Sthambadri Sri Lakshmi Narashima Swamy Temple, Khammam, AP.

Sthambadri Sri Lakshmi Narashima Swamy Temple.


 




The temple of Sri Narashima Swamy is located in the heart of the Town, which is popularly known to local people as guha gudi. The ancient temple is believed t be existing from Tretha Yuga. The town is located on the banks of the River Munneru, which is tributary to River Krishna.


 
During Tretha Yugam Mouthgalya Maharishi with his disciples penance here in a cave and he was blessed by Lord Vishnu. Mothgalya Maharishi requested Lord Vishnu to stay back in this place along with Lakshmi. Lord came out of the pillar as Sri Lakshmi Narashima Swamy. Hence the place was known as Sthambadri.



The temple is on a vertical rock which is known as Khamba which means Pillar. The temple is on khamba so it was originally known as Sthamba Sikari which later turned into Sthambadri. At present the place is known as Khammam, which was derived from the word Khammam Mettu.



 




We have to climb steps to reach the temple.








Sri Hanuman sanctum is seen to right side, as we climb the hill.









Main Raja Gopuram of three tier.









We see dwajasthambam as a rock pillar which is covered with kavacham. Dwajasthambam like this is something Unique. There is a sanctum for Sri Hanuman near the dwajasthambam.









We see a mandapam with 32 pillars.








Garuda is seen opposite to, main Garbha Graham within the mandapam.








Inner sanctum is a Cave. Sri Narashimar is seen with Thayar. He is seen only up to bust. We see Urchava vigrahas, Aandal, Maharishi idol.


 




There is a separate sanctum for Sri Lakshmi Thayar.



 




Paduka is seen in front of Thayar Sannidhi.







Sayana Graha, of Lord which is known as Addala Mandapam of this temple.









Sthala Purana says in16th century, King Pratapa Rudra, who was ruling the place was blessed by Lord here. King developed the temple and pooja was arranged according to Vaikasana Agama Sthara. Panaka Abishekam on Sundays is important here. Public believe that all their wishes are fulfilled when they worship here the Lord for 40 days.

Sri Rama temple, Sitarambagh, Hyderabad city.

1. Sree Rama temple.
   
   
   
   The temple is in Sitaram bagh, Hyderabad city. the temple is about 400 years old. The temple is private management by Rajastani family. Good thing about the temple is there is no hundi. There is a main Raja gopuram in different form
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we enter through the main entrance we see many families residing inside the compound. There is a way leading from side to the temple. The place looks like a fort.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see different vahanas which is used during the festival time .
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   There is a sixteen pillar mandapam as we enter inside.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   we cross and enter inside and we see a separate sanctum for Lord Ganesha.After worshipping Lord Ganesha we climb few steps, to Lord Srirama temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We enter into a maha mandapam of Srirama sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Here we see Dwajasthambam and a small sanctum attached to it with Garudazwar and Hanuman for darshan. we seek the permission of Garudazhwar and visit the main sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Inside the main sanctum we see Lord Rama with Seetha, Lakshmana, Baratha and Saturugnan. This is rare thing. Main deity of Srirama and Baratha are of black stone and the rest are white stone.
   
   
   
   In front of the main deity there are three steps. To the top most one we see brass idols of Sri Rama, Seetah and Lakshmana. In the second step we see Radha krishnar and in the last one saligrama stones.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we come out there is another perumal temple with separate entrance. As we enter in we see garudazwar in a small sanctum near Dwajasthambam. In front of Garudazhwar we see Perumal with Thayar. There is a separate sanctum for Thayar.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   As we walk out from a side entrance we enter in to see a sanctum for Sri Hanuman and near by a separate sanctum for Mataji. there is a big pipal tree in front of Hanuman mandir.

Ramalingeswara Swamy temple, keesara, Secunderabaad, AP.

Visit to Keesara on Sivarathri day.

1. Rama Lingeswara Swamy:
   
   
   The temple is in Keesara mandal which is about 25 kms from Secunderabad.
   
   
   The temple is on a small hillock. We find lot of Siva lingams around the main sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   When we enter in dwajasthambam is seen and inside we see Bhavani matha in separate sanctum and as we procced further we see Anjaneyar with Siva linga in front.
   
   
   
   Ganapathy, Lord Subramanya with Valli Devanay,are seen to the sides of main door of Main sanctum.
   
   
   
   Inside the main sanctum, Siva Lingam known as Ramaligeswar is seen with a sculpture of Siva at the back of Lingam. As we come out there is a small sanctum Durga matha is seen.
   
   
   
   Outside the Siva temple there is Sthala Vruksham with Naga Devatha under it.
   
   
   Now we come to another hall like thing with Dwajasthambam in front. Here we see Lakshmi Narashimar and opposite of the sanctum Garudazwar is seen.
   
