|
Shri Mahadeva /Shiva Those people who do not enter the temple can have darshan of Shiva outside the temple |
Kaleshwaram
is a village in Bhupalpally district of Telangana, India. This village is famous for its temple –
Kaleshwara Muktishwara temple on the banks of river Godavari. Here river Godavari merges with its tributary
Pranahita.
|
People taking bath before performing certain rituals |
It is believed that underneath
this area of merger is Mystical River Saraswathi flows. This makes it confluence of three rivers,
hence called ‘Triveni Sangamam’ – confluence of three rivers giving it greater
sanctity.
|
A view of the river |
This temple
complex has temple of Shri Ganesha, Shri Mahadeva and Shri Yamadharmaraja. People believe that worshiping Yama and Shiva
together will lead them to moksha.
|
Boating in the river. Diya lit and let in water in reverence of deceased ancestors |
This temple
mainly devoted to Shri Mahadeva in picturesque location on the banks of river is
one of ‘Trilinga temples’, the other two
- one is Srishaila Mallikarjuna Swamy in Srishailam and Bhimeshwara Swamy in Draksharamam,
both being in Andhra Pradesh. This temple is about 277Km from Hyderabad. It can be reached by RTC buses or own
vehicles. The journey through forest
areas will be pleasant. Temple
dormitories provide rooms for night stay.
In Hindu culture it
is believed that after death of a person if his ashes are mixed in river he
will attain moksha. In Telangana most
people visit Kaleshwaram and after special rituals and sanctification of ashes
in the urns, the ashes are immersed in the river at Triveni Sangamam.
|
Sanctification of ashes |
|
Offerings to deceased ancestors. They are made of rice flour and after appropriate ritual will be offered to cow or dropped in river or lake |
.
|
Carrying ashes for immersion at Triveni Sangamam |
In
Telangana most people visit Kaleshwaram and after special rituals and sanctification
of ashes in the urns, the ashes are poured at Triveni Sangamam.
|
This family looks like have come for a jolly trip. |
The visit to
the temple gives peace and calmness to the mind and soul.
|
These are made alongside the banks in reverence to Shiva, decorated and worshiped |