Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/hiaVCvQJdFM
References: https://gotirupati.com/ramagiri-valeeswarar-swamy-temple/
Location: “Sri Valeeswara Temple, CQ38+V4V,
Ramagiri Murugan temple Foot Steps, Ramagiri, Andhra Pradesh 517581”
Ramagiri is one of the villages in Pitchatur Mandal, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh. Ramagiri is located 76.85 km distance from
its District Main City Chittoor.
Ramagiri village has two main temples, one is Subramanya
Swamy temple which is located on top of the hill, and the other one at the foot
of the hill. Subramanya Swamy temple at the top of the hill is a new temple,
built in the year 1969. The temple which is located at the foot of the hill is
The Vaaleeswarar Swamy temple, which has many legends associated with. Though
this is a Shiva Temple, the Pradhana Murthy (primary deity) here is Sri Kala
Bhairavar, also called as Santhana Praapthi Bhairavar.
The beauty of the temple is defined by its serene location
surrounded by hills, the Nandi teertham pond in front and calm and peaceful
surroundings all around.
Ramagiri Vaaleeswarar Swamy temple is believed to be built by
Pallava king in the 9th century A.D. There is a pond near to Temple with full
of pure water. The water comes out from the mouth of a Nandi idol. The water
here flows for all the days in a year. Near the Nandi idol. The temple pond
which is situated in front of the temple is called Nandi Theertham. There is a
small Shiva Linga Idol next to the Pond. Nandi’s front half is seen protruding
from the wall of the pond. The water originating somewhere from the hill
reaches a small well and from there it passes and comes through this Nandi’s
mouth and flows into the pond. Native Villagers say that they have never seen
this water flow stops, since their memory. Also, they are sure about the source
from where the water reaches Nandi. One more speciality of this temple is,
this is the only Shiva Temple in which Pradhosham* is not celebrated.
There is also a shrine for Lord Ganesha. Behind Ganesha
Temple, there is a way with steps that takes you to the hilltop temple of
Subramanya Swamy Temple.
*Pradhosham is a
bimonthly occasion in the Hindu calendar, falling on the thirteenth day of each
fortnight, and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. It's a time
considered auspicious, especially on the dark fortnight, and is associated with
removing sins or impurities. Pradosham is observed twice a month, once
during the waxing and once during the waning phases of the moon.
Architecture
The temple doesn’t follow any fixed architecture, with no
Gopurams, Dhwajastambhas and no Prakharam. The Mandapa is more of like inside a
cave, in two parts: The first part has Bhairavar as the main deity whereas the
second part has Shiva Linga named as Vaaleeswarar as the main deity. This is one rare temple having a tall
magnificent idol of Bhairavar in the main sanctum sanctorum. You can find the
idol of the dog in front of the main shrine, as the dog is the Vahan for
Bhairav. Adjacent to Bhairavar shrine, there is a separate shrine for the
Goddess Kalika matha. The corridor surrounding the Bhairavar shrine has small
idols of Bhairavar with various postures on the walls. The entrance of
Bhairavar shrine has two Shiva Lingas and a Siddhi Vinayaka idol with a
different look of trunk.
The temple is an architectural marvel with rich sculptures
and carvings all around including in the small shrine near the Nandi teertham.
The other part of the temple is dedicated Lord Shiva named as
Vaaleeswarar. He is in the form of a Shiva Linga slightly tilted. Opposite to
him is a small Nandi idol and Hanuman idol. Usually, Hanuman stands opposite to
Rama Idol, but not in front of Shiva. There is also another big artistically
beautiful Nandi idol. The entrance of Shiva main shrine has two big idols of
Dwarapalaks. Ganesha and Chandramouleeswarar (Shiva Linga) are also found in
the entrance.
The idols of Brahma, Vishnu, Shanmuga, Veerabhadra, Durga,
Surya, Chandikeswarar, Sapta Mata, Dakshinamurthy, Ayyappa, Anjaneya, and Appar
are found in the corridor. The idol of the saint Agastya is found in a
different posture; his head is covered with a hat like covering. There is an
idol for Ganesha named as Gajamukha which is a fantastic example of Pallava
sculptural style. The idol of Veerabhadra in the sitting posture is a rare
idol. The idol of Ganesh near the entrance of the main shrine is also looking
different and very attractive.
There is a separate shrine for the Goddess of the temple
Maragadambigai. The idol is big and attractive. In the wall, you can find a
small carving depicting the scene of Hanuman pulling the Shiv Linga.
Lord Shiva has 5 faces; Isaanam, Thathpurusham, Vaamadhevam,
Sathyojaatham and Agoram. There are 5 Shiva temples (called Pancha Brahma
Sthalams) near Chennai, representing each of the 5 faces of the Lord. Out of 5,
this temple represents the Isaana face of Lord Shiva.
The other 4 being Aarani Sri Sampangi Pitchaaleeswarar (Vamadhevam), Suruttuppalli Sri Pallikondeeswarar (Thathpurusham), Ariyathurai Sri Varamoortheeswarar (Sathyojaatham)
and Karungaali Sri Chinthaamaneeswarar (Agoram).
