Amaragiri Malekal Tirupathi, Hassan

Name : Malekal Tirupathi aka., Mavinakere Sri Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy


Location :

The Sri Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy Temple is situated in the Holenarasipura Taluk, of the Hassan District in Karnataka. It is 20 kilometers away from Hassan, and about 165 kilometers from Bangalore. It is well connected by road and rail, hence getting there is easy.

When driving on the Holenarasipura highway, the Sri Lakshmi Venkatarmanaswamy temple is about 1.5 kilometers after Hassan. It offers a pleasant break from the city for those who want to get away from the concrete jungles of Bangalore for a weekend, amidst the lush greenery of the surrounding countryside and the hills.


Legend :

The name Malekal and the installation of Lord Venkataramanaswamy here has got a legendary story. Devaguru Shri Vashishta lived here and went to penance worshiping Lord Venkataramanswamy for over 800 years, who in turn gave his darshan on the day of Ashada Shuddha Dwadashi. To mark this event Maharathothsava is being held every year even now. After getting Tapasiddhi with the darshan of Lord Venkateshwara left the place. As a result there was nobody to perform pooja to Lord Venkataramanaswamy installed by Devaguru Vashishta. As the days passed the ashrama built by him has perished and the statue (Vigraha) of Lord Venkataramana Swamy installed by him submerged in the earth. After lapse of thousands of year the palegar of Chithradurga who were ruling the area 800 years back. They were the devotees of Thirupathi Thimmappa i.e. Venkataramana Swamy. On one occasion Shri Thimmappa Nayaka one of the Palegar of Chithradurga had a dream of getting the darshan of Lord Venkataramana and had a direction of the lord to construct a temple for him and can have his darshan instead of Thirupathi. Thimmappa Nayaka was in fix to know the geneusness of his dream. Then lord Venkateshwara again appeared in his dream and told that he can be found on top of the hill. If the palegar follow the route along with Tulasi (Basil) male which can be found at the bottom of the hill.

Accordingly Thimmappa Nayaka found the Venkateshwara statue (Vigraha) on the top of the hill following The Thulasi male. As such the place has named after male as Malekallu and with a result the Palegaras can have the Darshan of Lord Venkataramana instead of at Thirupathi. Hence that has been named as Malekallu Thirupathi. The temple is on the top of the hill and it has got over 1200 steps.

Description :


Malekallu Malekal Tirupathi hill has 1300 steps and its beleived that lord Rama had visited this place. Its the only place you can see a standing Venkateshwara idol other than famous Tirupati of Andhra Pradesh. Its the only place you can see a standing Venkateshwara idol other than famous Tirupati of Andhra Pradesh.

At the down hill of the temple Lord Govindarajaswamy live. The utsava murthy's (festival deities) of main deity (Lord Vekataramana Swamy) is housed at Govindarajaswamy temple itself. In view of inconvenience on top of the hill for performing Rathothsava and other similar type of Uthsavas.The Govindaraja Swamy temple was built by Palegar Thimmappanayaka as he has found the Govindaraja Swamy statue (Vigraha) while constructing a lake to solve the drought problem.

As such the temple on top of the hill was called as Amaragiri Tirupathi and the temple at the down hill has been called as Govindaraja Pattana (town).

Another important aspect of the place is that while at Thirupathi Lord Venkataramana is installed ALONE on the hill top and the Govindaraja Swamy at the down hill, At Malekallu Lord venkataramana and goddess Padmavathi are installed TOGETHER on top of the hill. Newly wedded couples visit the temple to seek the blessing from Lord Venkatramana and Goddess Padmavathi.  Kalyanotsava is a major performance of ritual happening here witnessed by thousands of devotees. There will be pooja performance in the temple every day from morning 7 AM to night 8 PM.

The temple serves as a family deity for surrounding villages and enjoys the patronage of the locals. The two festivals celebrated with great pomp and splendor is Hanuman Jayanthi and Vaikunta Yekadashi. No one knows when and how this deity was formed though it is rumored to have been consecrated by the great Vasishta. This temple can be visited throughout the year, and an ideal time to go would be during September to March, as the weather will be pleasant.

Festivals :

Ugadi festival, Shriramanavami, Dodda Garudotsava, Asahada Shuddha Dwadasi, Ashada Shuddha Triyodasi and many more festivals are conducted here with great grandeur. The annual Brahmotsavam is held every year and it is celebrated with great pomp and splendour.

Websites :

http://rcmysore-portal.kar.nic.in/temples/malekaltirupathitemple/about.html

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/