About Uma Maheswara Temple

Overview

Sri Uma Maheswara Temple or Yaganti Basavanna can be found in the Nallamala forest range in Nandyal district of the state of Andhra Pradesh. This temple is known for its gorgeous scenery and is constructed according to Vaishnavite customs. It is believed that Lord Shiva, in the form of the Shivalinga, was seen in a naturally formed cave. In addition to being one of the Jyotirlingas, it serves as the northern entryway to Srisailam.

God

The deity worshipped in Uma Maheswara Temple is Lord Shiva. He is present here in the form of a single stone, which is said to be swayambhu or self-manifested.

Goddess

Goddess Uma or Parvati is also present inside the temple as a consort of Lord Shiva. She is present here with Lord Shiva in the same single stone.

Yaganti Temple History

Sri Uma Maheswara Temple, located in Andhra Pradesh, is one of the most well-known temples devoted to Lord Shiva. Yaganti Temple's history is interlinked with the Pallava kings, Chola kings, Chalukya dynasty and Vijayanagara monarchs, who are thought to have made contributions to the temple. The sources and the historical accounts suggest that the temple was constructed between the 5th and 6th centuries.

Harihara Bukka Raya, the king of Vijayanagara and a member of the Sangam dynasty, is said to have made substantial grants to the temple and built the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in the 14th century. He was responsible for assuring several structures within and surrounding the temple. Because of the Vijayanagara influence, the temple is built with traditional Vaishnavite elements. Locals also claim that the saint Sri Veerabrahmendra Swami lived at this site and composed the text Kalagnanam while he resided here.

Yaganti Temple Nandi History

Another exciting aspect is the history of the Yaganti Temple Nandi, which is a huge idol of Nandi, the holy bull of Lord Shiva. It is said that in 400 years, the size of the Nandi statue has grown significantly. It is made of a single rock, and temple authorities claim they had to remove a pillar from its side as the stature grew.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) asserted that the rock expands at a rate of 1 inch per 20 years, which means it expands by 10 mm in 8 years. ASI collected the information and came up with the findings that it may be because of chemical reactions, such as the rock from which Nandi is made of silica and iron particles. As per the experts, the rock has a high percentage of mineral content, which makes it grow.

Architecture

The temple premises are beautiful and accommodate three caves.

One is the Agastya Cave, where Sage Agastya is said to have meditated to Lord Shiva. This cave has 120 steps, which devotees have to climb in order to worship the Devi idol that is kept inside.

The second cave is Swamy Venkateswara Cave, which still houses the damaged idol of Sri Venkateswara. It is said among the locals that this idol was present here long before the Tirumala temple.

The third cave is called Veerabrahmam Cave, where the Rishi Sri Veerabrahmendra Swamy meditated and composed Kalagnanam. The entrance to this cave is low, and devotees have to bend half their height to enter.

The temple premises also consists of a small pond known as Pushkarni and it is said that the water flows all year around from the bottom of the hill through the mouth of the Nandi idol and then into this pond. The origin of the water source is still unknown and no discovery has been made to date.

Significance

The significance of Uma Maheswara Temple is multifaceted: spiritual, cultural and economic. Spiritually, the temple is a sanctum sanctorum where devotees seek divine intervention for their personal struggles, aspirations and well-being. The belief in the deity and the practice of offering prayers says deep-rooted faith in the temple's power to bring about positive change in the lives of devotees.

The annual Mahashivaratri festival celebrated at Uma Maheswara Temple attracts many pilgrims, giving rise to a sense of community and continuity. This cultural vibrancy will strengthen a collective identity and recall the rich heritage passed down to them.

Economically, the temple acts as a spectrum for the region's growth. Thousands of people are employed, from temple priests to artisans and vendors, in some measure contributing to the local economy. The footfall of pilgrims stimulates the hospitality and tourism industries, bringing prosperity to the region. The water that flows through the mouth of the Nandi idol is considered holy and pure; many devotees take baths here before visiting the temple, adding significance to the temple's identity. The temple also holds a place in Sthala Purana, where the story of Rishi Agastya is told.

Key Insights into Sri Uma Maheswara Temple, Yaganti

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Uma Maheswara Temple is in the winter, from September to March, as the weather is pleasant for sightseeing and darshan.

Festivals

The most prominent festival celebrated in the temple is Mahashivaratri and many pilgrims visit the temple to participate in the celebrations. The festival of Navaratri is also renowned here.

