Kaleshwaram

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

Chattarpur Temple

Chattarapur temple dedicated to Maa Kaatyayini is the second largest temple complex in India, the first being Aksharadhaam temple in Delhi.  The man behind the development of temple complex in Chattarpur village is Sant Nagpal.  Sant Nagpal, Durgacharananuragi Baba, was born in the state of 

Karnataka on Full moon day – Holi – on 10^th March, 1925.

 He visited all the pilgrim places in India, lived for many years in Kashmir before moving to Delhi and building Maa Durga Temple.  Later he moved to Chattarpur village and built Durga Ashram and other Temples.  He utilized 70 acres of land with bushes and shrubs to construct a beautiful temple complex.  The final picture of area we see now had taken about two and a half decades from mid seventies to early nineties.  He left his mortal body at mid-night 15-16^th December 1998.

 

The main deity at Chattarpur is Maa Kaatyayini.  There are many temples in the complex that extends on either side of wide road.  The temples are of Gods Laxmi Ganapathi, Hanuman, Shiva in Linga form, Parvati - Parameshwar, Ram – Laxman – Sita, Radha – Krishna, Yashoda – Krishna – Balaram, and Maa Kaatyayini holding Karthkeya.  Sant Nagpal Samadhi surrounded by Nag with Shiva Linga on top is also present.

The temple complex is well maintained.  The temple complex also has diagnostic centre, a school and other training institutes. 

Most of deities are made of marble and full of life and look magnificent.  There is also a dressing, dining and bedroom for Devi Maa. 

It takes a day to visit all the temples leisurely and feel divine vibrations.

Govindaraja Swamy Temple

Kakatiya rulers were Shivaites and were great patrons of Shiva Temples.  We do not see other temples having many sculptures as Thousand pillars temple and Ramappa temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.  Govindaraja Swamy temple is a Vishnava temple on the hillock Govindarajula gutta.  This is within a kilometer of Warangal railway station and besides Devi talkies.  Fruit and vegetable markets are very near to it. 

The entry to the temple is opposite to Devi theatre.  This temple is visited by very few people.  There are 150 steps which lead to the temple on the rock.  This is under development.  The idol of Lord Govindaraja Swamy is in reclined position and having a vessel of treasures by his side.  His consorts, Sridevi, Bhudevi and Neeladevi are seen near the feet and at Naradamuni at head end.  This is placed in the narrow crevice between two huge rocks.  To have clear view of the Lord and want to worship one has to sit. 

A mythological story is attached to this temple.  Lord Govindaraja Swamy – Lord Srinivas at Thirupati was tired of granting wishes to his devotees and came to rest unseen in the cave.  He appeared in the dream of Rani Rudrama and revealed his presence on the hillock.  Rani Rudrama Devi had sent her men and they discovered the main idol of Shri Govindaraja Swamy and also of Lord Krishna. A temple was built and temple rituals followed.  

The temple is open in the morning from 6AM to 12.30PM and in evening between 5PM to 7PM.  On Sree Ramanavami Lord Rama’s celestial marriage is celebrated in the Mandap beside the temple.

The view of tricities and all the rocks and hillocks in Warangal is amazing from this hill top. 

Warangal Bus station and Railway Station

Mettugutta Ramalingeshwara Temple

Entry arch

Warangal is a city of historical importance.  The Kakatiya Kings who ruled this city had built many architecturally and sculpturally beautiful buildings and temples.  Kakatiya kings being Shivaites have built many Shiva temples.  Thousand pillars temple and Ramappa are world famous for engineering marvel also.  There are also lesser known temples which are unique in their own way.

On the way to the temple.  The one seen is Ganesha temple.
The piled stones - Twin rocks are called as 'Donthulamma gundlu'
These were stones with which Hidimba played 'kacchakayalu'!

Mettugutta Ramalingeshware temple is special for its serene location on hillock surrounded by rocks, trees and water trenches.  Anyone traveling in a train passing via Kazipet railway station can have the glimpse of twin rocks and temple.  The temple is about 2Km from Kazipet railway station on the highway to Hyderabad from Warangal.  This is half a kilometer from the main road in the village Madikonda.  The rocky road to the temple passes between rocks and trees and water trenches. According to local people, in this beautiful place love blossomed in the hearts of Hidimba and Bheemasena.  The area between the twin rocks was the abode of Hidimba and people believe that Bheemasena had fallen in love with Hidimba during their exile into forest. 

