Holy
Pilgrimage – Andhra
Pradesh State
Shri Saraswathi Kshetram, Ananthasagar
Shri Saraswathi Kshetramu (Telugu: శ్రీ సరస్వతి క్షేత్రము,Hindi: श्री सरस्वती क्षेत्रमु) is a famous Hindu Temple of Goddess Saraswathi located in the Ananthasagar, Chinna Kodur Mandal, Siddipet Division, Medak district of Andhra Pradesh. The temple was built between 1980 and 1990 by Astakala Narasimha Rama Sharma (Astavadhani). It is located between Siddipet to Karimnagar, 22 km away from the former, 125 km from Hyderabad and 63 km from Medak,
History
This temple was built by Astakala Narasimha Rama Sharma, a teacher by profession, who, determined not to rely on donations for its construction, used his money from his salary as an astrologer, Vaastu shastra expert, and groundwater locator.Festivals
Saraswati Puja is performed on the 5th day of Magha month of Vedic Calendar (also known as Basant Panchami).As in several parts of India, and especially the South, Saraswati pujas are conducted during Navaratri – a 9 day long festival celebrating the power of the feminine aspect of divinity or shakti. The last three days of Navaratri starting from Mahalaya Amavasya (the New Moon day) are dedicated to the goddess
On the ninth day of Navaratri (Mahanavami), especially Sharad Navaratri, books and musical instruments are ceremoniously placed before the image of Saraswathi early at dawn and she is worshipped with special prayers. No studies or any performance of arts is carried out, as it is considered that the Goddess herself is blessing the books and the instruments. The festival is concluded on the tenth day of Navaratri (Vijaya Dashami) and the goddess is worshipped again before the books and the musical instruments are removed. It is customary to study on this day, which is called Vidyarambham (literally, Commencement of Knowledge): students are traditionally required to revise much of what they have learnt up to that day, and also to start the study of something new. Gurus (preceptors) are worshipped on this day as embodiments of Saraswathi.
Vasant Panchami (Devnagari:, sometimes referred to as Saraswati Puja or Shree Panchami (Devnagari:), is a Hindu festival worshipping Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and art. It is celebrated every year on the fifth day ( of the Indian month (January-February), the first day of spring. Traditionally during this festival children are taught to write their first words; brahmins are fed; ancestor worship (Pitr-tarpan) is performed; the god of love Kamadeva is worshipped; and most educational institutions organise special prayer for Saraswati. The color yellow also plays an important role in this festival, in that people usually wear yellow garments, Saraswati is worshipped dressed in yellow, and yellow sweets are consumed within the families. Children love flying kites . They enjoy the festival with great fun and enthusiasm.
Goddess Saraswati
Saraswati (in Sanskrit sara means essence and swa means self) meaning eis traditionally depicted with a serene and calm expression with a majestic air. She is seated on a white lotus in Padmasana, adorned by a pure white silk sari, has a book in her lower left hand, her lower right hand showing the chinmudra, Aksharamala in her right upper hand, and Amrithakalasam in her left upper hand. Both eyes are full of compassion. The vehicle assigned to each of the three goddesses also symbolically represent their special powersGoddess Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma (Lord of Creation) and is the goddess of wisdom and learning. Saraswati is the one who gives the essence (sara) of our own self (swa). She is considered as the personification of all knowledge - arts, sciences, crafts and other skills. She has a beautiful and elegant presence, is pure white in colour, clad in a white sari, seated on a white lotus, representing purity and brilliance. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She has the sacred scriptures in one hand and a lotus (a symbol of true knowledge) in the second. With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on the veena.
She is dressed in white (sign of purity) and rides on a white goose (swan). The swan is known for its peculiar characteristic of being capable of separating water from milk, indicating that we should possess discrimination in separating the bad from the good. The seat being a lotus or peacock implies that the teacher is well-established in the subjective experience of truth. When sitting on a peacock she reminds us that wisdom suppresses ego.
Devotees worship her in temples, often by keeping books underneath her idol. In October, Durga Puja (Navaratri) is celebrated by people all over India to offer their prayers for a successful and fruitful year. However, Saraswati does have a temple in Koothanur in Tanjavur district (Tamil Nadu.) The most famous Sarsawati temple in India is situated in Shringeri, Karnataka Shringeri sharadamba temple. This was established by Shankaracharya in the 8th century. There is an important Basar Saraswati Temple in Basar at a distance of 40 km from Nizamabad in Adilabad District, Andhra Pradesh on the banks of Godavari River. There is also a small but very old temple in Hasanpur and a relatively renovated one in Bakhri Bazar, Bihar. Wargal Saraswati Temple is located in Medak district.
