Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Temple

Introduction to Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Temple

Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Temple is an ancient Shiva Temple in Jharasangam village, Medak district, Andhra Pradesh. Sangameshwara Temple is the most prominent among 15 temples dedicated to Shiva in the area. It is among dense forests.

Legend of the Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Temple

According to the legends, Shiva Lingam of Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Temple was supposedly established by Brahma.

Another legend related to this temple is that during Krita Yuga, the King of Surya Vamsha, Raja Kupendra, was seriously suffering from a skin disease. There was no remedy to get a cure for his major disease.

One day, during his hunting, Raja Kupendra happened to directly reach the 'Ketaki Vanam' where he found a stream. He immediately washed his body there and got relief from his skin disease before reaching his palace.

On that night, Sangameshwara Swamy appeared in his dream. He asked Raja Kupendra to construct a temple for him. As per his instruction, the king built a temple and converted the magical stream into Pushkarini, later called Ashta Theertha Amrutha Gundam. The Pushkarani is called "Dakshina Kasi".

The Architecture of Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Temple

The temple was built 200 years ago, a few years after the British colonized India. It is built as per the South Indian architectural style and pattern. The sanctum depicts the Telangana culture. Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Temple has a 5-tier Rajagopuram with images of local deities in the dancing forms. The Dwaja Stambham can be seen inside the gopuram here. Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy is this temple's presiding deity, an incarnation of Shiva. The temple's specialty is continuously flowing water from the Shiva Lingam's Panavattam.

Various Hindu religious functions and activities are conducted in this spacious temple. The prayer hall has many large pillars. Its flooring and ceiling are unique in all aspects. The temple’s courtyard is vast, with a herbal garden. It has an attractive gateway. Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Temple is well-known among its tourists, visitors, and pilgrims for its religious, architectural, and historical significance.

Ashta Theertha Amrutha Gundam is the Pushkarani (holy pond). This sacred pond is believed to contain water from eight sacred Theerthas: Datha, Indira, Rudra, Soma, Varuna, Dharma Rushi, and Narayana.

Festivals in Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Temple

On Fridays, a huge crowd of devotees visit Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Temple for special Shiva Poojas. Local devotees visit the temple for routine religious activities. All Hindu festivals are celebrated grandly with special Poojas and Homams. The specialty of the Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Temple is that devotees offer Ketaki flowers and leaves to Shiva Lingam, that are not usually offered to Lord Shiva.

Devotees from Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana perform Gundam Pooja due to its religious and historical importance and pay homage to Shiva.

Many devotees visit every Amavasya night and other festive days like Shivaratri, Karthika Masam, and Shravana Masam days.