చన్ద్ర కోఠి ప్రతీకాశం త్రినేత్రం చన్ద్ర భూషణమ్.హ్ |
ఆపిఙ్గళ జటజూటం రత్న మౌళి విరాజితమ్.హ్ ||
ఆపిఙ్గళ జటజూటం రత్న మౌళి విరాజితమ్.హ్ ||
Temple History
According to the principles of Vaastu Shastra, The temples constructed at such sites, where there are lush gardens, ponds, hillocks and are located along the course of sacred rivers or confluence of rivers, attain greater importance and fame. According to Shastras, the temples constructed at such sites definitely gain heavenly pleasure and become a famous pilgrim centres and that its fame spreads far and wide as time passes by. They are considered potent by devotees and they make sacred vows at these places and definitely find that their vows are fulfilled.
Lord Sri Ramalingeswara is the main deity of this temple which is situated atop a hill. It is a 612 feet charming hill from where one can take a look at the greenery, picturesque surrounds of river Krishna and panoramic scenery of Vijayawada city. This Beautiful hill shrine at night is resplendent with dazzling lights and stands visible with its beauty and splendor from many parts of Vijayawada and is also visible along the course of river Krishna which is passing nearby. Such a sacred temple constructed atop a 612 feet hill located along the course of River Krishna is famous Sri RAMALINGESWRA SWAMY TEMPLE at Yanamalakuduru village near Vijayawada. The deity at the sanctum sanctorum is a swayambhu (Self manifested) Vayu-Linga and is believed to have been consecrated by Sage Parasurama.
Most of the ancient temples are believed to have been consecrated along the course of river Krishna by Sage Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Local tradition assigns the origin of Sri Ramalingeswara swamy temple to the legend of Sage Parasu Rama. According to puranic evidences this temple dates back to Epic of Parasurama and this temple is believed to be installed by him, in his sojourn of attaining penance and to get rid of his sins culminated from massacring the royal clans.
In PARASURAMA Avatar, Lord Vishnu incarnates himself as a brahmana (priest) in this world. He was incarnated in this world to avenge all kshatriyas who had become arrogant and were suppressing the Brahmins and other subjects in the world. He was born to Jamadagni and Renuka, and belonged to the Brighu clan. Parashurama was always carrying an axe presented to him by Lord Shiva of whom he was an ardent devotee. Kartavirya a powerful king, once stole the Kamadhenu the sacred cow, which is regarded as the source of all prosperity and endless boons. To retrieve the kamadhenu, Jamadagni’s son Parashurama slew the king, whose sons in turn killed Jamadagni. Parasurama was enraged at this and avenged the death of his father by killing all kshatriyas in 21 battles and his father Jamadagni is resurrected by divine grace. It was at this time that this great sage, an incarnation of God, in order to do away with his sins resulted from culling the royal clans and to spread the peace and prosperity in the world, started consecrating various temples across many places.
During his spiritual sojourn he reached a place called munigiri also called veyi munula kuduru (Abode of thousand sages) where great sages used to offer their penance in a serine atmosphere. Local legends says that in Yanamalakuduru village where Lord Shiva appears as Ramalingeswara in self manifested vayuulingakara, that sage Parasurama protected those thousand sages from the atrocities of Asuras and re consecrated the swayambhu vayu linga here in this place called veyi munula kuduru (Abode of thousand sages) which became Yanamalakuduru in the course of time. He is believed to have erected 101 lingas along the Downstream of river Krishna which of many were extinct by passage of time. But this beautiful hill temple at Yanamalakuduru village stood the onslaughts of time and is now the manifestation of glory of legend of sage parasurama.
According to legends, this temple had been visited by Lord SRI RAMA along with his consort Lordess Sitadevi and had offered his prayers to the presiding deity of lord siva here and It was then onwards that Lord shiva appears as Lord Ramalingeswara. The unique instance of Shiva Lingam in Yanamalakuduru is a Vayu lingam and is presided on ashta mukha panapattam (Eight faced base) and also during sunrise, Sun rays directly fall on the Lingam as if surya deva is offering Abhishekam directly to lord. Special decorations are done to the Shiva Lingam on every Monday and on special occasions.
There are some other legends attached to this holy temple regarding appearance of nagakanyas in various manifestations. Naga kanyas, the celestial form of beautiful maidens and serpents are believed to have present here and dance here during nights to mark their prayers to presiding deity of Lord Siva. There is an anthill of Nagendra is also present in the premises of Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple at a distance of nearly hundred feet from the sanctum sanctorum. It is believed that there is an underground route from the anthill to sanctum sanctorum of Ramalingeswara Swamy temple and Nagendra comes daily through that route to offer prayers to the God. In the morning temple priests knock the door and wait for some time for Nagendra to go. Few devotees also claim that they have seen the serpent but never cause any harm to anybody. According to historical evidences the presiding deity here, was also worshipped by kings of Vijayanagara, kakatiyas, Reddy kings, and chalukyas.
Thousands of pilgrims throng this temple and make kilometers of beeline during Sivarathri day. The most significant ritual associated with this temple during Shiva ratri is famous Prabha mahotsavam. Celebrated annually at this temple, this festivity witness thousands of pilgrims gather to cheer various prabhas (Decorated chariots) amidst fun and frolic. It is a special folk festival showcasing specially decorated carts and high standing chariots pulled along the streets of yenamalkuduru village, amidst some enthusiastic people decorated and depicted as gods and goddesses.
The temple was renovated for the first time during1983 under the auspices of then trustee Sri Dhanekula sivannarayana garu and was re consecreted and shikara prathista was made by his holiness Sri Bharathithirtha swamy varu. During that time only a new ghat road was also laid for the convenience of the devotees.
Later the temple started being developed on a rapid pace under the patronage of various devotees. It was as per the divine ordain to reconstruct this temple revealed through dream of a staunch devotee, the development of this temple received a paradigm shift. After this divine revelation, was reconstructed this temple is now an architectural wonder The temple premises was expanded for the convenience of devotees under the aegis of Sri Sanga Narasimha Rao with aid and patronage of devotees and endowments department. Previously sanctum sanctorum was presided with principal deity of Sri Ramlingeswara swamy, parvathi Devi, and lord veerabhdra only. Now temple complex was reconstructed and expanded fabulously corresponding to Agama shastra principles besides laying upa alayaas (Associate temples) for Sri Maha Ganapathi, Srivalli Devasena sametha Subrahmanyeswara swamy, within the temple premises. A GIGANTIC HANUMAN idol erected outside the temple premises is a cynosure of all eyes. A Rajagopuram was also erected at the beginning of the footway to temple. As many pilgrims prefer to go on foot to have the darshan of the Lord, 6 feet foot way was reconstructed in to 18 feet way to enable the pedestrians to step up the hill with ease and wouldn’t need to strain much. All along the way one can see pilgrims of every age climbing the steps with equal gusto.
The newly renovated temple, the devotees visiting this temple feel delighted in their heart, and they remain standing in obeisance before that splendid glare of lord. One is enthralled and spell bound to see the architectural marvel of this newly renovated temple, constructed as per Vastu and Aagam Shastra principles and it presents a unique blend of Indian temple architecture. This temple has all such facilities and ambience to meet the community needs for various religious, cultural, and spiritual activities. A Yagna Mandap is also built to conduct various Vedic ceremonies. The temple was constructed in such a way to provide ample space for various religious, spiritual and educational activities within the premises particularly during utsavas. And it was on 13-2-2013, Nagendra swamy putta was also restructured and re consecrated under the aegis of his holiness Sri Barathi theertha swamy.