Showing posts with label Andhra Pradesh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andhra Pradesh. Show all posts

Wednesday, 9 September 2026

Sri Madhangeswarar Temple/ Matangeswarar Temple, శ్రీ మదనగేస్వరార్ ఆలయం, Satyavedu, Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh.

The visit to this Sri Madhangeswarar Temple at Satyavedu in Tirupati District of Andhra Pradesh was part of the Gajaprishta Vimana Temple, Shiva Temple, Vishnu Temple, and ASI Excavation site in Tiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu and Tirupati District of Andhra Pradesh. This place, Satyavedu, was once in Chengalpattu District, later transferred to Andhra Pradesh during the division of States based on language. The temple is a little away from human habitation.


Moolavar  : Sri Madhangeswarar
Consort    : Sri Parvati

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with a temple tank. Balipeedam, Dwajasthamabam, and Rishabam are in front of the temple. Vinayagar and Murugan are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is a Bana lingam on a round avudaiyar. In the koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durga.

In the praharam, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, A Shiva sannidhi, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Chanikeswarar, and loose sculptures / old koshta images and sandstone Vinayagar (under the canon ball tree).

Ambal is in a separate sannidhi in the ardha mandapam, facing south. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.





 Sandstone Vinayagar
Koshta Murtis will be installed before Maha Kumbhabhishekam

ARCHITECTURE
The temple was constructed with brick and cement concrete. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with madhalai and kapotam. The vimanam over the bhumi desam has 2 talas, greevam and vesara sigaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are on the tala and greeva koshtams.





Koshta Murtis will be installed before Maha Kumbhabhishekam

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The original temple belongs to the 9th-century Pallava period and later received contributions from Chozha and Vijayanagaras.  The temple was completely renovated, retaining the original moolavar.

பல்லவ மன்னன் அபராஜிதனுடைய ஆட்சியின் போது குமாரந்தை குறும்பராதித்தனாகிய காடுபட்டிபேரரையன் மனைவி நங்கை என்பவள் திருமதங்கப்பள்ளி மாதேவர்க்கு ஒருநந்தா விளக்கு எரிக்க நூறு ஆடுகளை வழங்கினாள். ஊர்ச்சபை தினமும் விடேல் விடுகு அளவுக்குச் சமமான உழக்கில் ஓர் உழக்கு நெய் வழங்கியது. குறும்பர் மற்றும் காடுபட்டி.

The Pallava King Aparajitavaraman’s 4th reign year 899 CE Tamil inscription, on a stone lying in the courtyard of the Mātańgēśvara temple, registers a gift of (the village) Turaiyur¹ in Tekkur-nādu, (together with income from taxes) inclusive of the pon and puravu to the temple of god Mahādēva at Tirumatanganpalli in the same nādu, (a s.d. of) Paiyūriļań-kõttam by Kumārandai Kurumbarādittan alias Kādupattippēraraiyan of Cera-nādu.

The Pallava king Aparajitavarman’s 5th reign year 900 CE, Tamil inscription on a stone in the ardha-mandapa of the Mātańgēśvara temple, registers an undertaking by the ūrār of Pūvanur, (a part of) Tirumatań-ganpalli, (in respect of) 100 sheep, gifted by Porri Nangai, wife of Kumārandai Kurumbarādittan alias Kādupattippēraraiyan for burning a perpetual lamp in the temple of god Mādēvar at Tirumatanganpalli in Tekkūrnādu, (a s.d. of) Paiyyūr-ilan-kōttam, that they would supply daily one ulakku of ghee (measured) by the ulakku equivalent to that of (the liquid measure called) Videlvidugu. Also contains a stipulation in case of default. 

References:
1. ARE, 1912, no. 31;
2. South Indian Inscriptions Volume - XII.
3. Inscriptions of the Pallavas by T V Mahalingam.
4. Tamil Nadu Inscriptions Volume – XXX, Tiruvallur District Inscriptions Volume Part – II, by S Krishnamoorthy.


