Uma Maheswara Temple, Yaganti – The Temple Complex

Uma Maheswara Temple, Yaganti – The Temple Complex

This temple is situated in Yerramala hills surrounded by natural scenic beauty. This temple is facing towards east with five tiered rajagopuram. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The sanctum enshrines an image of Arthanareeswara (Lord Shiva & Mother Parvathy in one form) carved from a monolith. This is probably the only place where Lord Shiva is worshipped in an idol form instead of Shiva Linga. The pillars of the temple are carved with deities from Hindu pantheon and scenes from puranas & epics.

Yaganti Nandi:

There is a Nandi idol opposite to the sanctum. It is said that the Nandi is growing its size continuously. The locals say that the idol was initially much smaller than its existing size. As per geological experts, the composition of the rock from which the idol was made has a tendency to enlarge by nature, on its own. As per the Archaeological Survey of India, the rock grows at the rate of 1 inch per 20 years (10 mm per 8 years). The temple authorities had already removed one pillar as the size of the Nandi has increased. As per Potuluri Veera Brahmendra Swamy, the Yaganti Nandi  will come alive and shout when Kali Yuga ends.

Pushkarini:

There is a small pond in the temple premises. It is said that the water flows into this Pushkarini from the bottom of the hill through the mouth of a Nandi. The water, as it comes from the mountains, is fresh and sweet. The water is fresh and sweet, as it comes from the hills. No one knows how the water flows into Pushkarini in all the seasons. Devotees are supposed to take dip in the Pushkarni before visiting the temple.

Akasha Deepam:

The Akasha Deepam is a temple lamp placed on top of a rock structure behind the temple. The temple priest used to lit lamp using 4 litres of oil and 2-meter-thick wick on daily basis. The lamp burns from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm in an open air on the top of the hill.

Other Shrines:

There are shrines for Veerabhadra, Viswanatha and Ganesha in the temple premises. There is no Navagraha shrine in the temple premises.

Yaganti Caves:

There are several natural caves located on the hillock of Yerramala. These caves acted as residence for lot of saints including the great Telugu saint and astrologer Sri Potuluri Veera Brahmam.

Most notable caves are listed below;

Agastya Cave:

This cave is believed to be the place where Agastya performed penance on Lord Shiva. The cave can be reached after climbing 120 steps. There is a Shiva Linga at the top in the Agastya Cave. There is also a shrine for Goddess Parvati in this temple.

Venkateswara Cave:

This cave enshrines a damaged idol of Venkateshwara. It is believed that the idol was created by Sage Agasthya but could not be installed because the idol is damaged near the foot. This idol is considered much older than the idol at Tirumala. Devotees frequent this cave on Saturdays. Sri Potuluri Veera Brahmendra Swami tells us that this location can be an alternative to Tirupati in his Kala Gynanam.

Veera Brahmam Cave:

This cave is the place where the saint Sri Potuluri Veera Brahmendra Swamy wrote his Kala Gnanam (prophecy). The cave can be reached after climbing 60 steps. The height of the cave is very low, and one needs to bend half over to enter it.