   
   Then we see Siva panchayadhana murthy, with Nandi in the front.
   
   Finally we see Sita, Rama and Lakshmana and Hanuman facing them in the front in a small sanctum.
   
   There are sculptures of Maha kali, Maha Saraswathy and MahaLakshmi, are also in the same hall.
   
   
   At a distance we see Hanuman in separate sanctum and near by there is huge Hanuman on a platform.
   
   
   Purana says when Hanuman was flying with Sanjeevi Parvatham pieces of it fell down in this place which turned out to be Siva Lingam.
   
   
   That is the reason we find of Lot of Siva lingam in this place.Its a hear say that are 108 Lingams in number over here.
   
   

Temples of Twin city, Secunderabaad.

1. Sri Lakshmi Narashimar temple:
   
   
   The temple is in a lane leading to Market Street from RP road, Secunderabad, AP
   The temple is under renovation. They have shifted main deities to balayalam near the temple premises within a shutter nearby the temple premises.
   Main Deity is Lakshmi Narashima Swamy.
   
   
   
   The main deity is having his left leg front which means he is ready to help one who
   Worship him. We see Sanku and chakkram held to his point fingers and rest of the four fingers together pointed towards him. The other two hands of Narashimar is, Abhya hastham and Varadha hastham.
   
   
   Other deities that belong to the temple is Andal, Azwar, Anjaneyar, and Utsavar
   
   
   
2. Siva Temple:
   
   
   This temple is on the lane that connects General Bazaar from RP Road.
   We may have to climb few steps to enter into the temple.
   
   
   
   Main deity is in Lingam form known as Uma Maheswarar. Ganapathy is seen in different sanctum next to the main sanctum. Other deities seen inside are Sathya Narayanar, Anjaneyar, and step down few steps to go around Navagrahas.
   
   
   
3. Lakshmi Narayanar temple:
   
   
   This temple is about 5 minutes walk in the opposite lane of Uma Maheswara Swamy Temple. There is a huge Raja Gopuram.
   
   
   We see dwjasthambam with Garudazwar facing main deity Lakshmi Narayanar.
   
   
   The main deity is Lakshmi Narayanar of Marble stone. There is a separate sanctum for Andal and Azwar.
   
   
   
   
4. Kannika Parameswari Temple:
   
   
   This temple is about five minutes walk from Lakshmi Narayanar Temple.
   The temple is attached to marriage hall
   
   
   We see Kannika Parameswari as main deity with Sri Chakra in front of her.
   
   
   We find utsavar in front of her. There is a separate sanctum for Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathavardhini.
   
   
   Anjaneyar is seen in separate sanctum in the main hall.

Kapotheeswara swamy, Kadali, East godavari district.

1. Kadali: Kapotheeswara swamy.
   
   
   The temple dates to 15-16th century. It is 95 kms from Kakinada and 71Kms from Rajamandry of east Godavari district.
   
   
   Main deity: Swayambu Siva lingam known as Kapotheeswara Swamy.
   
   
   
   Importance: something unique about the temple is we see the impressions of head, wings and tail of "Dove" on Siva lingam, to both side’s front and back, which is only one of its kinds. Subramanyar is in the form of Nagar here.
   
   
   There is a pond in front of the temple which is known as Kapotha kundam where Ganges flows as Antharvahani. The place is considered as “Dakshina Kasi”, because even here there is a burial ground near the temple, like Kasi kshetram.
   
   
   
   The other deities which we see while going around the temple are Ganesha, veera Badrar & Badra kali to one sanctum, Valli Devasena sameda Subramanaya Swamy, Kumara swamy, Sita Ramar Durgai, Navagraham, Kala bairavar and Soorya Narayanar in linga form in different sanctums. Janardhana Swamy if Kshetra palakar and he is in a small separate sanctum.
   
   
   
   Importance: Sri jagadguru Adi sankaracharya visited the temple and he has installed "Sri chakra sahitha Sri Bala thripura sundari devi".
   
   
   
   
   
   Purana says once a hunter was out for hunting and that day it was raining and the weather was chill and he was unable to proceed. He was hungry and he rested under a tree. On the branches of the tree there were two doves sitting.
   
   
   They saw the hunter who took shelter under the tree. They thought he is their guest and wanted to do the needful. They picked bark pieces and made fire out of it and they dropped their nest and fell into it. They did so, to be meal for the hunter who is their guest.
   
   
   Hunter was moved by their act and he lit fire and fell into it. Lord Siva was happy with the birds thinking , and he revealed himself, to the doves and gave them siva kaivalyam.
   
   
   The dove requested for the life of hunter and Lord Siva to stay in the place and bless mankind. Siva did as per dove’s request. Here we see the imprint of doves head stomach and tail on Siva lingam to both sides. This is some thing unique.
   
