340. Temple Darshan – 2

While researching the way to go to the Swarnagiri temple, I found that there was another temple site, just about 20 minutes away.  This was the Ramaneswaram Devasthanam. A few details on the temple from Telangana Tourism…

Ramaneswaram is a Hindu pilgrimage temple registered as Shiva Shakthi Shirdi Sai Anugraha Mahapeetam. It is founded by Siddhaguru Sri Ramanananda Maharshi in 2012 with a vision to promote the glory of Lord Shiva, Goddess Shakthi and Siddhaguru (Shirdi Sai Baba). This temple is in the province of Nagireddipally village, 15 KM away from Yadadri Bhuvanagiri and 27 KM away from the holy pilgrimage Yadagirigutta (Yadadri).

Legend has it, Lord Shiva initiated Shiva Sahasra Nama stotram to Lord Brahma. It comprises 10000 names of Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma communicated the same to Maharshi Tandi, who compressed it to 1008 names and initiated to Maharshi Markandeya, who inturn communicated it to Upamanyu Maharshi, and Maharshi Upamanyu transmitted it to Lord Srikrishna. There are no words to describe the glory of Shiva Sahasra Namam to the fullest.

After in-depth research on Shiva Sahasra Nama stotram, Siddhaguru Ramanananda Maharshi, with his transcendental vision, comprehended the inner meaning and significance of this stotram which resulted in consecration of 1008 shivalingams with 1008 names of Lord Shiva (Shiva Sahasra Namalu) at Ramaneswaram.

The principal attraction of Ramaneswaram is Golden Shiva lingam, worshipped here as “Atharva Shirshaya Namaha” who give wealth, prosperity and firmness of intellect. This holy shrine is also embellished with Grama Devatas, Spatika Shiva lingam, Panchaloha Shiva Lingam, Dwadasa Jyotirlingams, Veda Rishi Shiva lingams, Adiparashakthi, Kalabhairava, Bhadrakali, Arthanariswara, Sada Shiva, Yogarudra, Radhadevi, Lord Srikrishna, Lord Panduranga, Lord Nagendra and many enlightened master idols like, Dakshinamurthy, Buddha, Ramana Maharshi, Upasni Maharaj, Radhakrishna mai, Gajanan Maharaj, Yogi Vemana, Nitya Nanda Swami etc.

From Swarnagiri, we went to this place.  The place is filled with shiv lingams.  Here also we took wheelchairs.  The wheelchairs we just lying there neat the entrance.  We asked the security guard if we can take them.  He confirmed the same.  We entered the Devasthanam.  There are 1008 shiva lingams here spread across a vast area.  One could walk through the entire place or go in a open cart to view the lingams.  All the lingams are kept in a locked way so that we cannot approach them.  When they first opened, it seems some people were seen lighting camphor and diyas and offering pujas there.  After that incident, they decided to close the doors.  You can see all the lingams from a distance. 

The cart will take you slowly through all the lingams and you can watch the same by sitting in the cart.  Only for the golden lingam, you can enter the premises and see the lingam from nearby.  I told the cart driver that I wanted to take pictures.  Hesitatingly, he agreed saying that he will wait for only 30-45 seconds at each spot for me to take the photo.  I agreed to that.   You can find the photos in the attached file.

As this Devasthanam is not well-known there was hardly any crowd.  Since some construction is going on, maybe they will embark on an advertising spree once the entire premises is completed.  Overall, it was worthwhile visit.   We left the place, had breakfast on the way and were back at our home by around 12pm or so.

Cheers till next week for the next darshan😊!!