Bhadrakali Temple

 Location:

Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh is known to be one of the oldest temples for Goddess Bhadrakali in India. This temple is located on the banks of the Bhadrakali lake, a picturesque location between Hanamkonda and Warangal about 1.5 km from Government Polytechnic.

ABOUT THE TEMPLE:-

This temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, the Giant moyher Goddess, with fierce looking eyes and face. The Diety is believed to be worshipped bt the Historic ruler pulakesin-II of Chalukya Dynasty in the year 625 A.D. after his win over the 'Vengi' region of Andhra Desha. The minister of Kakatiya Ganapathy Deva namely 'Hari' has constructed the tank and road to the temple. Every tourist to Warangal will certainly make a visit to this historical temple to have the blessings of the Mother Goddess.
 

Architecture: The temple is square shaped with a stone image of the goddess (2.7 x 2.7 meters). The image is seated with a fierce look in her eyes and on her face. The goddess wears a crown and has eight handsholding various weapons.There is an artificial lake of two and half km radius close to the temple.Natural rock formations add to the charm of the temple and are the dominant feature of the temple. These rocks are said to carry spiritual powers too. The temple is around 250 years old.The image transforms into a rare form called Tripura Sundari with the help of mantras, which includes the Kali form. Tripura Sundari is regarded as the supreme manifestation of Prakriti - the feminine power a vital energy of the universe. Literal meaning is The Beauty of Three Worlds.

Festivals: is held in the month of Sravana - August-September. The deity is aesthetically decorated.There are eight major and twelve minor temples in the mountains surrounding the Bhadrakali Temple.

Best Time to Visit Bhadrakali Temple: 

The best time to visit the famous Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal is the Telegu month of ‘Sravana’ which corresponds to the month of August - September according to Gregorian Calendar. At this time a festival is organised and the deity is aesthetically decorated in various forms. Housing about 8 major and 12 minor temples surrounding mountains of Bhadrakali Temple exude a sacred aura when a large number of devotees gather to offer prayers.
Some of the festivals celebrated at the temple are

• Vasanta Navaratri in Chaitra masa
• Shakambari Utsavam in Ashada masa
• Sharannavaratri in Ashwayuja masa

Vasantha Navaratri is a 9 day festival dedicated to 9 forms of Goddess Bhadrakali in Chaitra masa which is the start of Vasantha Ruthu (Spring Season).
During the Shakambari Utsavam the Bhadrakali deity is aesthetically decorated with various vegetables.
Sharannavarathi is also called Maha Navaratri and is celebrated in Sharad Ruthu (Winter Season) in September–October every year during Ashwayuja masa. This festival ends with Durga Ashtami. During this festival veda scholars recite vedas, perform Homams.
Bathukamma Festival is celebrated on Durga Ashtami and is famous for large gatherings (in lakhs) of colorfully dressed women and girls who visit the Bhadrakali lake with pans decorated with colorful flowers and perform poojas at the lake. During these poojas they sing various Bathukamma songs. Later these flowers are put on the water. It will be a colorful sight to see so many lakhs of flowers floating on the lake.
The people of Warangal and Hanamkonda believe in Goddess Bhadrakali and visit her for all the auspicious occasions like newborn babies, marriages etc. and offer her bangles, sarees and garlands and pray to her for her blessings.Brahmotsavas are held every year in the month of April/May in a grand manner. The festival attracts thousands of devotees from all over the region of Telangana.
People with desires go to the temple and tie a coconut (Mudupu) with red blouse piece at the temple after pooja. After the fulfilment of their desires they once again visit the temple and untie the coconut and perform poojas and offer sarees to the deity.

People who visit Bhadrakali Temple also visit Hanamkonda Fort which is just a kilometer away from the another well known thousand pillared Hanamkonda Temple. Inside the fort is the Siddeshwara Temple housing a small Linga shrine.

 

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Thousand Pillar Temple

Thousand Pillar Temple- Warangal is 150 kms away from Hyderabad. It was built by King Rudra Deva in the year 1163 A.D. Warangal is flooded with splendid temples, historical monuments and huge forts. This region has been beautified by the Kakatiya rulers. The Thousand Pillar Temple reflects the magnificence of the Chalukya kings.

