Yaganti has many places of historic importance apart from the Uma Maheswara Swamy Temple. There are several caves in the hills surrounding and one of them is Veera Brahmam Cave.
To reach the cave, one has to climb a series of steep steps that are not too steep.
Once one reach the top to enter inside one has to bend half over. Inside the cave there is small Shiva Linga and Nandi in front of it.
This is the cave where saint Sri Potuluri Veera Brahmendra swamy wrote some of his Kala Gnaanam (prophecy).
Veerabhadra Temple Complex in Lepakshi is one of the ancient structures in the area. Built in 16th century this is a architectural marvel. This was built by Virupanna Nayaka and Viranna, both brothers who were Governors under the Vijayanagar Empire.
The outermost waled enclosure has three gates, of which the northern gate is used regularly. The temple complex has Veerabhadra Temple and Natya Mantapa.
Within the temple complex, to its eastern side, there is huge boulder of granite stone which on one side has carving of coiled multi-hooded serpent providing an umbrella cover over a Linga. On the other side of the same boulder there is also a huge statue of Lord Ganesha.
There are also several other structures in the complex like Shiva Linga and Hanuman.
Bellum is a small village in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Bellum derives its name from "Bilum" Sanskrit word for caves.
There is a newly built huge statue of Buddha here.
This place is famous for the caves that is the second largest natural caves in Indian Subcontinent. It is popularly known as "Belum Caves".
Yaganti has many places of historic importance apart from the Uma Maheswara Swamy Temple. From the table when one looks up from the temple, we can see several caves in the massive rocks surrounding the table. Even though most of them are inaccessible, there are 3 caves that are accessible.
These caves are sacred and one such important cave is Agastya Cave where it is believed that Sage Agastya had meditated. To reach the cave, one has to climb a series of steep steps and it is easy to climb them to reach the top without intermediate breaks. There is a small Shiva Linga inside the cave.
The light streamed in through the gaps in the cave and in the distance, The view of the temple from the stairs of these cave is amazing.
This beautiful temple in Tadipatri is right in the heart of the city. It is believed that the temple was built in the mid 16th century by Sri Thimma Naidu under the orders of the Vijayanagara kings.
The temple has lofty gopura that has been partially destroyed by the earthquake. But it has been rebuilt recently.
This magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is built on 5 acres of land.
The deity in the sanctum is 10 feet high. Once in a year, the sun rays touches the feet of dirty for 3 days continuously. These sun rays pass through the holes of monolithic chariot that is about 70 m away from the deity.
The hall in front of the Sanctum has beautiful pillars of different shapes and that have amazing sculptures on it.
The carvings of episodes of the Ramayan, Mahabharatha and Bhagavatha have been carved beautifully around the Garba Griha, Madhya Ranga, the Astana Mandapa and the Kalyana Mantapa. The carvings are very explicit and they express the story.
Yaganti is located at a distance of 75 kms from Tadipatri in the state of Andhra Pradesh. This place is nestled in the middle of some hostile terrain like the the dry, rocky region of Erramala Hills.
This place is not on the regular tourist track. People who wish to visit the temples here or interested in rustic beauty of nature must visit this place.
Places of interest here are:
We left Bangalore by 5:00 a.m and reached this place around 4:00 p.m after covering Lepakshi, Tadpatri, and Belum Caves. It was hectic but very nice places to see.
Tadipatri is a small town in Andra Pradesh state. This town is located in interior part of the state accessible by state highways and railways. This place is close to by the forest full of palm trees. As a result the town was called as Tadipatri which when translated means "Garden of Palm Trees".
The area here is rich in lime stones. The town is known for ancient temples:
We had visited this place during our tour of state only to see these temples. Other places of interest near by are:
Tirupati is a city known for its temple. The name of the place is derived from the word Tripathi meaning "Lord of the Sacred Hill". It also translates into "Sacred Abode of Vishnu"
The Tirumala Hills here is the second oldest rock mountains in the world. Places of interest here are:
- Lord Venkateshawara Temple
- Govindarajaswamy Temple
- Silathoranam
- Padmavati Temple
One of the biggest attraction at Lepakshi, 130 kms from
Bangalore is Nandi sculpture. This and Veerabadra Temple built around 1538 A.D are one of the finest specimens of Vihjaynagar architecture.
The 27ft in length and 15ft in height, this monolithic structure, is biggest Nandi in India after the Nandi at Chamundi Hills at Mysore. The fine carving of the big sculpture is inexplicable and it is a feast for the eyes. Besides the record size, the perfectly proportioned body, finely-carved chain with a bell around its neck, ear rings and other ornaments enhances its grandeur.
This big granite Nandi in the open area 200 mts of temple is built in such a way that it faces the Shivlinga inside the temple.
Lepakshi in Andra Pradesh state is at a distance of 130 kms away from
Bangalore. The place is famous for its silk saris with artificial zari borders. It is also popular for wood carvings.
As per mythology this was the place Lord Rama when searching for his abducted wife Sita, he found fallen bird Jatayu here. He commanded the bird to rise by saying, “Le Pakshi” which over time became Lepakshi.
For lovers of heritage here are:
Even though one can reach the place by either bus or train, the convenient mode of transport is by car. Start early to this place as it gets hotter later in the day.
