Sirusangandla
- Sri Ramaalayam
An eccentric episode said to have occurred
during Sri Rama's exile in Tretayuga is
attributed to this kshetra, and it is held very
sacred for both Pochamma one of the
manifestations of Parasakti and Sri Rama too. It
was originally a hill temple dedicated to
Pochamnta, belonging to Balipriya - blood thirty
class of goddesses and later became a very
popular Vaishnavaalaya after the advent of Sri
Rania in his exile. The legend delights us with
the episode of lakshman's cutting the nose and
driving out of Pochamma when she barred the
entry of Sri Rama with Sita and Iakshmana.
When she made soulful supplication with
streaming eyes that she would be completely
routed out, if he were to be present on the hill -
her original abode. Taking pity, Sri Rania
consoled her saying that he would ordain the
offer of fact worship to her and then to hint next.
She was pleased and took her place on the hill
permanently thereafter. Hence the practice of
first worship in Pochamma's temple and to Sri
Rama next.
It is fairly a big temple with strong compound
wall with vast courtyards. The deity is infinitely
kind in fulfilling the just desires of the sevarthis.
It is believed that a Muslim Jagirdar when
prayed to Sri Rama devoutly, his aspiration was
fulfilled miraculously. So he endowed the temple
in several ways like digging of the pond, paving
the courtyards with polished granite stones,
making chariot besides a grand extensive
banyan garden nearby. All his noble acts
blessed him with the birth of a boy for which he
was pining for. Thus, this famous kshetra claims
Mulsim devotees also, who heightened the glory
of this Lord. And the sthalapurana is replete
with such incidents. The annual festivals lure
huge crowds and they are celebrated on a
grand scale.
It lies on - a hill 5 km off Sirusanagandla of
Vangu mandalam of Palamur district of Andhra
Pradesh, commanding transport facilities from
several towns nearby.
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