History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture of Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Tadipatri, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh
Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple is solely dedicated to the deity Lord Shiva in form of Ramalingeswara Swamy on the bank of the River Penna in Tadipatri, town of Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh. The Swayambhu ShivLinga, having been consecrated at a small continuous spring, called ‘Bugga’ in Telugu, perform Abhisheka to Shivlinga, thus temple becomes known as the Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy temple and water is believed to be highly sacred. As per legends, it is said that the temple was built during the Vijayanagar Kings. The temple was estimated to be constructed between 1490 and 1509. It is one of the few temples in the district to be plundered by Muslim armies.
According to the kaifiyat, Ramalinga Nayudu, a chief commander of the Vijayanagara, he told that when Ramalinga’s cows were taken to the field for grazing, one of the cow used to empty his milk on an ant-hill. The cowherd had hurled an axe at the ant-hill. The night Ramalinga has a dream in which Lord told him the cowherd had harmed him. Ramalinga was asked to build a temple at the spot. This is how temple was built by Ramalinga Nayadu. The construction of the temple shows a mixture of Chalukyan, Chola and Vijayanagar architecture style. This temple has the small stone chariot like the famous chariot of Vitthala Temple of Hampi. Unlike other Hindu temples where the deities are east-facing, in this temple the Shivalinga faces to west direction.
It is also believed that this temple was built at the place where Shree Parasurama, sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu lived and performed meditation. It is also said that ShivLinga was installed by Lord Rama here to get rid of the sin of killing a demon Tataki, as she was woman. The Annual car festival is celebrated on Maha Shivaratri with full of devotion and joy. The entire Shiva Purana is carved on the walls of the Temple. The different form of Lord Shiva are also carved on the walls of the temple.
How to reach Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, Tadipatri, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh – It is very well connected by the roads with all the major cities of the state. Buses and taxis are frequently available to reach the temple. Tadipatri Railway Station at a distance of 4kms from the temple. The nearest Airport is Sri Sathya Sai Airport situated at a distance of 59kms and Anantpur is at just 40 kms far.