History:-

The Thousand Pillar Temple of Warangal is built in the form of a star with one thousand ornately carved pillars, and reflects the splendour of the Chalukya kings. Built in a typical Chalukyan style of architecture by King Rudra Deva in 1163 A.D., the temple constitutes of three concentric shrines, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya.
The Thousand Pillar Temple has been built at the base of the Hanamkonda hill. As the name suggests, there are one thousand intricately carved pillars of wide range and different sizes. The pillars of the main temple are firmly interwoven and form its parapet. Apart from the ornately carved pillars, the temple also has delicate smokescreens, brilliant stonework, and detailed and elaborate sculptures that will leave you enthralled.

The combination of the three shines of the temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Surya is known as Trikutalayam. Of the three shrines, Shiva's shrine has been positioned facing the east while other shrines face south and west. This was so, because the Kakatiyas were great devotees of Lord Shiva and wanted early morning sun rays to fall directly on Shiva Lingam.

On the fourth side of the Thousand Pillar Temple is Shiva’s sacred bull, Nandi. It has been carved out of a monolithic black stone, which is an impressive piece of art. Adding to its exclusivity, the Nandi in the Thousand Pillar Temple faces east, unlike most Nandis in Indian temples that face west. Enclosed within these four corners is the ‘Natya Mandapam’ where dancers performed. The pillars that support this innermost chamber of the temple are large and made of multiple blocks of stone.

Several small shrines devoted to the lingam, i.e. Lord Shiva, enclose the huge lawn of the Thousand Pillar Temple. Neatly carved rock-cut elephants built on both the sides of the temple entrance are wonderful icons. Presently, the temple is being sustained by the Archaeological Survey of India which has recognised it as one of the protected monuments.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Thousand Pillar Temple is during the winter months of October to March when the weather is pleasant in Warangal.

Trivia

Interestingly, the third deity of the temple is Surya, and not Brahma who is a part of the Hindu Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), as the Kakatiyas did not worship Brahma much.

Timing

The temple remains open for the public between 6:00 am – 8:00 pm.

In addition to architecture, I loved the rich carvings and sculpture. You have to see it to believe it. The Nandi had on its back, a chain made of bells which seemed real. And the bull was life like.
Impressive Bull was a beginning. The 1000 pillar temple takes it to a whole new level. Enter the temple, you will see four magnificent pillars supporting the Natya Mandapam (dance floor). Each richly carved with exquisite designs. A pillar has multiple designs, 2 centimeters to about 30 centimeters, on the perimeter of circular pillar. They used designs of jewelry of the age. Chains, bangles, rings, crowns and the Kakatiya Dynasty’s symbol, Kalisam, can be seen one after another on each pillar. The design also had flowers finely carved. So fine, the sculptures carved gap between petals. A guide showed us such gaps by inserting a tiny stick into those holes. “This is how fine Kakatiya’s sculptures were.”

Exquisite design on one of the pillars in 1000 pillar temple. The guide demonstrates how fine the sculpture is by inserting a tiny stick into a gap between two flowers.

Gallery:-















 

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SURENDRAPURI TEMPLE

SURENDRAPURI, A place where one can visit and feel the experience of visiting 100's of temples all over India. It is Located on Yadagirigutta Road and just 2 KM before Yadagirigutta, Nalgonda Dist. Andhra Pradesh, India. Surendrapuri is a theme park located about 60km from Hyderabad, India.
 The theme park is also known as Mythological Awareness Center. As the name indicates, it was established to create an awareness of Indian mythology, or more specifically Hindu mythology. It was established by Kunda Satyanarayana in memory of his son Surendra. It is also known locally as Kunda Satyanarayana Kala Dhamam, in his honor. Meaning that Kunda Satyanarayana has used artistry extensively to depict mythology.
SURENDRAPURI, A rising Temple Complex Located on Yadagirigutta Road and just 2 KM away from Yadagirigutta, Nalgonda Dist. Andhra Pradesh, India. Before it is famous as Panchamukha Hanuman temple where you can see one of the tallest idol of Hanuma. But currently it is became a main tourist attraction with Kunda Stayanaranayana KalaDhamam” A Mytholigical Awarness Centre calling as Padmavyuham which is started recently.
Is it possible to see all pilgrim centers of India in one day ??? absolutely NO.
But this centre will give you that feeling. You can see all the famus Pilgrim Centers models in a form of permanent construction at Surendra Puri, like Gangothri, Kashi, Badarinath, Kedarinath, Amarnath and Sapta Lokas… Brahmlok, Vishnu Lok, Shiva Lok, Naga Lok, Indra Lok, Yama Lok, Pathal etc.,
Including to above they constructed (imagination) the scenes based on the Ramayana and Mahabarahath epics also. everyone must visit surendrapuri and can enjoy a lot with the museum.
Timings : 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM Every Day. But entry ticket is too much argues some people which is 200/- in working days, 300/- in weekends. 

