Holy
Pilgrimage – Andhra
Pradesh State
Yadagirigutta Temple , Yagarigi (Bhonagir –Bbuvanagiri)
Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple or Yadagirigutta is a popular Hindu
Temple of Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation Lord Vishnu It is situated on a hillock in the Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India,[1] 60 kilometers from the city of Hyderabad. Huge number of devotees visit the
temple on Sundays and public holidays.
The temple is quite popular and is busy throughout the year with different events of the God. The annual brahmotsavam is held in the month of March, it includes Yedurkolu, The Celestial Wedding and Divya Vimana Rathotsavam.[2] The birthday of Lord Narasimha is celebrated on 28 April every year.
Lord Narasimha is also known as Yadagiri, hence the name.
The temple is quite popular and is busy throughout the year with different events of the God. The annual brahmotsavam is held in the month of March, it includes Yedurkolu, The Celestial Wedding and Divya Vimana Rathotsavam.[2] The birthday of Lord Narasimha is celebrated on 28 April every year.
Lord Narasimha is also known as Yadagiri, hence the name.
Sanctum Sanctorum
The sanctum sanctorum or Garbhagriha is located in a cave, under a huge
slating rock, which covers half the abode.
History
In Tretayugam, there lived a sage by the name of Yadarishi,
son of the great sage Rishyasrunga
and Santa Devi who did penance inside a cave with the blessings of Anjaneya (Hanuman) on this hill between Bhongir (Bhuvanagiri) and Raigiri (Now in Nalgonda district of Andhra
Pradesh, India). Pleased with his deep devotion, Lord Narasimha, an incarnation
of Lord Vishnu appeared before him in five different forms as Jwala, Yogananda,
Gandabherunda, Ugra and Lakshminarasimha. They later manifested themselves into
finely sculpted forms that later came to be worshiped as Pancha Narasimha
Kshetram.
There are Purana and traditional accounts of this Shrine, which are widely popular among the devotees. There is mention about the origin of this temple in the Skanda Purana, one of the famous 18 puranas.
Glowing bright atop the sikharam of garbha griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) of this cave temple is the golden Sudarshana Chakra (about 3 ft x 3 ft) of Lord Vishnu (whose reincarnation is Lord Narasimha), the adornment as well as the weapon is a symbol this temple is identified by from as far away as 6 km. It is said that many years ago the chakra moved in the direction from which the devotees came as if like a compass guiding them towards the temple.
Lord Narasimha is believed to have been worshiped by sages (rishis). The region of Yadagirigutta is reputed to be a "Rishi Aradhana Kshetram" or the place of worship for sages.
As the belief goes, Lord Narasimha has taken on the role of a "doctor" and is known as "Vaidya Narasimha" by his devotees at this shrine to cure many chronic diseases and the role of a 'do gooder' to those who are under the influence of bad planets, witch craft and black magic. Many instances are cited of the Lord appearing in the dreams of the devotees, and administering medicines and operated the patients and blessed them with good health. Many devotees tell of vivid dreams in which the Lord comes to heal them from chronic or terminal illnesses, and even mental or emotional problems. A mandala (40 day) pradakshina is very popular made by many devotees to get cured of a long standing ailment or chronic disease. Often, the Lord Himself has imparted mantrOpadEsham to select devotees in their dreams.
Another Legend also has it that Sriman Narayana, pleased with Yada's penance, sent Sri Anjaneya to direct the rishi to a holy spot, where the Lord appeared to him in the form of Sri LakshmiNarasimha. This spot is marked by a temple located at the foot of the Yadagiri hillock, and is located about 5 km from the present temple. There the sage worshiped the Lord for many years.
After Yadarishi attained moksha, a number of tribals, hearing of the Lord's presence, came to worship Him at this temple. But, not being very learned, these devotees began to engage in improper worship. Because of this, Sri LakshmiNarasimha moved into to the hills. The tribals searched for many years to find their Lord, to no avail.
After many years had passed, the Lord appeared in the dream of a devout lady among the tribe, directing her to a large cavern wherein He revealed Himself to all as five majestic Avatars.
