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Tag: Temples

  • Pancharamam Temples : One Ancient Shiva Lingam, Five Temples. 

    Pancharamam Temples : One Ancient Shiva Lingam, Five Temples. 

    The Pancharamam Kshetras spread across Andhra Pradesh are essentially five  temples built for just one Shiva Lingam. A popular pilgrimage circuit for the Hindus of Andhra Pradesh, this tour across temple towns (and, otherwise) takes you through Palakollu, Bhimavaram, Samarlakota, Draksharamam to the State Captial, Amaravathi.

    The Legend of Pancharam Kshetralu

    Once upon a time there was a Rakshasa King, Tarakasura and he owned a magnificent and powerful Shiva Lingam. Or so the story goes.

    A war ensued between the devas and asuras, the classic showdown between Gods and demons.

    Kumaraswamy, the God of War himself, was fighting the demon Tarakasura but couldn’t kill him, no matter how. For at every deadly blow, the rakshasa would reform, limb to limb, from his cut off body parts. This power to rejoin came from the aforementioned mighty Shiva Lingam that the demon wore.

    The only way to destroy him was to break this powerful lingam first.

    So, it was to be. And, by the end of the battle, there came to be five pieces of this mythical  Siva Lingam. Which fell in five different places in Andhra Pradesh. Temples were then built in those locations around the fragments and it is these five ancient temples that now constitute the Pancharama Kshetralu.

    Architecture of Pancharamam Temples

    All of the Pancharamam temples are two storeyed stone temples, for fragments though the Shiva Lingams are, they are all massive Shiva Lingams in themselves.

    To continue the story, the five fragments were installed and worshipped at five temples by the five gods, Indra, Surya, Chandra, Vishnu and Kumaraswamy.

    Temple 1 |Kumararamam / Bhimaramam

    Where | Samarlakota
    Shiva Lingam Installed By | Kumaraswamy, Son of Shiva

    The first one, by Kumaraswamy himself is at Samarlakota near Kakinada and is known as Kumararamam or Bhimaramam variously. The temple is beautiful, peaceful and yet not too crowded like the other four. 

    Getting There | From Kakinada, Kumararamam in Samarlakota is 15 kilometers away.

    Temple  2 | Draksharamam

    Where | Draksharamam
    Shiva Lingam Installed By | Surya, Sun God

    The next one nearest to here is Draksharamam. Probably the biggest and definitely the most celebrated of the five, Draksharamam isn’t just a Pancharamam Kshetra but also a Shakti Peetham.

    This expansive tenth century temple boasts of a rich history and numerous mythological legends are associated with it, which is one of the reasons for its popularity.

    Believed to be the site of the mythical Dakshayagnam – where Daksha Prajapati’s daughter and Shiva’s wife, Sati immolated herself in the Yagna Fire – it is one of the eighteen major Asthadasa Shakti Peethams in the country. And she is manifest here as the Goddess Manikyamba alongside Lord Shiva.

    Getting There | One can get to Draksharam too from Kakinada. It  is at a distance of 34 kilometers from the city.

    ALSO READ:  Road Tripping through Konaseema

    Temple 3 | Somaramam

    Where | Bhimavaram
    Shiva Lingam Installed By |  Chandra, Moon God

    The Shiva Lingam in Somaramam is said to change colour according to the phases of the Moon. If it is a pristine white on full moon nights, it is a dark ebony on the days of no moon or amaavasya, probably owing to the fact that legend says, this is the Shiva Lingam that was installed by Chandra or the Moon God himself.

    Getting There | The easiest way to get to Bhimavaram is from Rajahmundry which is 90 kilometers away.

    Temple 4 | Ksheeraramam

    Where | Palakollu
    Shiva Lingam Installed By | Vishnu, The Protector

    In Ksheeraramam, Shiva instated by Vishnu here, is Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy and the temple itself flaunts a nine storeyed temple tower.  

    Getting There | This too like the last one is in West Godavari and the most convenient way to get there would be from Rajahmundry via Bhimavaram.

    Temple 5 | Amararamam

    Where | Amaravathi
    Shiva Lingam Installed By | Indra, God of Wealth

    The last of the five temples is Amararamam in Amaravathi, Andhra Pradesh’s burgeoning new capital. Legend has it that this Shiva Lingam laid here by Indra wouldn’t stop growing and a nail was affixed to it, in an attempt to stop its growth. But the Lingam started bleeding and today devotees from all across flock here, to this ancient temple on the banks of the river Krishna,  to catch a glimpse of that red stain on the head of the Lingam.

    Getting There | One can get to Amaravathi from Vijayawada, which is only 18 kilometers away.

