Thursday 16 December 2010

Koti Linga Temple on Keesara Gutta......

Koti Linga Temple on Keesara Gutta – the name literally translates to “The temple of a crore lingams situated on the hillock of Lord Hanuman.”
The village is in Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh and is located about 18 km from ECIL X roads on the outskirts of Hyderabad (and about 45 km from Begumpet airport). The temple is a mere 1.5 hour -2 hour drive from the city. When we were traveling, it was raining and the drive was very pleasant.
Legend has it that when Lord Rama wanted to atone for the sin of killing a great devotee of Lord Shiva like Ravana, he asked Lord Hanuman to bring a shiva linga carved from the rocks of mount Kailas itself. But since Hanuman could not bring the lingam back in time for the auspicious moment of the propitiation,

One of the several lingams that can be seen scattered on the hillock of Keesaragutta.
Lord Rama made one out the sands and performed the pooja. Frustrated, Lord Hanuman hurled the lingam he had brought from Kailas with all his might and it fragmented into ten million (a crore) smaller lingams that scattered on this hillock. These can be seen even today on the hillock.

The sacred Shiva linga which was said to have been installed and worshipped by Lord Hanuman himself.
One of the lingam is reputed to have been installed and worshipped by lord Hanuman himself and even today some powerful vibrations hit you when you enter the shrine.
Koti Linga therefore means a crore (ten million) lingams and Keesara is a colloquial version of Lord Hanuman’s name Kesari. Gutta means hillock. Hence the name of the temple is derived.
You can reach the temple by traveling on regular APSRTC buses or just hire a cab to take you there. On a normal day, the trip to and from the temple will take about 5 hours. On a festival day, it takes considerably longer at the temple.
A word of caution – you are sure to be greeted by large battalions of monkeys while there. These simians do not hesitate to grab items from your hands. Though they are never known to be aggressive, please be careful with your children and what you display to the monkeys!



The huge idol of Lord Hanuman, which faces the main temple on the hillock.

Excursions from Hyderabad

One can make excursions from Hyderabad to the nearby regions
  • Warangal : Warangal, located around 200 km from Hyderabad, once the hub of Telugu culture as the capital of Kakatiya rulers s famous for its architecture.
  • Nagarjunasagar : Another famous destination is the Nagarjunasagar, which is located 150 km from Hyderabad. With world's tallest masonry dam across river Krishna, Nagarjunasagar is a popular tourist destination of South India. Apart from this, other worth visiting attractions are the island museum of Nagarjunakonda and the beautiful waterfalls of Ethipothala.
  • Keesaragutta : Keesaragutta is another popular destination, situated about 35 kms from Hyderabad. It is a historic temple village and was once the capital of the great Vishnukundin dynasty.
  • Basar : Then, there is Basar, located 240 km from Hyderabad, situated on the banks of the mighty Godavari River, in Adilabad district. It is famous for the only Saraswati temple in South India.
  • Pochampally :Yet another destination known as Pochampally is located in Nalgonda district, situated about 35 km from Hyderabad. This lovely village is renowned in the country for its gorgeous, hand-woven silk and cotton saris.

RTC specials for Keesaragutta Sivaratri festival.

HYDERABAD : The APSRTC Hyderabad region is operating 154 special buses to Keesaragutta from different areas in the twin cities and suburbs for Sivaratri festival.
Buses from Secunderabad station (Rezimental Bazar), Tarnaka, ECIL X Roads, Afzalgunj, Balajinagar, Ammuguda, Venkatapuram, Risala Bazar, Hakimpet, Karkhana, Adarshapally/Ponnal, Turkapally, Uppal, Ramanthapur, Ghatkesar, Narempally, Lxmapur, Hazipur and Jiyapally will be operated to Keesaragutta 

Karthika Pournami Celebrations @ Keesaragutta (Part 1)

Karthika Pournami Celebrations @ Keesaragutta (Part 2)

KEESARA GUTTA breaking news in tv5

Gaddar in KeesaraGutta3

Gaddar in KeesaraGutta4

Gaddar in KeesaraGutta2

Gaddar in KeesaraGutta

How to reach Keesara Gutta?

Keesara is just about 30 kilometers from Hyderabad. We can reach Keesara Gutta by a short drive of 30 minutes from Hyderabad by road. Frequent buses are there from Jubilee Bus Station, Secunderabad and from Imliban Bus Station, Hyderabad.

