INCREASING IDOL TEMPLE OF SOUTH INDIA

Dr. Uday Dokras

Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple or Yaganti is a temple of Lord Shiva in the
Kurnool district in the Andhra Pradesh state of India. It was built in accordance with
Vaishnava tradition. Have you ever heard of a growing idol? Then you must know
about Yaganti (originally Neganti) shrine in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh, India.
The famous Yaganti cave and hill temple has with Umamaheswara as its main deity
and also a maginificent Nandi idol, in front of ‘Garbhagruha’ as in all Lord Shiva
temples usually. The devotees believe that the Nandi idol in front of the temple is
continuously increasing its size. The locals say that the idol was initially much smaller
than its present size. They say that certain experimentation was carried out on this
idol and it was said that the type of rock out of which the idol is carved has a growing
or enlarging nature associated with it.
The interesting part of this temple is the ‘growing Nandi idol’.You heard it right. The
Nandi idol in the temple has been growing gradually over the centuries. The idol,
which was very small over the last century, has grown in size over a century, and
has currently filled the space between the idol and the pillar beside it, the path
of pradakshina (moving around holy idols in Hindu temple tradition).
According to the scientists, the rock of this idol has growing property, and so the idol
has been growing 1′ inch in size for every 20 years. Currently, its of 5 ft high and 15 ft
wide. According the Kalagnanam (future prediction) made by Potuluri Veerabrahma
Swamy in the ancient times, the Yaganti Nandi will grow more in size and will come
live to shout at its peak, which would be the end of Kaliyuga (the current Yuga).
This temple was constructed by King Harihara Bukka Raya of the Sangama
Dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century. It was built according
to Vaishnavaite traditions.
One story of the site's origin is as follows: The sage Agastya wanted to build a temple
for Lord Venkateswara on this site. However, the statue that was made could not be
installed as the toe nail of the idol got broken. The sage was upset over this and

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performed a penance for Shiva. When Shiva appeared, he said the place suits Shiva
better as it resembles Kailash. Agastya then requested Shiva to give the devotees
a Parvathi Goddess as Lord Uma Maheswara in a single stone, which Shiva obliged.
A second story is as follows: Chitteppa, a devotee of Shiva, was worshiping Shiva and
Shiva appeared to him as a tiger. Chitteppa understood that it was Lord Shiva in tiger
form, and shouted Neganti Shivanu ne kanti (meaning: I saw Shiva I saw), and danced
with joy. There is a cave called Chitteppa nearby. Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple
is one of the few temples patronized by one of the great dynasties of India. Every
year Maha Shivaratri is celebrated and a large number of devotees from all over
Andhra Pradesh visit. Shiva, Parvati and Nandi are the main deities in this temple.
This temple is 14 km away from Banaganipalli in kurnool dt. The saint lord
Veerabrahmendra swami stayed here for some time and wrote Kalagnanam.
 According to Sthalapuranam(history of a certain pilgrimage), Sage Agastya on his
South India found a Lord Venkateshwara idol at Yagantiand wanted to instill the same
here, however, couldn’t do so because of some defect in the idol. Then he prayed Lord
Shiva, following which, he requested the Lord Shiva to be the main detiy of this
temple, along with his wife Goddess Uma, as Umamaheshwara Swamy.
The name Yaganti (Ne’ganti), meaning Ne= Me and Ganti = Saw. The name was said to
have derived when a devotee Chitteppa cried, “Ne Ganti Shiva, after finding the Lord
Shiva in the form of a Tiger”, which means, “I saw Lord Shiva”.

The shrine is surrounded by hills and caves, and is of architectural significance.

The Pushkarini is suitable for holy baths.