     

  • Hyderabad to Nizamabad Road Trip Guide: Route, Itinerary & Places to Visit

    Hyderabad to Nizamabad Road Trip Guide: Route, Itinerary & Places to Visit

    Though Nizamabad as we know it today was founded in the 18th century, it is actually an ancient city whose legacy has stood the test of time. From ancient temples right at the heart of the city and even a little way off to rock formations from eons ago and secret lakes, there is much that Nizamabad has to offer as a weekend getaway from Hyderabad.

    So, here is a guide that gives you the lowdown on everything that you can do in two days in Nizamabad – places to visit, where to stay & eat.

    Hyderabad to Nizamabad Road Trip Route & Itinerary

    Hyderabad to Nizamabad Distance | 175 Kilometers 
    Drive Time | 3 Hours

    Hyderabad to Nizamabad Route & Itinerary

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    Day 1 – Nizamabad

    Take the NH44 via Nacharam – Kamareddy to get to Nizamabad from Hyderabad.

    Day 2 – Dichpally & Armoor

    On the way back from Nizamabad to Hyderabad, around 15 kilometers outside the city of Nizamabad get off the NH7 to reach Dichpally.

    From Dichpally continue onto the NH7 and NH16 to drive to Armoor, which is around 37 kilometers from there.

    6 Beautiful Places to Visit in & around Nizamabad

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    1. Ali Sagar

    Ali Sagar is more than just an irrigation dam and reservoir. This nearly ninety year old man-made lake which lies nestled in a dense forest is reached via a short hike along a beautiful garden and a path hewn through the fiery red boulders and emerald green forest cover. One can go boating in the lake, all the way to the lush green islands that dot the waterscape. There is also a deer park on the premises which makes Ali Sagar a favourite weekend haunt for families living in the district.

    2. Ashok Sagar

    Another popular lake here is the Ashok Sagar Lake which is enroute Ali Sagar, while heading away from the Nizamabad city. This too is a beautiful lake with a garden abutting it. But being easily accessible – right alongside the highway – it lacks the charm and sense of adventure that Ali Sagar boasts of.

    3. Dichpally Ramalayam

    Travel Blogs India_Hyderabad Road Trips

    Locally known as Khilla Ramalayam, the Dichpally Ramalayam with its sculptures of black and white basalt are so reminiscent of the famous Khajuraho temples that the moniker, Indur Khajuraho was bestowed on it.

    Though the temple itself is a 14th century Kakatiya temple, it is believed that it was here in Nizamabad, on a hill in Dichapally, that Ram stopped – on his way to wage war on the Demon King Ravan, right after meeting Hanuman for the first time – and stayed a fortnight.

    READ: A Song of Stone: Dichpally Ramalayam

    4. Sri Neelakanteshwara Temple

    The Sri Neela Kanteswara Temple, right at the heart of the city, is yet another beautiful temple in Nizamabad.

    Originally built as a Jain temple in the North Indian Nagara style of architecture by the Satavahanas, it was later converted to a Shiva Temple. This colourful temple and the soothing reflection it casts in the water of the neighbouring ancient step-well make for a beautiful sight anytime of the day.

    5. Nizamabad Fort & Ranganatha Temple

    The Nizamabad Fort isn’t like any other fort in the country, this one has become so much a part of the city today, the inside of a fort is like a neighbourhood in itself!

    If not for this unique juxtaposition in itself, the Nizamabad fort is still worth a visit for the stunning Ranganatha Temple inside.

    6. Armoor Rock Formations & Cave Temples

    Also in Nizamabad but a little away from the city, are the stunning Armoor Rock Formations. These naturally weathered rocks that date back over a million years are so distinctively striking that they are but a natural stopover for those driving on the Nizamabad – Karimnagar Highway.

    And, sitting in the caves somewhere in those rocks is the Navanatha Siddheswara Temple also known as Navanthula Siddulagutta – gutta for cave and Navanatha Siddhas for the sages who are believed to still reside in them. Inside these caves are numerous temples that you get to through  an entrance that is barely three feet. Once you crouch down and go through it, the cave opens up and skylight filters in into the interconnected passageways, guiding you through the caves.

    READ: Of Rocks and Hidden Temples: Armoor

    Where to Eat in Nizamabad City?

    Complete your trip with lunch at Angeethi in the city of Nizamabad. This vegetarian friendly restaurant is made to look like a traditional village of mud houses on the outside but serves up some yummy food in an air-conditioned, nicely done up inside!

    Where to Stay in Nizamabad?

    One can stay at the Haritha Indur Inn in Nizamabad. Run by the Telangana State Tourism Department, it is centrally located, clean and pocket friendly.