Suryakatakam
★★★★★5.0Wrote on 22 Nov 2021
Temple dates back to the 5th and 6th centuries
Yaganti Uma Mahshwara swamy temple is situated aloft the Yerramalla hills in kurnool district at a distance of 90 km from district headquarters. Near by town is Banaganapalli which is 11 km away from Yaganti. History of the Temple: The Ancient Yaganti temple dates back to the 5th and 6th centuries, Since then temple construction work is initiated by various Pallava, Chola, Chalukya and Vijayanagara rulers. Finally completed in 15th Century by Harihara Bukka Raya of the Sangama Dynasty of Vijayanagara Empire. It was built according to Vaishnavaite traditions. Temple houses the Idol of Shiva and Parvathi fused together(Ardhanareeshwara pose) Legend of the Temple: Legent has it that 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 Shiva. When Shiva appeared, he said the place suits Shiva better as it resembles Kailash. Agastya then requested Shiva to give the devotees a Parvathi Goddess as Lord Uma Maheswara in a single stone, which Shiva obliged. According to another Legend, Chitteppa, a devotee of Shiva, was worshiping Shiva and Shiva appeared to him as a tiger. Chitteppa understood that it was Lord Shiva in tiger form, and shouted Neganti Shivanu ne kanti (meaning in telugu is I saw Shiva I saw), and danced with joy. over a period of time Neganti become Yaganti. This temple is known for, 1. Pushkarini: A Pond of water in the temple premises. Water flows into this Pushkarini from the bottom of hill through the mouth of a Nandi (bull). No one knows how the water reaches the pond all year round. Devotees find that a holy bath in Pushkarini is highly beneficial. After taking a bath in Pushkarini, they pay tributes to Lord Shiva. 2. Agastya Cave: This is the cave where Agastya performed his penance for Shiva. To reach top one has to climb 120 steps 3. Venkateshwara Cave: 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 damaged idol of Lord Venkateswara is present in this cave. Compared to Agastya cave it is easy to climb though the steps are steep. 4. Veera Brahmenra Swamy 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. 5. Growing Nandi: The devotees believe that the Nandi idol in front of the temple is continuously increasing its size. It is said that people used to do Pradakshinas (rounds) around it in the past. Now it is not possible to do Pradakshinam as Nandi grown all four sides. This Nandi is Growing 1 Inch in Every 20 Years. According to Potuluri Veera Brahmendra swamy, the Basavanna (stone nandi) of Yaganti will come alive and shout when Kali Yuga ends. 6. Sri Abhayanjanya Swamy Temple: One can see this temple when you are coming out from exit gate. It is just below the Agastya Cave 7. 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. 8. Yaganti Temple Akasha Deepam: Every day temple priest used to the lit lamp using 4 litres of oil and 2 mt thick wicks, in the evening on a ledge behind Veerabhadra Swamy Temple. The lamp glows from 6 am – 6 pm in the open air on top of the hill. Temple Timings: Morning 06:00 to 13:00 hrs Evening 15:00 to 20:00 hrs Entry Fee: 5 INR per person for Sarva Darshan Nearby Attractions: 1. Ravvala Konda, where Veera Brahmendra swamy wrote kalagnanam 2. Nawab Palace, where Tollywood famous movie Arundathi shooted 3. Achamamba House, Where Veera Brahmendra swamy Lived 4. Nela Matam, Which is first Matam of Lord Veera Brahmendra swamy
