Keesaragutta Shiva Temple, Rangareddy Telangana

Name : Keesaragutta Temple

Location :

Keesaragutta Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Siva and his consorts Bhavani and Sivadurga at Keesaragutta in Rangareddy district. It is about 40 km from Hyderabad and 10 km from ECIL. It is located on a small hillock.

Legend :

The temple draws thousands of devotees on Shivaratri Legend has it that Sri Rama installed the Siva lingam here to atone for the sin of killing Ravana, a Brahman. He selected this beautiful valley surrounded by hills and verdant greenery for the purpose and ordered Hanuman to bring a Sivlingam from Varanasi. Hanuman was late in arriving with the Siva lingam and as the auspicious hour was nearing, Lord Siva himself appeared before Sri Rama and presented a Sivilingam for installation. Hence the lingam in the temple is called Swayambhu Linga. It is also called Ramalingeswara as lord Sri Rama had installed the lingam.

Hanuman returned with 101 lingams for selection from Varanasi and felt aggrieved at not having his lingam installed. Hence he threw them all over the area. Even to this day several lingams are found scattered all over the place outside the temple. To mollify Hanuman, Sri Rama ordained that precedence would be given to him for worship at the temple. He also said that the hillock where the lingam was installed would bear his name kesarigiri i.e., Hanuman, the son of Kesari. Over a period of time, it has colloquially transformed and is now known as Keesara and the hill as Keesaragutta. Ever since, the rituals follow the command of Sri Rama.

Archaeological Excavations :Exploration and Excavations were conducted by the archaeological department in the surroundings of Keesaragutta Temple. Many Remnants of Brick structures and Shiva Lingas were found on the Hill north of the temple and a hillock near the water resource. The remnants belonged to Chalukyan Empire reign. Fortification walls, Yaga shala and Prayer hall's were excavated here. Some Vestige remnants and rock cut cisterns were found on the hills as an indication of Jainism and Buddhism Flourished contemporarily. On October 18, 2014, twelve idols of Jain Tirthankara dating back to the 4th-5th century were found near the temple steps at a depth of one foot which proves that Jainism co-existed along with Hinduism at Keesaragutta during the time of Vishnukundins in 4-5th century. But since 60 to 70 years thatakam family is working hard to develop the temple, and they are the founder trustees of the temple now.

Temple Timings :

6 AM TO 7 PM

How to Reach :

The temple is a near 1.5 Hr to 2 Hr drive from the city. When we were traveling, it was raining and the drive was very pleasant. How to reach Keesar
The village is in Rangareddy district of Andhra Pradesh and is located about 18 km from ECIL X roads on the out skirts of Hyderabad (and about 45 km from Begumpet airport).
Keesara is a Town in Keesara Mandal in Rangareddy District in Andhra Pradesh State in India. Keesara is Main Town for the Keesara Mandal. Keesara is 75.9 km distance from its District Main City Rangareddy. And 35 km distance from its State Main City Hyderabad. Keesara is about 35 kms from Hyderabad. It has proper roads and driving direction is pretty easier. Andhra Pradesh state run APSRTS offers bus services from Jubilee Bus Station, Secunderabad and Imliban bus station and Koti.

Sevas/Utasavams :

Shiva kalyanam
Maha Shivaratri
Karthika Masam

Websites  :
http://manatemples.net/Pages/TE_Hyd_Keesaraguttta.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keesaragutta_Temple 

Bhramarambhika Mallikharjuna Swamy Temple

Name : Bhramarambhika Mallikharjuna Swamy Temple

Location :

It is located on a small hill nearby called Beeramguda Gutta in town located in Sangareddy district in Telangana.

Description :

The people are of the belief that the temple was established due to the effort of two sages named Bhoga Maharshi and Brugu Maharshi. Devotees find a Shiva Linga when they travel through an inner route of the temple. Known as second Sree Sailam, people believe that the temple here existed since the 13th century. The people believe that the inner route leads to Sree Sailam. There was a four feet statue of Lord Veera Bhadra earlier as a result of which the temple was called as Veerappa or Beerappa. Nowadays, the place came to be known as Beeramguda. The temple attained great significance during the reign of Kakatiyas and developed much in 1980's.