The Aradhanam and Puja in this temple are performed according to Pancharatra Agamam. The puja vidhanam (Puja procedure) was set by Late Sri Vangeepuram Narasimhacharyulu who composed Yadagiri Suprabhatam, Prapatti, Stotram, Mangalashasanam and served as Sthanacharya of this temple
There are Purana and traditional accounts of this Shrine, which are widely popular among the devotees. There is mention about the origin of this temple in the Skanda Purana, one of the famous 18 puranas.
Glowing bright atop the sikharam of garbha griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) of this cave temple is the golden Sudarshana Chakra (about 3 ft x 3 ft) of Lord Vishnu (whose reincarnation is Lord Narasimha), the adornment as well as the weapon is a symbol this temple is identified by from as far away as 6 km. It is said that many years ago the chakra moved in the direction from which the devotees came as if like a compass guiding them towards the temple.
Lord Narasimha is believed to have been worshiped by sages (rishis). The region of Yadagirigutta is reputed to be a "Rishi Aradhana Kshetram" or the place of worship for sages.
As the belief goes, Lord Narasimha has taken on the role of a "doctor" and is known as "Vaidya Narasimha" by his devotees at this shrine to cure many chronic diseases and the role of a 'do gooder' to those who are under the influence of bad planets, witch craft and black magic. Many instances are cited of the Lord appearing in the dreams of the devotees, and administering medicines and operated the patients and blessed them with good health. Many devotees tell of vivid dreams in which the Lord comes to heal them from chronic or terminal illnesses, and even mental or emotional problems. A mandala (40 day) pradakshina is very popular made by many devotees to get cured of a long standing ailment or chronic disease. Often, the Lord Himself has imparted mantrOpadEsham to select devotees in their dreams.
Another Legend also has it that Sriman Narayana, pleased with Yada's penance, sent Sri Anjaneya to direct the rishi to a holy spot, where the Lord appeared to him in the form of Sri LakshmiNarasimha. This spot is marked by a temple located at the foot of the Yadagiri hillock, and is located about 5 km from the present temple. There the sage worshiped the Lord for many years.
After Yadarishi attained moksha, a number of tribals, hearing of the Lord's presence, came to worship Him at this temple. But, not being very learned, these devotees began to engage in improper worship. Because of this, Sri LakshmiNarasimha moved into to the hills. The tribals searched for many years to find their Lord, to no avail.
After many years had passed, the Lord appeared in the dream of a devout lady among the tribe, directing her to a large cavern wherein He revealed Himself to all as five majestic Avatars.
The Aradhanam and Puja in this temple are performed according to Pancharatra Agamam. The puja vidhanam (Puja procedure) was set by Late Sri Vangeepuram Narasimhacharyulu who composed Yadagiri Suprabhatam, Prapatti, Stotram, Mangalashasanam and served as Sthanacharya of this temple
Garbhagriha
Garbhagriha or Garbha griha is the small unlit shrine of a Hindu
temple. Garbhagriha or garbha gṛha (Devanagari: ) is a sanskrit word meaning the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, the innermost sanctum of a Hindu temple where resides the murti
(idol or icon) of the primary deity of the temple. Literally
the word means "womb chamber", from the Sanskrit words garbha for womb and griha
for house. Only 'priests' (pujari) are allowed to enter
the temple.
Although the term is often associated with Hindu temples, it is also found in Jain and Buddhist temples.
Although the term is often associated with Hindu temples, it is also found in Jain and Buddhist temples.
Architecture
In temples with a spire or vimana, this chamber is placed directly
underneath it, and the two of them form the main vertical axis of the temple.
These together may be understood to represent the axis of the world through Mount Meru. The garbha griham is usually also on
the main horizontal axis of the temple which generally is an east-west axis. In
those temples where there is also a cross-axis, the garbha gṛha is generally at
their intersection.
Generally the garbhagriha is a windowless and sparsely lit chamber, intentionally created thus to focus the devotee's mind on the tangible form of the divine within it. Entrance to the garbha grha may be restricted to priests who perform the services there.
Generally the garbhagriha is a windowless and sparsely lit chamber, intentionally created thus to focus the devotee's mind on the tangible form of the divine within it. Entrance to the garbha grha may be restricted to priests who perform the services there.
