laxmi sametha narasimha swami temple in yadagiri gutta

What to see : Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple, shrines of the goddess Andal or Goda Devi, Anjaneya, the five Alwars, Ramalingeswara Swamy and the pushkarini.

Just 60 kilometers from Hyderabad is Yadagirigutta where of the holy shrine of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami is located. Quite a pleasant drive on a now being widened national highway running most of the way parallel to the rail track from Secunderabad to Khazipet, Yadagirigutta is closest to Raigiri Railway station which is only 6 km away.

Yadagirigutta is the abode of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy which is visited by many a people from neighboring towns as well as from neighboring states. It is a big draw with the people from twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

LEGEND

The town acquired its name and fame from a sage called Yadarishi, son of the great sage Rishyasrunga who did penance inside a cave with the blessings of Anjaneya on this hill between Bhongir and Raigiri in Nalgonda district. Pleased with his deep devotion, Lord Narasimha (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) appeared before him in five different forms as Jwala, Yogananda, Gandabherunda, Ugra and Lakshminarasimha. They later manifested themselves into finely sculpted forms that later came to be worshipped as Panchanarasimha Kshetram. As the legend goes, the Lord appeared first as Jwala Narasimha (Lord as a flame), when Yadarishi was unable to face the intensity of this apparition, he appeared in a peaceful form as Yoganarasimha (Lord in a Yogic Padmasana posture with open palms on the knees). Not satisfied with the Lord appearing alone, Yadarishi sought to see him with this consort, so he is said to have appeared with Lakshmi on his lap', known as Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and as being worshipped by Alwars, his ardent devotees. To see these three forms one has to go through an entrance that narrows itself into a dark cave which in fact is surmised as the urga (fiery) form of Narasimha (the fourth form) because it was beyond the strength of a sage to see that form and gandabherunda ( the garuda pakshi or the eagle) is the fifth form of the Lord which is said to have been found sculpted in rock underneath the Anjaneya, known as 'Kshetrapalaka' (or the one who ruled over that hill). All these forms are known as " swayambhu" or self emanated. Yadarishi is said to have been granted his wish that the place where the Lord appeared will be known by his name as Yadagiri (giri means hill in Sanskrit, and gutta which means a hillock in Telugu seems to have been a latter-day suffix) and that Lord Lakshmi Narasimha will be worshipped for many years to come.

According to the puranas, Lord Narasimha after killing the demon Hiranyakashyapa gave darshan to his ardent devotee Bhakta Prahlada in a cave situated on a hill which of course was not called Yadagiri. But Lord Narasimha was believed to have been worshipped by sages (rushis). But the region of Yadagirigutta has been reputed to be a "Rushi Aradhana Kshetram" or the place of worship for sages.

Ever since, this ancient temple has attracted thousands of pilgrims throughout the year not only from this state but also from other states of the country. As the belief goes, Lord Narasimha has taken on the role of a doctor" at this shrine to cure many chronic diseases and the role of a 'do gooder' to those who are under the influence of bad planets, witch craft and black magic. Many instances are cited of the Lord appearing in the dreams of the devotees, and administering medicines and operated the patients and blessed them with good health.

Mythological & Historical

Sri Maha Vishnu Came from out of the pillar as per the desire of Bhakta Prahladha and killed Hiranya Kashyapa,who is father of Prahladha ,who is beloved devotee of Maha Vishnu.

In Ancient days Sri Yada Maharshi son of Sri Rushyashrunga Maharshi with the Blessings of Anjaneya Swamy had performed great penance for Lord Narasimha Swamy. After securing blessing for his penance Lord Narasimha had come into existence in Five Avatharas called as Sri Jwala Narasimha, Sri Yogananda Narasimha, Sri Ugra Narasimha, Sri Gandaberunda Narasimha, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha. As such this is known as “Pancha Narasimha Kshetram”. The devotees who worship this deity with devotion, the problems faced by them in regarding their “Graha”, the difficulties through evil spirits and their all mental problems are being cured by the God & Godess. All the difficulties faced by the devotees are being cured through herbal medicines like fruits, flowers and Tulasi Teertham. The devotees who believe the Lord. He is appearing to them in their dreams and conducting operations also.

