Today I will share with you this 1000 year old temple, though the shrine is said to be from the Tretayuga. Lord Shiva as Shakteeshwara is also called Seershasana Swamy because he is found here in an upside down form.

Sri Shakteeswara Temple

Sthala purana – Lord Yama was upset that people forgot that he is the God of justice and only associated him with death. Instead of respecting him, people feared him. He prays to Lord Shiva and Mahadev grants him a boon that after the death of a certain asura, Yama himself would build a temple for Lord Shiva and from then onwards people will associate him with curing people of ailments. Yanamadurru purana name was Yamunapuri. A rakshasa by the name of Sambhera was disturbing the tapas of Rishis. So the Rishis went to Yama for help. Yama was defeated by the Rakshasa. He went to Lord Shiva for help but Mahadev was in Yoga Deeksha and didn’t respond to Yama. Parvati ma seeing Yama’s predicament sends him with a part of her power and Yama kills Sambhera. Yama as a mark of his victory names the place Yamapuri, which over the years became Yamunapuri and later Yanamadurru. He requests ma to come appear in that pradesa with Shiva and the baby Shanmukha, to safeguard that area from evil rakshasas. Hence Parvati ma, with the baby Shanmukha appears on the same Peetam of Shiva in his yogic pose.

Nandi

Coming to proofs, there is an island near Narsapur called Shambareevi. Since Shambera was of tretayuga, this shrine is also said to be of that time. 1000 years ago, this temple was discovered under the ground. From then it has been worshipped. After many years the temple was rebuilt. Mahakavi Kalidas, in his Kumara Sambhavam, wrote about Shakteeswara of Yamunapuri. In 1909 some archaeologists vouched for its antiquity. This kshetra is believed to be older than the Pancharamas.

The Kshetra palaka here is Kumaraswamy means Sarpa. There used to be 2 snakes guarding the temple and Pushkarini. Everyday early morning they used to go into the river and then enter the temple, after darshan of Deva they used to leave. Two years ago an old man killed one of the snakes and he became blind immediately. Now two smaller nagas come everyday.

The Pushkarini here is called the Shakti Gundam, water is said to be very powerful. Prasadam for the temple is cooked everyday using this water. Once, for renovation people dried up the Gundam. No matter how many types of water was used, the prasadam would not get cooked. Finally the pujari dug into a corner of the Gundam and a little water came. The prasadam got cooked immediately with that water. It is believed that mixing this water with normal water and drinking it helps to cure diseases. This Gundam is supposed to be as holy as the Ganga.

This is how Shiva and Parvati ma appear on the same Peetam in the Garbagriha.

Yanamadurru is a village located 5 km from Bhimavaram in West Godavari district. Though it is a small temple, the stories attached to it are fascinating. It is due to the healing properties of the Shakti gundam and Lords Darshan people started worshipping Yama also with respect.

Toli (first) Tirupati is a temple in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, said to be 9000 years old. It is said to be older than Tirumala Tirupati. The entrance is simple with Vishnu on Seshatalpa with Lakshmi Devi, Brahma and Narada. It looks to have been recently painted.

Mandapam on both sides before the main entrance.

There are 7 dwarams to go through to reach the Garbagriha.

After going through the first and second door we come to the outer prakaram which has the dwajastambham.

There are ancient inscriptions on the pillars.

Sthala purana – The purana of this temple is attached to Druva who is mentioned in the Vishnu and Bhagavata purana. King Uttanapada had two wives Sunithi and Suruchi. Sunithi’s son was Druva and Suruchi’s son was Uttama. Suruchi was very beautiful and hence the favourite wife though she was the younger wife and her son the younger son. She was jealous of Druva and wanted to make her son the king, after Uttanapada. So one day when Druva was a small child, seeing Uttama sitting on his father’s lap, he too goes to sit. Suruchi pushes Druva away and tells him that because he has not been born as her son, he is unlucky and tells him to keep away from his father. An upset Druva goes to his mother and tells her what happened. Sunithi tells Druva that Lord Vishnu is the most powerful one. If Lord Vishnu blesses him, then he will not have the pain that his step mother caused. So Druva sets out to take Lord Vishnu’s blessings. Narada muni sees him and asks him where he is going. After listening to the story, he tells Druva to chant ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’. Druva performs severe austerities for six months and Vishnu appears before him. Druva is unable to see Vishnu due to his huge form and shining Tejas. So Bhagvan comes down to the little boys size and asks Druva to see him. Bhagvan blesses him saying that he will be the size of whoever wants to see him. 

No matter the actual size of the Murti, if you stand at the dwajastambham and look at the lord you will see him at eye level. This is the place where Vishnu is supposed to have appeared before Druva.

Bhagvan appeared as a Swayambhu for his devotees and this temple was built. You cannot make out in this picture but Swamy’s smile is very beautiful. I was not able to look at amma when I went for the darshan, couldn’t take my eyes off his beautiful smile. Known as Srungara Vallabha swamy, he is very beautiful.

Sculpture of Krishna, Another of Rama Sita, Lakshmana with Garuda and Hanuman

Dancers and musicians

A few months ago, I read about the Tree temple of Kasipatnam. It looked and sounded fascinating. Since I love exploring old temples, I was planning to visit it and finally was able to go 3 days ago.