Vasant Panchami is celebrated in January-February all over the country with great fervor and vigor.
Although Saraswati temples are rare, major temples for the goddess are present as,
- Sarala temple of Jhankad in Cuttack district of Orissa,
- Saraswathi temple in Basar town in the Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh,
- Wargal Saraswati Temple,Medak Dist.
- Shringeri in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka,
- Pushkar in Ajmer district of Rajasthan,
- Panachikkad in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala,
- Thiruvarur in Tiruvarur district in the state of Tamil Nadu,
- Saraswathi Amman, located opposite to the famous Shiva temple of Nellaiappar Temple, Tirunelveli in Tirunelveli districtof Tamil Nadu,
- Sharada Peeth in Jammu and Kashmir and
- Bhadrakali, Gairidhara and Handigaon in Nepal also have Saraswati temples of historical and/or popular significance
Transport
Ananthasagar is located between Siddipet to Karimnagar, 22 km away from the former, 125 km from Hyderabad and 63 km from Medak
Srikalahasti Temple
Srikalahasti Temple (Telugu: శ్రీకాళహస్తి దేవస్థానము;Tamil: ஸ்ரீகாளஹஸ்தி; Malayalam: ശ്രീകാളഹസ്തി ) is located in the town of Srikalahasti, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is one of the most famous Shiva temples in South India, and is said to be the site where Kannappa, one of the 63 Saivite Nayanars, was ready to offer both his eyes to cover blood flowing from the Siva linga before the Lord Siva stopped him and granted him mukti.[1]
Sri Kalahasti temple, situated 36 km away from Tirupati is famous for its Vayu linga, one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams, representing wind. The inner temple was constructed around 5th century and the outer temple was constructed in the 12th century by the Chola king, Rajendra Chola. Vayu is incarnated as Lord Shiva and worshiped as Kalahasteeswara
Pancha Bootha Sthalam
It is one of the five major Shiva temples (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam), representing one of the five major elements – Wind. The five elements are,
1. Earth – Telugu: భూమి (bhoomi),Tamil: (Nilam) -Thiruvarur-Thyagaraja temple -& Kanchipuram
– Ekambareswarar Temple
2. Water – Telugu: (Jalamu),
Tamil: (Neer) – Thiruvanaikaval
– Jambukeswara
Temple
Other importance
The temple is also associated with Rahu and Kethu (of the nine grahams or celestial bodies in the Indian astrological scheme). The river Suvarnamukhi takes the northerly course at Sri Kalahasthi almost washing the west wall of the famous temple . Inside this very large temple, situated between two steep hills Sripuram and Mummidi-cholapuram, is the Sivalinga set to represent the element of Vayu.This temple is considered as the Kailash of the South or Dakshin Kailash. Saivaite saints of the first century sang about this temple.
History
This temple is one of the most impressive Siva temples in India. Vishwakarma Brahmin Sthapthis who sculpted this temple need to be eulogized for their excellent architectural cognizance. This temple features an enormous, ancient gopuram (entrance tower) over the main gate. The tower is 36.5 m (120 ft) high. The entire temple is carved out of the side of a huge stone hill.The initial structure of this temple was constructed by the Pallava dynasty in the 5th century. The Chola kings and the Vijayanagara kings also gave great help for the temple development. Like other great temples, the construction period of Sri Kalahasthi temple lasted centuries. Around the 10th century, the Chola kings renovated the temple and constructed the main structure.
The outer walls and the four gopurams were constructed in the period of Sri Veera Narasimharayar in 12th century. The 120 feet (37 m) high main gopuram and the 100 pillar mandapam were constructed by Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagara king in 1516. Mr.Ramanathan Nattukkottai Chettiyar of Devakkottai, developed the structure as it is today by spending one million dollars in 1912.[citation needed]. Tamil saints Nayanars like Appar, Sundarar and Sambanthar praised the deity in their hymns—the tevaram.
