Bhadrakali temple, Warangal

Good morning.(14th July 2017)

Bhadrakali temple in Warangal is among the oldest temples India that are dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. Located atop a hill, between the city of Warangal and Hanamkonda, by the side of Bhadrakali Lake, it is an ancient temple which was originally built during the Chalukyan reign in 625 AD.

Bhadrakali temple regained its magnetism after it was renovated in 1950s by Sri Ganapathi Sasthri and a few other locals. Although now it bears only a few traces of its glorious past, this temple is one of the most popular shrines and is visited by lakhs of devotees every year.

Along with historical importance and religious significance, natural rock formations around the temple also make this temple a must visit. However, as photography is not allowed inside the shrine, Warangal Bhadrakali temple photos cannot depict its mystical beauty. If interested, devotees can take photos outside the main temple.

In this temple, the main deity is Goddess Bhadrakali who is shown in sitting position. She is shown with eight hands, each carrying one weapon and is wearing an alluring crown. The idol is 2.7 meters and is made out of stone.

A fierce lion, the sacred vehicle of the Goddess is placed opposite to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. There are many other shrines inside the temple as well. In Maha Mandapam, separate shrines for Lord Shiva, Hanuman temple, Subramanya Swamy and Navagrahas along with images of Uma Maheshwara images on stone are placed. These are said to be among the oldest idols of the deities, which have been carved out of stone. Shrine of Lord Vigneshwara, which is built outside the main temple, is comparatively recent.

The deity in the temple is called Goddess Bhadrakali, yet the image of the Goddess is believed to be transformed by the holy mantras into Tripura Sundari, a rare form which signifies the supreme feminine power of the universe. The word Tripura Sundari literally means ‘beauty of the three worlds’. This state comprising of Goddess Kali form is regarded as a greatest manifestation of Prakriti.

A captivating feature of this temple is the Bhadrakali Lake, which is a man-made lake built during Kakatiya reign to serve as source of water for irrigation and other necessities. This lake, spread around 2 and half km, is surrounded by hills and dotted with various natural rock formations nearby. It presents a peaceful setting that adds on to the spiritual aura of the Bhadrakali temple.


Architecture and History of Bhadrakali Temple

Built in the style of Chalukyan architecture, Bhadrakali temple is an ancient temple which was built to mark their conquest of Vengi region. The Ekanda Shila statue and the pillars in the temple present a glimpse of Chalukyan reign, while the intricate carvings on the pillars represent the brilliant craftsmanship of Kakatiya reign.

Kakatiya Kings has also considered Goddess Bhadrakali as their ancestral deity hence had contributed to the temple as well. It was during the Kakatiya reign that the Bhadrakali Lake was built. A lake connecting temple was also constructed during their rule. However, with the fall of Kakatiya reign, the importance of Warangal Bhadrakali temple also lessened.

After many decades, in 1950s Bhadrakali temple was again revived. This was started by Sri Ganapathi Sastri, an ardent devotee of Goddess Kali, who had migrated from Karnataka to Warangal in 1940s. Upon seeing the remains of Bhadrakali temple, he had decided to settle next to the temple which was then just a secluded area. He started the task of renovating the temple, with the help of other locals such as Sri Mudumbai Ramanujacharya & Sri Maganlal Sameja. Many others also contributed in the renovation of this temple.

After the renovations, animal sacrifices were stopped in this Bhadrakali Temple. Even the idol of the deity was slightly modified. It is said that the deity had a fierce form originally which was later softened by a few changes. Goddess face was turned a smiling and calming face. Holy chants were also written of deity’s tongue at the time of renovations. Although Bhadrakali temple is renovated to a large extent, ancient pillars near the Garbha Griha are symbolic of its great history.

Now, worship based on vedic rituals are performed every day at the temple by the temple priest.

Gnana Saraswati Temple, Adilabad,A.P.

Good morning.(13th July 2017)

The Gnana Saraswati Temple located in Basar Village on the left bank of river Godavari situated in Adilabad Dist. of A.P.is having Pouranik and historical importance. This is the only one and unique temple of Goddess Gnana Saraswati in South India.

The history of the temple goes back to the times of ‘MAHABHARATHA’ which is nearly five thousand years old. The Goddes Saraswathi is known for initiation of “ AKSHARABYASA” and is also called as Sri Gnana Saraswati.

