Shesh Shaiya Idol, Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Shesh Shaiya Idol, Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Shesh Shaiya Idol is an idol of Lord Vishnu located inside Bandhavgarh National Park at the base of Bandhavgarh Fort in Umaria District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The idol is located on the main entrance of the footpath towards the fort. The idol is one of the state protected monuments in Madhya Pradesh declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

Legends

Charanganga:

As per legend, the water from all the lakes in the region were engineered by the ancient kings, to join together and designed in such a way that the waters emerged from the feet of this 32 feet long reclining Vishnu Idol. Thus, the stream came to be called as Charan Ganga (Charan means Feet and Ganga means Ganga river). This river is also called as Vetravali Ganga and has never been dried up. There is a unique blue-green algae, known as cyanobacteria in the waters of Charan Ganga. This bacteria is known to produce large amounts of oxygen. As the river originate from the feet of Lord Vishnu, the water of this river is considered to be sacred.

Bandhavgarh:

As per legend, Lord Rama requested Vanaras Nala and Neela to build a fort at this place after the battle of Lanka. Lord Rama gifted this fort to his brother Lakshmana. Thus, the fort and the place came to be called as Bandhavgarh (Bandhav means brother and Garh means fort). This fort is situated within the Bandhavgarh National Park. Lakshmana is also called as Bandhavdeesh here and a temple dedicated to him can be seen atop the hill.

History

This idol is believed to have been commissioned in 10^th century CE. The Bandhavgarh fort was occupied by several dynasties like the Maghas, Vakatakas, Chandelas, the Gonds, the Sengars and the royal family of Rewa during the course of its history. The fort was extended by Raja Vyaghra Dev of Rewa during his reign. It is believed that this fort was used as intelligence quarters by Maharaja Gulab Singh and Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa. Bandhavgarh is the favourite hunting grounds for the kings from the Rewa Kingdom.

The Idol

This idol of Vishnu is located at the base of Bandhavgarh fort. The idol is located on the main entrance of the footpath towards the fort. The idol is about 32 feet long and depicted in reclining posture. He is resting on the seven-headed serpent Adisesha. Thus, he came to be called as Shesh Shaiya. Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma can be seen near to this idol. Thus, the devotees can have darshan of the Trimurtis in single place. The river Charanganga originates from the feet of this idol.

There is a rectangular pool of spring water situate beneath the idol. The green cover on the pool is because of the presence of a unique blue-green algae, known as cyanobacteria. This bacteria is known to produce large amounts of oxygen. This pool serves as the drinking spot for the animals during summer but during the monsoon season, it receives a lot of devotees who throng here to worship the Lord Vishnu.

Connectivity

This idol of Vishnu is located at the base of Bandhavgarh fort. The fort is located at about 10 Kms from Tala, 35 Kms from Umaria, 36 Kms from Umaria Railway Station, 63 Kms from Beohari, 82 Kms from Shahdol, 183 Kms from Jabalpur Airport and 228 Kms from Khajuraho Airport. The fort is situated at about 10 Kms to the south of Tala on Umaria to Beohari route.

Location

Jwalamukhi Temple, Rohaniya, Madhya Pradesh

Jwalamukhi Temple, Rohaniya, Madhya Pradesh

Jwalamukhi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Durga located in Rohaniya Village in Manpur Taluk in Umaria District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. The temple is believed to have been built in the 10^th century CE. The temple is situated on the banks of Charan Ganga River inside the dense forests of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards east and stands over a raised platform. The temple consists of sanctum and a mandapa surrounding the sanctum. The sanctum doorway is intricately carved. The sanctum enshrines an image of Jwalamukhi, an incarnation of goddess Durga. The sanctum is the original structure and the surround mandapa is of recent addition.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 6 Kms from Manpur Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Manpur, 11 Kms from Tala, 44 Kms from Umaria, 45 Kms from Umaria Railway Station, 51 Kms from Beohari, 71 Kms from Shahdol, 192 Kms from Jabalpur Airport and 228 Kms from Khajuraho Airport. The temple is situated at about 7 Kms to the south west of Manpur on the Umaria to Beohari route.

Location

Kabir Temple, Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Kabir Temple, Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Kabir Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Saint Kabir located in Bandhavgarh Village in Bandhavgarh Taluk in Umaria District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. This temple is situated in the Bandhavgarh fort at the hilltop inside the core zone of Bandhavgarh National Park.