Temple
This ancient temple dedicated to Lord Siva is one of the five Panchabhootha stalams (temples celebrating Lord Siva as the embodiment of the five primary elements), air (wind) being the element in this case; the other elements being water at (Thiruvanaikaval), fire at (Annamalaiyar Temple), earth at (Ekambareswarar Temple) and space at (Chidambaram Temple) that Siva embodies.There is a lamp inside the inner sanctum that is constantly flickering despite the lack of air movement inside. The air-linga can be observed to move even when the priests close off the entrance to the main deity room, which does not have any windows. One can see the flames on several ghee lamps flicker as if blown by moving air. The linga is white and is considered Swayambhu, or self-manifested.
Kalahasti is surrounded by two sacred hills. The Durgamba temple is on the northern hill. On the south hill there is the shrine of Kannabeswara, in memory of the Sage Kannappa, who offered his eyes to the Lord. There is also a temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya on one of the surrounding hills.
The main linga is untouched by human hands, even by the priest. Abhisheka (bathing) is done by pouring a mixture of water, milk, camphor, and panchamrita. Sandal paste, flowers and the sacred thread are offered to the utsava-murti, not the main linga.
Legend
Sri Kalahasti is named after the staunch devotees of Lord Shiva. They were the Spider (Sri), the Serpent (Kala) and the Elephant (Hasti). Appeased with their unflinching devotion, Lord Shiva gave them a boon that their names be merged with the Vayulinga and called as Sri Kalahasteeswara.According to Hindu mythology, the elephant or Hasti used to clean the Shiva deity by watering the idol with the help of river-water carried in his trunks and pray for him by placing Vilva leaves. The spider or Sri tried to protect the deity from external damage by weaving his web and to provide shelter for the Shiva lingam. The snake or Kala used to place its precious gem on the linga to adorn the lord. In this way, they all worshipped the Vayu linga separately without knowing what the other was doing.
One day, the spider had built a very big and thick web around the deity to protect it from dust and weather while the snake places its gem. The elephant not knowing this and assuming that this form of puja by Sri and Kala is a desecration by the seeming miscreants, pours water on it and cleans it up. This causes a war between the three. The snake punishes the elephant by entering its trunk and in the process kills itself while the elephant runs amok and hits its trunk and head against the shiva linga. During this struggle, the spider is squashed against the linga by the elephant's trunk and the elephant dies due to the snake's poison. Lord Shiva then appeared and gave moksha to all three of them for their selfless devotion. The spider takes rebirth as a great king while the elephant and the snake reaches heaven for satisfying all its karma.
This king continues his good work from his previous birth and builds a variety of temples that seeks to protect the underlying deity with tons of stones. It is interesting to note that all his temples, keep the deity beyond the access of an elephant. In this temple, access to the deity is through a narrow passage in the side of the building that prevents an elephant from extending its trunk over the lord from any side.
Goddess Parvati's curse
There are several other legends connected to the glory of the temple. Prominent among them is of Parvati who was cursed by Lord Shiva to discard her heavenly body and assume the human form. To get rid off the above curse Parvati did a long penance here. Pleased with her deep devotion Lord Shiva again restored her body – a hundred times better than her previous heavenly body and initiated various mantras including the Panchakshari. Consequent of this, Parvati gained Shiva-Gnanam and came to be known as Gnana Prasunamba or Gnana Prasunambika Devi.Gnanakala
Cursed to became a ghost Ghanakala prayed at Srikalahasti for 15 years and after chanting Bhairava Mantra many times Lord Shiva restored her original form.The Devas
Mayura, Chandra and Devendra were also freed from their curses after taking bath in the river Swarnamukhi and prayed at Srikalahasti.Markandeya
To Bhakta Markandeya, Lord Shiva appeared in Sri Kalahasti and preached that a Guru alone could make esoteric teachings and, therefore he is Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara.Kannappa
At Sri Kalahasti, Lord Shiva tested the unshakable devotion of Thinnadu (Later became Bhaktha Kannappa) before the sages gathered at SriKalahasti. With his divine power, Lord Shiva created a tremor and the roof tops of the temple began to fall. All the sages ran away from the scene except Kannappa who covered the linga with his body to prevent it from any damage.In another incident, Kannappa plucked out one of his eyes and placed in the eye of Linga which was oozing with blood and tears. When the tears and the blood were still trickling from another eye, Kannappa decided to remove his second eye and placed one of his feet on the spot of the right eye of the Shiva Linga. Before he could pull out his second eye with the arrow, Lord Shiva appeared and restored his eye while granting him a boon to occupy a place close to him.