  The only fragment of an inscription stone available at the site
Sandal paste grinding stone donated by Nalli Reddy

LEGENDS
As per the legend, Rama with Sita worshipped Shiva of this temple.
Matanga Maharishi created an ashram and worshipped Shiva of this temple. Hence, Shiva is called Matangeswarar.

It is said that there was a tunnel that existed between this temple and Kalahasti.

It is also said that the well in the praharam has a connection with the Kalahasti temple. If a flower is dropped at Kalahasti, it will reach this temple well.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from Oru Kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Sivaratri days.

There is a small well inside the sanctum sanctorum. The water from the well is used for abhishekam of the Moolavar and Ambal.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
Since the temple is a little away from Satyavedu and there are no transport facilities, Devotees are advised to contact the Gurukkal before going to the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS
The Gurukkal Chandran may be contacted on his mobile number +918686369979 for further details and poojas.

HOW TO REACH
The temple is about 1.6 km from Satyavedu Town, 16 km from Uthukottai, 23 km from Gummidipoondi, and 30 km from Nagalapuram. 
The nearest Railway Station is Gummidipoondi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE



A Shiva Sannidhi with Gajaproishta Vimanam
A Shiva Sannidhi with Gajaproishta Vimanam



--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

Jatayu and Jatayu Theme Park /జటాయు థీమ్ పార్క్, Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh.

The visit to this Jatayu and Jatayu Theme Park, Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh, was part of the “Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Heritage Walk”, from 25th to 28th December 2025, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”.


The significance of the place dates back to the Indian epic Ramayana. It is believed that the bird Jatayu, wounded by the king of Lanka, Ravana, fell here after a battle against the king, who was carrying away Sita, the wife of Rama, the king of Ayodhya. When Rama reached the spot, he saw the bird and said compassionately to him, “Le Pakshi” — meaning “Arise, bird” in Telugu.


Based on this legend, this big statue of Jatayu was made of concrete with reinforcement of stainless steel for the talons. The Jatayu sculpture measures around 61 meters (200 ft) long, 46 meters (150 ft) wide, and 21 meters (70 ft) high, covering 15,000 sq ft of floor area. The sculptor was Rajiv Anchal. Maybe accessible through steps. This was created in recent years, along with a theme park to attract tourists.


HOW TO REACH
Lepakshi, a village in Andhra Pradesh (5 km from the Karnataka border), is on the Chilamathur – Hindupuram main road, 14 km from Hindupuram Railway Station, 126 km from Bengaluru, and 193 km from Kadapa.
The nearest Railway Station is Hindupuram.

LOCATION OF THE JADAYU PARK: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Tuesday, 10 March 2026

Monolithic Bull, Andhra Pradesh /Ancient Vijayanagara era Lepakshi Nandi /లేపాక్షి నంది, Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh.

The visit to this Monolithic Bull at Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh, was part of the “Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Heritage Walk”, from 25th to 28th December 2025, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”.


This Shri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple and the Monolithic Rishabam / Nandi at Lepakshi are on the tentative list of Monuments of UNESCO.

The Monolithic Bull / Rishabam/ Nandi faces the direction of the Shiva Linga, canopied by a 7-hooded Naga installed at Shri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple. The Rishabam is about 500 meters from the Shri Veerabhadra Temple.


The Rishabam is in a lying posture, wearing an ornament around the neck and hump. The ornaments are the necklace, rope, salangai / chilanka/salanga, bells, etc. A Gandaberunda, a Kerthi mukha, and a big bell adorn the front side of Rishabam. Both sides of the back are two Keerthi mukhas tied with small bells.    

A Gandaberunda, a Kerthi mukha, and a big bell 

HOW TO REACH
Lepakshi, a village in Andhra Pradesh (5 km from the Karnataka border), is on the Chilamathur – Hindupuram main road, 14 km from Hindupuram Railway Station, 126 km from Bengaluru, and 193 km from Kadapa.
The nearest Railway Station is Hindupuram.

