Ryali - Jaganmohini Kesavaswamy Aalayam

Uniqueness

That small, yet significant village - Ryali, situated in the Atreya mandalam of Fast Godavari district treasures up an inestimable spiritual wealth that is enthralling the beholders with its mere mention, or a single darsan for some centuries now. The oddity is so fascinating that even a casual reference hastens thousands of devout pilgrims and ardent art-lovers to visit and profit by. And lo! it springs from the sanctum sanctorum making the visitors join their plams and bend heads at its first sight. Strangely enough, this eccentricity is embedded in the august icon of archamurti itself. The very concept, more than designing delights listeners; for, its sanctity does not confine to one side, but manifests on two sides - fore and rear. This unique sculptural marvel by virtue of its queerness is receiving payers and ritualistic offerings from both sides - front portion exhibiting the exquisite carving of the Kesavaswamy one among the chaturvintsati forms and august names of Lord Sri Mahavishnu, and the back side is adorned with the exotically captivating figure of Jaganmohini - the female aspect of Sri Mahavishnu, assumed for the distribution of nectar among the surasuras, when claims for absolute ownership by both were about to culminate in blood-shed. The craftsmanship of the sculptor merits whole-hearted obeisance and perpetual reminiscence.

The Quaintness Of The Image

This image is an exquisite piece of superb sculpture peeping from every pore of its huge dimensions - five feet in height and three feet in breadth. It is quite enchanting, and a single glance exhilarates anyone, even the atheist for that matter. Is he denuded of aesthetic sensibilities, though his natural theistic impulses are suppressed? It is an indispensably sight-worthy icon, impelling adoration without reservation of any kind. To say the least, it is second to none but to itself.

This remarkable five-foot-tall icon in standing posture with four arms strikes the on-lookers with its dazzling diamond decked diadem, over the well shaped and beautifully embellished head, supported by broad chest, beautified with Kausthubham, vanamala and sparkling jewels, enhancing the sturdy, shapely four arms, adorned with Keyura kankanas and holding mace, disc, conch and lotus, raising above the navel, decorated by the golden thread as yagnopavitha and fitted with little bells to heightening the beauty of the silk dhoti worn with decorum, covering the lower limbs upto broad feet. And this entire captivating form is encircled by the figures of Dasavathara, interspersed by grand images of Narada and Thumbura playing on instruments, beside the lovely figures of Rambha and Urvasi in dancing posture, under the dangling garlands, held by Kinnera Kinpurushas. The figure on rear is that of an engrossing beauty of Jaganmohini in standing posture with well-cut round head, beautified by the parijata flower decked tresses, heightening her lovely frame with long slender hands, decorated by gem studded armlets, and that of feet decked with anklets, and from there to neck draped in shimmering saree, yet exposing that part of the thigh bearing the auspicious mole found on the person of Padmini breed of women. This extraordinary sculptural marvel mesmerizes the viewers and makes them oblivious of the environs for long. The artistry of the sculptor transcends powers of imaginative writers, besides making the connoisseurs of art drink in its beauty for hours.

It is a modest sized temple built in the Vesara architectural style, possessing all essential parts. Nityanaimithika worship is offered with devotion due.

It lies 5 km off Ravulapalem, a famous town in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, commanding transport facilities.

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