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Gangapur
- Channakesavaswamy Aalayam
This
famous Hari-Hara kshetra is quite ancient and was called variously in the past,
like Mallikesavapuram due to the fact of possessing two temples dedicated to
Mallikaijunaswamy and Channake savaswamy, and Gangapuram on account of the
restoration of the glory of the place by Mother Gangamma, the village goddess
during the reign of Kakatiya Kings. The architectural pattern bears close
semblance to the Kalyana Chalukya art and it is masterly done inviting ardent
attention both by lovers of art and believers of God. The Skanda Purana
embodies a great account of the past eminence of this temple said to belong to
the eleventh century. It has two broad sturdy prakaras and four entrances on
four sides. There are four beautiful mini-shrines with all essential parts built
in the four corners of the inner prakara. Besides, it contains many mandapas
adorned with the grand icons of parivaradevathas like Vinayaka, Bhairava,
Lakshmi, Nagini, Lakshmi Narayana, Saptamatrukas. Its architectural grandeur is
in tune with sculptural adornments found both on walls of the mandaps and making
of images.
The
garbhagriha, antarala and mukhamandapam are quite vast and beautified with
well-built niches. The Mulavirat - Channakesavaswamy reveals his Chaturbhuja
form holding in his hands Sudarsana Chakra, Panchajanya, Koumadaki and Iotus
flower. It is made of black granite and is seated on a beautiful high dais. He
is reverentially called Trailokya Mahakesavaswamy
by the locals who offer regular worship with great devotional ardor. The grand
vimana built over the garbhagriha is beautified by a shining kalasa atop. It is
a miss-not most visit-worthy temple. The periodical festival celebrated in Magha
masa lures large assemblage of pious bhaktas, who offer several prayer services
with great zeal.
It
lies 5 km off Zcherla of Mahaboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh commanding
transport facilities.
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