Snippets of Information
TEMPLES IN ANDHRA PRADESH
* 1 Feb 2024
Sri Yaganti Uma Maheshwari Temple in Nandyal district of Andhra
Pradesh dedicated to Lord Shiva
houses the seated idol of Shiva and Goddess Parvati as
Ardhanareeshwara, carved out of a single stone. The usual Siva Lingam is
not the main idol of worship in this temple. The temple is considered
to be built by the first Vijayanagara Sangama King Harihara Bukka Rayalu
in the 15th century.
There are several unique and unexplained facts associated with this temple.
The water level in the temple tank remains at a constant elevation round
the year. The water flows into the pond from the mouth of Nandi (Bull)
and comes from the surrounding hills.
The Nandi idol, the vahana of Lord Shiva is growing, so that several
pillars around the Nandi had to be removed over the years to make way
for its growth.
Crows with their contant cawing cannot be seen in this temple. It
is believed sage Agastya disturbed in his meditation by their
cawing, cursed all crows to be banished from the temple vicinity.
Since crow is the vahana of Lord Saneeswara, there is no idol for
Saniswara in this temple.
There are several cave temples adjacent to the main temple in Yaganti -
The Agastya Cave, the Venkateswara Cave, the Veera Brahman Cave is
believed to be the place where Potuluri Veera Brahmam, popularly known
as India’s Nostradamus, wrote some chapters of his book of prophecies -
the Kala Gnanam.
Source: Andhra Pradesh's Yanganti Temple 'Defies' Science
And Logic, Here's How - Reported By: Murali Krishna and Edited By:
Akanksha Arora, May 18, 2023, news18.com
and nandyalonline.in
* 1 Feb 2022
Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi village, Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh
- The temple is built on a tortoise-shaped rocky hill called Kurmasailam, meaning 'Tortoise Hill' in Telugu.
- The temple is thought by many to have been built between 1530 and 1545
by Virupanna and Veeranna, two ambitious brothers who were governors
under the Vijayanagara Empire during the reign of King Achyuta Deva
Raya.
- Virupanna, the treasurer built the temple when the king was away on
campaign. The enraged king on finding his treasury emptied,
ordered to punish Virupanna. Unable to understand the king's fury,
Virupanna carried out the king's order and blinded himself. There
are two red blotches in the unfinished kalyana mandapam which is said
to represent the blood from his eyes.
- There is a dance hall with 70 pillars. One of the corner pillar
does not touch the ground, so that a piece of paper or cloth can be
inserted underneath on one side and drawn out the other and hence is
known as the 'hanging pillar'.
Source: tribuneindia.com
However, it is a slightly dislodged from its original position — it is
said that during the British era, a British engineer tried to move it in
an unsuccessful attempt to uncover the secret of its support. Needless
to add, neither the curious British engineer (identity unknown) nor
anyone after him have been able to explain the mystery of how the
hanging pillar at the Lepakshi temple was crafted.
Source: timesnownews.com
* Jul 2021
Tirumalai Tirupathi - Some beliefs
It is believed & accepted that all flowers that bloom in Tirupati is
for the Lord's worship & hence there is a practice that no women
adorn their hair with flowers while in Tirumala. There is a habit of
giving the flowers used to worship the Lord to devotees as prasadam in
all temples. But in Tirupati, there are no idols or images of any God
other than Srinivasa. So all the flowers are offered to him in the name
of other Gods too. Hence these flowers are not the prasada of Lord
Srinivasa alone & hence are not offered to devotees as his prasadam.
Ramanujar created the habit of placing these flowers in a well
(Poonginaru - Poo - flower; Kinaru - well) near the sannadhi.
The flowers for the Thomaala (Thol Maalai) & Poolaangi (Poovaadai)
sevais are formed into garlands at a place called Yamunaathurai. It is
located near the spot where the ladoos are prepared. A devotee of the
Lord Yamunachaariyaar (also known as Aalavandaar) used to collect
flowers, make beautiful garlands & offer them to the Lord. The king
Anantharaayan was impressed with his devotion. Seeing him suffer in an
old hut, he created a mandapam for him. To date, garlands are being made
in this mandapam.
* Jul 2021
Nava Nandis at Nandyal, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
- Prathama Nandi is situated upon a high soil base very nearer to Nandyal railway station.
- Naga Nandi is inside Anjaneya temple, which is located very near the Nandyal bus stand.
- Soma Nandi is towards east of Nandyal (almost inside Nandyal town), very near the upcoming Jagajanani temple
- Surya Nandi is located on the road to Mahanandi.
- Shiva Nandi: Approximately 13 km away from Nandyal on the road to Mahanandi, near Thimmavaram village.
- Vishnu (Krishna) Nandi is located on the road to Mahanandi, 2 miles before Mahanandi
- Garuda Nandi is located just before the Mahanandi Temple after crossing the Big Nandi Statue.
- Mahanandi Temple with natural springs (pushkarini)
- Vinayaka Nandi is situated towards northwest of Mahanandi Temple. It is a small temple located to left of the exit Gopuram.
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