According to Swami Sivananda's book, Sixty-Three Nayanar Saints, pg. 44, some Saivite traditions believe that Kannappa was the reincarnation of Arjuna. Arjuna, worshipped Siva for seeking the Pasupatha Astra and failed to recognize Him in the form of a hunter. Thus, according to this tradition, Arjuna had to be born as a hunter and adore the Lord before attaining final liberation.
Festivals
Mahasivaratri is an important festival when lakhs of people offer prayers to seek the blessings of the Lord to attain Mukti.Rahu – Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja
Srikalahasteeswara Swamy Temple is reputed as the Rahu Kethu Kshetra, If the People who have Rahu Kethu Doshas and Sarpa Doshas, the un married and No children and those who are facing various problems for long period and perform the most effective Rahu – Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja in this Temple all the Doshas get removed and desired results occur. Thousands of Devotees from the country and abroad perform this puja and fulfill their vows again and again after receiving good results.Rahu – Kethu Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja can be performed daily between 6:30 A.M and 9:00 P.M. This is a popular puja undertaken by devotees at this temple. This is offered in three variations, all of which serve the same purpose but offer varying degrees of comfort and special treatment for the devotee. There are 3 rates for pooja; Rs. 300/, Rs. 750/- and Rs. 1500/-. While Rs. 300/- and Rs. 750/- pooja is performed outside prakaram(outer courtyard), and Rs. 1500/- is performed within temple premises. While you can perform pooja at any time, performing pooja during rahu kalam is considered to be auspicious. Sunday and Tuesday are the best days to perform pooja as Sunday and Tuesday are the days considered to be for Rahu and Kethu.(The Devastanam will arrange all Puja Materials)
Nithya Kalyanotsavam
Nithya Kalyana Seva is conducted to Sri Siva – Parvathi daily in the name of the donors along with abhisheka aradhana payment of Rs.550/-. The devotees who make permanent endowment of Rs. 5500/-, for Nithya Kalyanotsavam, can perform this seva on any day chosen by them (except on 12 days of maha sivaratri Brahmostavam), The devotees who perform their puja will receive swamivari prasadam, Seshavastram, Lamination photo and Special Asirvachanam.Nithya Annadana scheme
Annasritani bhutani, annam paranamitrisrutitasmad annasn annamhi paramohini
There is no gift superior to Annadanam, the tradition of providing food to the sunging has been followed since the Vedic period. Annadata Sukhibhava (may the provider of food be happy) say the ancients, several crores of merits occur due to this pious act.
Sri Gnana Prasunambika Devi Nithya Annadana scheme was set up to provide free food to the devotees visited the sacred temple of Srikalahasthi, no fewer than 200 devotees are fed daily under this scheme.
Annadanam is arrange in the name of the donor, on the day chosen by him/her making use of the interest secured on the donation. Donors can contribute any amount over Rs. 1116/-. Annadanam is provided every year on the day of donor's choice using only the interest derived from the endowment.
- Donors of Rs. 50,000 will be mentioned as "Maharaja Sikhamanis"
- Donors of Rs. 25,000 will be called "Raja poshakas"
- Donors of Rs. 10,000 will be called "poshakas"
- Donors of Rs. 5000 will be mentioned as "Bhakta Sikhamanis".
Transport
Sri Kalahasti Kshetra can be reached from Tirupati, Madras, Gudur, Chittoor by road and also by rail .
Ujjaini Mahakali Temple, Secunderabad
Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple is a temple in Hyderabad at Secunderabad area [1] in Andhra Pradesh which is 191 years old. Devotees offer prayers to the goddess every day. In particular, Lakhs of devotees in Ashada Jathara pray on principal days, which fall on Sunday and Monday.It is also popular during the festival of Bonalu.
Bonalu (Telugu: ) is a Hindu festival of the Goddess of power, Mahakali, celebrated in Hyderabad, Secunderabad and parts of Telangana and Rayalaseema in India.[1] It is celebrated in the month of Ashada masam, in July/August. Special poojas are performed for Yellamma on the first and last day of the festival.[2] The festival is also considered a thanksgiving to the Goddess for fulfillment of vows.
Bonam means Bojanaalu or a meal in Telugu, is an offering to the Goddess. Women bring cooked rice with milk, sugar sometimes onions in a brass or earthen pot, adorned with small neem branches and turmeric, vermilion (kunkum) or Kadi (white chalk) and a lamp on the top. Women place the pots on their heads and take it to Goddess temple, led by drummers and dancing men.