Raja Rajeswara swamy temple at vemulavada

Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy Devasthanam is located in the town Vemulawada, which is in the Karimnagar district .
Devotees who travel by train to this place are usually get down at Warangal/Kazipet,Hyderabad, from where there are number of buses available to reach Vemulawada in approx. 4 to 5 hours.

Sri Raja Rajeshwara Kshetram (holy place) is one of the most sacred spots in the southern part of the India. There are many evidences of inscriptions on stone to provide information of historical, political, religious, cultural and greatness of this holy place. The greatness of this sacred place came with the very existence of Sri Raja Rajeshwara swamy Suyambulingam, which is ancient than the Vemulawada village.

Once upon a time god Indra went to many holy places after he killed Vrithasura and still could not purify his life. Then he took the advice from the guru of gods, Bruhaspathi to visit Sri Raja Rajeshwara kshetram. There he took the holy dip in dharma-gundam and took the blessings of lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara and ruled a golden age of the history. By this ancient story, history gives us the evidence of existence of lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara in Krita yuga.

Another historical story about how the dharma-gundam was built. Once upon a time a king named Sri Raja Raja Narendra came to this place while hunting wild animals. But accidentally he killed a Brahmin boy with an arrow while the boy was drinking water from a pond. Then with the curse of Brahma hatya he got an incurable disease and went on pilgrimage to many holy places and returned back to this place. One day he drank the holy water from the dharma gundam and slept the night praying the lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy. In his dreams lord shiva asked him, that to take lord’s existence, the lingam from the dharma-gundam and put in a temple.

When the king woke up in the morning he found that his incurable disease got cured. Then he built steps to the dharma gundam and cleaned lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara swamy lingam and built a temple on the hill to keep the lingam inside the temple. But while he was sleeping in the night holy sidhas came and established the gods idol inside the temple. When king was worried about missing the chance to establish the shiva linga, god came in to this dreams and promised that kings name will be associated with the place forever.

It is been said in many mythologies that Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy lingam existed in Krita Yuga, Treta Yuga and Dwapara Yuga. And this holy place was visited and praised by many holy persons in Indian ancient history and got never ending importance in holy pilgrimage. Even though the main deity is Lord Shiva at this place, Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy Aalayam, Sri Ananta Padma Nabha Swamy Aalayam are also have the importance from long time for many pilgrims. Because of that reason this place is also called as “ Hari Hara Khestram”.

Main Temple

First of all pilgrims take holy dip in dharma gundam. Then enter the temple from main entrance and visit Bala Rajeshwara and Koti Lingas. Then they proceed further visiting Lord Uma Maheshwara, Lord Someshwara, Goddess Bala Tripura Sundari Devi, Lord Shanmukha, Lord Dakshina Murthy, Lord Chandikeshwara and other deities. Proceed further to visit Nandishwara in the north side of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Temple and enter the main temple from north side. Here pilgrims will find Sri Laxmi Ganapathi statue in north-east part of the temple.Facing south-side is the importance of the Ganapathy statue.

After visiting and offering prayers and abhishekam to Lord Sri Raja Rajeshwara pilgrims proceed further to visit Sri Parvathi Devi. Parvathi Devi statue is located in south side of the temple. The other name of this goddess is “Varaahi”.

After completing prayers at Sri Parvathi Devi, pilgrims visit Sri Parvathi Raja Rajeshwara SwamyLaxmi Sameta Padmanaba swamy’s festiv idols in the glass house located in the south side of the main temple. and

Then devotees visit Sri Ananta padmanabha swamy and Sri Ramachandra swamy temple and take their blessings and come out of it and go around the temple and complete the visit to temple.

Thirumala venkateswara swamy

The town of Tirupati is one of the most ancient and spectacular places of pilgrimage in India. It is situated in the Chittoor district in southern Andhra Pradesh. The town owes its existence to the sacred temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara situated on the Tirumala Hill adjoining it. With a history that dates back to over twelve centuries, the temple is the jewel in the crown of ancient places of worship in southern India.

