Yaganti Uma Maheswara Swamy Temple & Agastiya and Venkateswara swamy Cave Temples

Name : Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple

Location :

Yaganti is located in the Kurnool District in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, approximately 100 km from the city of Kurnool and 75 kms from Tadipatri in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is 14 km west of Banaganapalle (Mandal headquarters) on the Banaganapalle-Peapully road. This place is nestled in the middle of some hostile terrain like the the dry, rocky region of Erramala Hills.

Legend :
One story of the site's origin is as follows: The sage Agastya wanted to build a temple for Lord Venkateswara on this site. However, the statue that was made could not be installed as the toe nail of the idol got broken. The sage was upset over this and performed a penance for Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appeared, he said the place suits Shiva better as it resembles Kailash. Agastya then requested Lord Shiva to give the devotees a Parvathi Goddess as Lord Uma Maheswara in a single stone, which Lord Shiva obliged.

A second story is as follows: Chitteppa, a devotee of Lord Shiva, was worshiping Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva appeared to him as a tiger. Chitteppa understood that it was Lord Shiva in tiger form, and shouted Neganti Shivanu ne kanti (meaning: I saw Shiva I saw), and danced with joy. There is a cave called Chitteppa nearby.

Popular Beliefs :

Growing Nandi :
The devotees believe that the Nandi idol in front of the temple is continuously increasing its size. The locals say that the idol was initially much smaller than its present size. They say that certain experimentation was carried out on this idol and it was said that the type of rock out of which the idol is carved has a growing or enlarging nature associated with it. Archaeological Survey of India has confirmed that the idol increases by 1 inch in every 20 years. Experiment suggests that the rock used to make the idol exhibits a growing nature.

It is said that people used to do Pradakshinas (rounds) around it in the past. The temple staff has already removed one pillar as the size of the Nandi has increased.

According to Potuluri Veera Brahmendra swamy, the Basavanna (stone nandi) of Yaganti will come alive and shout when Kali Yuga ends.

Absence of crows

Legend has it that while the Sage Agastya was performing his penance, crows disturbed him and he cursed that the crows cannot enter the place. As the crow is the Vahana for Lord Shani, it is believed that Lord Shani cannot enter this place.

Description :

This temple was constructed by King Harihara Bukka Raya of the Sangama Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century. It was built according to Vaishnavaite traditions.

Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple is one of the few temples patronized by one of the great dynasties of India. Every year Maha Shivaratri is celebrated and a large number of devotees from all over Andhra Pradesh visit. Shiva, Parvati and Nandi are the main deities in this temple.This temple is 14 km away from Banaganipalli in kurnool dt. The saint lord Veerabrahmendra swami stayed here for some time and wrote Kalagnanam.

A feature of this temple is its Pushkarini, a small pond of water on the temple premises. Water flows into this Pushkarini from the bottom of hill through the mouth of a Nandi (bull). The water is fresh and sweet, as it comes from the hills. No one knows how the water reaches the pond all year round and this temple architecture in terms of its sculpture shows the skills of ancient Vishwakarma Sthapathis. Devotees find that a holy bath in Pushkarini is highly beneficial. After taking a bath in Pushkarini, they pay tributes to Lord Shiva.

The sage Agasthya bathed in Pushkarini and worshipped Lord Shiva.

Yaganti Caves :

Agastya Cave :

This is the cave where Agastya performed his penance for Lord Shiva. One can enter the cave by climbing 120 steep steps. An idol to Devi is installed and may be worshipped here.

Venkateswara Cave :
The damaged idol of Lord Venkateswara is present in this cave. Compared to Agastya cave it is easy to climb though the steps are steep. According to the story this idol was present in this cave before the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple was constructed. But as the idol is damaged near the foot, it could not be worshipped. Sri Sri Potuluri Veera Brahmendra Swami tells us in his Kala Gynanam that this place can stand as an alternative to Tirupati. This temple has very beautiful scenic locations nearby.

Veera Brahmam Cave :
This is the cave where saint Sree Potuluri Veera Brahmendra swamy wrote some of his Kala Gnaanam (prophecy). The height of the cave is less and one needs to bend half over to enter it.

Websites :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaganti

Navagraha Temple, Assam

Name : Navagraha Temple

Location :

The Navagraha Temple is found on the top of Chitrasal Hill (or Navagraha Hill), in Guwahati city, Assam, India.