 

Websites :

http://www.templesofindia.net/temples/bhramarambha-mallikarjuna-swamy-temple-beeramguda

Manyamkonda Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Temple aka. Palamoor Tirupathi

Name : Manyamkonda Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Temple aka. Palamoor Tirupathi

Location :

Manyamkonda is a place which has so much spiritual and tourist importance in Mahabubnagar District. This place is located exactly at a distance of 6 Km from Devarkadra Railway Station on the Secunderabad Dronachellam section of the South Central Railway. Due to its presence on a hill surrounded by beautiful scenic and ancient importance, this place has got lot of importance as a major tourist attraction of Mahabubnagar District and Telangana state.

Manyamkonda Venkateshwara Temple is around 13 Kms from Mahabubnagar town on the state highway to Raichur.

On the heart of the forest and on the hill top, Lord Venkateshwara Swamy could be found majestically. The shrine is located on a hill which is 915 m high and at a distance of 2 Km from the village.

Legend :

Very rarely we can find Lord Venkateshwara as a “Swayambhumurthi” which means self manifested. Seeing Lord Venkateshwara in the thick forest, with lush greens is truly a blissful experience.

When moving around the temple, devotees here believes and has found against the back wall, Lord Venkateshwara Swamy is’Self Manifested’ resembling the idol of Tirupathi. And it is also believed by the pilgrims that ancient saints have practiced penance in the caves which adds more positive energy to the shrine.

Naming Reason for the destination ‘Manyamkonda’:

During the past, it is said that ancient saints like Narasimha Yogi, Kasirayalu, Ettepu Ramayogi, Veerappaiah, Yanumaddhasu have meditated here and hence this place was called as Munulakonda (Munulu means Saints and Konda means hill) and later as days passed by it has been referred as Mannemkonda or Manyamkonda.

Description :

Manyamkonda or Mannemkonda (or Manikonda) is the hill were the Lord Venkateshwara Swamy Temple is located.This place is very calm ,mesmerizing, beautiful and of course a perfect destination for devotees and tourists. It is believed that this ancient temple is more than is five hundred years old. It is also called as "Palamoor Tirupathi".


Architecture of the Temple:
The temple is located in a cave here which is inclined and settled on top of three hills. Main Deity here is Lord Venkateshwara Swamy and this place is also known as Harihara Kshetra.

Festival time to visit the Temple:
It is ideal to visit the temple during the time of ‘Jathara’ which is celebrated every year during the months of January and February. Usually the festival is held on the day of ‘Maha Purnima’. This place is also well called as ‘Palamoor Tirupathi’.

Manyamkonda Temple Timings: 5am to 8pm daily

How to Reach the Temple:
By Road :
– Pilgrims could find the temple around 13 Kms from Mahabubnagar on the state highway to Raichur.
– Telangana State Road Transport Corporation buses ply frequently yo Manyamkonda Temple. One can also find many private vehicles from Mahabubnagar town to the temple.

By Train:
– After crossing to Mahabubnagar Railway Station, one can find ‘Devakadra’ Railway Station. The temple is just 6 Kms from this station.

By Air:
– Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad is the nearest airport for Mahabubnagar district.

Food Facilities:
– Very little options are available when it comes to food. It’s better to have food at Mahabubnagar town or pack your food from Mahabubnagar town.

Where to Stay:
– A guesthouse is present on the top of the hill. I can reach the temple and book the rooms.
– Other options is to stay at Mahabubnagar Town.

Nearby Places:
– Wanaparthy Town
– Koilsagar Dam Project
– Sangameshwara Temple
– Kollapur – Land of Temples
– Jurala Dam

Websites :
http://www.exploretelangana.com/manyamkonda-venkateshwara-temple-mahabubnagar/

Sanghi Temple

Name : Sanghi Temple

Location :

Sanghi Temple Hyderabad is Situated in Sanghi Nagar which is 25 km away from Hyderabad city, Sanghi temple stands beautifully on the hillock ‘Paramanand Giri’.

