In Andhra Pradesh, is situated a holy city called PENUGONDA. Through the gracious benevolence of the three PARASHAKTHIS, Penugonda became a luxurious, verdant place, blessed with prosperity and greatness. It was a time when Maharishis and Sanyasis performed rigorous Yagas for the good of mankind and the world. Penugonda and its neighbouring 18 towns were ruled by the leader of the Vaishya Clan/ kulam, Kusuman Chettiar. Through God’s Grace, he married a young girl named Kusumamabal. The King of the Vaishya Clan, Kusumam Chettiar, and his Queen Kusumambal wanted an heir to their prosperous kingdom, so they sought the advice of their Kulaguru, Bhaskaracharya.In  accordance to the Guru’s advice, they conducted the Putrakameshti Yaga. From the sacrificial fire, a celestial Entity appeared and presented them with a Divine Fruit. The Queen partook of the Divine Fruit and was blessed with a daughter, VasaVi and a son, Virupakshan. Virupakshan and Vasavi grew up with proper education and training in various skills. Virupakshan gained prowes in the skills of warfare while Vasavi learnt music and dance. At about this time, the Emperor Vishnu Vardanan, was returning after establishing his sovereignty over neighboring countries. On the way he stopped at Penugonda, where he was gi\len a warm welcome by Kusuman Chettiar and his people. Satisfied with the ceremonial welcome, the Emperor decided to go on a tour of the place. It was then that his eyes fell on the beautiful VASAVI. Enamoured by her beauty he desired to marry her. He met Kusuman Chettiar and sought Vasavi’s hand in marriage But Kusuman Chettiar and the Vaishya’s present were surprised by this request.

They quietly explained to him that they were not permitted to marry outside their clan. The Maharaja became angry. So the Vaishyas calmed him down and requested him to stay at a border town while they discussed the matter with the others. Kusuman Chettiar then called the Vaishyas of  the neighboring 18 towns and gathered IN front of the Nageshwara Aalayam. 612 members of the Clan left in fear of the King’s wrath. 102 remained declaring that their Honuous is more important. Being people of Honour and pride it was decided that Vasavi would immolate herself in the sacrificial pyre rather than marry the Maharajah. It was also decided that one couple from each family of the 102 families would die in the sacrificial fire along with Vasavi.After entering the sacrificial fire Devi Vasavi attained divinity and appeared in the Vishwaroopa form of Amma Parameswari, and showered blessings on everyone there. She was then consumed by the flames along with the other 102 couples of the Vaishya clan.The impatient Maharaja h, Vishnu Vardana, dressed in splendid attire, entered Penugonda to enquire about the wedding ceremony. The tragic news of the honourable death of Vasavi came as a sudden shock causing his death.On hearing the news of the demise of his father, the young Prince Raja Raja Narendran visited Penugonda and apologized to all the Vaishya families there for what had happened. He then offered prayers to Amrna Parameshwari.Raja Raja Narendran, then crowned Virupakshan as the King of Penugonda. He built a beautiful temple to Vasavi Amrna Parameswari. In the temple he also installed 102 Sivalingas in memory of the 102 couples who sacrificed their lives along with Vasavi in the pyre. Since then Amrna Parameswari became his family Diety.Wherever the Vaishyas lived they would erect a temple to Amma Parameswari and bask in the       blessings showered by Her.