Hinduism
In the Dravida style, the
garbhagriha took the form of a miniature vimana with other features exclusive to southern
Indian temple architecture such as the inner wall together with the outer wall
creating a pradakshina around the
garbhagriha. The entrance is highly decorated. The inner garbhagriha or shrine
became a separate structure, more elaborately adorned over time.[3]
The garbhagriha is always square and sits on a plinth, its location calculated to be a point of total equilibrium and harmony as it is representative of a microcosm of the Universe. In the centre is placed the image of the deity.[
The garbhagriha is always square and sits on a plinth, its location calculated to be a point of total equilibrium and harmony as it is representative of a microcosm of the Universe. In the centre is placed the image of the deity.[
Transport
Yadagirigutta is about 60 km (approx. 38 miles) from Hyderabad and is well
connected by Rail and Road.
The nearest airport is Hyderabad. There are number of buses from Hyderabad, Secunderabad and other parts of the state to Yadagirigutta.
The nearest Railway station is Raigiri (about 3 km) where we can catch passenger trains. After alighting at Raigiri, one can take an auto rickshaw or Tanga.
The nearest railway stations for Express trains are Bhongir (14 KM) & Aler (14 KM) where you can get the express trains towards Vijaywada, Nagpur & Hyderabad.
The nearest airport is Hyderabad. There are number of buses from Hyderabad, Secunderabad and other parts of the state to Yadagirigutta.
The nearest Railway station is Raigiri (about 3 km) where we can catch passenger trains. After alighting at Raigiri, one can take an auto rickshaw or Tanga.
The nearest railway stations for Express trains are Bhongir (14 KM) & Aler (14 KM) where you can get the express trains towards Vijaywada, Nagpur & Hyderabad.
Dwaraka Tirumala (Chinna Tirupathi) (AP)
Dwaraka Tirumala or Dwarakatirumala (Telugu: ) is a village and a mandal in West Godavari district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.[1] It is famous for temple of Lord Venkateswara. Dwaraka Tirumala is located about 40 kilometres from the west Godavari district headquarters, Eluru. This is also called as 'Chinna Tirupathi'.
“Dwaraka Tirumala” is an ancient holy place and a popular pilgrim
center in Andhra Pradesh of South India. It is popular as chinna Tirupathi. Dwaraka
Tirumala is nearer to Eluru, the head quarters of West Godavari
District, which is 42 KM away from Eluru.
By Road: Direct buses are available from Eluru. It takes about One hour and fifteen minutes by road from Eluru. Dwaraka Tirumala is situated at 15KM distance from Bhimadole Junction.Bhimadole is between Vijayawada and Rajahmundry State Highway.Though,there are no direct buses/trains available to reach Dwaraka Tirumala, one can catch buses from rajahmundry to vijayawada / Vijayawada to Rajahmundry and alight at Bhimadole and catch buses to Dwaraka Tirumala. By Rail:Though there is a Railway station at Bhimadole, very few trains (mostly local) stop. This railway station is on the main railway line of Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam.One can alight at Eluru (if you are coming from Vijayawada) or at Rajahmundry/TadepalliGudem (if you are coming from Visakhapatnam) and catch a local train to Bhimadole and from Bhimadole,Catch a bus.at,tirumala exp stops at bhimadolu every one must watch this temple.at bhimadole the transportation is well developed across the andhra and other states like orissa and bangalore,kolkata,....we can reach badrachalam from here...the cottages of temple and aptdc are established.the help line center at bhimadole junction bus stand will help you to reach the temple.by air you can reach dwaraka tirumala by reaching gannavaram (vijayawada)or madhurapudi(rajahmundry)and take a bus or train to eluru or bhimadole junction,autos and buses are available to reach dwaraka tirumala.[2]
By Road: Direct buses are available from Eluru. It takes about One hour and fifteen minutes by road from Eluru. Dwaraka Tirumala is situated at 15KM distance from Bhimadole Junction.Bhimadole is between Vijayawada and Rajahmundry State Highway.Though,there are no direct buses/trains available to reach Dwaraka Tirumala, one can catch buses from rajahmundry to vijayawada / Vijayawada to Rajahmundry and alight at Bhimadole and catch buses to Dwaraka Tirumala. By Rail:Though there is a Railway station at Bhimadole, very few trains (mostly local) stop. This railway station is on the main railway line of Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam.One can alight at Eluru (if you are coming from Vijayawada) or at Rajahmundry/TadepalliGudem (if you are coming from Visakhapatnam) and catch a local train to Bhimadole and from Bhimadole,Catch a bus.at,tirumala exp stops at bhimadolu every one must watch this temple.at bhimadole the transportation is well developed across the andhra and other states like orissa and bangalore,kolkata,....we can reach badrachalam from here...the cottages of temple and aptdc are established.the help line center at bhimadole junction bus stand will help you to reach the temple.by air you can reach dwaraka tirumala by reaching gannavaram (vijayawada)or madhurapudi(rajahmundry)and take a bus or train to eluru or bhimadole junction,autos and buses are available to reach dwaraka tirumala.[2]
Temples in and around Dwaraka Tirumala
The following temples which are situated within a radius of
35 km (22 mi) from Dwaraka Tirumala.