The Tirumala Hill is 3200 ft above sea level, and is about 10.33 sq miles in area. It comprises seven peaks, representing the seven hoods of Adisesha, thus earning the name, Seshachalam. The seven peaks are called Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.

The sacred temple of sri venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatadri (Venkata Hill), and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. There are several legends associated with the manifestation of the Lord in Tirumala.

The name Tirupati, meaning the ‘the Lord of Lakshmi’ should have been appropriately applied to the village on the Venkata Hill, the abode of the Lord. However, it has been popularly assigned to the Municipal town at the foot of the Hill, while the village around the Hill near His temple is called Tirumala (the Sacred Hill).

There is ample literary and epigraphic testimony to the antiquity of the temple of Lord Sri Venkateswara.

All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula have paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD), the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later), the Pandyas of Madurai, and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord and they competed with one another in endowing the temple with rich offerings and contributions.

It was during the rule of the Vijayanagar dynasty that the contributions to the temple increased. Sri Krishnadevaraya had statues of himself and his consorts installed at the portals of the temple, and these statues can be seen to this day. There is also a statue of Venkatapati Raya in the main temple.

After the decline of the Vijayanagar dynasty, nobles and chieftains from all parts of the country continued to pay their homage and offer gifts to the temple. The Maratha general, Raghoji Bhonsle, visited the temple and set up a permanent endowment for the conduct of worship in the temple. He also presented valuable jewels to the Lord, including a large emerald which is still preserved in a box named after the General. Among the later rulers who have endowed large amounts are the rulers of Mysore and Gadwal.

After the fall of the Hindu kingdoms, the Muslim rulers of Karnataka and then the Britishers took over, and many of the temples came under their supervisory and protective control.

In 1843 AD, the East India Company divested itself of the direct management of non-Christian places of worship and native religious institutions. The administration of the shrine of Sri Venkateswara and a number of estates were then entrusted to Sri Seva Dossji of the Hatiramji Mutt at Tirumala, and the temple remained under the administration of the Mahants for nearly a century, till 1933 AD.

In 1933, the Madras Legislature passed a special act, which empowered the THIRUMALA THIRUPATHI DEVASTHANAM (TTD) Committee to control and administer a fixed group of temples in the Tirumala-Tirupati area, through a Commissioner appointed by the Government of Madras.

In 1951, the Act of 1933 was replaced by an enactment whereby the administration of TTD was entrusted to a Board of Trustees, and an Executive Officer was appointed by the Government .

The provisions of the Act of 1951 were retained by Charitable and Religious Endowments Act, 1966.

Lord shivas temple kalahasthi

Sri Kalahasti temple, situated 36 km away is famous for its Vayudeva temple, which is the only shrine of the god of wind in India. Constructed in the 12th century by the Chola king, Rajarajendra, Vayu is incarnated as Lord Shiva and worshipped as Kalahasteeswara.

This is an important temple dedicated to Lord Siva. This temple has one of the elemental lingas, the vayu (air) linga. There is a lamp inside the inner sanctum that is constantly flickering despite the lack of air movement inside. The air-linga can be observed to move even when the pujaris close off the entrance to the main Deity room, which does not have any windows. You can see the flames on several ghee lamps flicker as if blown by moving air. The linga is white and is considered Swayambhu, or self-manifested.

Kalahasti is surrounded by two sacred hills. The Durgamba temple is on the northern hill. On the south hill there is the shrine of Kannabeswara, in memory of the Sage Kannappa, who offered an eye to the Lord. When he tried to offer his other eye as well, the Lord mercifully stopped him. There is also a temple dedicated to Subramanya on one of the surrounding hills.

The main linga is untouched by human hands, even by the priest. Abhisheka (bathing) is done by pouring a mixture of water, milk, camphor, and panchamrita. Sandal paste, flowers and the sacred thread are offered to the utsava-murti, not the main linga.