Goddess temples have names such as Mysamma, Pochamma, Yellamma, Pedamma, Dokkalamma, Ankalamma, Poleramma, Maremma, Pochamme, Maramma, Yellammma, Nookalamma etc. and are decorated with special illumination buntings and festoons
Origin of Bonalu festival
The festival history has started in 1813 in Hyderabad and Secuderabad. Plague disease broke out in Hyderabad around that time claiming thousands of lives. People believed that the disease was the result of the anger of Mother Goddess. So people offered bonalu(Bojanalu) to Mother Goddess Mahankali.The Ritual
nalu festival begins with the Golconda Mahankali, located inside the Golconda fort, and follows with Secunderabad's Ujjaini Mahakali Temple also called as Lashkar Bonalu, Balkampet Yellamma temple and then to the old city.[3]On the festival day, women wear silk sarees and jewellery. Some tranced women dance with balancing pots (Bonam), to the rhythmic beats of drums in honour of the local Goddess.
To ward off evil spirits, in olden days, people used to sacrifice a male buffalo in front of the temple, but now, roosters are sometimes sacrificed
Women carrying Bonalu are believed to possess the spirit of Mother Goddess, and when they go towards the temple, people pour water on their feet to pacify the spirit, who, by nature, is believed to be aggressive.
Every group of devotees offer a Thottela (a small colorful, paper structure supported by sticks), as a mark of respect.
It is believed that the Goddess comes back to her maternal home during Ashada Maasam, so people come to see her and bring offerings of food to show their love and affection, just as they would prepare a special meal when their own daughters visit them.
Potharaju
Potharaju, the brother of Mother Goddess, is represented in the procession by a well-built, bare-bodied man, wearing a small tightly draped red dhoti and bells on his ankles, and anointed with turmeric on his body and vermilion on his forehead. He dances to resounding drums.[4]He always dances before the Palaharam Bandi, the procession. He is considered the initiator of the festivities and the protector of the community. He leads the tranced female dancers who are under spell of the Mother Goddess (known as shigam) to the temple, with lashing whips and emerald neem leaves (margosa) tied around their waists, accompanied by trumpets and drums.[5]
The Feast
Bonalu is a festival of offering to the Goddess and families share the offering with family members and guests. A non-vegetarian family feast follows after the offering.[6]The festival environment is quite palpable in the locality celebrating the festival, with loud-speakers playing Mother Goddess songs in folk style, and streets are decorated with neem leaves.
Rangam
Rangam, or Forecasting of the Future, is held the morning the next day of the festival. Women under spell foretell the year ahead when devotees ask about the future. This takes place before the procession is started.[7]Ghatam
Ghatam is a copper pot, decorated in the form of mother goddess . The Ghatam is carried by a priest, who wears a traditional dhoti and body with smeared in turmeric . The Ghatam is taken into procession from first day of the festival till last day, when it is immersed in water . The Ghatam in usually accompanied by drums.[8]Ghatam is followed after Rangam. The festival concludes with immersion of Ghatam. The ghatam of Haribowli's Akkanna Madanna Temple[9][10] leads the procession, placed atop an elephant and accompanied by mounted horses and models depicting Akkanna and Madanna. It ends in the evening with a glittering procession and display followed by immersion of ghatams at Nayapul.[11]
A carnival-like atmosphere, where thousands of people wait along the main streets of Laldarwaza to Nayapul and watch the exquisitely and elaborately decorated Ghatams. Young men dance in a unique style to the drum beats and folk songs alongside Pothraju, dress-up in various mythological roles.
The Ghatams of the Old city procession include the Mahankali temples in Haribowli Akkanna-Madanna, Laldarwaza, Uppuguda, Miralam Mandi and Kasaratta, the Jagadamba temple of Sultanshahi, Bangaru Mysamma temple of Shalibanda, Alijah Kotla and Gowlipura, and Sultanshahi, Darbar Mysamma of Aliabad and Mutyalamma temple of Chandulal Bela.
