Shri Malai Mahadeshwara Swamy Temple

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Shri Malai Mahadeshwara Swamy Temple

Male Mahadeshwara Betta is a pilgrim town located in the Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagara district of southern Karnataka. It is situated at about 150 km from Mysuru and about 210 km from Bengaluru

Distance (From Mysore): 135 Kms

Visited From: Mysore

Trip Duration (Including Travel): Full Day

Transportation Options: Bus / Cab

Timings: 5.30 AM – 12.30 PM and 6.30 PM – 8.30 PM

At a distance of 135 km from Mysore, 89 km from Hogenakkal, 72 km from Kollegal & 209 km from Bangalore, Male Mahadeshwara Betta, also known as MM Hills is a sacred place situated in the eastern parts of Kollegal taluk in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. It is situated at an altitude of 3000 feet. This is one of the top attractions you must include in Mysore packages.

Male Mahadeshwara Hills is surrounded by dense forest and is famous for Malai Mahadeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Mahadeshwara. The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Male Mahadeshwara is a very popular Shaiva pilgrim center and one of the most powerful Shiva temples in the region. The temple is surrounded by 77 hills of the Eastern Ghats. The temple draws large number of pilgrims from the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The Mahadeshwara Temple was built by Junje Gowda Rich Kuruba Gowda Landlord. The Lord Sri Mahadeshwara is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Historical evidences suggest that the Saint Mahadeshwara came here in 15th century to perform penance and it is believed that he is still performing penance in the temple’s garbha gudi in the form of a linga. The linga, worshipped now in the garbha gudi, is a self-manifested one. Sri Male Mahadeshwara Swamy was moving on a tiger known as Puli Vahana (Tiger as a vehicle) and performed a number of miracles around the Betta to save the people and saints living there.

There is water stream flowing from a perennial source called antaragange where devotees take a holy bath. The temples of Gangadhareswara and Lakshminarayana are worth visiting. Other Shrines to visit here are Nagamale, Adi Madappa, Indi Basaveshwara, Goujala Katte Basaveshwara, Bale Kallu Basaveshwara, Tapasare, Paada Dhare, Karaiah’s Boli and Kanave Basappa. Hogenakkal falls is also located nearby.

The place is also known for its scenic beauty as it’s situated in dense forest surrounded by the Kaveri and Palar Rivers. The Malai Mahadeshwara forest reserve has an area of approximately 39361.45 ha. The forest is inhabited by a variety of animals, birds and reptiles. They are found in large numbers too. Elephants are the most prominent species.

MM Hills offer great trekking opportunities. The Forest department has identified many trekking trails and conducts trekking activities through the forests. There are two important trekking trails that start from MM Hills, one is Nagamale and other is Palar. Nagamale trek is about 7 km from MM Hills. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at Nagamale. Palar is further 8 km trek from Nagamale which is usually done as a 2-day trek with overnight stay in forest rest house. The scenery throughout our trek was beautiful. Prior Permission is required from forest department for trekking.

The temple administration runs accommodation facilities near MM Hills temple which can be booked over phone. The guest houses include Mahadeshwara Bhavana, Gurudarshini, Giridarshini, Shivadarshini etc. They provide free food for all pilgrims at the Dasoha Bhavana.

Male Mahadeshwara Hills is well connected by roads various tourist and private buses ply from Mysore to Male Mahadeshwara Hills frequently.

The best time to visit MM Hills is from October to March. The main festival of the temple is Maha Shivratri. During Deepavali festival a grand celebration can be seen in MM Hills.

RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY TEMPLE IN MANTRALAYAM

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RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY TEMPLE IN MANTRALAYAM

Mantralayam is associated with the famous saint Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, renowned Hindu saint and philosopher. At a distance of 20 Kms from Mantralayam, Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple is situated at Panchamukhi in Karnataka, on the other side of River Tungabhadra. Panchamukhi is said to be the place where Raghavendra Swamy has performed meditation for 12 years before settling in Mantralaya. This is an important pilgrimage site for devotees visiting Mantralayam.