LOCATION OF THE RISHABAM: CLICK HERE



--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Monday, 9 March 2026

Veerabhadra Temple / Vijayanagara Era Shri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh.

The visit to this Shri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh, was a part of “Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Heritage walk”, from 25th to 28th December 2025, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”.

Shiva Linga canopied by a seven-hooded Naga
A replica bas-relief on a pillar

This Shri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple and the Monolithic Rishabam / Nandi at Lepakshi are on the tentative list of Monuments of UNESCO. The literal meaning of the word is -Lepa + Akshi- an embalmed eye or a painted eye. Due to several stories signifying the meaning of the name of the village, it is difficult to understand its origin.

Moolavar: Shri Veerabhadra Swamy

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram with greevam and sigaram. Shri Veerabhadra Swamy is in a standing posture. Papanaseswara and Raghunatha (Chenna Kesava) shrines are on both sides of Shri Veerabhadra Swamy's sannidhi.

In subsidiary shrines for Parvati, Ramalinga, Hanumalinga, a Chozha period Shiva Lingam, Sita Pada, plate-like carvings on the floor, A Shiva Linga under the canopy of Naga, Vinayagar bas relief, Elephant and Snake worshipping Shiva (The sthala purana of Jambukeswarar Temple of Thiruvanakoil), etc.  

ARCHITECTURE
The temple complex, along with its concentric enclosure walls or prahara, is situated on a low granite tortoise-shaped hill known as Kurmasaila. The structures were built at three different levels or contours of the hill; each group was enclosed by three praharas, i.e, inner, middle and outer prahara built during three different phases. It is believed that there were seven enclosure walls similar to those of Hampi, capital of Vijayanagara, since the number is considered sacred in Indian civilisation.

The main temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and open mukha mandapam. The Vimanas of the shrines are built in Dravidian style with two tiers. The temple is built in the trikuta style, initially with two shrines - Veerabhadra and Papanaseswara sharing a common platform and a pillared maha-mandapa. The third shrine was added west of the same platform, which together forms a part of the inner prahara, dedicated to Raghunatha (Chenna Kesava) shrines and other subsidiary shrines for Parvati, Ramalinga, and Hanumalinga.  

A huge granite boulder has been incorporated within the enclosure wall. Natya-mandapa is attached to the Maha-mandapa, common to these three shrines. This is the most ornate structure of the temple. Its roof is painted with panels of murals depicting scenes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and other Pauranic legends. The second prahara encloses kalyana-mandapa, balipitha, vahana-mandapa and homa mandapa. This enclosure covers almost the eighth part of the area covered by the innermost prahara and has two entrances, one on the north and one on the south. To the south of the main shrine within the inner prahara, there is a huge monolithic sculpture of Ganesa Linga worshipped by a spider and an elephant in a small mandapa with two pillars known as Ganesa Mandapa.

The temple complex was further extended by the construction of water cisterns, Somavaramandapa, Yagamandapa, and Uyalamandapa, which are enclosed by the third prahara. This third enclosure covers two and a half times the area covered by the second prahara. The third prahara has three entrances, one on north, one in the east and one in the west.

To the south of the main shrine within the inner prahara, there is a huge rock carved with Ganesa, Linga worshipped by a spider & an elephant (The sthala purana of Jambukeswarar Temple of Thiruvanaikoil) and a huge Nagalingam, i.e linga canopied by a seven-hooded Naga.


Spider worshipping Shiva - Kannappar worshipping Shiva - Elephant worshipping Shiva


 Saptamatrikas

A lone Shiva Linga is under a mandapa. It is said that this Shiva Linga is very old and belongs to the Chozha period. This was installed by a merchant group, and an inscription supports this.