Interestingly, these entire 5 temples lie on the banks of Brahmaranya (Arani)
river, till the river merges into the ocean at Karungaali.
Sri
Bhairavar is worshipped by childless couples to be blessed to get a baby. Many
childless couples perform pooja here and are blessed with a child.
Legend
In
Ramayana, after defeating Ravana, Rama reached Rameswaram, on his way to
Ayodhya. As he killed Ravana, he was caught by Brahmahathi Dhosha. One will
suffer from this Dhosha, if he kills a Brahmin. Ravana, though being a demon
king, was a Brahmin as he was born to a Rishi. Rama was advised by His Guru
Sage Vasishtar to get a Shiva Lingam from Kaasi (Varanasi) and perform poojas
to Lord Shiva to get relieved from the Dhosha, so that he can proceed to
Ayodhya to take charge as the king.
Rama
took his Guru’s advice and sent Anjaneya (Hanuman) to bring a Shiva Lingam from
Kaasi Kshethra. Anjaneya took the order of his master and went to Kaasi and
brought a Shiva Lingam.
On his way back, he was passing through this place called Kaalinga Madu Karai
or Thirukkaarikkarai, where Lord Kala Bhairavar was present. Kala Bhairavar saw
Anjaneya with the Shiva Linga and wanted Lord Shiva to take abode in His place
here. He wanted to play a trick for His dream to come true. He requested Lord
Surya (Sun God) and Vaayu (God of Air) for cooperation. Suddenly Sun started
shining heavily emitting high temperature and dry wind blew all over. Anjaneya
became thirsty because of this act. He landed up there and saw a boy wandering
with his cows who was Lord Kala Bhairava in disguise.
He
enquired the boy for any water source nearby. Lord Kala Bhairava prayed to
Mother Ganga (Ganges) and a water pond hit Anjaneya’s sight. Anjaneya requested
the small boy to hold the Shiva Lingam till he comes back as it should not be
kept on the ground. The boy agreed and while Anjaneya was quenching his thirst,
the boy told Anjaneya, that the Shiva Lingam was too heavy for him to hold
anymore and kept it on the ground and went off.
Anjaneya
came back and saw the Shiva Lingam on the ground. He tried lifting hit but he
couldn’t. He roped around the Shiva Lingam with his lengthy tail and tried to
pull it up using all his strength. The Shiva Lingam tilted a bit but never came
off the ground. Anjaneya realized that it is impossible to lift it and started
to Kaasi again to bring another Shiva Lingam for Lord Rama. When he started, he
felt that the atmosphere was normal. Suddenly, the heat of the Sun came down
and there was cold breeze. He understood that it was a trick played by someone.
Out
of anger, he cursed the pond to become a hill. The pond became the hill here,
on which a Murugan Temple is situated now. The Shiva Lingam which was brought
by Lord Anjaneyar is situated in the temple at the foot hill.
As Anjaneya brought the Shiva Lingam here, which was meant for Rama, the place
came to be known as Ramagiri.
Since
Anjaneya tried to pull the Shiva Lingam with his tail, the Lord here is called
as Vaaleeswarar. (Vaal means Tail in Tamil & Vaalam is the Sanskrit word
for tail)
Timings:
8 am – 11:45 am and
3:00 pm – 5:45 pm
How to Reach:
By Road: Ramagiri is 2 Km away
from Picchatur. It is on the Bypass Road only. Local transport from Chittoor
and Tirupati are available easily. From Picchatur hired auto can be taken.
By Train: Nearest major
railway station is Chennai, which is around 75 KMs. Tirupati railway station is
around 60 KMs
By Air: Nearest airport is
Chennai, which is around 80 KMs
Nearby Places to visit:
1)
Sri
Kalahasti Wildlife sanctuary.
2)
SriVedanarayanaSwamyTemple,
Nagalapuram
3)
SriValeeshwaraTemple.
Nagalapuram (RamagiriMurugan)
4)
Kalyana
Venkatesa Mandapam, Narayanavaram
5)
Lord
Shiva Temple, Puttur
6)
Tirupati
Venkateshwara Swamy Temple
7)
Papavinasam
Teertham
8)
Valluvar
Kottam
9)
Silathoranam
(natural rock formation in Tirumala Hills)
10) Mypadu Beach
11) Rockfort Temple
12) Shri Padmavati Ammavari Temple
13) Chandragiri Fort, Tirupati
14) Breezy Beach
15) Shri Ranganathaswamy Temple,
Nellore
16) Narasimha swamy temple, Nellore
17) Japali Teertham,
18) Nellapttu Bird Sanctuary
19) Elliot’s beach
20) Penchalakona Temple
21) Sri Govinda Raja swamy temple
22) Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Chennai
23) Kapila Teertham
24) Akasaganga Teertham
25) Venkatagiri Fort
Stay
options:
Srikalahasti, Chittoor, and Chennai in 3 different directions
are the best options to stay, with ample options.
Parking and Photography
Photography
is allowed but not inside the garbagriha. Drones can be used from the outside.
There is
dedicated parking available and there is ample space there.
Famous festivals