History

Saint Kabir was a 16^th century CE mystic poet and saint. He chose the ancient caves of the Bandhavgarh fort for meditation. He stayed in this place during the reign of Baghel ruler Virbhanusingh of Rewa State. Later, he became a disciple of saint Kabir. There is a Kabir Temple at the fort where Saint Kabir spent most of his time indulging in meditation.  Dharam Das Naam Sahib, the wealthiest merchant of Bandhavgarh, was one of his first disciples who was initiated at the Bandhavgarh fort.

There is an interesting story as to how Kabir gave his salutation to whole Central India. When Kabir arrived in Bandhavgarh, Maharaja of Rewa did not know how to greet him as Kabir was not a Brahmin by birth and the Maharaja could not have touched his feet. Kabir greeted him by saying Salaam Sahib and solved the problem instantly. This salutation became the most famous and most common salutation in central India thereafter.

The Temple

The temple is situated inside the Bandhavgarh Fort on the Bandhavgarh hill at an elevation of 811 meters above sea level in the Vindhyan mountain range. This temple is situated on the banks of Kabir Talab inside the core zone of Bandhavgarh National Park. Kabir Chabuthara can be seen next to the temple. There is a cave called Kabi Guga situated at about 2 Kms from the main temple. It is the place where Saint Kabir meditated for several years.

Festivals

Kabir Darshan Yatra is celebrated for two days during the last week of December month. The festival is held in honor of Kabir, a 16th century CE holy man who lived on the premises of Bandhavgarh Fort. The fort is open to the normal public during these days. The devotees of Saint Kabir undertake a walking trip to the Kabir temple in the hill top and return back. The trip to the temple and back forth may take five hours.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 10 Kms from Tala, 35 Kms from Umaria, 36 Kms from Umaria Railway Station, 63 Kms from Beohari, 82 Kms from Shahdol, 183 Kms from Jabalpur Airport and 228 Kms from Khajuraho Airport. The temple is situated at about 10 Kms to the south of Tala on Umaria to Beohari route. This temple is situated in the Bandhavgarh fort at the hilltop inside the core zone of Bandhavgarh National Park. It can be reached through safari vehicle only, after permission from Forest Department. The temple can be reached only for two days on foot during the Kabir Darshan Yatra.

Location

Bandhavadeesh Temple, Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Bandhavadeesh Temple, Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Bandhavadeesh Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lakshmana, the brother of Lord Rama, located in Bandhavgarh Village in Bandhavgarh Taluk in Umaria District of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. The temple is situated on the Bandhavgarh hill at an elevation of 811 meters above sea level in the Vindhyan mountain range.

Legends

As per legend, Lord Rama along with his brother and Lakshman stayed at this place while on his way to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. During his stay, Lord Rama asked Nar and Neel to build a fort at this place in order to keep an eye on Lanka as the place is situated on the highest hill in Central India. Then, he handed over the fort to his younger brother, Lakshmana to keep watch on Lanka and the surrounding region. As Lord Rama gave this fort as gift to his brother Lakshmana, the fort came to be called Bandhavgarh (Bandhava means brotherhood and Garh means fort). Lakshmana was the resident deity of Bandhavgarh. Hence, Lakshmana came to be called as Bandhavdeesh.

The Temple

This temple is situated in the Bandhavgarh fort at the hilltop inside the core zone of Bandhavgarh National Park. The temple enshrines an image of Lakshmana, brother of Lord Rama in the sanctum. The Rani Tank, cut out of sandstone can be seen adjacent to the temple. The Rani Maha also known as Moti Maha is situated on the banks of Rani Tank.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 10 Kms from Tala, 35 Kms from Umaria, 36 Kms from Umaria Railway Station, 63 Kms from Beohari, 82 Kms from Shahdol, 183 Kms from Jabalpur Airport and 228 Kms from Khajuraho Airport. The temple is situated at about 10 Kms to the south of Tala on Umaria to Beohari route. This temple is situated in the Bandhavgarh fort at the hilltop inside the core zone of Bandhavgarh National Park. It can be reached through safari vehicle only, after permission from Forest Department. The temple can be reached only for two days on foot during the Kabir Darshan Yatra.