Description :

The Navagraha temple was built by Ahom King Rajeswar Singha in the late 18th century. The temple tower was destroyed by an earthquake. It has been renovated in recent times during the late 1923-45. Enshrined in this temple are nine Shivalingams, representing the nine Celestial bodies, each covered with a colored garment symbolic of each of the celestial bodies, with a Shivaligam in the centre symbolising the Sun. It is also known as 'abode of Surya'. Surya Pooja (or) Sun worship is ancient practise among the Assamese people. There is no Lights insode the Temple and is lit only by Oil lamps.

The Navagraha Temple (or) the temple of the nine celestial bodies is located in the south eastern part of Guwahati in Assam, on a hill by name Chitrachal. As the name indicates, this temple is dedicated to the nine planets in the solar system. Navagraha Temple at Guwahati Assam is a center of astrological and astronomical research.

Enshrined in this temple are nine Shivalingams, representing the nine Celestial bodies, each covered with a colored garment symbolic of each of the celestial bodies. The nine planetary gods, namely area - Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Sukra (Venus), Sani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu. There is Surya Mandir near Guwahati on the Surya Pahar hill.
Being on the Top of this Navagraha hill, one can enjoy the Beautiful sunset view of Brahmaputra. There is also a Spring and Waterfall situated near the temple which makes it a perfect picnic spot.

Websites :

http://www.travelspeak.in/navagraha-temple/

Sukreswar Temple, Guwahati

Name : Sukreswar Temple, Guwahati

Location :

Sukreswar Temple is perched on top of the Itakhuri hills at Guwahati in the state of Assam.

Legend :

Legend has it that, that Sage Sukra had his hermitage on this hillock and he used to worship his Lord Shiva in this temple.

Description :

The Kalika Purana identifies the hillock as Hastigiri hills due to its shape like the hump of an elephant. Constructed by the Ahom ruler Pramatta Singha in 1744 AD, the Sukreswar temple is located on the southern bank of the mighty Brahmaputra. Originally dating back to the 18th century, the temple is believed to have the largest Shiva lingam or phallic emblem in India.

The adjacent embankment is used for holy bathing and performing rituals. It is believed that the dead gain peaces if the post - death rituals are performed here. A flight of steps lead down from the temple complex to the river. Sitting on the steps of Sukreswar ghat one can enjoy the scenery of sun setting on the river, boats moving across the river.

Speciality :

According to the Hindu legends, if one performs death rituals and rites in honour of their relatives at this temple than the dead person would attain moksha or salvation.

Websites :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukreswar_Temple

http://blessingsonthenet.com/indian-temple/article/239/sukreswar-temple

Kumaran Kunram, Chromepet

Name : BalaSubramaniyar Koil - Kumaran Kundram

Location :

The Subramanyar temple at Kumaran Kunram in Chromepet (near Chennai, Tambaram). The Subramanyar shrine is located on top of the hill and is visible over a distance and commands an impressive view of the surroundings.

History :

Way back in 1956, when Paramacharya visited Chromepet, looking at the hill, he said a temple for Murugan would come up there. It happened 20 years later. The temple for Siddhi Vinayakar was the first to be built in 1956. While clearing the hill side for a path, a lance (Vael) was found and this inspired the devotees to speed up work. The Swaminathaswamy temple took shape and consecration was performed in 1979. Gradually the hill acquired more shrines and the temple has been expanded and consecration conducted at regular intervals

Description :

At the base are shrines for Vinayaka, Sri Kaliswari, Idumban and navagraha. The steps, 108 in number, are well-laid. The rugged path that devotees once used runs adjacent. A few steps above is a small temple for Meenakshi-Sundareswarar with niches for Nataraja, Sarabeswara and Chandikeswara. Nataraja has his right foot up in the classic Cosmic dance pose.

On top is the shrine of Swaminathaswamy. The Moolavar is a lovely granite idol set in serene surroundings. There is a niche for Durgai. A perennial spring called Kumara Tirtham supplies water meeting the needs of the temple. Beneath the shrine is Dhyana mantapam. Considered pariharasthalam for Chevvai and Ketu, the temple draws a steady stream of devotees, it is said.

The view from top shows Chromepet and its neighbourhood spread out as a vast expanse. Silhoutted in the distance is the gopuram of the Tiruneermalai temple. Also distinctly visible is the Trisula hill.

Festivals :

Festivals are conducted with great fanfare. Maha Skandasashti is celebrated on the lines of the Tiruchendur temple. Soorasamharam is an elaborate affair, complete with fireworks. The young and old participate with great enthusiasm. Programmes for the entire year are charted out on a huge board at the entrance.

The Kartikai deepam festival when the temple is illuminated with a number of lamps rendering it visible all around, is of great beauty is data about the temple.

Websites :

http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/hill-temple-in-chennai-city/article2301891.ece