According to some myth, Maharishi Vyas and his disciples and sage Viswamitra decided to settle down in a cool and serene atmosphere after the Kurukshet

ra War. In the quest for a peaceful abode, he came to Dandaka forest and, pleased with serenity of the region, selected this place. Since Maharishi Vyasa spent considerable time in prayers, the place was then called “Vasara” and turned into Basara due to the influence of the Marathi language in the region.

It is also believed that this temple is one of the three temples constructed near the confluence of the Manjira and Godavari rivers.

Historically, ‘Bijialudu’ a Karnataka king, who ruled the province of Nandagiri with Nanded as his capital in the sixth century, constructed the temple at Basara.

According to the Hindu Mythology Saraswati is the diety of education. In Hindu tradition every child before joining the school and most of the pupil seek the blessings of the Goddess Saraswati. “Education is a permanent asset to receive or lead a rosy future or devonity”. So that pupil in large scale perform Aksharabyasam.

“Education is a permanent asset to receive or lead a rosy future or devinity”. So that pupils in large scale perform Aksharabyasam. It is believed that in the midst of the koneru Saraswathi Theertha was located. Eight directions appeared even today. It was mentioned in Brahmanda Purana getting that if one bath in Koneru he/she libarates from the various sins committed by him/her.

For the people, who observed deeksha, Madhukaram (Bhiksha or seeking alm) is inevitable and certain Brahmin family members are ever ready to offer Bhiksha to such people.
Deeksha can be observed for seven days, eleven days, twenty one days or forty one days and even for more days. Goddess Saraswathi will appear in the dream of the sadhaka (devotee) and shower her kindest blessings to him. It is a well known experience of many devotees hailing from many places.

Komuravelli Mallanna Temple, Warangal , Telangana.

Good morning.(12th July 2017)

Komuravelli Mallanna Temple otherwise known as Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple located on a hill called Indrakeeladri in Komuravelli village,located in Warangal District, of Telangana state. It is located near Siddipet on SH – 1 Rajiv Rahadari. The main deity is Mallanna or Mallikarjuna Swamy who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The deity is also called as Khandoba by the Maharashtrian people. The temple is located about 95 kilometers from Hyderabad.


One day Lord Mallikarjuna came in a dream of a shepherded and informed him that he made the hill Indrakeeladri and enshrined in it in a Putta Matti(Soft earth ) to fulfill the desires of the devotees. There is a staunch belief among the devotees that their desires are fulfilled by worshipping the deity Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam is located in Komuravelli on the Karimnagar - Hyderabad Highway which is also known as Rajiv Rahadari. Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam temple is dedicated to fierce looking diety Lord Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy along with Kethamma and Medalamma on both sides of the deity. Devotees often refer this deity as Komuravelli Mallanna. This is one of the most frequented and famous temples in the Telangana region. People from all over the state visit this temple on different occasions.Komuravelli 'Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam' is one of the prominent Siva temples in the northern Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. It is next to Rajarajeshwara Swamy Temple-Vemulawada and Mukteshwara Swamy Temple-Kaaleshwaram in popularity. The pilgrims often refer to the god as 'Komaravelli Mallana'. The temple is located in a cave on the 'Indrakeeladri' hillock at a distance of 110 Kms from warangal. The uniqueness of this temple is that the lord Shiva appears here in 'vigraha rupam'(statue) other than the usual 'linga rupam'. The temple is maintained by the Endowments Department of the state government. Every year Lakhs of pilgrims visit this temple on the eve of Makara Sankranthi because at this time of the year the Brahmotsavam starts in Komauravelli.It is believed that the deity of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy which is a clay molded is made around 500 years back. As the devotees started visiting the temple and as the rush increased the committee of the temple started developmental activities in the temple and made arrangements for the devotees and also built and renovated mandapamas and choultries, rest rooms, water facility etc. Pedda Patnam which is celebrated on the Maha Sivaratri usually attracts lakhs of pilgrims.Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam made provisions for the devotees to do online reservations for various pujas, offerings for annadanam and various other sevas. It is believed that the lord has married 'Gollakethamma' from Yadava community and 'Medalamma' from the Linga Balija community and settled here. So, both the goddesses are equally worshiped here. As a sentiment, the people from both Yadava and Balija communities head all the important rituals.