   
   There is a seperate temple for Sri Devi, BhooDevi, sahitha "Sathyanarayana Swamy". In front of him we see Suvarchala sahitha Anjaneya swamy in small sanctum.
   
   

[Dove][Dakshina Kasi][Antarvahini][Siva Kaivalyam][srichakkram][adi sankarar]

Maheswaram temple and Karman ghat temple. Hyderabad

1. Maheswaram: Siva temple.
   
   
   The temple is located about 50Kms from Secunderabad and it’s on the way to Srisailam from Hyderabad. The temple is of some 350 years old
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Shiva Ganga Raja Rajeswari and Raja Rajeswara swamy.
   
   
   
   
   
   The temple is constructed on the pushkarani Known as Shiva Ganga. It’s a big pushkarani with steps leading down to the water, and we find small 16 sanctums around the pushkarani with small Shiva lingas in it. In some of the sanctums the original shiva linga is missing. These are shodasa lingas around the main Goddess.
   
   
   
   We find three main trees in one place and Ganesha in a small sanctum near this. We enter into a small hall and there is a path leading to main sanctum and steps to the side, leading down to pushkarani.
   
   
   
   The temple is constructed in the pushkarani with two floors. After we worship the pushkarani we enter into a hall where we have the darshan of Goddess Raja Rajeswari. In front of her sanctum we find lion sculpture.
   
   
   As we climb few steps we reach Lord Shiva temple. We see Nandidevar in front of the sanctum and Shiva in the form of Linga known as Raja Rajeswarar.
   
   
   Purana says Akkanna and Madanna developed the temple.
   Shivarathri festival is celebrated here. Once again comittee members are developing the temple now.
   
   
   
2. 
   Karman Ghat: Anjaneyar.
   
   
   The temple is in saroor Nagar, Hyderabad, AP. The temple is 15 kms from Hyderabad Rly station and 12 Kms from Imliban bus station. The temple is opened to public from 6-12 noon and 4-8 in the evening. The temple dates back to year 11century.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   According to, history 2nd Kakatiya king Pratapa rudra,went for hunting one day, and he heard the roar of tiger and he proceded towards that direction. He could not find and he rested under a tree and again he heard the roar from a bush nearby and he heard a voice asking him to meditate, and then he will be able to find what it is.
   
   
   The King did as he was asked and he saw Swayambu Anjaneyar in front of him near the bush when he cleared it. Tke King left to his palace Golkonda. The same night he had a dream to construct a temple for Anjaneyar at the same place where he saw and the place was Lakshmi puram forest and it will be known as Karman Ghat hereafter.
   
   
   King did as he was asked and the construction was started on Hanumath Jayanthi day. The main sanctum is Anjaneyar.
   
   
   Later on many sanctums were constructed for other deties like Ganesha, Rama mandir, Durga devi, Saraswathi, Kasi viswanadhar, spatika linga and Bramaramba, Santoshi matha, Navagraha, Venu gopalan, Jaganadhar and Subramanya in the form of Nagar by the kings who ruled later.
   
   
   The history says Aurangazeb ordered his soilders to demolish the temple and they were not able to reach the temple surroundings. So he himself came to temple and he heard a voice to get the strength to do so before demolishing. Aurangazeb in turn asked to prove the power, and he had the darshan of hanuman and he left the temple. There is a small idol of Hanuman in gold in the main sanctum.

Sri Ranganadhar temple, Jiyaguda, Hyd.

1. Ranganadhar temple:
   
   
   Sri Ranganadhar temple of Jiyaguda is 4kms from Afzalgung, Hyderabad. the temple is 500 years old.
   
   
   As we enter we see Dwajasthambam and Garuda azwar in front of the main deity in the main hall. There is a beautiful bunch of brass lamp
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity: Ranganadhar in sleeping form on Adiseshan with Goddess Sridevi, Boodevi, Neeladevi beside him and Brahma in lotus.
   
   
   He has rested his head to one hand, one to side, third one holding sanku and fourth one holds chakkra. The main deity is small in size.
   
   
   There are 2 small sets of brass idols of Narayanar with Sridevi and Bhoodevi in standing posture. Abishekam is performed for vishnu in saligrama form which is in the main sanctum.
   
   
   We find brass sudarshanar inside the sanctum. seperate urchava vigram is also there.
   As we go around the main sanctum, we see Thayar in different sanctum known as Lakshmi.
   
   
   
   The main deity was installed by Vanamamalai jeeyer. There is a well in the temple premises in which the water is clear and one can see the bottom.
   
   
   There are some brass idols in different small sanctum of which one exclusive piece is Ranganadhar idol exactly like the main deity.
   
   
   we find Anjaneyar in seperate sanctum and Navagraha is also seen which is a rare thing in vaishnava temples.

[Ranganadhar]
[Vishnu]
[Hanuman]
[Lakshmi]