Kolanupaka Veeranarayanaswamy Aalayam

Popular as Dakshinakasi for its temple, as famous as Kasi Visweswaralayam and the Kasibugga thirtha, as holy as Ganges water lying in its vicinity, this ancient Saiva kshetra also contains a. great temple for Veeranarayanaswamy. Does this not testify that there exists commendable harmony between Hari-Hara ? And is it not a sad reflection of the vested interests that have created barriers to glorifying their ego? The sthalapurana extols the fame of the kshetra in glowing terms, as it was variously called like Bimbavathipura, Somasekharapura, Vyakhyananagar etc., due to the glorious position it enjoyed from time to time. This was a famous Jaina kshetra also and some of its relics are still found in many places.

The Veeranarayanaswamy temple lies in the heart of the town arid faces north. Built in the Vesara style, it has all the indispensable parts, but they are in dilapidated conditions, and anxiously looking for devout philanthropists to restore it to its former exalted position. Its architecture and sculpture resembles to Chalukyan art and are very superb in design, proportion and perfection. It contains excellent images of Kodandarama, Bhairavamurti and Saptamatrukas. Its Veerrdanarayanaswamy icon holds in his hand bow signifying valour and readiness to supress adharma; for, safety and perpetuation of its bygone past, some icons are preserved in the museum now. There is a belief current here that this was a Jain temple in the beginning and was converted into Hindu shrine later. Its inscriptions and some icons lend credence to this view. The annual festival of the Lord falls in Chaitra masa and lures huge crowds, who turn this Saiva kshetra into Vaishnava.

It lies 25 km off Bhuvanagiri and 50 km to Hyderabad enjoying all transport facilities.

[ Back ] [ Temples Of India ] [ Up ] [ Next ]