Pushpagiri Temple – Kadapa

Introduction to the Pushpagiri Temple

The Chennakesava Swamy Temple, Pushpagiri Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple, or Pushpagiri Temple, is one of the most beautiful temples in Pushpagiri, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is on a hillock overlooking the River Penna (Pinakini River). The Pushpagiri Temple is considered a Monument of National Importance by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). The Pushpagiri Temple is the holy place for both Shaivites and Vaishnavas. Shaivas call it ‘Madhya Kailasam’ and Vaishnavas call it ‘Madhya Ahobilam’.

Legend of Amrutha Sarovar

According to the legend, when Garuda was carrying nectar from Indra Logam, a drop fell to the ground and turned into a sacred Theertham.

When a distressed farmer tried to commit suicide by jumping into this Theertham, he turned into a young man. Thus, the power of this Theertham came to be known by all.

He then made his wife and oxen take a holy dip in this Theertham, and all regained their youth. When this news reached Satya Logam, Brahma became worried. He sought help from Vishnu and Shiva.

Shiva ordered Hanuman to drop a mountain on top of the Theertham. The mountain started floating on the Theertham instead of sinking. Then Vishnu and Shiva pressed their feet together at its side so that the mountain would not float again. Imprints of Vishnu and Shiva can be seen here. The footprint of Shiva became "Rudra Padam" and Vishnu as "Vishnu Padam."

The Architecture of the Pushpagiri Temple

The Pushpagiri Temple was built in 1255 AD by the Chola Dynasty. The Rashtrakuta king, Krishna Vallabha, patronized the temple. He gifted land for the daily maintenance of the temple.

The Pushpagiri Temple complex is located at 380 meters above the sea level. It covers an area of 7.5 sq. km. There are 28 shrines in the temple complex which are still extant. Many dilapidated shrines can be seen in the Pushpagiri area. Shiva Kesava Swamy temple is another name for it.

Chennakesava temple is facing towards the west with a five-tiered Rajagopuram. Devotees climb some steps to reach the main shrine. Dhwajasthambam is immediately next to the Rajagopuram. There are three shrines inside and two outside the elevated platform. The main deities, Chennakesava Swamy and Santana Malleshwara Swamy are inside the temple.

Chennakesava Swamy idol is 10 feet high and is in a standing posture. His "Thiruvachi" is depicted with Dasavathara of Vishnu. A ridge separates the Chennakesava Swamy Shrine and the Santana Malleshwara Swamy Shrine. There is another small shrine that housed the idol of Uma Maheshwara in a seated posture once. It is vacant now. People can see a relief of Uma Maheshwara on the back wall of the shrine.

A sub-shrine houses a Shiva Linga called "Sakshi Malleshwara Swamy" in the courtyard towards the northeast side of the elevated platform. Rajalakshmi Devi, the consort of Chennakesava Swamy, has a separate shrine. There is a Mandap on the right side of her shrine. Visitors can reach the Hanuman shrine by climbing down a few steps from this Mandap.

The idol of Anjaneya in the Hanuman shrine is in an ascetic form. He is in a standing posture with folded arms. No crown is on his head; instead, a tuft of hair can be seen bound by his tail. He wears only a loin cloth. Amrutha Sarovar and Pinakini River are the sacred Theerthams of the Pushpagiri Temple. Amrutha Sarovar is believed to hold magical powers to reverse aging.

Elaborate carvings and sculptures embellish the walls and pillars of the temple. Shiva in dancing posture, Yoga Narasimha, Nataraja, Bhakta Kannappa, Dasavathara, Krishna preaching Gita to Arjuna, Anantasayana Vishnu, Mahabharata and Ramayana legends, carvings of animals, warriors, floral motifs and Mahishasura Mardini are some of them. Visitors can see the imprints of Vishnu and Shiva in the Pushpagiri Temple complex.

Trikuteswara Swamy temple, Indranatha Swamy temple, Kasi Viswanatha Swamy temple, Bhimesvara Swamy temple, Kamalasambhaveswara Swamy temple, Sakshi Malleswara Swamy temple, Agasthyeswara Swamy temple, Pathala Ganapati temple and Uma Maheshwara temple are the other temples located inside the Pushpagiri Temple complex.

The Pushpagiri Temple Complex also houses a Hindu religious Institution called "Sri Pushpagiri Maha Sansthan." Sage Vidyaranya, who established it, was from the lineage of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Peetham. Sri Vidya Shankara Bharathi Swamiji is its present Peethadhipathi. It is the only Advaita Mutt for the Telugu-speaking region.

Pushpagiri is called "Panchanadi Kshetram," as four rivers, namely Papagni, Valkala, Kumudvati, and Mandali, merge in the River Penna. People call the Pushpagiri Temple "the second Hampi" for its beautiful architecture.

Festivals in the Pushpagiri Temple

The Pushpagiri Temple celebrates the 10-day Brahmotsavam festival from March to April. Shivratri, Vaikunta Ekadashi, and Shankara Jayanthi are other important temple festivals.