple was started in 1920 by the landowner Kovvuri Basivi Reddy, though a press report gives 1902; sources disagree. The Endowments Department took over management, and an executive officer was first appointed in 1991.
The Kodandarama temple in the same village is reported to have been built in 1889 by the Dwarampudi family.
Useful facts
Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Gollala Mamidada facts at a glance
- Location
- Gollala Mamidada, about 20 km from Kakinada
- Faith
- Hindu (Vaishnava tradition)
- Deity
- Suryanarayana Swamy (Sun god)
- Visitor note
- Modest dress; Sunday and festival crowds
- Founded
- 1920 per district records (sources differ)
- Nearby
- Kodandarama temple in the same village
Why it matters
Why Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Gollala Mamidada is worth your time
Sun temples are rare in Andhra Pradesh, so Gollala Mamidada draws devotees from across the district, especially on Sundays. The temple is also nicknamed 'Chinna Bhadrachalam' because of its link with the Rama temple nearby.
For a visitor, it shows a more recent strand of local temple-building: a landowner's charity grew into a temple under the Endowments Department, instead of an ancient royal foundation. It is also a useful reminder that living temple traditions in the delta are still being built, funded and managed by local families and the state.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The tall gopuram
Reported at about 170 feet, with carved epic scenes.
- 02
The river-side grounds
Coconut palms and grass fields make this a calm temple.
- 03
The Siddhi Vinayaka shrine
A popular Ganesha shrine inside the complex.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The temple stands in grass fields and coconut palms beside the Tulyabhaga river, and the setting is part of the appeal. Start at the tall gopuram, which carries scenes from the epics, then go in to the main shrine of Suryanarayana. Rituals follow the Vaishnava tradition, which gives the Sun god a Vishnu form.
There is also a Siddhi Vinayaka (Ganesha) shrine in the complex that draws many devotees. Spend a few minutes in the grounds; the open space is unusual for a temple and makes a calmer visit than the town temples.
In the same village stands the Kodandarama temple, an Rama temple said to date to 1889. The two together fill a morning. Break the trip with a meal back in Kakinada rather than hunting for food in the village.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Go on a weekday morning
- Dress modestly
- Plan to see the Kodandarama temple next door
- Eat in Kakinada; village options are limited
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Gollala Mamidada, about 20 km from Kakinada
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time
- Morning; Sundays and festival days are busy
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Grounds are level and the setting is green, but there is a fair amount of walking between shrines and open sun. Queues on busy days can be long, so choose a weekday morning.
- Tickets and access
- General darshan is generally free; special tickets may be sold. Dress modestly and remove footwear. Timings and photography rules are not fixed here, so check at the entrance.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Gollala Mamidada
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Grounds are level and the setting is green, but there is a fair amount of walking between shrines and open sun. Queues on busy days can be long, so choose a weekday morning.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is this a Sun temple like Konark?
It is a modern Sun temple, founded in the 20th century, and far smaller than Konark, but it is notable because Sun temples are rare in the state.
Can I visit in one morning?
Yes, with the Kodandarama temple next door. Leave Kakinada early.
When is it busiest?
Sundays are usually the busiest; confirm festival dates locally.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, Gollala Mamidada
- East Godavari district: Suryanarayana Swamy Temple
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.