History, Importance, and Travel Guide of Uma Maheswara Temple, Yaganti, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple or Yaganti or Sri Yagantiswamy temple is solely dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh and one of the most famous Shiva temple of state. Yaganti is located at 11 km from Banaganipalli, 55 km from Nandyal, 90 km from Kurnool, 308 km from Hyderabad, 359 km from Vijayawada in admists natural scenery with caves and water falls around. The temple was dated back from 5th – 6th century with the contributions of the Pallavas and Cholas. The Temple was reconstructed by King Harihara Bukka Raya of the Sangama Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th Century. The temple was built according to Vaishnavaite traditions. The Uma Maheshwara Temple at Yaganti houses the idol of Shiva & Parvathi –Ardhanareeswara form and carved out of a single stone.
This Temple holds a very magnificent History. The Sage Agastya wanted to build a Temple for Lord Venkateswara on this site. The Statue was however not installed as the toe nail of the idol got broken. The Sage started performing penance for Lord Shiva. When Shiva appeared in front of him, sage requested Shiva to appear in Ardhanareeswara form which is worshipped here till date instead of Shivlinga. It is also said that crows can not fly over the temple as Kakasura, king of crow’s disturbed sage Agastya during meditation so sage cursed that crows can not enter in temple.
Mystery and interesting facts of Yaganti temple, Uma Maheshwara Temple, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
The Nandi in front of the Temple is believed to be increasing in size continuously. Certain experiments were carried out on this Nandi idol and was claimed that the type of the rock out of which the Nandi is carved has a growing nature associated with it. As per Archaeological Survey of India the rock grows at the rate of 1 inch per 20 years. Another key attraction of this temple is its Pushkarini –small pond with very pure water. Water flows into Pushkarini from the bottom of hill through the mouth of Nandi. It is mystery that how the water flows into Pushkarini in all the seasons. Devotees used to bath in the holy Pushkarini first and then visit temple. The saint Veerabrahmendra swami stayed here and wrote Kalagnanam. As per the Potuluri Veera Brahmendra Swamy, the Nandi will awake and shout when kali yuga ends.
Every year Maha ShivRatri and Navratri is celebrated with thousands of devotees participating in the festival rituals.
How to reach Yaganti, Uma Maheshwar Temple
Yaganti Road is very well connected with the major cities. Yaganti Bus stop is located just a few metres away from the temple. The nearest Railway Station is Nandyal Railway Station at a distance of 55kms which is connected with all major cities like Howrah, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, Hubli, Puri, Vizag and Bhubaneswar. The nearest Airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad at a distance of 290kms.