ARCHITECTURE
Pushkarini
Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple or Yaganti is a temple of Shiva in Kurnool
District in the India state of Andhra Pradesh. It was built according
to Vaishnavaite traditions. A feature of this temple is its Pushkarini, a small pond of

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water on the temple premises. Water flows into this Pushkarini from the bottom of hill
through the mouth of a Nandi (bull). The water is fresh and sweet, as it comes from
the hills. No one knows how the water reaches the pond all year round and this temple
architecture in terms of its sculpture shows the skills of ancient Viswakarma
Sthapathis. Devotees find that a holy bath in Pushkarini is highly beneficial. After
taking a bath in Pushkarini, they pay tributes to Lord Shiva.

Nandi through which water comes in

The sage Agasthya bathed in Pushkarini and worshipped Shiva.

Caves present in and around yaganti temple are:

The Agastya cave

Agastya Cave
This is the cave where Agastya performed his penance for Shiva. One can enter the
cave by climbing 120 steep steps. An idol to Devi is installed and may be worshipped
here
Venkateswara Cave
The damaged idol of Lord Venkateswara is present in this cave. Compared to Agastya
cave it is easy to climb though the steps are steep. According to the story this idol was
present in this cave before the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple was constructed. But
as the idol is damaged near the foot, it could not be worshipped. Sri Sri Potuluri Veera
Brahmendra Swami tells us in his Kala Gynanam that this place can stand as an
alternative to Tirupati.

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Venkateswara cave

Veera Brahmam Cave

This is the cave where saint Sree Potuluri Veera Brahmendra swamy wrote some of
his Kala Gnaanam (prophecy). The height of the cave is less and one needs to bend
half over to enter it.

The Yaganti Nandi Statue is believed to be growing in size.MIDDLE Ancient Tulasi Kota In Temple RIGHT

It is said that people used to do Pradakshinas (rounds) around it in the past. The
temple staff has already removed one pillar as the size of the Nandi has increased.
According to Potuluri Veera Brahmendra swamy, the Basavanna (stone nandi) of
Yaganti will come alive and shout when Kali Yuga ends.
Absence of Crows
Legend has it that while the Sage Agastya was performing his penance, crows
disturbed him and he cursed that the crows cannot enter the place. As the crow is
the Vahana for Lord Shani, it is believed that Shani cannot enter this place.

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Yaganti temple mandapam beam breaks
.   | Photo Credit: SUBRAMANYAM. U
Illegal mining activity impacting 15th century structure, say temple, ASI officials.
KURNOOL, JANUARY 27, 2021 01:16 IST

A stone beam of the mandapam that houses the Nandi idol at the Sri Yaganti
Uma Maheswara temple in the district broke on Monday afternoon allegedly
due to the blasts done at illegal mining sites within a 5 km radius of the
temple, Archaeological Survey of India and Endowments Department officials
have said. Fortunately, the beam did not collapse but remained intact on one
end. None was hurt in the incident.
Temple Executive Officer Devulapalli Prasad told The Hindu on Tuesday that
ASI officials had propped up the beam with some metal pipes. “During my
routine inspection, I found the beam broken and hanging and informed the ASI
officer and there is no immediate danger of the structure falling,” the EO said.
He expressed concern over the illegal mining activity continuing in the vicinity
of the temple with loud sounds and vibrations coming from the blasts done
there.
Mines closed
ASI Kurnool district in-charge Y. Dhaka Reddy said all the mines were closed
up to Basvannakatta near the Yaganti temple two years ago, but some
miscreants kept conducting blasts for illegal mining which was impacting the
15th century structure.
“The government efforts may not be sufficient. People of the four surrounding
villages in the Banaganapalle Assembly constituency must take up the cause
of saving the ancient temple by stopping all such illegal mining activity,
otherwise we will lose our heritage structure,” he added.
Mining and Geology Assistant Director Venugopal expressed concern at the
illegal mining activity continuing though 12 of the leases for mosaic chips/
colour stones, were cancelled.
The wall of the pushkarni in the central prakara of the temple has also
partially caved in and devotees say it could fall any day if corrective measures
are not taken.