HISTORY OF MANTRALAYAM

Mantralayam is associated with the famous saint Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, renowned Hindu saint and philosopher. Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, lived between 1595 and 1671 was an influential saint in Hinduism. Followers of the saint consider him to be an incarnation of Bhakta Prahallada, who was saved by Vishnu in the avatar of Narasimha. Sri Raghavendra Swamy is said to have performed many miracles during his lifetime and has a large following even today. Mantralayam is a small and peaceful town situated on the banks of the River Tungabhadra and gets thousands of devotees from all over the country. He also served as the head of Sri Mutt of Kumbakonam from 1621 to 1671.

Darshan Timings: 6 AM to 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM to 2 PM & 4 PM to 9.30 PM.

  • Nearest city to Mantralayam: Kurnool (74 Kms), Hyderabad (253 Kms).
  • Best Time to Visit Mantralayam: August to March
  • Peak Season: August to September
  • State: Andhra Pradesh
  • District: Kurnool
  • Mantralayam Weather: Summer: Maximum – 41°C & Minimum – 22°C
    Winter: Maximum – 30°C & Minimum – 15°C
  • Ideal Trip Duration: Full Day
  • Base Station: Mantralayam, Kurnool (74 Kms)

Mantralayam is also popular for Manchalamma Temple located near the Samadhi Temple, inside the Mantralayam Mutt complex. It is a custom at Mantralayam that the devotees offer prayers at the Manchalamma Temple before visiting the Samadhi Temple. As per records, the barren land around Mantralayam along the river banks of Tungabhadra was handed over to the Mutt of Sri Raghavendra Swamy by Nawab Siddi Masud Khan of Adoni. Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple, Chinna Tumbalam, Bichchali and Alampur are the nearby attractions to Mantralayam.

The male devotees who want to perform Pooja themselves have to wear dhoti. While male devotees paying normal visit have to remove their shirt and female devotees have to wear Sarees or other traditional cloths.

Accommodation is provided by the Mutt near the temple and room charges vary between Rs. 200 to Rs. 1000 per day (online booking not available yet). Private hotels and lodges also provide accommodation. It is advised to book the accommodation in advance as the place attracts devotees throughout the year.

Hyderabad Airport is the nearest airport, 236 km from Mantralayam. The nearest railway station is Mantralayam Road Station on Madras-Raichur route, which is about 15 km away from Mantralayam town. It has train connectivity with Bangalore, Coimbatore, Varanasi, Aurangabad, Ahmedabad, Tuticorin, Shirdi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Dadar, Nagarcoil, Chennai, Kolhapur, Kanyakumari, Nanded, New Delhi, Gulbarga, Mysore and Tirupati. Mantralayam is well connected by bus with Bangalore, Kurnool, Raichur, Hyderabad, Tirupati and Chennai.
Usually it takes one full day to visit Mantralayam and nearby places.

Suggested Plan:

  • Try to reach Mantralaya before 7 a.m .There are quite a few choultry/accommodation available.
  • Take tickets for “Sevas” as early as possible.
  • People generally take a dip in Tungabadhra before doing the Seva
  • Get ready by 8 a.m to do Sankalpa of Sevas.
  • Get the Darshanam of Panchamrita, Kanaka Pooja and other Sevas.
  • Then do Pradakshina and Namaskara .
  • Around noon,adjacent to the Brindavan,watch the Mahapooja to Moola Rama,Mukhyaprana and Brindavana
  • Tiirtha prasada [lunch] is served around 1 p.m.

ADDRESS/LOCATION:

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, Cro Office, Mantralayam Kurnool Dist, Andhra Pradesh, Adoni Yemmiganur Mantralaya Road, Mantralayam, Kurnool – 518345

 

Ashtalakshmi Temple Hyderabad

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Ashtalakshmi Temple Hyderabad

Ashta Lakshmi Temple is a popular pilgrim destination located on the suburbs of Hyderabad, at a distance of 12 km from Nampally.Ashta Lakshmi Temple is dedicated to eight forms of Sri Lakshmi who are the symbols of power, wealth and health. Ashta Lakshmi Temple of Hyderabad is significant for its unique idols of Goddess Lakshmi, which are made of sand and cement. The idols were consecrated by Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swami, the Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, in the year 1996.