- Sri Venkateswara Swamy vari Temple, Dwaraka Tirumala
- Sri Konda Malleswara Swamy Temple, Dwaraka Tirumala.
- Sri Kunkullamma (Renuka Devi) Vari Temple, Dwaraka Tirumala
- Sri Anjaneya and Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamyvarla Temples, Dwaraka Tirumala
- Sri Santana Venugopala Jagannadha Swamy temple, Lakshmipuram (V)
- Sri Seeta Ramachandra Swamy vari Temple, E. Yadavalli (V)
- Sri Bhu Neela Sametha Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple, Rangapuram (V)
- Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy vari Temple, I.S. Jagannadha Puram (V)
- Parijata Giri Venkateswara Swamy vari Temple, Jangareddygudem
- Sri Maddi Anjaneya Swamy Temple, Guravaya Gudem (V)
- Buddha Caves, Jeelakarra Gudem (V)
sivalayam at challachintalapudi denduluru mandal
Pattiseema
Pattiseema is a village in Polavaram mandal of West Godavari district,
Andhra Pradesh, India.
It is located on the bank of the River Godavari. It is very famous for Sri Veerabhadra
Swamy Temple.
Pattiseema Legend
Sati Devi, daughter of Daksha Prajapati,
decided to marry Lord Shiva against her father’s wishes. Daksha became enraged
and performed a Yagna in the name of Bruhaspati. Sati Devi, though not invited
to the Yagna expressed her desire to attend the Yagna. Lord Shiva cautioned his
wife that Daksha was performing this Yagna to take revenge on him and therefore
advised that they should not attend. However she insisted on attending the
Yagna alone, to which Lord Shiva agreed to her entreaties. Sati Devi went to
her father’s place, though Daksha Prajapati saw her, he did not receive her. He
also started insulting Lord Shiva. Sati Devi felt insulted and unable to bear
the insults decided not to return to her husband’s place. Instead she cut her
last digit of her left foot and rubbed it on the earth and created a fire and
jumped into it. She was consumed by the fire.
Lord Shiva became enraged, plucked a shred of his long unbraided hair, struck it on the ground and created Lord Veerabhadra to avenge himself. Lord Shiva gave his son a metallic weapon called Pattayudha (a sword like weapon) and ordered him to destroy the Yagna and slay Daksha. Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya tried to prevent Lord Veerabhadra from slaying Daksha but he devoured the Vishnu Chakra of Mahavishnu and broke the teeth of the Sun God, and completed his mission.
All the other Gods who were witnessing the entire scene begged Lord Shiva to restore the Pasupukumkum (Bindi) of Sati Devi. Lord Veerabhadra took pity and cut the neck of a goat and planted it on the shoulders of the slain body of Daksha and infused life in him. He then ordered Daksha to complete the Yagna, so that Daksha could attain Moksha. The weapon with which Daksha was slain fell on the earth. The place where it fell was called Pattachalkshetra now popularly called Pattiseema. Lord Veerabhadra was still not satisfied and continued with his Pralaya Tandavam, causing the entire universe to trembling under his feet. Out of these tremors Goddess Mahakali was born. All the deities who were witnessing the whole scene appealed to Agastya Mahamuni to pacify Lord Veerabhadra and calm him.