Another mythological story is attached to this place.  Lord Rama during his forest stay along with Sita had lived in this area.  Here, he worshipped Lord Shiva – Swayambhu Linga.  As Shri Rama worshipped, Lord Shiva here is called as Ramalingeshwara.  Temple is said to be built by Kakatiya kings.  Lord Rama’s temple also is built here.  There are nine gundams (water trench) – Pala, Ginne, Kannu, Kathi, Rama pada/ Bheema, Brahma, Vara, Mangala, Chakali gundams, around these temples.  These gundams will never dry up in any seasons.

Ramalingeshwara Temple

Swayabhu Shivalinga.  The one behind it is sculpted one.
Recently silver panipattum is made to cover the original one.

The temples will be open everyday in the morning from 6AM to 1PM and 5PM to 7PM for regular rituals.  On second Sunday of every month 'Mahanyasa Poorvaka Rudraabhishekam’ is performed by the Mettu Ramalingeshwara Seva Samithi.  All the material for this ceremony is provided by the Seva Samithi and anybody can participate in it for free. Those who want to take part in the abhishekam should reach the temple before 8AM, men should wear lungi and shella on shoulders and women should wear sarees.  After the abhishkem lunch is served for all. Special festive rituals are held on Mahashivaraathri and Sree Ramanavami, when people throng for puja and abhishekam.

Mahanyasa Poorvaka Rudrabhishekam

There is a small library with spiritual books and free health camp is held on  2nd Sunday of the month. There  The view of tricities looks wonderful from here.  Also we can view the trains passing on the tracks from Kazipet railway station.

Rama Temple

Vara (Boon) gundam.  People believe that if a childless couple takes
a dip in this will soon be blessed with offspring

? Kathi (Sword) gundam

 

Kannu (Eye) gundam

  

A train on the track is seen.  This is another gundam covered
with greenery. ?Ginne(bowl) gundam

Bheema/Rama pada (foot) gundam.  When the water is less in the gundam
imprints of toes can be seen - people say.

The twin rocks look so small and standing just behind.
But they are far away

On the rocks here and there there are flowering plants

This temple is under endowments department.  If this department takes some interest and develops this area by cleaning the gundams and beautifying the surrounding areas will make it iconic pleasant tourist spot in Warangal district.  This can also become attractive location for shooting movies too.

An old building in dilapidated condition

Mini pond on the way to the temple

Exit

Bangalore Temples

The most common temple visited by tourists in Bangalore may be the ISKCon temple.  This temple has Shri Radha-Krishna, Krishna-Balarama, Nitai Gauranga in the main temple.  Before entering into main temple are the Prahlada Narasimha and Srinivasa Govinda Idols.  All the Idols in the temple are beautifully decorated in silks and flowers.  There is continuous chanting of “Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare, Hare and Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare. The chantings by all the visitors gives spiritual consciousness. The scene on the top of the hill is beautiful.  Temple is maintained clean and neat. 

After darshan, while coming out there are stalls selling various pooja items, Krishna and other Gods’ photos, books on Krishna stories and  Srimadbhagvadgeeta is available in English and different Indian languages.  Eatables are sold.  Meals are also available for a price. The prasadam given is hot.  Better to carry a disposable spoon to eat it.  Photography is allowed outside the temple in the exit route. 

Visiting hours are in the early hours of the day.  Later during day strictly there is no entry from 1PM to 4PM.  If ever somebody reaches the temple during this period they have to wait on the road or go away to visit some other place.

Just about 2Km from this place, in Mahalaxmi puram is Sri Srinivasa Devasthanam and Shri Prasanna Veeranjaneyaswamy temple on a hillock.  The Hanuman temple has huge statue of Hanuman carrying Sanjeevani hill. The garden on the hill top near Hanuman temple is a lively place to rest. Adjacent to it is the Srinivasa Devasthanam.  There is also a six floor building here which has wonderful museum depicting various stories of Krishna and other Gods and sages in each floor.  There is ticketing for darshan.  The lift takes the visitors to the sixth floor.  Viewing the sculptures and pictures in each floor visitors have to come down to the ground floor again using steps.  The visit to the museum will be a memorable experience

The ISKCon temple may be the most commonly visited temple, but the atmosphere at Prasanna Veeranjaneya temple, Srinivasa Devasthanam, and Bull temple is holistic and serene. 

Bull Temple (back side)

Epic Museum at Srinivasa Temple

Gandharvas relieved from the curse

Krishna lifting Govardhanagiri on his little finger

Ardhanaareshwara

Shiridi Saibaba

Vasishta Rishi

Vishwamitra's penance disturbed by Rambha

Kamadheni (appears so realistic!)

Saagara Madhanam and the gifts from it

Shri Venkateshwara Swamy 

Shri Venkateshwara Kalyanam
Lighting was awesome

Garden at Shri Prasanna Veeraanjaneyaswamy