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The
carving on the wall lying between these two inner chambers,
depicting Kapila lylaharshi sitting near the cow, milking itself
over an ant-hill explains the glory of this kshetra. The Aalayam
contains many icons of black stones in the adjacent hall with
Navagrahas in the centre, facing the Shanmuga idol in a separate
niche have a great attraction. Outside, under the neem tree and upon
a high platform are set up the images of serpents - Nagadevathas
that are receiving ritualistic worship with circumambulation. Next
to them lie two mini-shrines housing huge Sivalingas and big size,
Nandis infront. The first one is called Kotilingeswaralinga and the
other Agasthiswaralinga. The lingas are moderate in dimensions, but
their pull is decidedly great. Down below this rock-cut shrine lies
the big Pushkarini fed by water, flowing down in torrents, from the
sacred Saptagiris during the rainy season. There are two shrines at
the portals - one shrine for Balaji facing east and another for
Gopalakrishna. Recently another old shrine is renovated lying
outside the entrance, and there are many modern architectural
designs embossed on the rock with a charming garden in front. A
little further away lies a moderate mandap housing a tall Anjaneya
figure
engraved on a stone. A visit rewards and prayer refreshes the
care-worn, dull, dreary existence.
It
can be reached by town buses or Aalaya Darsana buses. In the heart
of Tirupathi town there is another ancient Sivaalayam, but due to
inadequate funds and publicity, Sivalilas are not recognized as they
should be. Though it is old, it contains all the adorable deities
such as Vinayaka, Mother Parvathi etc. duly installed and receiving
agamic prayer services regularly.
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