Agastya Mahamuni approached Lord Veerbhadra and embraced him with both his hands. He asked Lord Veerbhadra to settle down on the hillock of Devakutta Parvattam. Lord Veerabhadra agreed and settled down on the hillock in the form of a Sivalinga (self manifest or Swyambu). Agastya Mahamuni also collected the unbraided long hair and tied it into a knot on the forehead of Lord Veerabhadra now in the form of a Linga. Thus this hillock received its importance among all other Temples.
Lord Shiva became enraged, plucked a shred of his long unbraided hair, struck it on the ground and created Lord Veerabhadra to avenge himself. Lord Shiva gave his son a metallic weapon called Pattayudha (a sword like weapon) and ordered him to destroy the Yagna and slay Daksha. Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya tried to prevent Lord Veerabhadra from slaying Daksha but he devoured the Vishnu Chakra of Mahavishnu and broke the teeth of the Sun God, and completed his mission.
All the other Gods who were witnessing the entire scene begged Lord Shiva to restore the Pasupukumkum (Bindi) of Sati Devi. Lord Veerabhadra took pity and cut the neck of a goat and planted it on the shoulders of the slain body of Daksha and infused life in him. He then ordered Daksha to complete the Yagna, so that Daksha could attain Moksha. The weapon with which Daksha was slain fell on the earth. The place where it fell was called Pattachalkshetra now popularly called Pattiseema. Lord Veerabhadra was still not satisfied and continued with his Pralaya Tandavam, causing the entire universe to trembling under his feet. Out of these tremors Goddess Mahakali was born. All the deities who were witnessing the whole scene appealed to Agastya Mahamuni to pacify Lord Veerabhadra and calm him.
Agastya Mahamuni approached Lord Veerbhadra and embraced him with both his hands. He asked Lord Veerbhadra to settle down on the hillock of Devakutta Parvattam. Lord Veerabhadra agreed and settled down on the hillock in the form of a Sivalinga (self manifest or Swyambu). Agastya Mahamuni also collected the unbraided long hair and tied it into a knot on the forehead of Lord Veerabhadra now in the form of a Linga. Thus this hillock received its importance among all other Temples.
Sri Veereswara Swamy Temple
Thirty five miles downstream from Pattiseema,
there existed a great Shiva Mutt. Presumably within this mutt a temple was
built and maintained by the Kings of the Chola-Chalukya dynasty. The area where
this mutt is located was later renamed after one of the Chola-Chalukya kings,
Raja Mahendra Varman, thus gaining its present name of Rajahmundry.
In the bed of the River Godavari, near Rajamundry, are two hillocks lying in the opposite direction of one another separated by a distance of approximately three miles. The northern hillock is known as Mahanandi Swaram, and the southern hillock was named Pattiseema, getting its name from the prior mythylogical story.
This hillock is surrounded by Papi hills and abounds in natural beauty and situated in the middle of the river Godavari it is also called as Devakutadri. Sri Veera-bhadra Swamy Temple, which is picturesquely located on a hill known as Devakuta Parvatha in the middle of the Godavari river. The temple has a beautiful Nandi Vigraha. Carved images of dancing people adorn the walls while an awe-inspiring life size sculpture of Devi Bhadra-kali with lot of ornaments and a sword, catches the eye. A temple dedicated to Sri Bhavanarayalla Swamy can also be visited.
On the hillock at Pattiseema there are two groups of temples, one headed by Sri Veeraswara Swamy and the other by Sri Bhavanarayan Swamy, a leading shrine for Vaishnavites. The Sri Veeraswara Swamy temple has sub temples of Parivara Devathas, Bhadra Kali, Sri Kanakadurga, Lakshmi Ganapathi, Kumara Swamy, Subramanian Swamy, Mahishasura Mardhini, Tandava Verabhadra Swamy and Saraswati. In the second group there are three temples on the northern extreme of the hillock. They are Sri Bhavanarayan Swamy, which is as old as the Siva temple. Subsequently the Zamindar of Gutala, in the year 1912 constructed the Sri Sita-rama Swamy temple. The third is an Anjeneya Swamy temple constructed subsequently.