Undavalli caves (Near Vijayawada)
The Undavalli Caves (Telugu: ఉండవల్లి గుహలు), an example of Indian rock-cut architecture and a finest testimonial of ancient vishwakarma sthapathis, are located in the village of Undavalli in Tadepalle Mandal in Guntur District, near the southern bank of the Krishna River, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The caves are located 6 km south west from Vijayawada, 22 km north east of Guntur City and about 280 km from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.Description
These caves have been carved out of solid sandsone on a hillside in the 4th to 5th centuries A.D.[1] There are several caves. The best known and largest one has four stories with a huge unknown recreated statue reclining posture sculpted from a single block of granite inside the second floor. Originally a Jain cave resembling architecture of Udayagiri and Khandgiri. |url=http://www.showcaves.com/english/in/misc/Undavalli.html |title=Undavalli Caves |publisher= |accessdate=2006-08-19 }}</ref> Main cave belongs to the earliest examples of Gupta architecture, primarily primitive rock-cut monastery cells carved into the sandstone hills.[2] Initially caves were shaped as a Jain abode and the first floor still retains style of abode of Jain ascetics vihara including Thirthankara sculptures.[3]The walls of the caves display sculptures carved by skilled craftsmen.
Undavalli caves are associated with the Jain kings of 420 to 620 A.D. Caves are surrounded by the green countryside.[4] From the high hill above the cave overlooking the Krishna river many fine specimens of rock cut architecture can be seen.
Hills around Vijayawada are rich with rock-cut architecture but the most magnificent and largest among these monuments is the largest of Undavalli Caves - amazing achievement of engineering, four floors high rock-cut temple with numerous sculptures and murals.
History and legend
Caves are associated with Vishnukundina kings - influential dynasty ruling over significant part of contemporary India in 420 - 620 AD. Caves were deidicated by local governor Madhava Reddy to the Anantapadmanabha Swamy and Narisimha Swamy temples.First Vishnukundina kings were supporters of Buddhism and Undavalli Caves were started as Buddhist temples. For a while they were used by Buddhist monks and there have been preserved some Buddhist statues up to this day.
Later though caves were taken over by Hindus and major part of artwork we see here today is related to Hindu religion.
There is exciting legend about the cave - it tells that here starts 9 kilometres long underground passage leading to the sacred Mangalgiri mountain. Many locals believe in its existence and consider that the entrances have been closed and hidden by authorities to avoid accidents.
Description
There are several smaller rock-cut chambers nearby but the main attention is given to the large four storied cave. From the distance it resembles an abandoned fort but when approaching it there reveals an exciting sight - whole enormous structure is cut in monolithic sandstone cliff.Caves have four stories, each successive floor recedes. Facade is 29 m wide.
Cave in its planning belongs to the earliest examples of Gupta architecture although several details in the second floor show the influence of Chalukyan architecture.
First floor can be entered through one of 8 - 9 roughly shaped openings with massive square columns in between. Planning and style of sculptures in the first floor shows that this was Buddhist monastery - vihara. Part of chambers are primitive rock-cut monastery cells. Hall is not completed, it contains 8 columns. Here are three separate sanctuaries for Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu and Shivu, each with a pillared hall in front. Trimurti is important concept in Hindu religion - a triad of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, embodyment of cosmic functions of creation, maintenance and destruction.
Walls in the first floor are adorned with frescoes showing scenes from mythological stories and made in 7 - 8th c. AD, some paintings here have been done also in later time periods.
Second floor contains the most amazing sculpture in this temple - a huge, 5 m long statue of Lord Vishnu in his Padmanabha aspect shown in reclining posture. Also this statue resembles similar Buddha statues in some other cave temples. Sculpture is made out of single block of granite. Over Vishnu there is a canopy of multi-hooded Adi-Shesha, king of all nagas, shrine is adorned with numerous other sculptures as well.
Facade of the third floor is adorned with numerous sculptures, including depictions of lions and elephants. There opens beautiful view through these ancient sculptures towards other green hills and stands of palms below
Transport
These caves are located 6 km south west from Vijayawada, 22 km north east of Guntur City and about 280 km from Hyderabad
Thousand Pillar Temple , Warangal
The Thousand Pillar Temple (Telugu: వెయ్యి స్థంభాల గుడి) is a historic Hindu temple located in the city of Hanamakonda, Andhra Pradesh, India.[1] It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya
History
The Thousand Pillar Temple is one of the very old temples of South India that was built by the kakatiyas of Chalukya dynasty. It stands out to be a masterpiece and achieved major heights in terms of architectural skills by the ancient kakathiya vishwakarma sthapathis. It is believed that the Thousand Pillar Temple was built by King Rudra Deva in 1163 AD. The Thousand Pillar Temple is a specimen of the Kakatiyan style of architecture of the 12th century.It was destroyed by the Mughal Empires during their invasion of South India. It comprises one temple and other building. There are one thousand pillars in the building and the temple, but no pillar obstructs a person in any point of the temple to see the god in the other temple.