Location

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Aluru – Legends

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Aluru – Legends

As per legend, Sage Vishwamitra was living in this place near the forest of Thadaka and was doing penance and yajna with his disciples. They were being tormented by Thadaka and her sons. Unable to tolerate the menace any longer, Vishvamitra approached Dasharatha, the King of Ayodhya for help. He requested Dasharatha to send his eldest son, Rama to protect his yajna. Though Dasharatha was initially reluctant to send his 16-year-old boy, he finally sent Rama and his younger brother Lakshmana with Vishvamitra on the advice of the royal guru Vashishta.

Vishvamitra trained them in warfare and taught them various mantras. When Vishvamitra and the princes were passing through the forest of Thadaka, Thadaka attacked them. Rama, aided by Lakshamana, slew her with his arrow. Vishvamitra blessed Rama, as the gods rejoiced in the end of Thadaka. The sage gave him divine weapons as a reward. Vishvamitra then began his six-day yajna, with the princes standing on guard. While the first five days passed without incident, on the sixth day the sacrificial fire suddenly faltered, indicating trouble.

Maricha and his brother Subahu, with a horde of rakshasas, appeared from the treetops like black clouds, roaring and making a thunderous noise. They tried to destroy the yajna fire by showering it with blood and flesh. Rama fired his Manavastra (astra which could hit a target miles away) from his bow. The arrow struck Maricha's chest and threw him a hundred leagues away, into the ocean. Subahu and the other demons were killed by Rama, using various other weapons. The sacrifice was completed successfully. To commemorate this event, Yerrama Timmaraju, a feudatory of Vijayanagara King Bukka Raya I built the current temple in 1334 CE.

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Aluru, Andhra Pradesh

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Aluru, Andhra Pradesh

Ranganathaswamy Temple  is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Aluru Village in Tadipatri Mandal in Ananthapuramu District in Andhra Pradesh, India. This temple is also known as Kona Ranganatha Swamy temple. This temple is situated close to Aluru Kona Waterfalls.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/11/ranganathaswamy-temple-aluru-legends.html

History

This temple was built in 1334 CE by Yerrama Timmaraju, a feudatory of Vijayanagara King Bukka Raya I. Yerrama Timmaraju donated vast amounts of lands to the temple to meet the temple expenses.

The Temple

This temple is situated on top of a hillock. There is an entrance arch on the road leading to this temple. The temple can be reached after climbing fifty steps. This temple is facing towards east with three tiered rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwaja Sthambam, Deepa Sthambam and Garuda shrine can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram.

The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and maha mandapa. The sanctum enshrines the reclining image of Ranganatha Swamy flanked by goddess Sridevi and Bhoodevi. There are guest houses for devotees available in the temple premises. There is a natural spring next to the temple, where water flows between the rocks for the whole year.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 06.00 AM to 12.30 PM and 04.00 PM to 08.00 PM.

Festivals

Annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated during the Chaitra month. The festival starts on Chaitra Suddha Pournami day.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 13 Kms from Tadipatri, 13 Kms from Tadipatri Bus Stand, 16 Kms from Tadipatri Railway Station, 60 Kms from Gooty, 68 Kms from Anantapur, 109 Kms from Kadapa and 244 Kms from Tirupati Airport. The temple is situated at about 13 Kms to the north east of Tadipatri on Gooty to Kadapa route.

Location

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – The Temple

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with five tiered rajagopuram. The temple measures 72 metres in length and 46.4 metres in breadth. The northern and southern entrances are provided with four tiered gopurams. A pillared cloister runs abutting the prakara outside the temple from the southern gopura to the northern gopura covering the western prakara. Dwaja Sthambam and Balipeedam can be seen immediately after the rajagopuram. The main shrine consists of sanctum, antrala, mukha mandapa and maha mandapa.

The maha mandapa is rectangular on plan. The mandapa has thirty two pillars, sixteen of them regularly spaced so as to form a kind of colonnade along its outer edge, while twelve of them form an oblong court in the centre and the remaining four pillars stand on the eastern projected part of the mandapa. The pillars of this mandapa are of two types. The pillars that form the central oblong court have yali brackets while the remaining pillars lying on its outer edge have pillaretts facing outside.

Each pillaret has a bracket figure of Hindu deities namely Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Panduranga, Vishnu, Sridevi, Bhudevi, Venugopala etc. All the pillars have the full blown Vijayanagara lotus corbels. The ceiling over the oblong court in the centre is raised up as a clerestory. This large central bay on the ceiling of the maha mandapa bears a lotus medallion while its vertical sides have sculptures of Hindu deities. Garuda shrine can be seen on the eastern projection of this mandapa.