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srisailam temple

About The Temple:

The shrine of Lord Mallikarjuna picturesquely situated on a flat top of Nallamalai Hills, Srisailam is reputed to be one of the most ancient kshetras in India. It is on the right side of the River Krishna in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. This celebrated mountain is also named as Siridhan, Srigiri, Sirigiri, Sriparvatha and Srinagam. It has been a popular centre of Saivite pilgrimage for centuries.
The prominence of this Divya Kshetram is highlighted by the fact that while performing our daily household rituals we specify place of location of our existence with reference to Srisailam.
The presiding Deities of this kshetram Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is one of the eighteen Mahasakthis and both are self-manifested. The unique feature of this kshetram is the combination of Jyothirlingam and Mahasakthi in one campus, which is very rare and only one of its kind.
There is a common belief in vogue that this Holy Kshetram exists from times immemorial. The antiquity and origin of God Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi is not known.
The Mallikarjuna Linga is accessible to each and every devotee and anybody can go into the sanctum sanctorum of Mallikarjuna, touch him and perform Abhishekam and Archana himself to recitation of Mantras by Archakas without caste or creed or religion. This clearly reveals that socialistic pattern of society started from this place and it is still in existence.
History :- 

Srisailam played a dominant role in our religious, cultural and social history from ancient times.
The epigraphical evidence reveals that the history of Srisailam begins with the Sathavahanas who were the first empire builders in South India. The earliest known historical mention of the Hill - Srisailam, can be traced in Pulumavis Nasik inscription of 1st Century A.D.
The Sathavahanas, the Ikshavakus, the Pallavas, the Vishnukundis, the Chalukyas, the Kakatiyas, the Reedy Kings, the Vijayanagara Emperors and Chatrapathi Shivaji are among the famous emperors who worshipped God Mallikarjuna Swamy.
Prataparudra of Kakatiya Dynasty strived a lot for the improvements of this Kshetram and granted Paraganas for its maintenance. Ganapathideva has spent 12000 Golden Nanyas for the maintenance of the temple.
The period of Reddi Kings is the Golden Age of Srisailam that almost all rulers of the dynasty did celebrated service for this temple. In 14th Century Prolaya Vema Reddi of Reddy Dynasty constructed stepped path-way to Srisailam and Pathalaganga (Here the river Krishna is called as Pathalaganga) and Anavema Reddi constructed Veera Siromandapam in which the Veerasaiva devotees cut off their hands, tongue, limbs with devotion to attain the realisation of the God. This practice is known as Veeracharam.

 The Second Harihararaya of Vijayanagara Empire constructed the Mukhamantapam of Swamy shrine and also a Gopuram on Southern Side of the temple.
In the 15th Century Sri Krishnadevaraya Constructed the Rajagopuram on Eastern side and Salumantapas on both sides of the temple.

 The last Hindu King who strove hard for the improvement of the temple is Chatrapathi Shivaji who constructed a Gopuram on northern side in the year 1667 A.D.

Photo Gallery:- 

 Nature and Beauty:-

Surrounded by the Nallamalai Hills and dense forests, the Plateau of Srisailam is 476 m. above the Sea level. The word Nalla means beautiful and malai means hill. The river Krishna flow in the narrow gorge of 100m. Wide and at a depth of nearly 1000 m. from the top of the hill. The river continues to flow through the narrow gorge till it reaches Nagarjuna Sagar carrying on both the banks intractable forests dotted here and there by small tribal settlements, forming into natural sanctuaries of wild animals.

PHOTOS OF BILVA VANAM AT SRISAILAM

In Srisailam there is a Bilva vanam in between Sakshi Ganapathi temple and Srisailam. We have to go right side from main road and climb a small hillock to see this Bilva vanam. The Bilva vanam has so many Bilva trees. All of them are planted in an order. Local people will go to this place for picnic in Karthika masam.

Lord Ganesh idol is present in the beginning of Bilva vanam at Srisailam.

Lord Ganesh idol is present in a small temple under a tree.