The present day engineers have taken out all the pillars from the building. After they lifted all the pillars they encountered a huge mass of sand. It took nearly two weeks for them to take away all the sand. It was wet sand, because of a pipe connection from the nearby water body named Bhadrakali Cheruvu. but at present these temple was destroyed
Temple architecture
The Thousand Pillar Temple with its ruins lies in the near the Hanamkonda-Warangal highway, about 150 kilometers from Hyderabad city. This temple is star-shaped with several shrines and lingams. There are three shrines inside the temple called the Trikutalayam. The three shrines of the Thousand Pillar Temple are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya. The Thousand Pillar Temple is surrounded by a big garden in which many small lingam shrines can be seen. There are 1,000 richly carved pillars and a Nandi bull in the temple. The Nandi bull was carved out of a black basalt monolith that has been highly polished.The Thousand Pillar Temple is constructed on a platform that is raised to one metre height from the ground level. The temple is provided with a number of pillars which are intricately carved and adorned. Rock cut elephants and perforated screens in the temple are characteristic of the then prevailing dynasty
You can get a first hand of the dynasty’s taste for sculpture in Veyyi Stambhala Gudi or 1000 Pillar Temple. It has a catchy and apt name. Are there thousand pillars? Yes there are – of many varieties and sizes; some of them are even part of others! The pillars that support the central ‘Natya Mandapam’ (dance floor) are large and made of multiple blocks of stone.
The other catch is psychological. When you hear “Veyyi Stambalu” (thousand pillars) you imagine a farm of pillars. For my expectation, the temple was much smaller. More so because a mandapam (see left of the picture below), that contributes 400 of 1000 pillars, was dismantled by the Archeological Survey of India for reconstruction. Unlike pillars in other temples of India, pillars of the main temple, are tightly knit and form its walls and so don’t seem like there are 600 of them
The temple is star shaped with three shrines devoted to Rudradeva (Shiva), Vishnu, and Surya (Sun). Interestingly, the third deity is not Brahma who is part of the Trinity of God [as in the Trinity (which consists of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) in Suchindrum] because the Kakatiyas worshipped Lord Shiva and Lord Surya and not so much Brahma. On the fourth side is Shiva’s vehicle, Nandi or Bull.
Unlike most temples in India that face east, 1000 pillar temple faces south. Because, the Kakatiyas, worshipers of Lord Shiva, wanted early morning sun rays to fall directly on Shiva Lingam. So, of the three shrines, Shiva’s shrine faces east and other shrines face south and west. On the fourth side is Nandi. Adding to the uniqueness, the Nandi in 1000 pillar temple looks east, unlike most Nandis in Indian temples that look west.
Between these four is the Natya Mandapam (dance floor) where dancers performed
More interesting is the architectural prowess of the Kakatiyas. Hearsay is that ASI, when it dismantled the Mandapam for reconstruction, found about 30 feet of sand and three wells below it! Unbelievable. This temple was built in 1163 AD and took 72 years to construct!
In addition to architecture, I loved the rich carvings and sculpture. You have to see it to believe it. The Nandi had on its back, a chain made of bells which seemed real. And the bull was life like.
Impressive Bull was a beginning. The 1000 pillar temple takes it to a whole new level. Enter the temple, you will see four magnificent pillars supporting the Natya Mandapam (dance floor). Each richly carved with exquisite designs. A pillar has multiple designs, 2 centimeters to about 30 centimeters, on the perimeter of circular pillar. They used designs of jewelry of the age. Chains, bangles, rings, crowns and the Kakatiya Dynasty’s symbol, Kalisam, can be seen one after another on each pillar. The design also had flowers finely carved. So fine, the sculptures carved gap between petals. A guide showed us such gaps by inserting a tiny stick into those holes. “This is how fine Kakatiya’s sculptures were.”
The roof of the Natya Mandiram in 1000 pillar temple is a master piece in itself. It has Gayatri, the goddess of learning, and Chaturmukam (four faces) that guards against ill. In fact, the roof has 3 Chatur mukhas or 12 such faces in all.
Transport
The Pilgrims can reach Waranga, by Rail and also Road from Secunderabad and Warangal (AP).
It is on the rail route between Nagapur to Madras or Hyderabad.
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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