Description :

Built in the Chola-Chalukya style of architecture, the temple is a place worth visiting. This temple was built in the year of 1991 which was completed in a just 18 months! And since then it has been attracting tourists from everywhere. As the name suggests, it was developed by a leading industrial group of Southern India - Sanghi Group. They primarily operate their business from the city of Hyderabad.

 As you further proceed, the stone elephant is seen at the stairway. There are three Gopurams seen at the foot of the hillock which are so tall and seen as if entering into the heavens. On the top of the temple complex one can see the shrine of Lord Anjaneya, the son of Anjana devi, and the son of wind God, who is believed to shower his blessings to his devotees and the red faced Lord Anjaneya is the embodiment of death to the demons and his very name drives away all evils.

In famous Sanghi Temple Presiding Deity Lord Venkateshwara inside the sanctum sanctorum is 9-% ft tall and is same as the one at Tirumala. Alankaram every day to the Lord at the Balaji temple. To the right is the abode of Goddess Padmavathi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara. Described as the epitome of love, mercy and compassion, the deity here is seated on a lotus and is also holding lotuses in her hand. The Ashtalakshmi temple is between the Balaji and Padmavathi temples. Bedecked with jewellery and garlands, Goddess Aadilakshmi in eight facets is seated holding a lotus and Abhaya mudra in her two hands and a lotus and Vara mudra (offering boons) in her other two hands. Close to the shrine of Lord Venkateshwara, is the temple of Lord SriRama, the symbol of man's conquest over evil. Accompanying the Lord are his faithful consort Sita, devoted brother Lakshmana and fervent devotee Hanuman, who is seated at the feet of the Lord with folded hands.

The temple of Lord Vijayganapathi is next to the SriRama temple. Known as the remover of all obstacles, his blessings are invoked prior to commencing any activity. Residing on the left of the Balaji temple is Lord Siva or the destroyer among the trinity. This all powerful Lord is seated on a lotus with a crescent moon decorating his hair and a trident in his right hand. Standing next to the Lord is Shakti Swaroopini Kamalambika. Further away is the temple of Goddess Durga. The dark moon faced deity clad in a saffron robe has three eyes. Decorated with omaments and hibiscus flower garlands, the Goddess holds a lotus in her right hand and the left hand reposes downward. The temple of Kartikeya is on the left of the Ganesh temple, fulfilling the tradition of his being on a hill top. The abode of Holding a staff in his right hand and resting his left hand on his waist, the loin clothed Kartikeya is like a Kalpavriksha fulfilling the desires of his devotees.

The Navagraha deities are the only ones that are in an open temple. Surya, the Sun God stands in the center and other Grahas surround him, each facing a direction over which he rules.

There is also a Pavitra Vanam or a Holy Garden in the temple complex where special leaves and flowers are grown for performing poojas. The complex also consist a Kalyana Mandapam for kalyanosthavam .The Mandapam is a raised platform with a decorated canopy over it. It is built in a style similar to the temples in the complex and blends perfectly into its surroundings. A well tended lawn in front provides plenty of open space for seating the spectators.

Timings & Pooja :

The Sanghi temple timings are from 8.30 am to 10.30 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. If you are keen on attending the pooja, plan your Sanghi temple visit around 6pm and 8pm. This temple is perfect getaway for a weekend. Either with family or alone, you can visit anytime with anyone! For those who are planning to visit over the weekends, there is no cause to worry as the Sanghi temple timings on Sunday is same as its timings on other days of the week.

If you are visiting Sanghi Temple, do try to catch the glimpse of the temple in night. When lighted, the view is spectacular.

Festivals :

Visiting during festivals such as Shivaratri, Sri Rama Navami, Krishnashtami, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Dussera, Hanuman Jayanthi and Brahmotsavams can be a good idea as these festivals are celebrated with much enthusiasm and devotion.

Tourist Attractions :

Tourists can also plan a trip to various other sightseeing places such as Ramoji Film City which is less than 1 km away from Sanghi temple, Birla Mandir, Golconda Fort, , Salar Jung Museum, etc. too. A slight planning of the day taking Sanghi temple timings is required so that you can visit the other places nearby within the same day itself.

Websites :
http://www.hyderabadtourism.travel/sanghi-temple-hyderabad

http://www.sanghitemple.in/