NATYA MANDAPA SCULPTURES
The best specimens of the Vijayanagara relief sculptures are seen on the composite pillars. The Natya mandapa pillars have the sculptures of Ramba, the celestial dancer, and her guru, Shiva as Pichadanar, Nandi playing mrudhangam, Natarajar, Thumburu, Brahma, Gandarvas, Kinnaras, Kimburudas, etc.







 Kinnanars

Hanging Pillar… It is claimed that a pillar of the Natya mandapa is hanging, without touching the ground. It is not correct, a point of the pillar is touching the mandapa floor.


NATYA MANDAPA MURALS AND PAINTINGS
With the support and help of Vijayanagara kings, Krishna Devaraya and Achyutarya created notable development in the field of art in the empire, which is distinctly visible in the paintings at Veerabhadra Temple mukha mandapa ceilings. The technique used is known as Fresco-secco or painting in lime medium on plaster. The fresco paintings on the walls and ceilings of mandapas and pradakshina pada depict illustrations from Ramayana and Mahabharata, gods and legendary stories like Kiratarjuniyam, Girija Kalyana, and Shiva-Parvati marriage, different manifestations of Siva, Draupadi Swayamvaram and Virupanna and his brothers worshipping Veerabhadra. After the downfall of the Vijayanagara Empire, the paintings remained unattended for a long period, resulting in damage to the paintings.










KALYANA MANDAPA
Sculpture work with different themes from Hindu mythology, pauranic beliefs and traditions, and flora and fauna engraved on the different components of the temple, such as pillars, ceiling of mandapas and naturally existing granite boulders, contribute to the aesthetic value of the temple.

The Kalyana mandapa is open to the sky, and only the pillars are standing. The pillars have the sculptures related to Shiva & Parvati’s marriage. Shiva, Parvati (before makeup and after), Shiva’s father-in-law, Maha Vishnu, Agni, Brahma, Ashtadikpalas on the eight directions with their vahans, etc., are on the pillars facing the centre of the hall.  









Some of the pillars have a beautiful design pattern. It is said that these design patterns are used for weaving sarees.









Mandapa pillars

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
About 20 inscriptions are inscribed on the prahara walls of Sri Veerabhadra temple, and the majority of these belong to the reign of Achyutaraya Maharaya (1539-42 CE). These inscriptions throw light on the historical evolution of the temple complex and donations in each period. The Virabhadra temple complex, Pete on the Kurma Salla (Tortoise-shaped hill) was constructed by Virupanna, an officer and Treasurer during the reign of Achyutaraya (1530-1542).

An important donatory record recently discovered belonged to the reign of Saluva Immadi Narasimha (1490-1506 C.E). The record confirms that the Papanasesvara temple existed 50 years earlier than Virupanna.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA


LEGENDS
The significance of the place dates back to the Indian epic Ramayana. It is believed that the bird Jatayu, wounded by the king of Lanka, Ravana, fell here after a battle against the king, who was carrying away Sita, the wife of Rama, the king of Ayodhya. When Rama reached the spot, he saw the bird and said compassionately to him, “Le Pakshi” — meaning “Arise, bird” in Telugu.

The literal meaning of the word is - Lepa + Akshi- an embalmed eye or a painted eye. Due to several stories signifying the meaning of the name of the village, it is difficult to understand its origin.

It is said that after carving Naga, it was observed and the same disappeared after the installation of Shiva Linga.

HOW TO REACH
Lepakshi, a village in Andhra Pradesh (5 km from the Karnataka border) is on the Chilamathur – Hindupuram main road, 14 km from Hindupuram Railway Station, 126 km from Bengaluru, and 193 km from Kadapa.
The nearest Railway Station is Hindupuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE



Sita's Pada


A rare bas-relief of three clowns
Vijayanagara's iconic Herdsman
Vamana
A rare sculpture of Vimanam thangis- Here they support the kapotam of a Natya mandapa adhistanam
Kiratha- Arjuna fights for a pig



--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---