Keesaragutta Sri Ramalingeshwara Swami Temple

Keesaragutta as the name suggests it is a hill (in Telugu, Gutta means hill) Keesaragutta is in city limits and one can be there early in the morning or evening to breath and feel the cold freeze. On the top of the hill there is Sri Ramalingeshwara temple. It is believed that the Shivalinga at this place was installed by Lord Rama. It is believed that Lord Shiva had appeared at this place before Lord Rama and hence the name Ramalingeshwara came to this temple.

Keesara entrance

Legend says that after killing Ravana, Lord Rama had come to this place atone for the sin of killing Ravana. Lord Rama asked Hanuman to get the Shivalingam from Varanasi but it was late by the time Hanuman arrived from Varanasi with Shivalingam. As the auspicious time of pratistapana (installation) was nearing and Lord Shiva himself appeared before Lord Rama and presented Shivalingam for installation. 

Keesara temple

temple buildings at Keesara

Shivalingas outside the temple

By knowing this Lord Hanuman on arrival threw all the Shivalingams in anger (101 in number), he brought from Varanasi and they are scattered all over at this place. Since Lord Shiva himself presented Shivalingam to Lord Rama at this place it is called as Swayambhu (self manifested) and the temple is popularly called as Ramalingeshwara temple as Shivalingam was installed by Lord Rama. Also, Lord Rama to console Hanuman told that he will be worshiped after Lord Shiva at this temple.

Hanuman statue outside temple

temple with moon at background

The presence of Shivalingas outside the temple (many in number) justifies the fact of what legend says. Even the view of city from the top hill looks beautiful. During Shivaratri festival special pooja will be performed at this temple and fair will be organised. 

Beside the hill there is a children park and can be used by public. Keesaragutta can be reached easily by the public transport as many number of buses ply from ECIL.

Two years of Blogging: 227 Posts and 51000 Visits!

As mentioned in earlier posts, I started blogging as a hobby to spend time at home shifting from Goa. But blogging in a way changed myself, making me to describe the things in a more simpler way. Blog posts of mine has all type of content which interests me. Because of that mine is not a niche blog and it is having information shared which I feel in a way useful to others.

Compared to last year, visitors to my blog have increased from 10000 to 50000 making me happy that content I wrote was of use to some visitors. Apart from the increase in number of visitors, Google page rank has also been increased to 2 from 0.

Now a days with the increase in the work pressure and winding up of graduate project work, was not able to update content on a regular basis like earlier. But I have made sure that every month i posted some useful content either of places or of few tips. I feel 50,000 visitors in two years is not a small number as mine is not a niche blog.

Thank you very much for your visit and I look forward for your valuable suggestions.

Mallela Theertham Waterfall

Mallela Theertham is one of the popular waterfalls of Nalla malla forest, a perfect spot during summer to get drenched in the water. The location of water fall is even though remote, one can easily reach with the help of sign-boards and an advantage is the presence of a single road to reach the water fall. One has to take diversion towards left in a village on the Srisailam road, on the way to Srisailam. Identifying route will not be difficult as display boards are there and villagers are also helpful.

entrance to waterfall

view of waterfall 

The location and surrounding of Mallela Theertham is maintained well with facilities to park vehicles and a small botanical garden with canteen. I guess the canteen will be open during the season and may not be there in other seasons as visitors are less. Greenery and pleasant environment allows relaxing brain and body!

waterfalls from a distance

on the way to falls

One has to step down to reach the water fall. Cement concrete steps (may be 250) are made with railings for support while climbing up. As the water fall is nearing we can feel the cold weather. It is advisable not to get in to water as it is very slippery. It is not allowed to get into water during monsoon as water flow will be high but during other season one can take bit risk as the water flow will be less. The rocks on which waterfalls is slippery with sharp edges, so be careful while getting into water.

Presence of temple next to water fall makes it even a spiritual place. Shivalinga along with Ganesha, Dattatreya and Durga make this place unique. Mallela Theertham is a must visit on the Srisailam route.

Shivarapatna - a village of making Gods and Goddesses

I was looking for information on availability of black stone idols of Gods and Goddesses as one of my colleague wanted to construct a temple. I searched on internet as it is the first point of contact for many like me. I couldn’t get much info after doing couple of combination words search I could know about Shivarapatna (Shi-war-patna) Locating this place was not easy as no precise information about its location except it is present near to Kolar district of Karnataka. I enquired my friends belonging to that part about it and then I got info that it is near to Kolar on the way to Bangalore. But they also didn't have any accurate information.

Ganesha -black stone idol 

Devi statue

Shivarapatna is a remote village of Malur Taluk of Kolar but the stone idols carved here have been shipped to many countries and still many don’t know about this place. But the brokers are making money being mediators between the villagers and purchasers in India and Abroad.

Even reaching Shivarapatna is quite difficult as one has to either get down at Narsapur in Bangalore – Kolar road or at Shivarapatna gate in Kolar – Malur road. For going inside from main road one has to hire auto rickshaw or wait for the bus which comes not so frequently.

Idols of Gods and Goddesses

I had doubt about this place whether really stone carvings are done at this place out of black stone if so why it is not being so popularly known place to make black stone idols. I was really relieved and surprised to see people of entire village involved in making stone idols and especially the idols of God and Goddess in black stones and statues of few famous personalities.

Naga stone before polish

Ganesha idol before polish

Upon enquiry I got the info that the villagers supply stone idols for many places including abroad but only through brokers. Only thing the villagers know is receive orders and make ready idols either of people directly visiting here or of brokers. Also they connect their art of stone carving to the Gangas period as Ganga rulers were the one who made the people of this area to learn stone carving mainly to carve stone idols of Gods and Goddesses for the temples the rulers constructing and now the art is being passed in generations.

statue of Netaji carved in stone

I could see villagers’ expertise in making all sorts of idols and statues out of stones depending on the requirement. Even many takes idols from here for exhibition purpose as one can recollect seeing stones of Buddha in some resorts.

Anyone wishes to purchase anything made of black stones or of specific stones can visit this place and order and also you can give order to make any specific idols. One can get best price as you we will be directly interacting with sculptors but don’t forget to bargain significantly. 

Yadagirigutta Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple

Yadagiri Gutta Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Temple is popular attracting devotees from many places. Presence of Goddess Lakshmi with Narasimha Swami makes this place unique. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is on the hill top, one has to climb the hill or can take the alternate route allowing vehicles to go till the entrance of temple.

temple entrance on top of hill

Climbing steps gives the fresh air to inhale and one can view the small village adjacent to temple. Even one can witness devotees applying kumkum to the steps en route.

way to pedestrian path (steps) to climb hill

The legend says that Yadarishi did penance at this place for Lord Vishnu and Lord Vishnu appeared before him in five avatars. That’s the reason this place is also called as Pancha Narasimha Kshetram. Many devotees visit this place praying God to free them from the chronic diseases they are suffering with as Lord Narasimha is also popularly known as ‘Vaidya Narasimha'.

The sanctum sanctorum is below the cave and temple is built as extension to the cave. As followed in other temples, here also ticketing system is there. Yadagiri Gutta is having quite good number of lodges to stay and the best place to stay will be Bhuvanagiri (Bhongir) as it is connected well by railways and roadways. Many auto rickshaw are also available from Bhongir as well as from Yadagiri gutta bus stop to go till top of the hill.