This temple is one of the most impressive Siva temples in India. It features an enormous, ancient gopuram (tower) over the main gate. The tower is 36.5m (120 feet) high. The entire temple is carved out of the side of a huge stone hill. It was built in1516 by King Krishnadeva Raya.

The temple is run by neatly dressed Saivite Brahmins, who conduct the worship of the various deities inside. Inside the temple you will find the tremendously ornate and splendid architecture that South India is famous for. Elaborately designed pillars, altars, and paraphernalia abound.

Temple story

The main linga is in the shape of an elephant trunk, with tusks on each side and a figure of a spider at the bottom. If you look at the linga from the top it looks like a snake with five hoods. The spider is call "Sri," the snake "Kala," and the elephant "Hasti." The three names combine together in the name Srikalahasti.

It is said that the spider wove a web above the linga to protect it from the sun and rain. The elephant would get water with its trunk and bath the linga (perform abhisheka) and the snake would also worship the Lord. One day the snake found some bilva leaves and water near the Lord. He thought that someone was trying to harm the Lord, so he surrounded the Lord to protect him. When the elephant came the next day to worship the Lord the snake through he was trying to harm the Lord so he got into his trunk. Unable to handle the pain, the elephant dashed his trunk against the linga killing both the snake and the spider. The elephant also died at this time. Lord Siva being satisfied by their devotion, gave liberation to his three devotees.

THE BEUTY OF THE TEMPLE

The main temple is dedicated to Lord Siva, the destroyer among the Trimurthies (Triumverates).

The linga here is identified as one of the Panchabhutalingas (the five lingas made up of the five elements of the universe) - wind, water, fire, earth and ether. The linga at Srikalahasti is Vayulinga or one made up of wind.

Jalalinga, the Linga made up of water, at Jambukeswara, Jyothirlinga, the linga made up of fire, at Arunachalam, Akshalinga, the Linga made up of ether, at Chidambaram, and Prithvilinga, the Linga made up of earth, at Sivakanchi - are the other four Lingas made up of the other four elements of the universe.

The skillful Yadava architecture of the temple is such that a flame flickers continuously in the sanctum sanctorum, indicating the presence of a shaft of wind near the deity !

Since the shaft of air that is present in the sanctum sanctorum is considered as the Linga or the main deity (Vayulinga), there is another idol, Srikalahastiswara Linga - on to which are embedded images of a spider, snake and elephant - to which the priest performs pooja and rituals.

The Tondaman emperor and later the Pallava rulers contributed to the growth of the temple environs. After Pallavas, the Cholas remodelled the temple premises and built huge walls around it.

The vast temple campus is a maze of intricate structures, and one is likely to loose one's way without a guide. The temple of Srikalahasti has four major entrances each with a huge tower.

There is an "Alms Tower" or Bichchala Gopuram, as it is commonly called. It is a smaller tower constructed by the Yadava kings by collecting alms and hence it got the name.

The breathtakingly huge compound has a large flower garden, rooms for making garlands, eating places and a place for Vasanthotsavam (festival of colors) during Holi in the names of Chookkeswara and Meenakshi - coupling devotion with pleasure.

In the temple compound, there is an underground temple for Ganesh and an entrance leading to the Kannappa Hill.

Since the entrance is dark and it takes a while to go to Kannappa Hill and get back, it is better to plan the trek for the Kannappa hill for the morning.

LEGENDS OF THE SPIDER, SERPENT AND ELEPHANT
Once there was a spider which was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, which expressed its devotion by spinning webs in the shape of temple and Mantapams to Lord Siva, Ganesh, Kumaraswamy (Kartik) and Nandi.

The morning dew drops would make the cobwebs look like pearl houses and sunrays on the dew drops would make them shine like rubies. But all this would break and crumble with the blowing of the wind. The spider would connect the broken threads and weave the web all over again.

One day Siva, to test the spider's devotion, burned all the spider webs with the lamp that was shining near His shrine. The enraged spider swallowed the flame and sacrificed its life. Siva, pleased with its unswerving devotion, offered it a boon. And what did the spider ask the God ? To free it from further births!