How to Visit

Dress Code to be Followed at Uma Maheswara Temple

Traditional attire is mandatory while visiting the temple, with men wearing dhoti and women wearing sarees or salwar kameez. Footwear is strictly restricted within the temple premises, and pilgrims are instructed to maintain decorum and respect the temple's sanctity.

Do’s & Don’ts at Uma Maheswara Temple, Yaganti

• Do take a bath and wear clean clothes before darshan.
• Do take ancient rituals and customs in regard.
• Do follow the dress code laid by the temple authorities.
• Don't smoke or drink inside the temple or before the darshan.
• Don't chew tobacco or spit inside the temple.
• Don't carry your phone inside the temple.

Darshan/Pooja/Seva

Uma Maheswara Darshan Timings

The timings for Uma Maheswara Temple are 6:00 AM in the morning to 1:00 PM in the afternoon. After this, the temple closes its darshan for two hours and reopens its gate at 3:00 PM till 8:00 PM.

Sevas

Note - These timings and prices may vary depending on the temple's schedules and changes in the pooja process. Therefore, confirming the timings and prices with the temple authorities is advisable before visiting.

Interesting Facts

• The Nandi statue present in the Uma Maheswara Temple is said to be growing in size with time.
• A damaged Lord Venkateswara idol is also present in the Venkateswara cave.

Mythological Legends of Yaganti Temple

There are many legends associated with the Uma Maheswara Temple. According to the Sthala Purana, one of the legends is that the renowned Rishi Agastya meditated at this site and wanted to construct a grand temple devoted to Lord Venkateswara. He built a stunning idol, but he could not install that idol because of a damaged toenail. Rishi Agastya was devastated and performed severe penance to Lord Shiva.

After years of penance, Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked him to make a Shiva temple there as the place resembled the holy Kailasha mountain. Rishi Agastya requested Lord Shiva to manifest himself here with his consort Parvati so that the devotees could witness both deities in a single stone. Lord Shiva agreed to these and self-manifested himself with Goddess Parvati in one stone.

There is another legend that talks about a dedicated Lord Shiva devotee, Chitteppa. Chitteppa worshipped Lord Shiva every day and penanced. One day, Lord Shiva came before him as a tiger to trick his devotee. However, Chitteppa's faith was more profound than Lord Shiva's trick. He immediately realised who the tiger was and screamed at the top of his voice, "Neganti Shivanu Ne Kanti", which means, "I have seen Shiva! I have seen Shiva!" The cave where Lord Shiva appeared before Chitteppa has been named Chitteppa cave.

Sri Veerabrahmendra Swami also lived on this site and made a prophecy that the growing Nandi idol would finally come alive and roar as Yaganti Bassavana at the end of the Kali Yuga. The locals also believe that all the caves of the Yaganti will open, and millions of horses will come out to service Lord Vishnu's last avatar, the Kalki Avatar.

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FAQs

1. What is the speciality of Uma Maheswara?

The speciality of Uma Maheswara is that both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are present in a single stone block and worshipped together.

2. How to reach Uma Maheshwaram temple?

Uma Maheshwaram temple is approachable via road, train or flight. Although the nearest railway station is 55 Km away and the nearest airport is 290 km away.

3. Is Yaganti Nandi really growing?

Yes, according to ASI, the Yaganti Nandi idol is growing at a rate of 1 inch per 20 years, which means it expands by 10 mm in 8 years.

4. Who is the god Uma Maheshwaram?

Uma Maheshwaram is both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the union.

5. What are the benefits of Uma Maheswara Pooja?

Newlywed couples should worship Uma Maheswara to remove obstacles from their married life and for prolonged happiness.

6. How to do Uma Maheswara pooja at home?

Uma Maheswara pooja can be done at home while facing northeast direction and worshipping Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on a Monday.

7. What is the science behind Yaganti Nandi?

ASI collected the information and came up with the findings that it may be because of chemical reactions, such as the rock from which Nandi is made of silica and iron particles. As per the experts, the rock has a high percentage of mineral content, which makes it grow.

8. Is there an entrance fee for Sri Uma Maheswara Temple?

No, the darshan at Sri Uma Maheswara Temple is free of cost.

9. Is photography allowed inside the Sri Uma Maheswara temple?

Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises, although pilgrims can photograph outside scenery and view.

10. Is it true that crows don't enter the Sri Uma Maheswara temple premises?

Yes, according to the legend, Sage Agastya cursed all of the crows from entering the temple area. Since crows are sacred to Lord Shani, it is said that he cannot even enter this temple.