Rajamundry was later ruled by the Reddy Dynasty which in turn was conquered by the Gajapathi dynasty. The Gajapathi dynasty was later conquered by King Krishna Deva Raya of the Vijayanagar Kingdom, which was eventually conquered by the Delhi Sultanat then by the British Raj. The former kingdom was turned into estates that were eventually purchased by the Kotcherlakota family in 1814. The purchase included the Polavaram Estate comprising 6,400 villages extending from Gutala to Konda-modalu on either side of the river Godavari, twenty miles upstream. In 1825-26 Sri Rajah Kotcherlakota Jaggaihgaru donated extensive lands for the maintenance of the Temple(Approximately 1900 Acres). The descendants of Sri Raja Jaggaiah of Polavaram continue to be the hereditary trustees of this temple. Ram Chandra Venkata Krishna Rao Kotcherlakota worked with Air India, and after his retirement, has devoted his time and effort for the upkeep and welfare of this temple. This temple presently is controlled by the Endowments department and is under the Jurisdiction of the Endowments Ministry excepting the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which is regulated by a separate enactment
The main festival of Lord Shiva is Mahasivaratri. On this day approximately a Lakh (100,000) pilgrims visit this temple. The other important festivals are the Kalyanam of the Lord on Bheeshma Akadashi and Karteeka Masam.
This temple is considered the Dakshina Kashi, and the Temple is one of the Pancha Kshetras. The other four being Kedarnath, Kashi, Kalahasti and Srisailam. Those who visit this temple need not visit the other four temples. In Skandapuranam, Pattiseema is considered as Kailsam or Vaikuntham.
To reach this place take a taxi from Rajahmundry. This is roughly 35 km from Rajahmundry.
In the bed of the River Godavari, near Rajamundry, are two hillocks lying in the opposite direction of one another separated by a distance of approximately three miles. The northern hillock is known as Mahanandi Swaram, and the southern hillock was named Pattiseema, getting its name from the prior mythylogical story.
This hillock is surrounded by Papi hills and abounds in natural beauty and situated in the middle of the river Godavari it is also called as Devakutadri. Sri Veera-bhadra Swamy Temple, which is picturesquely located on a hill known as Devakuta Parvatha in the middle of the Godavari river. The temple has a beautiful Nandi Vigraha. Carved images of dancing people adorn the walls while an awe-inspiring life size sculpture of Devi Bhadra-kali with lot of ornaments and a sword, catches the eye. A temple dedicated to Sri Bhavanarayalla Swamy can also be visited.
On the hillock at Pattiseema there are two groups of temples, one headed by Sri Veeraswara Swamy and the other by Sri Bhavanarayan Swamy, a leading shrine for Vaishnavites. The Sri Veeraswara Swamy temple has sub temples of Parivara Devathas, Bhadra Kali, Sri Kanakadurga, Lakshmi Ganapathi, Kumara Swamy, Subramanian Swamy, Mahishasura Mardhini, Tandava Verabhadra Swamy and Saraswati. In the second group there are three temples on the northern extreme of the hillock. They are Sri Bhavanarayan Swamy, which is as old as the Siva temple. Subsequently the Zamindar of Gutala, in the year 1912 constructed the Sri Sita-rama Swamy temple. The third is an Anjeneya Swamy temple constructed subsequently.
Rajamundry was later ruled by the Reddy Dynasty which in turn was conquered by the Gajapathi dynasty. The Gajapathi dynasty was later conquered by King Krishna Deva Raya of the Vijayanagar Kingdom, which was eventually conquered by the Delhi Sultanat then by the British Raj. The former kingdom was turned into estates that were eventually purchased by the Kotcherlakota family in 1814. The purchase included the Polavaram Estate comprising 6,400 villages extending from Gutala to Konda-modalu on either side of the river Godavari, twenty miles upstream. In 1825-26 Sri Rajah Kotcherlakota Jaggaihgaru donated extensive lands for the maintenance of the Temple(Approximately 1900 Acres). The descendants of Sri Raja Jaggaiah of Polavaram continue to be the hereditary trustees of this temple. Ram Chandra Venkata Krishna Rao Kotcherlakota worked with Air India, and after his retirement, has devoted his time and effort for the upkeep and welfare of this temple. This temple presently is controlled by the Endowments department and is under the Jurisdiction of the Endowments Ministry excepting the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, which is regulated by a separate enactment
The main festival of Lord Shiva is Mahasivaratri. On this day approximately a Lakh (100,000) pilgrims visit this temple. The other important festivals are the Kalyanam of the Lord on Bheeshma Akadashi and Karteeka Masam.