Siva merged it into Himself. One can still see the spider on the Linga!

Legend of the serpent (kala) and the elephant (hasti)

Once there was a serpent which used to worship the Siva Linga with precious gems. An elephant, also a devotee of Lord Siva, used to bathe in the nearby Swarnamukhi river, push away all the precious gems and worship the linga with leaves and flowers from the forest.

The next day the snake, finding her precious offerings pushed away, gets enraged. It would push away the leaves and flowers and worship the Linga with the precious gems it brought from underground.

Next day the elephant would push away the gems and worship it with leaves and flowers. This continued for a while. One day the snake got upset and kept a watch hiding under the leaves all night, waiting to catch the mischief maker.

The elephant also lost its temper finding her offerings pushed away day after day. One day it came early and was pleased to find the flowers left undistrubted. It went and took bath in the river and brought fresh flowers and leaves for pooja (worship). While the elephant was clearing the previous day's leaves and flowers, the snake got into the elephant's head through its trunk, causing unbearable pain to the elephant. The elephant ran helter-skelter with pain and banged its head to a mountain. His head split and the elephant died. The snake was crushed to death too. Lord Siva took them into his fold.

That is how all the three creatures, accursed to be born on earth, can be seen on the linga at Srikalahasti.

mukteshwara swmy temple in kaleshwaram

Kaleshwaram is a holy place located exactly at the merging point of the River Pranahita (tributary of Godavari) with the Godavari River. Nerest town to this village is Manthani of Karimnagar district in Andhra Pradesh. Kaleshwaram is also famous as Manthrakuta. Mukteshwaraswamy Temple made Kaleshwaram a sacred place. The temple located in Kaleshwaram (Mukteshwara Swamy) is considered as one of the three Jyotirlingas in Andhra Pradesh and hosts two shivlingas. Significance of Mukteshwara Swamy Temple: This ancient temple holds a unique significance as two Shiva Lingas found on a single pedestal. Saint Gautamashram, the hermitage of Saint Gautama, is well connected from here by road. Bounded by forests, Kaleshwaram is an ideal tourist destination. Mancherial Railway station is located at 40 km from Kaleshwaram. Beside several temples constructed here, one temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma. Sources said that this is the only Brahma Temple in South India. Sri Mukteswara Swamy is known for his miracles as he removes sins of his devotees and make them happy with guiding them towards Mukthi (spiritual life). Thus, the Lord here is called as Mukteswara Swamy. In Kaleswaram, the main festivals celebrated are – Mahashivarathri Kalyanam and Durga Devi Navratri (Sharan Navarathrulu). How to reach Kaleshwaram? Devotees can easily reach Kaleshwaram by bus. It is situated in Karimnagar distrcit and at a distance of 110 kms from Warangal and 130 kms from Karimnagar. Kaleshwaram is well connected by road even from Hyderabad as it is about 250 kms from Hyderabad. By train, devotees can reach through Mancherial, which is 40 kms from Kaleshwaram. Other temples and holy places near Kaleshwaram are: Manthani – Lord Gautameswara Temple vemulavada-lord raja rajeswara swamy Dharmapuri – Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple Kondagattu – Lord Hanuman Temple

vinayaka swamy in kanipakam

Kanipakam is a small village on the bank of Bahuda River.

"Kani" means wetland and "Pakam" means flow of water into wetland. According to the legend of the temple there were three brothers and each one had a handicap. Viz., Dumb, Deaf and Blind. They were earning out their livelihood by cultivating a small piece of land.