This shrine is facing towards the sanctum. It houses an image of Garuda in human form. The maha mandapa has two flight of steps one from the south and the other in the north. Each flight of steps has two parapet walls lined by proboscis flowing out of the mouths of the vyalas at the top. The mukha mandapa is square on plan. There are four pillars in the centre of the mukha mandapa. Each pillar has a rectangular base, two square parts and two polygonal parts, crowned by capital with lotus corbels of the Vijayanagara order. These pillars have carvings of Hindu deities, animals, flowers etc.

The ceiling of this mandapa in between the four central pillars is arranged in an ashtakona design with padmasila in the centre. The entrance of the mukha mandapa in the east is guarded by two dvarapalakas of life size and carved in round with usual Vaishnavite features. The door way is of single jambed variety with lotus petal carvings, with dvarapalakas at the base of the jambs and the female figures standing under creepers. The wall that encloses this mandapa surrounds the antrala and the sanctum, thus providing a closed circumambulatory.

The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum enshrines the images of Kothanda Rama with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana. All the images are carved as a composite image, out of a single rock. The Hanuman, who is generally shown with the trio is missing here. However, there is a separate temple for Hanuman here. The walls of the sanctum are decorated with the arrangement of two pilasters, kumbhapanjara, pilaster, salakoshta, a pilaster, kumbhapanjara and a pilaster on each face. The walls of the antarala are also adorned with pilasters and salakoshtas.

The interspaces of the walls are decorated with scenes from Ramayana. The upper register of the walls has lotus petal carvings, while the kapota is decorated with simhamukha gables. The vimana over the sanctum is of single tier. The Kalyana mandapa is situated in the south-west corner of the outer prakaram. This mandapa has sixteen pillars of which the central four pillars stand on a raised platform. All the pillars are of the Vijayanagara order. The cornice has a lower convex portion and upper concave portion.

There are two more mandapas situated in the north-east and north-west portions of the outer prakaram. Each mandapa has four pillars. There is a west facing shrine temple dedicated to Sanjeeviraya / Hanuman situated to the east of the rajagopuram of the Kothandarama shrine. The temple consists of sanctum and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa has eight pillars arranged in two rows. The front four pillars have each a pillaret facing outside with a bracket figure.

All the pillars have lotus corbels. The cornice of the mandapa is of double flexure with a lower convex portion and upper concave portion. The sanctum is square on plan. The sanctum houses an image of Anjaneya. The walls of the sanctum are plain. The kapota is decorated with simhamukha gables. The vimana is of ekatala variety crowned by a square griva and sikhara with a kalasa above. Theerthams associated with this temple are Rama theertham and Lakshmana theertham.

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – History

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – History

The temple is believed to be built by Kumara Kampana, son of Emperor Bukka Raya I (1356 – 1377 CE) of the Vijayanagara Kingdom from the Sangama Dynasty. The temple also received patronage from Matli dynasty. The Matli kings constructed the Sanjeeviraya temple in front of this temple. There are two inscriptions of King Sadasivaraya (1542 – 1570 CE) of Vijayanagara Kingdom on two slabs set up near the eastern gopura of the temple.

One inscription dated to 1554 CE records a gift of the lands and villages for daily worship, monthly festivals and offerings. Another inscription of King Sadasivaraya dated to 1558 CE records the gift of villages for daily worship and construction of prakara walls, gopuras and mandapas. Another inscription of King Sadasivaraya dated to 1559 CE records a gift of land registers a gift of land for the daily worship.

An inscription of Matla Anantaraju, son of Matli chief Yallamaraja dated to 1589 CE on the prakara wall records about the settlement of a dispute between Balija and Vadla Kammaras (carpenters) of Vontimitta. The Balijas did not allow the Vadla Kammaras to sit on the ratha of the god during the festival. Anantaraju ordered that the Vadla Kammaras should be allowed to sit on the ratha as the same custom was followed at Tirupati.

Bammera Potana (1405 – 1470 CE), a resident of Vontimitta wrote his magnum opus Maha Bhagavatham in Telugu language and dedicated it to Rama. A stone image of Potana is placed in the maha mandapa. Another poet Ayyala Thipparaju, the court poet of Praudha Devaraya (1423 – 1446 CE) who wrote Sree Raghuvira Satakam was also native of Vontimitta.

