Pushpagiri - Channakesavaswamy Aalayam

In this ancient kshenra of global importance there arc many places of worship existing since Kritayuga. It claims the honour of the lone Advaitha matape·e tha of Andhra Pradesh and its glory occupies many pages in great literary books and Puranas. Legends glorify this by the episode of Garutmantha fighting against I)evcndra during his bringing Madupatra from heaven to release his mother from servitude. There arc eight renowned temples for Lord Siva, and so it is as important as Kasi. Hence the name 'Dakshinakasi' .

The Channakesava temple forming an integral part of Pushpagiri temple contains many mini-shines for parivaradevathas, and a two-storied majestic tower over the Mahadwar. This is said to have been built by a Chola king and so turned out a specimen of Vesara type of architecture. The archamurti is about six feet in height and it is a fine sculptural model. There is another independent mandir for Mother Rajyalakshrni lying next to it. 'Me sculptural wealth of this temple is extolled by experts, and the murals narrate many stories from the epics-Ramayana and MAhabharatha. In the vicinity there lie the holy feet of the Lord called Rudrapadam and Vishnupadam. Four rivers - Papaghni, Mandavi, Kumudvathi, Valkal join the river Penna in close proximity to this kshetra and hence it is called Panchanadi kshetra. It contains the Srichakra installed by the illustrious Adisankara.

The belief is current that whoever circumambulates the temples for three weeks and climbs the hill gets released from cycle of births and deaths. Moreover, bachelors get married and barren women beget children, if Channakesavaswamy prasad is taken after soulful prayers. The annual Brahmotsav lasting for 10 days falls in Vaisakha, luring lakhs of people.

It lies 16 km off Cuddapah, the district headquarters town of the same name of Andhra Pradesh, commanding APSRTC bus facilities.

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