Ashtalakshmi Temple Timings:
Timings Morning Evening
Daily 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Friday 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sunday 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Events And Festivals:
Ashtalakshmi Temple in Vasavi Colony receives many visitors every day but receives the highest number of devotees during the annual Brahmotsavam period and during the festival seasons like Durga Puja or Navaratri (September-October), Varalakshmi Vratam (July-August) and on the auspicious occasion of Diwali.
Accommodation:
Good accommodation facility is available at nearby hotels in Secunderabad and Hyderabad.
Address:

Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple,Plot No. 52-55,Vasavi Colony,Dilsukhnagar,Hyderabad,Telangana500035.

Ashta Lakshmi – Eight forms of Mother Lakshmi present in this temple are:

  1. Sri Aadi Lakshmi
  2. Sri Aishwarya Lakshmi
  3. Sri Santana Lakshmi
  4. Sri Dhana Lakshmi
  5. Sri Dhanya Lakshmi
  6. Sri Gaja Lakshmi
  7. Sri Vijaya Lakshmi
  8. Sri Vara Lakshmi

The temple was consecrated to the public in April 1996 with the guidance of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.

It took around 5 years to construct this magnificent temple with a total expenditure of 20 million rupees approximately. Many sections of people came forward to donate for this temple. Famous Sthapatis (temple architects and builders), Sattanatha Muthiah Ganapathi and M. Mathiyalagan created the structure and design of Ashtalakshmi Temple in Hyderabad based on Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple present in Chennai with few modifications.

Subbaiah Sthapati has created the idols of Lord Srimannarayana, Lord Ganesha, Ashtalakshmi idols, Lord Garuda, the carrier of Lord Vishnu. There are new proposals of constructing Archaka Nilayam, multi storied parking lot to accomadate vehicles, Golden Dhoti to Lord Srimannarayana and Kalyana Mandapam in the temple premises.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam

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Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam

Dedicated to Vishnu, the temple of Srirangam’s vast complex has seven enclosures formed by huge rampart walls and 21 elaborate towers.

Srirangam is the foremost of the eight self-manifested shrines (Swayam Vyakta Kshetras) of Lord Vishnu . It is also considered the first, foremost and the most important of the 108 main Vishnu temples (Divyadesams). This temple is also known as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, Periyakoil, Bhoologa Vaikundam, Bhogamandabam.

At a distance of 1 km from Srirangam Railway Station, 9 km from Trichy Railway Junction, 62 km from Thanjavur, 145 km from Madurai & 327 km from Chennai, Srirangam is well known for Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple which is the foremost of the eight self-manifested shrines of Lord Vishnu. The temple is considered the first among 108 prominent Vishnu temples and also one of the popular from tamil nadu tourist places.

Distance (From Tiruchirappalli Junction): 9 Kms

ommonly Visited From: Tiruchirappalli Junction

Trip Duration (From Tiruchirappalli Junction, Including Travel): 2-3 Hours

Transportation Options: Bus / Cab / Auto

Travel Tips: Timings: 6 – 7:15 AM, 9 AM – 12 PM, 1:15- 6 PM and 6:45 – 9 PM

Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the gold topped sanctum sanctorum and their entry is restricted to the second enclosure.

In the Vaishnava parlance the term “KOIL” signifies this temple only. The temple is enormous in size. The temple complex is 156 acres in extent. It has seven prakaras or enclosures. These enclosures are formed by thick and huge rampart walls which run round the sanctum. There are 21 magnificent towers in all prakaras providing a unique sight to any visitor. this temple lies on an islet formed by the twin rivers Cauvery and Coleroon.

On a side note, the famous Christ Church in Mumbai and Royal Bombay Opera House are the other historic Indian monuments that received the Award of Merit this year, in addition to the temple.