The Tree temple with dwarapalas on either side and Nandi in front.

73 Km from Visakhapatnam city, on the way to Araku Valley, Kasipatnam is very much in the district of Visakhapatnam.

The tree temple is said to be 400 years old. It is the temple of  Lord Shiva known as Uma Ramalingeshwara temple. In the beginning, it was a small temple that was popular and many people used to visit it along with few Royalty. Later with the changing times and changing political scenario in our country, the patronage stopped and the people also slowly forgot about the temple.

A banyan tree which was beside the temple began to grow and started covering the temple. With no one to put a check on the growth, over the years the tree covered the major part of the temple

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The tree covering the temple.

After doing the Pradikshana(circumbation) and taking pictures entered the temple. The temple has a small entrance room which leads to the Garbagriha (sanctum). It was dark in the entrance room and a branch has grown into the room.

By flashing a torch, I saw Ganeshji on the left side and Parvati Ma on the right side of the door. They are new murtis, but the stone murtis that much have been originally beside the door are also kept down over there.

Ganeshji on left side                                       Parvati ma on right side of the door

I was hesitating to go inside the Garbagriha. Though a regular pujari is not there, someone takes care of the temple and we could see a lamp lit beside the Shivalinga. Seeing my interest in capturing the structure of the temple, some visitors told me to go inside and take pictures of the roof. I went inside and was surprised.

The height of the roof was something that people seeing from outside would never expect. It was fascinating. No part of this upper structure is visible from outside. So you must just assume the age of this tree and the temple.

Later someone who saw this picture told me that the roof of the Garbagriha of a 8th century temple in Tamil Nadu is exactly similar. Since there is no record of when the tree temple was first built, people just assumed it was 400 years old by the recollections of their elders.

Another interesting fact is that, this place is completely surrounded by tribal area. All the villages around have tribal sounding names. But this village is called Kasipatnam and the next village is called Sivalingapuram. This made me wonder about what was the story behind the temple and this place.

The temple has a very peaceful aura but sadly no one knows the history behind it.

Three years ago, when I went to the United States Of America, my main aim was to fit in as much of sightseeing that I could manage. Since everybody is working and busy over there, I planned to take sightseeing tours in a couple of places. After checking out Trip Advisor, I chose A Day In LA Tours for my sightseeing of Los Angeles.

Since my cousin was busy that day, he sent me to the starting place of the tour which was Santa Monica by Uber. I got down at the designated place and saw a pleasant welcome by the Tours. Fruits and juices were provided as a welcome and then we were guided to our bus.

The buses are called Rasta Bus and is unique in its appearance. It had a capacity of 15-20 people. There was a lovely variety of people in our bus. We has some Chinese, an Indian family who had settled in New york years ago, an elderly American couple with their grandchildren, a middle aged couple, a family from Alaska and a German who was beside me. Once all of us got into the bus, the tour started.

Venice Canals                                   Skate Park

First we went to Venice Beach, crossing Venice canals in the residential area. We were given 15-20 minutes time to explore the beach. I set out all alone and saw the Skate Park over there. After admiring the skaters for some time, went to the Venice Beach Broadwalk glancing at the wares on display.An African American stopped me and asked why I wear a red dot on my forehead. Then when I said it was because I was a Hindu, he asked me a couple of questions. By then it was time to leave and I boarded the bus.

Next we went to Rodeo Drive. The Guide dropped us at a place and told us where he would meet us after 30 minutes. Since I was new to the States, I didn’t want to make any mistake and lose myself, hence I tagged along with the family from Alaska. They were a sweet couple with a teenage son. We started chatting while going around the area. Did some window shopping admiring some products and reached the designated stop on time.

From there we were taken to the Farmer’s Market for a little sightseeing and lunch. There is a lot of choice to have our lunch there. While the Indian family on my bus ignored me, which was pretty sad, the others on the bus were very friendly and cordial. The German beside me on the bus also was new to the States and so we got to speaking a bit.

Beverly Hills sign

Griffith Observatory

From there we went to the Griffith Observatory, passing the Beverly Hills sign on the way. The Griffith Observatory is an interesting place and had a good time there. We can see the Hollywood sign from there. While coming from there, we passed some studios.

Hollywood walk of fame. Luckily I was able to spot Alfred Hitchcock.

Chinese Theatre                                   Dolby Theatre

From there we came to Hollywood Boulevard where we were dropped to explore for half an hour. The Hollywood Walk of fame has terrazzo and brass Stars embedded on the sidewalk to recognise the achievements of great people of the entertainment industry. Searched for a couple of favourites. Though we were dropped at Madame Tussauds, we didnt have time to go in, (which was the only disappointing aspect of the whole tour)so saw it from outside. From there went to the Chinese Theatre, which has many handprints and foot prints of Hollywood celebrities in its forecourt. From there, went to Dolby theatre. Was thrilled being in a place where all the Oscar award ceremonies are conducted. After seeing a couple of shops, it was time to leave. Got into the bus and we were dropped at Santa Monica again.

Overall it was an enjoyable tour, covering almost all the important places of sightseeing in Los Angeles. The guide was good and it is a tour definitely worth taking.