Ayyalaraju Ramabhadra, the grandson of Thipparaju was one of the Ashtadiggajas of Emperor Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Kingdom. Vavilakolanu Subba Rao, known as Andhra Valmiki for translating Valmiki’s Ramayana into Telugu also spent his time here. The saint-poet Annamacharya is said to have visited the temple and composed and sang kirtans in praise of Rama. 

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French traveler who had visited this temple in 1652, appreciated the elegance of the temple's architecture. The administration of the temple is entrusted to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The TTD board had passed a resolution on 29 July 2015 to get the temple under its administrative control.

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – Legends

Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta – Legends

Vontimitta:

The name of the village Vontimitta is said to be derived from the names of two persons Vontodu and Mittodu. These two helped a king named Kampana who camped with his army at this place, by showing the water of Ramatirtham to quench the thirst of the king and his army. Pleased with their help, the king created this village and named after them.

Kothanda Rama:

As per legend, Sages Mrikandu and Shrungi were performing Yaga at this place. The Yaga was disturbed by some demons. Both the sages prayed to Lord Rama for his intervention. Lord Rama came here with bow and arrow to protect the Yaga. Hence, Rama is called as Kothanda Rama (Kothanda means bow).

Vontodu and Mittodu:

As per legend, the temple was built by the robbers Vontodu and Mittodu who turned into devotees of Lord Rama. It is said that they have turned into stone after building this temple.

Rama Thirtham and Lakshmana Thirtham:

As per legend, Sita asked Rama about the scarcity of water at this place during their stay in the forest. Lord Rama and Lakshmana shot their arrows into the ground and water started gushing out from the ground and formed the Rama Thirtham and Lakshmana Thirtham.

Jambavan installed the idols here:

As per legend, the idols in this temple were installed by Jambava, the king of bears, who assisted Lord Rama during his struggle against the rakshasa king of Lanka, Ravana. This is the only temple of Lord Rama with his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana but without Anjaneya idol. As Jambavan is older than Anjaneya, he did not included Anjaneya. Later, a shrine dedicated to Anjaneya was built in front of the temple.

Mala Obanna:

As per legend, Mala Obanna, an ardent devotee of Rama used to sing Sri Rama Bhajans by sitting in front of main door. Some of the temple authorities asked him to move to the back side of the temple (i.e., west side door) The next day morning, when the temple doors were opened main idols of the temple were turned to west side indicating their support to Obanna. Immediately the temple authorities realized their mistake and asked him to sit in front of the main door of the temple then the idols were back to the normal position.

Lord Rama revealed his divine presence to a Muslim:

Once, a Nawab was going towards his fort called Siddhu Vadam Kottai. He decided to take rest at Vontimitta. During his stay, he argued with the people about the existence of Lord Rama. People told him that Lord Rama answers their prayers. Nawab ordered the closure of the temple doors and called Rama from outside. To his surprise, he heard the voice of Rama from the temple. Realizing his divine presence, Nawab excavated a well for the abhishekam of Lord Rama. Even now Muslims in Vontimitta visit this temple every Saturday.

Ayyalaraju Ramabhadra fed by Mother Sita:

As per legend, when Ayyalaraju Ramabhadra, the grandson of Thipparaju and one of the Ashtadiggajas of Emperor Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Kingdom, was a kid, his parents forgot him in this temple. It is said that Mother Sita fed him with milk and protected him till the parents were back to the temple to get him back.

Lord Rama helped Bammera Potana in writing Bhagavatham:

Bammera Potana, the author of Bhagavatham in Telugu language was born in Vontimitta. When he had some difficulties in explaining certain events, Lord Rama directly helped him by clearing his doubts.

Srimadontimitta:

Vontimitta is situated in between two great Kshetras of the south India namely Srisailam and Tirupathi. Hence, Vontimitta came to be called as Srimadontimitta.

Ekasila Nagaram:

It is said that the idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are carved out of a single stone with a common pedestal. Hence, this place came to be called as Ekasila Nagaram (Ekasila means single stone and Nagaram means town).

Vonti Mitta:

The village is situated on the high level ground by the side of a small hill. The village derived its name Vontimitta from this single hill. Vonti means single and Mitta means hill.