Yaganti Temple Andhra Pradesh

Name : Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple
God : Lord Shiva
Location : Yaganti, Kurnool District, Andhra pradesh


Yaganti (యాగంటి) is a temple in Kurnool District in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Yaganti in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh is famous Sri Yagantiswamy Temple (also called Umamaheshwar Temple) dedicated to Lord Shiva, constructed in 15th century. At a distance of 53 Kms from Nandyal, 85 Kms from Kurnool & 305 Kms from Hyderabad, the temple is situated at a distance of 13 kms from Banaganapalle, the mandal head quarter.

This temple was constructed by the first Vijayanagara Kings Harihara & Bukka Rayalu in 15th century according to Vaishnavaite tradition. An amazing feature of this temple is its Pushkarini with very pure water. No one knows how the water flows in & out of Pushkarini in all the seasons. Devotees consider that a bath in the holy Pushkarini before visiting Shiva is highly beneficial. It is proved that the Nandi idol in front of the temple is continuously increasing its size, at the rate of 1 inch per 20 years.

According to history, 'crows' do not fly near temple premises. As per legend, when Agastya was praying here, crows disturbed him from his meditation so, he blight the crows not to enter the premises.

About Temple

Sri Yagantiswamy Umamaheswara temple is one of the few temples patronized by one of the great dynasties of India. Every year Shivarathri is celebrated and a large number of devotees from all over Andhra Pradesh visit this temple. This temple was constructed and completed by the first Vijayanagara Sangama Kings Harihara Bukka rayalu in the 15th century. It was built according to Vaishnavaite tradition.
Shiva, Parvati and Nandi are the main deities in this temple

History of the Temple

Here is the story about Yaganti, that has been mentioned in the book sold at the temple:

While traveling in South India, Sage Agastya came across this place and he wanted to build a temple for Lord Venkateswara. However, the statue that was made could not be installed as the toe nail of the deity got broken. Sage Agastya was upset over this and he performed a penance for Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appeared, he asked the Lord the reason why he could not install Lord Venkateswara statue. Lord Shiva replied that the place suits Shiva better as it resembles Kailash. Agastya then requested Lord Shiva to give the darshan devotees along with Parvathi Goddess as Lord Uma Maheswara in a single stone, which Lord Shiva obliged.

Chitteppa, a devotee of Lord Shiva, was worshiping Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva appeared to him as a tiger. Chitteppa understood Lord Shiva's darshan in Tiger form and shouted "Neganti Shivanu ne khanti" (meaning: I saw Shiva I saw)and danced with joy. Gradually it became Yaganti and temple was constructed first by him and later by Vijayanagara rulers. Still there is Chitteppa cave.

Pushkarini

An amazing feature of this temple is its Pushkarini, a small pond of water in the temple premises. Water flows into this Pushkarini from the bottom of hill through the mouth of a Nandi. No one knows how the water reaches this Pushkarini in all the seasons. Devotees consider that a holy bath in Pushkarini is highly beneficial. After taking the bath in Pushkarini, they pay tributes to Lord Shiva.
Saint Agasthya came to this place and took bath in this Pushkarini and worshipped Lord Shiva. The water in this Pushkarini is fresh and sweet, as it comes from the hills.

Yaganti Caves

There are 3 caves namely Agasthya Cave, Venkateswara Cave and the VeeraBrahmam Cave.

Agastya Cave
At a distance of 1 Km from Yaganti Bus Station, Agasthya Guha (cave) is the cave where Sage Agastya performed the Penance for Lord Shiva.

While travelling in South India, Sage Agastya came across this place and he wanted to build a temple for Lord Venkateswara. However, the statue that was made could not be installed as the toe nail of the deity got broken. Sage Agastya was upset over this and he performed a penance for Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appeared, he asked the Lord the reason why he could not install Lord Venkateswara statue. Lord Shiva replied that the place suits Shiva better as it resembles Kailash. Agastya then requested Lord Shiva to give the darshan devotees along with Parvathi Goddess as Lord Uma Maheswara in a single stone, which Lord Shiva obliged.

This guha can be reached by climbing very steep steps.

Venkateswara Cave
The damaged idol of Lord Venkateswara is present in this cave. Compared to Agastya guha it is easy to climb though the steps are steep. According to the story of this Venkateswara idol first lord Venkateswara was present in this cave before Tirupati. But as the idol is damaged near the foot,it could not be worshipped. As per Veera Brahmam Kala Gynanam, whenever in Tirupati people cannot worship god,then this place will stand as an alternative instead of Tirupati. This temple has very beautiful scenic locations around it.

Veera Brahmam Cave
This is the cave, where Vishwakarma Brahmin saint Sree Potuluri Veera Brahmam wrote some of his "Kala Gyaanam" (Prophecy). The height of the cave is less and one needs to bend into half to enter it.

Interesting Facts

Growing Nandi

The devotees believe that the Nandi idol in front of the temple is continuously increasing its size. Its heard from the locals that the idol was initially very smaller than its present size. They say that certain experimentation was carried on this idol and it was said that the type of rock out of which the idol is carved has that growing or enlarging nature associated with it. As per Archaeological Survey of India the rock grows at the rate of 1 inch per 20 years (1 mm per 8 years).
It is said that people used to do Pradakshinas(Rounds) around it in the past. Already the temple staff has removed one pillar as the size of Nandi has increased.
According to Potuluri Veera Brahmam, the Basavanna(stone nandi) of Yaganti will come alive and shout when kaliyuga ends.

Absence of Crows

According to site location and from history here 'crows' do not move near temple premises. Legend has it that while Sage Agastya was performing the penance, crows disturbed him and he cursed that the crows cannot enter the place. As Crow which is the Vahan for Lord Shani, it is believed that Lord Shani cannot enter this place.

How to Reach

Yaganti is located in the Kurnool District in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, located approximately 100 km (60 miles) from the City of Kurnool. Sri Yagantiswamy Temple in Banaganapalle mandal of Kurnool district is a popular lord Shiva temple which is located 13 km (8 miles) West of Banagapalle the mandal headquarters on the Banaganapalle-Peapully road. The other route is via Srisailam, Mahanandi, Nandyal and Banagapalli. The third route from Bangalore is to travel via Anantpur, Tadpatri, Belum Caves, Banagapalli and Yaganti. The approach road is from Gooty to Yaganti. The approx distance from Bangalore is 270 kms and Hyderabad it is 340 Kms on NH 7. Yaganti is located exactly 17 kms from Banagapalli if one approaches from Ananthpur or Srisailam route.

However, Yaganti is well-connected by road rather than by rail. There are regular buses from Kurnool, Banaganapalli, Nandyal and some nearby town. There is a bus facility available from Banaganapalli to Yaganti twice per day, one at 7:00 hours and another at 15:30 hours.The nearest railway station is at Panyam and others are at Nandyal and Kurnool, which is on the Secunderabad-Banglore Railway line.
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Near by Visiting Places

Ahobilam
Kalvabugga
Rollapadu

How to reach Yaganti Caves

These caves are situated nearly 13kms from Banaganapalle and nearly 100kms from Kurnool. You can reach here either by bus or private taxi. There are frequent state-run buses from Kurnool and Banaganapalle. The nearest railway station is at Kurnool from where you can hire a taxi or board a state bus or drive down in your own vehicle to these caves.

Base Station: Nandyal (53 Kms)
State: Andhra Pradesh - State Map
District: Kurnool
Nearest City: Kurnool (85 Kms), Hyderabad (305 Kms)