Yaganti

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Today I would like to share information about “Yaganti” which is located in Kurnool district Andhrapradesh. The temple is in the Banaganapalle mandal, 14 km west of Banagapalle (Mandal headquarters) on the Banaganapalle-Peapully road.

History:

This temple was constructed by King Harihara Bukka Rayalu of the Sangama Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century. It was built according to Vaishnavaite traditions.

One story of the site's origin is as follows: 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 sage was upset over this and performed a penance for Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appeared, he said the place suits Shiva better as it resembles Kailash. Agastya then requested Lord Shiva to give the devotees a Parvathi Goddess as Lord Uma Maheswara in a single stone, which Lord Shiva obliged.

A second story is as follows: Chitteppa, a devotee of Lord Shiva, was worshiping Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva appeared to him as a tiger. Chitteppa understood that it was Lord Shiva in tiger form, and shouted Neganti Shivanu ne kanti (meaning: I saw Shiva I saw), and danced with joy. There is a cave called Chitteppa nearby.

The story according to the priests is that when the sage Agastya completed his uttara desha yatra and started dakshina desha yatra he found the beautiful and pleasant place called yaganti( Nekanti-i have seen)and thought to build a temple for Lord Venkateswara on this site . while roaming around caves one of the caves was found to have a very old statue of Lord Vishnu . After all the yagna, homa and pooja he found that the statue really contains a small defect as broken nail on the foot thumb finger. To seek an explanation he prayed to Shiva and Shiva explained that at this place which contains natural springs and nature only I can be worshipped. Then the sage Agastya asked a boon to Shiva to reside in this place for eternity with Mother Parvathi. So this place is called as Umamahesware (Uma: parvathi, Maheswara: shiva) temple. The shrine contains the statue of Shiva and Parvathi on a single stone.

The Uma Maheshwara Temple at Yaganti houses the idol of Shiva & Parvathi (Ardhanareeswara) carved out of a single stone. This is probably the only place where Lord Shiva is worshipped in an idol form instead of Shiva Linga. It is believed that Sage Agastya performed penance for Lord Shiva at this place and requested Shiva to appear in Ardhanareeswara form which is worshipped here. Another unique feature of the temple is Nandi statue which has been growing in the size.

Yaganti is located in Yerramala hills that offer immense natural beauty and unique setting to the locality. There are a several natural caves in the hills around the temple which were home for several saints throughout the ages, including that of Great Telugu saint and astrologer Potuluri Veera Brahmam Garu.

An amazing feature of this temple is its Pushkarini with very pure water. No one knows how the water flows into Pushkarini in all the seasons. Devotees consider that a bath in the holy Pushkarini before visiting Shiva is highly beneficial.

You cannot find a crow in Yaganti:

The priest also mentioned that while Sage Agasthya was performing penance here, Kakasura, an asura in the form of a crow, had been disturbing the sage's penance. Angered, the sage cursed him, saying that no crows should exist within Yaganti. Even today, they say that they have never seen a crow within the village. Moreover, since crow is the vahana (vehicle) of Shani Bagavan, they say that Shani does not bother anyone who is within the vicinity of the Uma Maheswara Swamy temple. People come and worship here to be rid of the dosha of Shani.

As per legend, crows do not fly in Yaganti. When Sage Agastya was meditating here, Kakasura, king of crows disturbed him from his meditation so, he cursed the crows not to enter the premises. Thus, Shani also can't enter this place as crow is the vehicle of Shani.

PUSHKARINI :

Pushkarini is the famous temple pond of Yaganti situated about 100 meters before the main temple entrance.

Pushkarini, filled with pure water throughout the year, is a wonderful structure with beautiful gopuras, pillared corridor and wonderfully built a mandapa at the center of the pond. No one knows how the water flows into Pushkarini in all the seasons. The water flows continuously keeping the water in the pond clean all the time. The water flows through a rock entrance with carved figures of Nandi. Devotees usually take bath in the pushkarini before visiting the main temple.

There are wonderful carvings of Lord Shiva, Lingodbhava, Lord Vishnu, Shiva & Parvathi and several other gods below the first step of the temple pond.

Uma Maheshwara Temple:

Built in Dravida style, the temple boasts a large five-story tower built by Vijayanagara rulers. The tower is followed by the main temple structure built with stone which has a large pillared hall followed by the sanctum which houses the deity. The pillars in front of the sanctum have wonderful carvings of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma along with several other gods.

The sancutm houses the idol of Shiva & Parvathi (Ardhanareeswra) carved out of a single stone. This is probably the only place where Lord Shiva is worshipped in an idol form instead of Shiva Linga. It is believed that Sage Agastya performed penance for Lord Shiva at this place and requested Shiva to appear in Ardhanareeswara form which is worshipped here.

