Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/OpuPwq2WxyY
Location: "Temple street, Ryali, Andhra Pradesh 533236"
Reference: https://eastgodavari.ap.gov.in/temples/sri-jaganmohini-kesava-gopala-swamy-temple-ryali/
Ryali is located 40 Km
from Rajahmundry, 74 Km from Kakinada and 34 Km from Amalapuram and it is
situated between the rivers Vashista and Gautami, Tributaries of river
Godavari, this is the site of the renowned Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy temple.
Sthala
Puranam:
According
to the legend “Bhagavatam” while Devatas and Rakshas were quarrelling over
sharing of holy Devine nectar “Sree Maha Vishnu” came to the rescue of Devatas
in the guise of Mohini and convinced both the rivalry groups promising to
distribute holy Devine nectar in equal share to Devatas and Rakshas. But in the
interest of universal peace and welfare of sages, holy and Devine nectar was
distributed among Devatas alone and the Mohini disappeared.
Lord Siva
having seen the most fascinating beauty of Mohini allured her. He chased her
for getting for a while the presence of his consort Parvathi Devi it is the
general belief that the holy incident was the result of birth of “AYYAPPA
SWAMY”. One flower from the plait of Mohini fell down and it was smelt by Lord
Siva. Then he surprisingly found “Sree Maha Vishnu” in the form of Mohini and
felt shy for his behavior. The place where the flower from the plait of Mohini
fell is named as RYALI the Telugu meaning of “Fall”.
This place
known as Ryali for the above reason became above of Lord Siva and Sree
Mahavishnu with the form of Mohini on back side Lord Brahma consecrated the
Siva Lingam with his Kamandalam and hence Lord Siva at Ryali is worshipped as
Sri Uma Kamandalesara Swamy Varu, Sri Mahavishnu with the form of Mohini on
backside is worshipped as Sri Jaganmohini Kesava Swamy varu both Siva and
Vishnu Temples are located facing each other. This is very rare feature at
Ryali where Vishnu and Lord Siva Temples faces each other in East, West
direction.
During 11th
Century, this village was a part of wild Forest and these parts were under the
rule of Chola Rajas. Sri Raja Vikrama Deva who ruling these parts during those
days came to this place for hunting. Having been tired after hunting wild
animals, he took rest under the shade of a big ponna tree, and fell in deep
sleep and got a dream. Lord Sri Maha Vishnu appeared in his dream and informed
that his shrine was located in the under ground of this area and directed the
“Raja to get the wooden made chariot pull in the area and where the nail of
chariot fell, the shrine can be found in the under ground of that place. Raja
has done accordingly and the land where the nail of chariot fell was excaved
and found the idol making the dream of Raja true. He constructed a small temple
during 11th Century and arranged worship during his regime. Gradually prakarams
were developed in the year 1936 (Data nama Samvatsara) it was renovated.The
Shrine of Sri jaganmohini kesava Swamy varu is Salagrama Ekasila with 5 feet
height and 3 feet width.
Salgramasila
is itself the form of Sri Maha Vishnu. The idol of Sree Kesava Swamy varu of
“Sri Mahavishnu” in front side and Jagan Mohini on back side. The tem
incarnations Lord Sree Maha Vishnu with consorts, Sri Devi, BhooDevi, Sage
Narada, Thumbura, Rambha, Urvasi, Kinnera, Kimpurusha, Lord Krishna with
Govardhanagiri, Adiseshu, Garuda and Ganga are beautifully, scluptured around
the shrine. The most miracle and rare feature is that, Ganga always flows from
the feet of Sri Maha Vishnu is the origin of Akasa Ganga and this truth can be
witnessed here. The most wonderful architectural beauty of Shrine, and flow of
Ganga from the feet of Swamy varu are really unique features and shrine became
very sacred. The architectural beauty of idol can not be described in words.
Further it gives impression as it is new idol though its origin is of 11th
Century.This shrine is “SWAYAMBHU” people visiting the temple form several
parts of the Country believe that the shrine is not of man made but certainly
creation of Devatas and Darsan of Swamy varu gives the feeling of presence of
real God.
Festivals
·
Sri Jaganmohini kesava Swamy kalyanam will be
conducted from Chaitra sudha Navami to Pournami (March/April).
·
Sri Rama Satyanarayana Swamy kalyanam will be
conducted from Visakha Sudha Ekadasi to Pournami.
·
Sri Venugopala Swamy kalyanam will be conducted
from Jyesta Sudha Ekadasi to pournami (June).
·
Sravana Bahula Astami Sri Krishnastami
(August).
·
Karthiaka sudha Dwadasi (Ksheerabdi Dwadasi)
(November).
·
Devi Navaratrams (October).
·
Mukkoti Ekadasi.
·
Bheeshma Ekadasi.
How to Reach:
By Road: 40 KMs
from Rajamhundry, own vehicle or a hired vehicle are the best options. Buses ply
from Rajahmundry and go via Ryali.
By Air: Rajamhundry
is the nearest airport
By Train: Rajamhundry
Railway station is the nearest major railways station around 40 KMs from Ryali.
Parking and Photography
Parking is
difficult as the temple is situated in a very congested area.
Photography
is not allowed inside the temple and specially garbagriha. But do try to use
mobile if they allow. The vigraha of Jaganamohana is one of the most beautiful
and scintillating idols I have seen.
Drones
should be avoided. If at all used, should be tried from a distance far from the
temple.
Ryali Jagan Mohini Temple
Timings
·
Opening Hours: 5:00 am
·
Astottaram/ Sahasra Namarchana – 6:10 am
·
Sarva Darshan: 6:00 am – 12:00 pm
·
Maha Nivedana – 11:30 am.
·
Temple closing Hours – 12:00 pm.
·
Temple reopens – 3:00 pm.
·
Sarva Darshan: 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
·
Temple closing Hours: 8:00 pm
The above-mentioned
timings might change on the festival days.