In olden days water was drawn from the well by way of 'Piccota System'. As one of them used to irrigate the field through the channels, the other two used to ply on the Piccota. On one such operation they found that the water in the well got dried up and they could no longer continue their job. One of them got into the well and started digging it up. He was taken aback to see the iron implement hitting a stone like formation.
Later, he was shocked to see blood oozing out from it. Within in a few seconds the entire water in the well, turned blood red in colour. Thus, startled by this divine sight, all the three became normal getting rid of their deformities. As soon as the villagers came to know about this miracle, they thronged to the well and tried to deepen the well further. But their attempt proved futile because the 'swayambhu' idol (the self-manifested) of Lord Vinayaka emerged from the swirling waters.
Ultimately they offered many number of coconuts with all prayers- modesty kneeling before the new idol afford “MAGALHARATHI” etc. They declared the ideal of “SWAYAMBHU” and tendered number of coconuts. The coconuts water flowed into the channel to a distance of more than one and a quarter acres. The indication of this led to the modification in the usage of the Tamil word “KANIPARAKAM” and later pronounced as KANIPAKAM. Even today the idol is in the original well and the springs of the well are perennial and the eternal. During the rainy season, the holy water from the well overflows even today.
Another striking and strange feature of the idol is that it is still growing in size. At present, we can see the knees and the abdomen of the idol. Smt. Lakshmamma, an ardent devotee had offered a 'Kavacham' (Armour) to the Lord, fifty years ago but today it is out of size and doesn't fit the idol. The holy water from the well is offered to the devotees as theertham.

The legend behind Bahuda River
Long ago there lived two brothers Sankha and Likhita. They were on a pilgrimage to Kanipakam. As the journey was tiring, the younger brother Likhita felt hungry. Disregarding the advice of the elder brother he plucked a mango from the mango grove. Sankha felt bad and reported this to the ruler of that area and pleaded for punishment for the sin committed during the pilgrimage. Thus Likhita was punished severely being deprived of both arms.

Later they took bath in the river near Kanipakam temple. Lo Behold! The chopped arms were restored to Likhita as soon as he had a dip in the sacred waters of the river. These incidents lead the ruler to rename the river as 'Bahuda' (Bahu means human arm). Thus the river beside Kanipakam temple is now known as 'Bahuda River'.

Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka as up-holder of 'Truth'

The swayambhu idol of Kanipakam is the up-holder of truth. Day to day disputes between people is resolved by taking a 'special oath'. The people in the dispute take a holy dip in the temple tank and swear before the lord. It is taken as gospel truth.

There are instances when the person who committed that sin voluntarily agrees as soon as he had the dip and much before entering the temple itself. It seems the Lord lawns invisibly on the sinner and makes him repent & feel guilty for his sinful deeds.

Thus the glory of Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka spread far and wide and the honorable courts uphold the 'special oath' in their judicial pronouncements.

Lord ragavendra swamy temple in Mantralayam

Mantralayam is situated in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh,in India. Various Buses ply from Madras, Mumbai,Banglore,Hyderabadetc. It is 595 Km from Madras and 690 km from Mumbai and around 360 Km from Hyderabad. It has many tourist facilities for pilgrims to stay. It is situated on the banks of river Thungabadhra. It can also be reached by train. It is on the train route between Mumbai-Madras , Delhi-Banglore , Hyderbad-Tirupathi. The station name is "Mantralayam Road", it is 16 Kms from Mantralayam. You can travel to Mantralayam from Mantralayam Road station by private Jeeps, taxis, autorickshaws or public bus. Approximate cost of travel per person is Rs.50 for private transport and Rs.4 for Public Bus.
Genrally,the temple is open between 06:00 and 14:00 and 16:00 to 21:00 (IST). Few years back the golden chariot was added and is an splendour to watch it come round the prahara. Silver and Ordinary Chariots are also there and is a divine feeling to watch it roll round the temple's prahara.
The Mutt also has accomadation available at low costs kindly contact the mutt Manager for reservations and check out the Room Rates Links too. The Mutt also serves one meal between 11-3 pm (as Prasadam) free everyday (except Ekadasi). However if you would prefer luxurious stay with Cable Tv and other facilities kindly check out the links page for other hotels. We wish you the best, for your visit to Mantralayam! For any queries contact the webmaster about suggested travel plans.
Please remember that Mobile phones dont work in mantralayam and mantralayam is also well connected by phones, however you cannot make direct international calls through IDD, you can make international calls only by trunk call booking for an additional charge. There is also an internet parlour started recently near Hotel Guru Brindavan, which could be used to check personal emails(however remember the connection speed is very very slow). Most People in Mantralayam speak Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi , but English and Tamil are spoken very rarely by people.