This temple is considered the Dakshina Kashi, and the Temple is one of the Pancha Kshetras. The other four being Kedarnath, Kashi, Kalahasti and Srisailam. Those who visit this temple need not visit the other four temples. In Skandapuranam, Pattiseema is considered as Kailsam or Vaikuntham.
To reach this place take a taxi from Rajahmundry. This is roughly 35 km from Rajahmundry.
Panakala Swamy Temple, Mangalagiri
The hill temple of Mangalagiri enshrines Pankala Narasimha and is located at an easily accessible distance from
Vijayawada.
The three well known Narasimha shrines in Andhra Pradesh are Ahobilam,
Simhachalam and
Mangalagiri.
Mangalagiri has two temples, one at the foothills dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimha and the other on the Mangalagiri hill dedicated to Pankala Narasimha.
Pankala (Paanakam in tamil) - a solution of jaggery (unrefined sugar) in water, is the offering made to the presiding deity Narasimha. This offering is actually poured into the mouth of the rock cut image of the deity. It is believed that exactly half the amount of the liquid poured, is regurgitated by the image. Also interestingly, despite the liberal use of sugar (unrefined), there are no ants in the temple premises. It should be noted that the only shrine in this temple is that of Narasimha.
The Mangalagiri hill is in the shape of an elephant. Legend has it that a certain prince by name Hrusva Sringi was born with a number of bodily deformities dedicated himself to a life of prayer, assuming a form of a huge elephant, at the mouth of which Narasimha took abode.
The temple tank is known as the Lakshmi Pushkarini. Legend has it that this pushkarini was created by the Gods, combining the waters from several holy rivers of the land, and that Mahalakshmi (who came out of the milky ocean when it was churned by the gods and the asuras), bathed in this pushkarini and married Vishnu thereafter.
Legend has it that Rama offered worship to Narasimha here.
The temple at the foothills of Mangalagiri - dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimha, has an imposing 11 storeyed raja gopuram built by a local chieftain. Inscriptions indicate that the Vijayanagar monarch Krishna Deva Raya visited this temple. This temple celebrates it's annual festival in March.
Legend has it that this temple was founded by the Pandava prince Yuddhishtra. It is to be noted that the Indrakila hill in Vijayawada is associated through the Kiratarjuniya legend with Arjuna. It is to be noted that that legend has it that that the Mallikarjuna temple at Vijayawada was installed by Yuddhishtra and that the Vijayeswara temple there was installed by Arjuna
Mangalagiri has two temples, one at the foothills dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimha and the other on the Mangalagiri hill dedicated to Pankala Narasimha.
Pankala (Paanakam in tamil) - a solution of jaggery (unrefined sugar) in water, is the offering made to the presiding deity Narasimha. This offering is actually poured into the mouth of the rock cut image of the deity. It is believed that exactly half the amount of the liquid poured, is regurgitated by the image. Also interestingly, despite the liberal use of sugar (unrefined), there are no ants in the temple premises. It should be noted that the only shrine in this temple is that of Narasimha.
The Mangalagiri hill is in the shape of an elephant. Legend has it that a certain prince by name Hrusva Sringi was born with a number of bodily deformities dedicated himself to a life of prayer, assuming a form of a huge elephant, at the mouth of which Narasimha took abode.
The temple tank is known as the Lakshmi Pushkarini. Legend has it that this pushkarini was created by the Gods, combining the waters from several holy rivers of the land, and that Mahalakshmi (who came out of the milky ocean when it was churned by the gods and the asuras), bathed in this pushkarini and married Vishnu thereafter.
Legend has it that Rama offered worship to Narasimha here.
The temple at the foothills of Mangalagiri - dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimha, has an imposing 11 storeyed raja gopuram built by a local chieftain. Inscriptions indicate that the Vijayanagar monarch Krishna Deva Raya visited this temple. This temple celebrates it's annual festival in March.
