The Yaganti Uma Maheshwara Temple is located in Yaganti and is one of the most well-known self-manifested temples of Lord Shiva in Andhra Pradesh. Uma Maheswara Swamy Temple is located in Yaganti Village, in the middle of the Nallamala Forest in Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh. The Holly Temple is located 100 kilometres from Kurnool and 53 kilometres from Nandyal.

The Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple was built six hundred years ago in Vishnav tradition by Harihara and Bukkaraya, ministers of Krishna Deva Raya during the reign of the Vijayanagara kings. Yaganti is one of the most famous Shiva Temples in Andhra Pradesh. Pallavas, Cholas, Chalukyas, and Vijayanagara rulers all contributed to the temple’s construction in the fifth and sixth centuries.

Legend of Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple

Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple was built in the fifteenth century by King Harihara Bukka Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire’s Sangama Dynasty.  According to legends,  The sage Agastya intended to build a temple for Lord Venkateswara on this site. However, the statue could not be installed because the idol’s toenail broke.

The sage was upset by this and performed a penance for Shiva. When Lord Shiva appeared, he stated that the location suited Shiva better because it resembled Kailash. Agastya then asked Shiva to give the devotees a Parvathi Goddess as Lord Uma Maheswara in a single stone, to which Shiva agreed.

History of Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple

The Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple entrance features a large stone idol of Nandeeswar in a seated position. The idol of Nandi is growing by the day. There are doubts about whether the Nandi idol is growing in the temple. According to local sources, the Nandi idol was small four hundred years ago, and devotees used to build around it, but this became impractical as the size of the Nandi idol increased over the last four hundred years.

Some people say that the growth of Nandi is unbelievable because there are no previous pictures or videos of small Nandi, but Nandi is indeed growing year after year.

The Architecture of Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple

Pushkarini – The Agastya Pushkarini here is a natural spring. It flows down the mountain slopes and into the pond next to the Nandi Statue in the temple complex. It is also known as Agastya Pushkarini because sage Agastya bathes in the pond. The water level in the pond remains consistent throughout the year. It is believed that the water in the pond has medicinal properties and that bathing in the pool cures all diseases. The temple is accessible via a stairway from Pushkarini.

Agastya Cave – This is the cave where Agastya performed his penance to Shiva. Climb 120 steep steps to enter the cave. A murti of Devi has been installed and may be worshipped here.

Venkateswara Cave – The cave contains Lord Venkateswara’s damaged murti. Compared to the Agastya cave, it is easier to climb, though the steps are steep. According to legend, this murti was present in the cave before the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple was built. However, due to damage near the foot, the murti could not be worshipped. Sri Sri Potuluri Veera Brahmendra Swami tells us in his Kala Gynanam that this place can be used as an alternative to Tirupati.

Akasha Deepam / Sky Lamp – Another attraction of this ancient temple is the Akasha Deepam, a burning lamp at the top of the hill that is lit all day.

Growing Nandi – Devotees believe that the Nandi murti in front of the temple is steadily growing in size. According to locals, the murti used to be much smaller than it is today. They claim that certain experiments were conducted on this murti and that the type of rock from which the murti was carved has a growing or enlarging nature.

Veera Brahma Cave – This is the cave where saint Sri Madvirat Potuluri Veera Brahmendra Swamy wrote some of his Kala Gnaanam (prophecies). The cave is shorter in height, and entering it requires bending half over.

Important Facts About Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple

• Uma Maheshwara Swamy (also known as Yagantiswamy) Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located 400 metres from Yaganti Bus Stand.
• Yaganti is one of the most famous Shiva Temples in Andhra Pradesh. Pallavas, Cholas, Chalukyas, and Vijayanagara rulers all contributed to the temple’s construction in the fifth and sixth centuries.
• The temple received significant contributions from Vijayanagara Kings Harihara and Bukka Rayalu, who completed the construction of several structures within and around the temple.
• Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple was built in Dravida style and features a large five-story tower built by Vijayanagara rulers. The tower is followed by the main stone temple structure, which features a large pillared hall and the sanctum, which houses the deity.
• The pillars in front of the sanctum feature beautiful carvings of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, among other gods.
• The Sanctum houses an idol of Shiva and Parvathi (Ardhanareeswra) carved from a single stone. This is probably the only place where Lord Shiva is worshipped as an idol rather than as a Shiva Linga.
• Sage Agastya is said to have performed penance for Lord Shiva at this location, requesting that Shiva appear in his Ardhanareeswara form, which is worshipped here.
• Another distinguishing feature of the temple is the Nandeeswara statue, which has been growing in size. The Archaeology Department has confirmed that the size of Nandi grows by 1 inch every 20 years.
• According to Potuluri Veera Brahmam Garu, Yaganti’s Basavanna will continue to grow and emerge to shout when Kaliyuga ends.
• Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple complex contains several sub-shrines, including Veerabhadra Swamy, Viswanadha, and Ganesha.
• The Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple has a large pushkarini (pond) filled with pure water. Several devotees take a bath at Pushkarini before visiting the deity.
• According to legend, while the Sage Agastya was performing his penance, crows disturbed him, and he cursed them, forbidding them from entering the place. Lord Shani is believed to be unable to enter this location because the crow is his Vahana.

Best Time to Visit Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple

This place is very heavenly and spiritual, and you can visit it all year. However, the best time to visit this temple is during the monsoon and winter seasons. During the monsoon season, this location receives moderate to heavy rainfall, making it appear heavenly with its greenery and bringing freshness elsewhere.

Famous Festivals In Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple

• Shravana: For happiness and wealth, many fasts, offerings, and mantras are performed during the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, known as Shravana.
• Mahashivaratri is a fasting ritual in the last week of February – March Begining. It is reminiscent of Lord Shiva bringing Goddess Parvati with him. Priests and the temple committee arrange a Grand Celebration.

How to Reach Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple

Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.

By Air: The nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, 290 kilometres away from Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Nandyal, which is 55 kilometres away and serves all major cities including Hyderabad, Bangalore, Machilipatnam, and Vijayawada.

By Road: Yaganti is situated 14 kilometres from Banganapalli, 53 kilometres from Nandyal, 85 kilometres from Kurnool, and 300 kilometres from Hyderabad.

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