Bilva vanam at srisailam. Bilva patras [leaves] are used in shiva puja. These are the most sacred items that are used in shiva puja. Lord shiva likes them very much.

Series of Bilva trees in Bilva vanam. In Srisailam Bilva patras are collected from here, when Devasthanam is conducting Laksha Bilvarachana to Lord Shiva.

Bilva tree in bilva vanam. the leaves are arranged as three leaves in a single stem. The three leaves collectively called as Eka bilvam. Offering Eka bilvam to Lord shiva will give good results.

PHOTOS OF SRISAILAM ENTRANCE:-

These are some photos of srisailam entrance. In the entrance of srisailam there are some statues of lord shiva, park with nandi statue and a tribal museum.

This is the entrance of Srisailam saying welcome to Srisailam.



In the entrance of srisailam, there is a statue of Nandi in the park.



Lord shiva in the form of Dakshina murthy, with Vedas and veena in his hands. He is controlling Ahamkara purusha. Rishis learning gnana from him.



Lord shiva and Parvathi with their son Kumara swamy. Kumaraswamy is the Rishi of Srisaila kshetram.



A tribal museum is present in srisailam entrance. That is called as Chenchulakshmi museum.



Chenchu lakshmi tribal museum. In this museum the cultures of different tribes are present. Chenchus are prime tribal group in Srisailam forest.



Chenchulakshmi statue present in Tribal museum. Chenchu lakshmi is the wife of Narasimha swamy, and she controls angry of Narasimha swamy.



Chenchu lakshmi statue.

PHOTOS OF PATHALA GANGA NEAR SRISAILAM:-

Pathala ganga is a holy place in Srisailam, where pilgrims take bath to get rid of their sins. It is about 20kms away from Srisailam in Hyderabad route.

Lingala gattu at Pathala ganga.



Project view from bridge near pathala ganga.



Hill at pathalaganga.



Steps at pathalaganga and lingala gatuu view.



Steps at Patala ganga.



A small bridge at Pathala ganga.



Close view of bridge at pathala ganga.



Krishna river at Pathala ganga.



Krishna water at pathala ganga.


These are the photos of Pathala ganga near Srisailam.

PHOTOS OF VEERABHADRA SWAMY IN SRISAILAM:-

These are the photos of Bayalu veerabhadra swamy. He is the kshetrapalaka ofSrisailam.There is no temple for him. He has no roof above him. Hence he is called as Bayalu veerabhadra swamy. He protects people in Srisailam.

Lord veerbhadra swamy statue in Srisailam.



Lord veerabhadra swamy in close view.





Temple of Lord veerabhadra swami in Srisailam without roof.

SRISAILAM PROJECT PHOTOS:-

These are the photos of Srisailam project.This project is on Krishna river, It gives major part of electricity to Andhra pradesh state in India. It has 12 crust gates. It is about 840fts height. The project was built in between two hills.

Srisailam project.



Srisailam project from View point in Right side.



Srisailam project reservoir.



Srisailam project crust gates.

Right side power house in Srisailam project.



Srisailam project view from left side in Hyderabad route.



Close view of Srisailam project.

sakshi Ganapthi Temple In srisailam:-

The Sakshi Ganapati Temple located at the hill town of Srisailam is placed under the backdrop of picturesque natural settings. This temple enshrines a black idol of Lord Ganesha (Ganapati). This idol is assumed as the witness (Sakshi) Ganapati for the visit of the travelers to this place. 

Being the famous Ganapati temple in Srisailam, all pilgrims start their visit to Srisailam from Sakshi Ganapati temple. There are 10 steps to reach the sanctum of this temple. The temple is nestled among dense woody trees. The location is calm and the environment is tempting. The surroundings are clean and tidy and suitable for prayers and meditation.

Srisailam Dam:-

Srisailam Dam is built on the Krishna River and is 512 m long. It is set amidst beautiful natural scenery — ghats, cliffs, craggy ridges, plateaus and dense forests. It has twelve crest gates to hold a maximum water level of 885 ft (270 m). It has a live storage of 274 thousand million cubic feet. This reservoir was originally designed for hydropower generation only but was later converted to a multipurpose facility for water supply and irrigation.

Due to the construction of Srisailam Hydro Electric Project across river Krishna, nearly 102 villages in Kurnool and Mahboobnagar districts along the banks of the rivers Krishna, Tungabhadra, Bhavanasi and their tributaries were submerged.

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