The Nandavariks Kuldevatha “Sri Matha Chowdeshwari Devi” is believed to have come down from Kashi (Banaras) to witness and enforce the grant of the Nandavara Agraharam to the Brahmins by “Nandana Chakravarthi” in accordance with the promise held out to them in her presence for retrieving him from an unpleasant situation he confronted at Kashi, by their yogic prowess.
According to the history, the Ruler Nanda of Nandavaram also known as Nandana Chakravarthi, a Kshatriya and belonged to the Lunar line of Kings (Chandra Vamsa) of the Pandava race, the son of King Vuttanga Bujudu and the queen Charumathi. One day Nandana alone went to Srisailam forest for hunting Tigers and cruel animals to safeguard people and domestic animals of his kingdom and saw a Muni also named Nandana doing Tapa below a tree near Pathala Ganga. Muni gave Lord Dattatreya Mantropadesam to Nandana, praised him as the Chakravarthy,and foretold that, a new capital will be built on your name and suddenly disappeared from there. Later, Nandana realized that the Muni is none other than Srisaila Mallikarjuna Swamy.
Nandana later married to Shashirekha, the daughter of Panchala King and crowned as the new King. He built Lord Dattatreya Swamy temple and appointed a priest to perform daily rituals. Lord Dattaterya appeared in a dream to Nandana, who has expressed his desire to visit the holy Ganga River every morning and perform puja to Lord Kashi Viswanath.
Lord Dattatreya bestowed his Padukas tohim, asked to kept it in Puja Room, and keep this matter as secret. Lord told to Nandana to wear the Padukas and thereby he can visit any place he wished in his mind in no time. With the help of padukas, Nandana used to reach Kashi in Brahma Muhurtha, takes bath in holy Ganga and perform puja to lord Vishveshwara and return to his kingdom before sunrise every day.
Nandana’s wife Sashirekha becoming suspicious of his absence everyday morning, questioned the king Nandana, king has revealed the secret. She has made up her mind to test the king and compelled to take her along with him. The next day, with the help of Padukas they both arrived at Dasaswamedha Ghat. After finishing their bath, they observed that, menstrual cycle happened to her. As a result, Padukas lose their strength.
The King is being unable to find a solution; he saw a group of Brahmins performing Chandi homa and went to them. The Brahmins, having learnt the reasons, has promised to pass on the Punya they have acquired by offering Arghya to lord Surya every day which would purify Rani so that, they can return to their kingdom. In return, the king has promised in front of the Goddess to give Jahgirs/Agraharas to them for performing Dharmic deeds whenever they approached him and left for his kingdom.
Later, Kashi hit by a huge famine and the Kashi Brahmins decided to go to Nandana Chakravarthy for seeking help. Brahmasri Avadhanam Peddibhattu, Srivatsa Gothram, Tharka Shastram Madhava Bhattu, Vasistasa Gathram, Puranam Shridhara Bhattu, Bharadwaja Gothram and Varthkam Kamalanabha Panditulu, Harithasa Gothram represented to pursue the promise made by Nanadana Chakravarthy. King Nandana lied and said that, he is unaware of the promise.
The Brahmins said that, the King has promised in front of Sri Matha Chowdeshwari Devi. The Mantri of Nandana kingdom asked for witness. The Brahmins gone back to Kashi, performed homas, Pujas and asked Goddess to come to Nandavram as she is the lonely witness to the kings promise. Finally, she has appeared in front of them and agreed to follow in Tejo Roopam. The Brahmins of 500 families representing 13 Gothrams has started their journey and reached Nandavaram by early morning. The Brahmins did not hear any sound of matha and looked back in curiosity. Immediately the Goddess turned in to Vigraham at the same place. Nanadana realized his fault and given the Nandavara Agrahara along with adjacent 16 Village Agraharams to Brahmins.
Henceforth, the Goddess stayed in Nandavaram as “Sri Matha Chowdeshwari Devi”, the Brahmin families came along with her, and reached Nandavaram are termed as “NANDAVARIKA BRAHMINS”.
All the Nandavarikas from different parts of the country as well as rest of the world have established an organized and collective force called “NandavarikaSangam” in the year 1979. Later in 1982, under the Society Act, R. No. 52/1982, our NandavarikaSangam, Nandavaramregistered to serve the Nandavarika Brahmins in terms of providing food and accommodation to the Devotees who is coming to Nandavaram for Sri MathaChowdeshwari Devi Darshan. With itsprofessed values supported by the able leadership, the NandavarikaSangam has completed a glorious journey of 45 years.
Recently the Sangam has constructed Homashala, wherein Chandi Homa being performed on Durgastami day. Further, Sangam is performing Kumkumarchana and Abhishekam to Ammavari Panch0alohaVigraham during Ashada Amavasya, Ugadi utsavam and Durgastami day. The Cow Seva will be done in the premises. Finally, the auspicious “SRI CHOWDESHWARI” Ammavari Jyothi during Ugadi utsavam being performed with Seva bhavam and Bhakti Bhavam.
|| OM SRI MATHA CHOWDESHWARI DEVIYE NAMAH ||
