Yaganti

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Kurnool
type = city
latd = 15.82 | longd = 78.06
locator_position = right
state_name = Andhra Pradesh
district = Kurnool | కర్నూల్ జిల్లా
leader_title = MLA
leader_name =
altitude = 274
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 267,739
population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website = kurnool.ap.nic.in
footnotes = |

Yaganti (Telugu: యాగంటి ) is a temple in Kurnool District ( కర్నూల్ జిల్లా) in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh ( ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్ ).

Yaganti

Yaganti is located in the Kurnool District in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, located approximately 100 km from the town of Kurnool. Sri Yagantiswamy Temple in Banaganapalle mandal of Kurnool district is a popular lord Shiva temple Which is located 13 km away from Banagapalle the mandal head quarter on the Banaganapalle-Peapully road.

History

Sri Yagantiswamy temple is one of the few temples patronized by one of the great dynasties of India. Every year Shivarathri is celebrated and a large number of devotees from all over Andhra Pradesh visit Sri Yagantiswamy temple. An amazing feature of this temple is its Pushkarini. No one knows how the water flows out from the bottom of hill to the Pushkarini in all the seasons. Devotees consider that a bath in the holy Pushkarini is highly beneficial and then they pay tributes to lord Shiva. The devotees believe that the Nandi idol in front of the temple is continuously increasing its size. Its heard from the locals that the idol was initially very smaller than its present size. They say that certain experimentation was carried on this idol and it was said that the type of rock out of which the idol is carved has that growing or enlarging nature associated with it. As per Archaeological Survey of India the rock grows at the rate of 1 inch per 20 years.

Yaganti Umamaheswara Swami temple was constructed and completed by the first Vijayanagara Sangama Kings Harihara Bukka rayalu in the 15th century. It was built according to Vaishnavaite tradition.

Here is the story about Yaganti, that has been mentioned in the book sold at the temple:

While travelling in South India, Sage Agastya came across this place and he wanted to build a temple for Lord Venkateswara. However, the statue that was made could not be installed as the toe nail of the deity got broken. Sage Agastya was upset over this and he performed a penance for Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva appeared, he asked the Lord the reason why he could not install Lord Venkateswara statue. Lord Shiva replied that the place suits Shiva better as it resembles Kailash. Agastya then requested Lord Shiva to give the darshan devotees along with Parvathi Goddess as Lord Uma Maheswara in a single stone, which Lord Shiva obliged.

While Chitteppa, a devotee of Lord Shiva was worshipping, Lord Shiva appeared to him as a tiger. Chitteppa understood Lord Shiva's darshan in Tiger form and shouted "Neganti Shivanu ne khanti" and danced with joy. Still there is Chitteppa cave. Gradually it became Yaganti and temple was constructed first by him and later by Vijayanagara rulers.

Places to see

Nandi (Basavanna)

According to Potuluri Veera Brahmam, the Basavanna(stone nandi) of Yaganti will come alive and shout when kaliyuga ends. People believe that stone Nandiswara (Basavanna) is increasing in its size.The size of Nandi will increase a thread (Noolu Pogu) evry year. Almost the temple staff has removed one pillar as the size of nandi has been increased.

Agasthya Pushkarini

Saint Agasthya came to this place and took bath in this Pushkarini and worshipped Lord Shiva. The water in this Pushkarini is fresh and sweet, as it comes from the hills.

Agastya Guha

This is the cave where Agastya performed the Penance for Lord Shiva. One can enter the guha by climbing the very steep steps.

Venkateswara Guha

This is the cave, where the damaged idol of Lord Venkateswara is present. Even though the steps are steep, it is easy to climb when compared with Agastya guha.The story of this Venkateswara idol is that, first lord Venkateswara is placed in this cave instead of Tirupati.But as the idol is damed near feet,it cannot wroship.But as per Veera Brahmam Kala Gynanam when ever in Tirupati people cannot worship god,then this place is going to be alternative instead of Tirupati.Nice to visit this temple with beautiful scenaries.

Pothuluri Veera Brahmendra Swami Guha

This is the cave, where Potuluri Veera Brahmam wrote some of his "Kala Gyaanam" (Prophecy). The height of the cave is less and one needs to bend into half to enter it.

Also, one will surprised to find that there are no crows in this place. Legend has it that while Sage Agastya was performing the penance, crows disturbed him and he cursed that the crows cannot enter the place. As Crow which is the Vahan for Lord Shani, it is believed that Lord Shani cannot enter this place.

Travel

By Road:

Yaganti is situated at a distance of 53 km from Nandyal and 100 km from Kurnool [ [http://www.indiatourism.com/andhra-pradesh-caves/yaganti-caves.html India Tourism site] ] . Yaganti is well connected by road and there are frequent buses from Kurnool and Banaganapalle.

By Rail:

The nearest railway station is Panyam. However, only few trains stop here. The other near by stations are Nandyal, Kurnool.

By Air:

Nearest airport is located at Hyderabad.

References