Sriman Vishnu, better known as Srikakula Mahavishnu statue, was set up in Andhra in a pre-existing older temple. The previous deistic form worshiped in the temple is unknown. The advent vaishnavism in Andhra which can be traced to Ramanuja Acharya , Andhra Pradesh
The deity of the temple is known as Andhra Vishnu or Srikakulandhra Vishnu . The main sanctum of the temple survived at least since the time of the Satavahana emperors. The deity for which the Satavahana built the temple is unknown. Vaishnava cult in South India is traced to Ramanuja Acharya by Bishop Caldwell and Professor M. Seshagiri Sastriar, chair of Sanskrit. To North India this tradition can be traced to 5th century B.C. This temple has many attractions and historical links. As many as 32 inscriptions, including those issued by Krishnadevaraya, appear on the walls of the temple. The presiding deity has some striking peculiarities. The deity holds a sankha in right hand and a chakra in left hand as against usual practice of vice versa. The inscriptions on Avatars were added after 1010 reconstruction. The oldest version had no reference to any other forms Likewise, Krishna does not find place in dasavatara here. The list includes, Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Buddha and Kalki. The present temple is said to be existing from 1010 A.D., and was reconstructed twice before now.
Andhra Kaumudi
In Andhra Kaumudi, a Telugu grammarbook it was mentioned that he was son of Suchandra. It seems Āndhra Viṣhṇu having built an immense wall, connecting Sri Sailam, Bheemeswaram, and Kaleswaram, with the Mahendra hills, formed in it three gates, in which the three eyed Ishwara, bearing the trident in his hand and attended by a host of divine angels resided in the form of three lingams. Āndhra Viṣhṇu assisted by divine angels having fought with the great giant Nishambhu for thirteen yugas killed him in battle and took up his residence with the sages on the banks of the riverGodavari, since which time, the Andhra country has been named Trilingam.
Andhra Nayaka Satakam
Andhra Nayaka Satakam was written by Kasula Purushottama Kavi, a poet who enjoyed the patronage of the Zamindar of Challapalli in Diviseema region of Andhra Pradesh. The poems are notable because of the vyāja ninda and vyāja stuti employed to denounce Andhra Viṣhṇu and put him down for his various qualities and actions while actually praising him indirectly.
Āmuktamālyada
Once the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya was travelling via Vijayawada during his Kalinga campaign. He had conquered Vijayawada, Kondapalli fort and the surrounding areas. He came to know about the holy temple of Andhra Viṣhṇu and visited Srikakulam village for a few days. He performed the Ekadasi Vratam during that time. It is here that Andhra Viṣhṇu appeared to the emperor in an early morning dream. Krishnadevaraya said Andhra Viṣhṇu told him to compose the story of his wedding with Andal at Srirangam. He also ordered the emperor to tell the story in the Telugu language. The emperor obliged, composing Amuktamalyada which is one of the most famous poetic works in Telugu literature. From 14th poem of this work we can see that the Lord Śrī Āndhra Viṣhṇu refers himself as King of Telugus and refers Sri Krishnadevaraya as Kannada King. Meaning of Quote :"The nation that knows Telugu will be have clarity. Vallaba is Telugu and Telugu will be a protection. A language used in courts of all kings. In the languages of the all nations Telugu is used in abundance and is excellent. Within Amuktamalyada itself it was mentioned that on a Harivasara, Sri Krishnadevaraya had the Darsan of Andhra Viṣhṇu. Harivasara'' is the time between the last four muhurtas of Ekadasi and the first four muhurtas of Dwadasi, i.e., 6 hours and 24 minutes. This incident of visiting the temple must be between Ahobilam Śaasanam and Simhāchalam Śaasanam