Legend has it that this temple was founded by the Pandava prince Yuddhishtra. It is to be noted that the Indrakila hill in Vijayawada is associated through the Kiratarjuniya legend with Arjuna. It is to be noted that that legend has it that that the Mallikarjuna temple at Vijayawada was installed by Yuddhishtra and that the Vijayeswara temple there was installed by Arjuna
This Pilgrimage centre is situated in Mangalagiri which is well connected in between Vijayawada and Guntur National High way and 11 miles from Vijayawada and 10 miles from Guntur. By road and rail also the place can be reached.
Mukhalingam
The town of Mukhalingam is located
in the north eastern corner of the state of Andhra Pradesh, near Orissa - 56 km
north of Srikakulam, a major railhead on the railroad between Vishakapatnam and
Howrah. The
ornate temple of Mukhalingeswara
(Madhukeswara) , and the Aniyanka Bhimeswara and Someswara
temples built in the Orissa style of architecture adorn this village.
Mukhalingam - then known as Kalinganagara was the capital of the early eastern Gangas (of Orissa). The eastern Gangas are said to have ruled Andhra Desa in the second half of the 1st millennium CE. Anantavarman Chodaganga of the Imperial Gangas, moved the capital to Cuttack, on the banks of the river Mahanadi. Several grand temples in Bhubaneswar are attributed to the Gangas.
The Mukhalingeswara temple: A massive gateway flanked by lions marks the entrance to the outer prakara of the Mukhalingeswara temple. A Nandi Mandapa is situated in front of the sanctum in the outer prakara. The entrance to the innter prakara contains beautiful friezes. There are eleven shrines in the inner prakara, each of them being a temple in itself. The entrance to the main temple from the south and from the east in the inner prakara are acclaimed to be artistic marvels. The niches in the outer wall of the temple contain beautifully sculpted images and perforated windows, all these features making this temple a veritable art gallery of sorts. It is believed to have been built during the period of the King Kamarnava (941-976 CE).
The Someswara Temple: The simplicity of architecture (blanketed by the grandeur of sculpture) has led archeologists to conclude that this is the earliest of the Mukhalingam temples. This temple is located in the outskirts of the village of Mukhalingam. The niche images here carry exquisite sculptures. Each niche is flanked by two smaller niches, and in each of these are exquite sculptures. The doorway of the temple bears images of the Ganga and the Yamuna on either side.
Aniyanka Bhimeswara Temple: This temple was built slightly later than the Mukhalingeswara temple during the period of King Aniyanka
Mukhalingam - then known as Kalinganagara was the capital of the early eastern Gangas (of Orissa). The eastern Gangas are said to have ruled Andhra Desa in the second half of the 1st millennium CE. Anantavarman Chodaganga of the Imperial Gangas, moved the capital to Cuttack, on the banks of the river Mahanadi. Several grand temples in Bhubaneswar are attributed to the Gangas.
The Mukhalingeswara temple: A massive gateway flanked by lions marks the entrance to the outer prakara of the Mukhalingeswara temple. A Nandi Mandapa is situated in front of the sanctum in the outer prakara. The entrance to the innter prakara contains beautiful friezes. There are eleven shrines in the inner prakara, each of them being a temple in itself. The entrance to the main temple from the south and from the east in the inner prakara are acclaimed to be artistic marvels. The niches in the outer wall of the temple contain beautifully sculpted images and perforated windows, all these features making this temple a veritable art gallery of sorts. It is believed to have been built during the period of the King Kamarnava (941-976 CE).
The Someswara Temple: The simplicity of architecture (blanketed by the grandeur of sculpture) has led archeologists to conclude that this is the earliest of the Mukhalingam temples. This temple is located in the outskirts of the village of Mukhalingam. The niche images here carry exquisite sculptures. Each niche is flanked by two smaller niches, and in each of these are exquite sculptures. The doorway of the temple bears images of the Ganga and the Yamuna on either side.
Aniyanka Bhimeswara Temple: This temple was built slightly later than the Mukhalingeswara temple during the period of King Aniyanka
Bhima (979-1014 CE). This temple is very plain compared to
the grandeur of the Mukhalingeswara temple. The devakoshtas here bear images of
Bhrama, Narasimha and Dakshinamurthy.
It is connected from Srikakulam in AP. By road this place can be reached from Srikakulam.
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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