The temple was lauded by the international body for undertaking renovation and beautification work worth over Rs 20 crore without harming its centuries-old heritage.

MALLIKARJUNA SWAMY TEMPLE SRISAILAM

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MALLIKARJUNA SWAMY TEMPLE SRISAILAM

Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at a distance of 1 km from Srisailam Bus Station, Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has a great historical and religious significance and it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and also one of the 18 Sakti Peethas (Bhramaramba Temple situated in same complex). The holy temple is situated on a mountain named Shri Shaila on the banks of Krishna River. This Jyotirlinga is also referred as Kailash of the South. Mallikarjun Temple is among the prime places to visit in Srisailam.

History Of Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple:

The earliest known historical mention of Srisailam hill can be traced in Pulumavis Nasik inscription of 1st Century AD. The Sathavahanas, Ikshavakus, Pallavas, Vishnukundis, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Reedy Kings, Vijayanagara Emperors and Chatrapathi Shivaji are among the famous emperors who worshipped God Mallikarjuna Swamy and made several contributions to the development of the temple.

Prataparudra of Kakatiya Dynasty strived a lot for the improvement of this temple and granted Paraganas for its maintenance. The period of Reddy Kings is the Golden Age of Srisailam that all rulers of the dynasty celebrated service for this temple. In 14th Century, Prolaya Vema Reddy of Reddy Dynasty constructed stepped path-way between Srisailam and Pathala Ganga and Anavema Reddy constructed Veera Siromandapam.

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 Krishna devaraya constructed the Rajagopuram on Eastern side and Salumantapas on both sides of the temple. Chatrapathi Sivaji has funded the construction of Gopuram on northern side in the year 1667 AD.

Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple was built in Dravidian style with high operas on all sides of the temple. The sanctum is a shell like structure that enshrines Lord Mallikarjuna. The small black linga has a hooded golden cover. The garbha griha is small and only priests are allowed inside. It has a large idol of Nandi, facing the sanctum which presides over a pillared hall. The door to the sanctum is silver-plated. To its left is the idol of Ratnagarbha Ganapati and to the right are Veerabhadra Swamy and Bhadrakali. To the north of the sanctum are the five lingas installed by the Pandavas.

The temple is usually crowded on weekends. The festivals of Shivaratri, Dussehra and Karthika Poornima attract lakhs of devotees from all over southern and western India.Srisailam offers a vast array of moderately expensive to budget hotels run by Temple Board, AP Tourism and private operators. Advanced reservation is recommended during peak season, festivals and long weekend.

Hyderabad Airport is the nearest airport, 202 km from Srisailam. The nearest railway station to reach Srisailam is the Markapur Railway Station which is 87 km away. Markapur station is well connected to all major cities like Bhubaneswar, Puri, Bangalore, Kolkata, Machilipatnam, Vasco da Gama, Guntur and Hyderabad. Srisailam is most easily accessible by road. Buses connect Srisailam with Hyderabad, Tirupati, Bangalore, Vijayawada, Kakinada, Vizag, Kurnool, Guntur, Kadapa and Nellore.

The best time to visit Srisailam is from September to March while the peak season is September to December & February to May. Usually it takes 1-2 days to visit major places in Srisailam.According to the legend that the temple houses, Goddess Parvati cursed sage Bringi to stand, as he only worshipped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, after consoling the goddess, gave him a third leg, so that he could stand more comfortably. Find the idol of sage Bringi standing on three legs here as well as idols of Nandi, Sahasralinga and Nataraja.
The walls and pillars of the temples are also adorned by beautiful carvings and sculptures. One of the most beautiful temples of the town, this is the one sacred structure, located on the Nallamala hills, that one should not miss while here.

Temple Timings:

5 AM to 3:30 PM & 6 PM to 10 PM

Darshan Timings:

Morning  – 4:30am to 3:30pm
Evening  – 4:30pm to 10:00pm

Address:

Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam,
Srisailam – 518101
Kurnool District,
AndhraPradesh,India

 

 

 

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