Nandeeswara Statue (Growing Nandhi)

Another unique feature of the temple is Nandeeswara statue which has been growing in the size. Archeology department has confirmed that the size of Nandi keeps increasing by 1 inch every 20 years. According to Potuluri Veera Brahmam Garu, the Basavanna of Yaganti will continue growing and come out and shout when Kaliyuga ends.

There are several sub-shrines in the temple complex including Veerabhadra Swamy, Viswanadha, Ganesha, etc.

The temple has a large pushkarini (pond) with pure water. Several devotees take bath at pushkarini before visiting the deity.

Veerabadra Swamy:

The Kshetrapalaka at this temple, as in many other temples in this part of India, is Veerabadraswamy. The gigantic Veerabadraswamy with his glittering sword protects the temple and safeguards its sanctity. Hanuman Temple: After crossing Agastya Pushkarini we can find Hanuman temple. After crossing this we can find a steps to Agasthya Guha.

AGASTHYA CAVE / ROKALLA GUHA:

Agasthya Guha (cave), also known as Rokalla Guha is the cave where Sage Agastya performed the Penance for Lord Shiva. It is situated on eastern side of Venkateswara Guha.

While travelling in South India, Sage Agastya came across this place and he wanted to build a temple for Lord Venkateswara. However, the statue that was made could not be installed as the toe nail of the deity got broken. Sage Agastya was upset over this and he performed a penance for Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appeared, he asked the Lord the reason why he could not install Lord Venkateswara statue. Lord Shiva replied that the place suits Shiva better as the hills resemble Kailasha. Agastya then requested Lord Shiva to give the darshan to devotees along with Goddess Parvathi as Uma Maheswara in a single stone, which Lord Shiva obliged.

This cave can be reached by climbing very steep steps. There is a Shivalinga at the top of the cave which was believed to be installed by Sage Agasthya for his meditation. The path to cave also provides panoramic view of the temple complex and surrounding hills. The steps are very steep and kids and elders have to be very careful, especially, while climbing down the cave.

Venkateswara Guha (cave)

Venkateswara Guha (cave) has a damaged idol of Lord Venkateswara. This is said to be the idol made by Sage Agastya in order to build Venkateswara temple at this place.

Another story says that, first lord Venkateswara is placed in this cave instead of Tirupati. But as the idol has damaged feet, it could not be worshipped. As per Veera Brahmam Kala Gynanam, whenever people cannot worship god in Tirupati, then this place is going to be alternative instead of Tirupati. Lord Venkateswara is worshipped here and the original idol of the deity can also be seen. This place gets crowded in peak season, Saturdays and Shivaratri season.

This cave can be reached by climbing very steep steps from the gopura of Uma Maheshwara Temple. The cave also boasts enormous natural beauty.

Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 6:30 PM

SANKARA CAVE:

Sankara Guha is wonderful site on the hillock of Yerramala. With a small shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, the entrance to Sankara Guha can be seen towards the northern side of Pushkarni.

This place is associated with several saints who performance meditation here. The great Telugu saint and astrologer Potuluri Veera Brahmam Garu meditated here for several years. The cave has a narrow entrance following by a small enclosure which houses a Shivalinga. The height of the inner cave is very low and pilgrims have to be careful entering the cave.

Sanakra Guha has a well laid steps (about 100 steps) from the bottom with a wonderfully built Mandapa on the edge of the hill that offers panoramic view of Yaganti and Yerramala Hills. There is also a stone arch welcoming the piligrims.

You find several monkeys in this area and they often grab food and water bottles from the pilgrims. It is advised to be careful and hide any food in the bag.

Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 6:30 PM

 Agastya Pushkarini:

 Agastya Pushkarini is a small pond situated towards northern side of the sanctum of Uma Maheshwara Temple.

The water is accumulated in Agastya Pushkarini from the surrounding hills before it flows into the main temple Pushkarini. The water source is originated at a place called Mucherla which is about 15 kms from Yagati. The water flows through the hills of Yerramala and reach the Pushkarini here. Sage Agastya wanted to check the source of water and he mixed turmeric and saffron powder at Mucherla and identified that the same water flows into the stream here in Yaganti, this the pond is named after sage Agastya.

The water in the pond are considered sacred and pilgrims should not keep the feet in the pond. There is a small stone mandapa with a gopura at the pond which has nice carvings on the pillars.

Akasha Deepam:

Just behind the Veerabadraswamy temple, on top of the hill, on a ledge which looks so steep and narrow, an Akasha Deepam is lit every evening. This lamp glows from 6 pm to 6 am every day. The priest mentioned that four litres of oil and two metres of wick is used every day to keep this lamp glowing for twelve hours (If you pay 400 rupees this activity is performed on your name and gotram for one day).

It is indeed amazing how the lamp burns in the open air on top of a hill, amid the strong winds blowing. It is equally amazing how the priest is able to climb up every day, with barely any foothold, carrying all these materials to light the lamp, with practically just enough space only to put one of his feet. 

Temple Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 3 PM - 8 PM