mahanandi temple(nandyal)

legend: Rasa Siddha is said to have built the Vimana and for wages he made the workers set up sand mounds, which he converted into wealth by his power. Proof of this is seen on the main gate of the temple facing the west. A copper plate by Krishandevaraya states that Mahanandi is one of the sacred places where the king`s brother Simha Deva Raya gave valuable gifts. The Sthalapurana states that Nanda ruled over Navanandis where Mahanandi is situated. The king once thought to anoint the idol and perform abhishek with milk. Herds of cows were brought in which included a black cow. This cow gave a lot of milk and was allowed to travel freely and graze in the forest.

The cow always seemed to take far longer in the forest than usual and the milk supply seemed depleted when she returned. One day a cowherd followed the cow and found her grazing around an anthill and then she stood right over it letting the milk flow over the anthill. From it a young child emerged said to be Lord Krishna, after which the cow returned. The next day the king followed the cow and, hid in a bush expecting to catch a glimpse of the Lord. The cow arrived and circled the anthill, Krishna appeared and accepted the offering. The king in surprise moved forward, scaring the nervous cow, who stepped on the anthill in fright. The child disappeared, the hoof print remained on the anthill. The king realizing his mistake prayed for forgiveness and the Lord ordained the anthill after it dried would become a Swayambhu linga at Mahanandi. The two signs are still visible on top of the Linga.

Architecture: The temple is at the foothill where a mineral spring flows into the fields from underneath the linga, into the tank in front of the temple. The temple is surrounded by mantapas on all sides. The Vimana over the sanctum is in Nagari style. It has a Shikara at the top. The architectural peculiarities show that the temple dates back to ancient times and it was repaired and rebuilt through the ages by many kings. This temple is famous for its curative powers found in the warm tepid mineral water found in the tank in front of the temple. It is a sixty feet square with a mantapa in the centre. The inlets and outlets of the tank are so arranged that the depth of the water remains constant at five feet for the devotees to swim in. The source of this water has never been traced. The water is said to come from five springs called Srisailadhara, Narasimhadhara, Daivodhinidhara, Nanditirtha and Kailasatirtha.

The sanctum contains a linga and is made from a rough uncut rock, with two sockets. Here the linga is seen just above the earth`s surface without the three Peethams underneath. All can touch and worship the Lord. A huge Nandi is at the front of the shrine and hence it is called Mahanandi Tirtha. The tank that lies behind is known as Rudra gundam and there are two more tanks called Vishnu gundam and Brahma gundam. Close to the main shrine is a shrine dedicated to the Goddess. The Srichakra in front of the deity is said to have been installed by Adisankara himself. The popular belief is that if one meditates upon the God then he will receive a darshan befitting his status in front of the mother. The mukhamantapa of the goddess is a recent construction.

Behind the main shrine there are three small shrines containing a Shivalinga each. It is stated that if these are worshipped, they will take one beyond the Sthoola, Sookshma and Karana Dehas to the Turiya stage. Within ten miles of Mahanandi there are other nine other Nandi temples -
1. Padma Nandi,
2. Naga Nandi,
3. Vinayaka Nandi,
4. Garuda Nandi,
5. Brahma Nandi,
6. Surya Nandi,
7. Vishnu Nandi,
8. Soma Nandi and
9. Siva Nandi.

Festivels: The Sivarathri is the most important festival. In the Kartika masa, pilgrims worship in the shrine of Mallikarjunaswamy and then at the shrine of Padma Nandi, which is two miles further ahead. They then go to the Naga Nandi that is a mile to the west, and then proceed to Brahma Nandi, Soma Nandi, and Siva Nandi, which are all nearby. They move on to Krishna or Vishnu Nandi, three miles to the northeast and from there complete the pilgrimage by worshipping Vinayaka Nandi, Maha Nandi, and Surya Nandi. The traditional belief is that the worship of these Nava Nandis should be finished in a day before sunset. The other festivals like Dasara, Ugadi etc. are also important.