Jogulamba,Alampur Telangana.

Good morning.(11th July 2017)


Alampur is a sleepy town situated on the banks Tungabhadra River, in the state of Telangana. Alampur is considered as the western gateway of Srisailam. Here the marvelous temple and remains of some ancient temple signify Badami Chalukyan architecture. The region was ruled by many South Indian dynasties. The principal deities at the Jogulamba temple are Jogulamba and Balabrahmeshwara. Goddess Jogulamba is considered the 5th Shakti Peetha among 18 shakti peetams in the country. Here Goddess Jogulamba is seen seated on the Corpse with scorpion, frog, and lizard on the head. She is seen in a naked avatar with her tongue stretched outside, an avatar of fierce goddess that grants Siddhi in Yoga and hence called Jogulamba. This word is a changed form of Yogula Amma in Telugu which means Mother of Yogis.

According to a popular legend there was a great saint in 6th century called Rasa Siddha who had the power to convert base metal into gold and he was considered close to chalukya king Pulakesi II, instrumental in constructing any temples called ‘Nava Brahmas’. According to the legend, the nine names of Siva are actually the names of medicinal herbs put forth by Rasa Siddha and there are nine temples here. They are the Swarga Brahma Temple Padma Brahma Temple, Vishva Brahma Temple Arka Brahma Temple, Bala Brahma Temple, Garuda Brahma Temple, and Taraka Brahma Temple. The Siddha Rasarnavam is a tantric work, which states that if upasana is performed as per the prescribed Tantra, then Mercury oozes from the Linga of Bala Brahma, Thighs of Subramanya, Navel of Ganapati, and Mouth of Mother Jogulamba, which can be converted into Gold by using the medicinal herbs.

Keesaragutta Temple ,Rangareddy,Hyderabad

Good morning.(10th July 2017)


Keesaragutta Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Siva and his consorts Bhavani and Sivadurga at Keesaragutta in Rangareddy district. It is about 40 km from Hyderabad and 10 km from ECIL. It is located on a small hillock. The temple draws thousands of devotees on Shivaratri.

Lord Ramalingeswara in the sanctum sanctorum graces in a Linga form of a small size. Lord Sri Rama had worshipped this Swayambumurthi. The temple also has shrines separately for Lord Lakshmi Narasimha and Lord Rama with Mother Sita. This is Shiva-Vishnu temple and ensures all benefits to the devotees. The temple was built by Akkanna and Madhanna who were ministers during the Nawab rule. All Shiva related festivals are grandly celebrated in the temple. Lord Ramalingeswara is the hope of his devotees.


The history of Keesara goes back to early Christian era. In fact it is the oldest inhabited place of Hyderabad city. The history of Hyderabad starts from the history of Keesara. Keesara was once the capital city of Vishnukundins dynasty. The ruins of old fort can be seen on the hill the name literally translates to “The temple of a core lingams situated on the hillock of Lord Hanuman”.

Legend has it that Sri Rama installed the Siva lingam here to atone for the sin of killing Ravana, a Brahman. He selected this beautiful valley surrounded by hills and verdant greenery for the purpose and ordered Hanuman to bring a Sivlingam from Varanasi. Hanuman was late in arriving with the Siva lingam and as the auspicious hour was nearing, Lord Siva himself appeared before Sri Rama and presented a Sivilingam for installation. Hence the lingam in the temple is called Swayambhu Linga. It is also called Ramalingeswara as Lord Sri Rama had installed the lingam.

Hanuman returned with 101 lingams for selection from Varanasi and felt aggrieved at not having his lingam installed. Hence he threw them all over the area. Even to this day several lingams are found scattered all over the place outside the temple.

To mollify Hanuman, Sri Rama ordained that precedence would be given to him for worship at the temple. He also said that the hillock where the lingam was installed would bear his name kesarigiri i.e, Hanuman, the son of Kesari. Over a period of time, it has become corrupted and is now known as Keesara and the hill as Keesaragutta. Ever since, the rituals follow the command of Sri Rama.

The popular temple of Shiva and lingas, Keesaragutta Temple is located here. There is also Laxmi Narasimha Temple built during the time of Qutub Shahi period. There is Sri Ramalingeshwara temple here on a hillock and the Veda Pathasala run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.