History or Legend of Ramalingeshwara Swamy Temple:

Keesara has a great cultural backdrop as this place has several number of ruined shrines in the Guptas architecture dated of the fifth century. The presiding Deity, Ramalingeswara Swamys temple was ruined and renovated recently. We can see a giant Hanuman idol near the temple. We can also see the results of excavations held here, in the Museum.
In threthayuga Lord Sri Ram along with his wife Sita and Lord Hanuman were searching a means to get rid of Ramas sin (Brahmana Hatya Paapam) – killing the demon Ravanasura who is a brahmin and a great devotee of Lord Parameshwara. Lord Rama met some great Saints and Sages in Gatika (Keesara) who advised him to consecrate a Shiva Lingam.
Lord Sri Ram requested Hanuman to bring a Shiva Lingam. By Hanumans kind request and worship, Lord Siva manifested before him in the form of 101 Sivlings. But, it was too late as it was not an auspicious time. Then, Lord Rama prayed to Lord Siva and Lord Shiva manifested as Sivalinga Before Sri Ram. Sri Ram and Seeta consecrated tha Shiva Linga and prayed to the Lord with utmost devotion to remove their sin.
But, Lord Hanuman was unhappy and lost his nigraha (calmness) and darted away those 101 shivlingas. By understanding the anger of Hanuman, Lord Sri Ram gave a boon to Hanuman that who prays 101 Shivalingas, darted by Hanuman, would get blessings of all 33 crores Devatas (Gods).

101 Shiva Lingams:

Among these Shiva lingas, some are of upto 1 meter. Several legends say that these lingas indicate the life and fertility. The lingas have a base structure which represents the womb.

Most Important Festivals:

MahaShivaratri, Shiva Kalyanam, Sri RamaNavami, Hanuman Jayanthi, Ramalingeshwara Brahmotsavam and festivals and auspicious days of the Karthik month (Karthika Masam) and Magh month (Magha maasam) are the important festivals celebrated here.

Wednesday 15 December 2010

keesargutta images

Koti Linga Temple on Keesara Gutta

the name literally translates to “The temple of a crore lingams situated on the hillock of Lord Hanuman.”
The village is in Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh and is located about 18 km from ECIL X roads on the outskirts of Hyderabad (and about 45 km from Begumpet airport). The temple is a mere 1.5 hour -2 hour drive from the city. When we were traveling, it was raining and the drive was very pleasant.
Legend has it that when Lord Rama wanted to atone for the sin of killing a great devotee of Lord Shiva like Ravana, he asked Lord Hanuman to bring a shiva linga carved from the rocks of mount Kailas itself. But since Hanuman could not bring the lingam back in time for the auspicious moment of the propitiation,
One of the several lingams that can be seen scattered on the hillock of Keesaragutta.
Lord Rama made one out the sands and performed the pooja. Frustrated, Lord Hanuman hurled the lingam he had brought from Kailas with all his might and it fragmented into ten million (a crore) smaller lingams that scattered on this hillock. These can be seen even today on the hillock.
The sacred Shiva linga which was said to have been installed and worshipped by Lord Hanuman himself.
One of the lingam is reputed to have been installed and worshipped by lord Hanuman himself and even today some powerful vibrations hit you when you enter the shrine.
Koti Linga therefore means a crore (ten million) lingams and Keesara is a colloquial version of Lord Hanuman’s name Kesari. Gutta means hillock. Hence the name of the temple is derived.
You can reach the temple by traveling on regular APSRTC buses or just hire a cab to take you there. On a normal day, the trip to and from the temple will take about 5 hours. On a festival day, it takes considerably longer at the temple.

Importance of the keesagutta Temple

Sivarahtri Brahmostavam is performed on a very large scale when lakhs of devotees visit the temple from all the corners of the State and seek the blessings of Lord Siva.

History of the keesara gutta Temple in Brief

In Tretayuga Sri Ram along with his consort Seeta Devi and Hanuman while roving in the area leisurely met several Maha Rishis. They advised Sri Ram to consecrate a Siva Lingam to get rid off his sin killing Ravana who was a Brahmin and a great devotee of Lord Siva. They also fixed an auspicious time for installation of Siva Lingam. Hanuman set out to bring a Siva Lingam, Lord Siva then, manifested before Hanuman in the form of 101 Lingas for the performance of pooja by Sri Ram but not before the auspicious time. Sri Ram was, therefore, constrained to pray Lord Siva and Lord Siva transfigured as Siva Linga and manifested before Sri Ram. Sri Ram consecrated the above Siva Lingam in the accompaniment of Sri Seeta. Hanuman felt unhappy as the 101 Lingams brought by him found no favor with Sri Ram. He lost his calmness and darted them away. Sri Ram pacified Hanuman and gave a boon that the devotees who pray 101 Siva Lingas brought by Hanuman would attain salvation.

keesara gutta

 Keesara
Ranga Reddy
Andhra Pradesh India
The temple is the abode of Sri Ramalingeshwara Swamy located on keesara hill situated at 35km from hyderabad.It is to be believed that the temple is 1600 years old and Sri Bhavani and Sri Shiva Durga are also present to the either side of Lord Ramalingeshwara.
 Shivaratri is performed on a grand scale here and every year lakhs of devotees from all over the state visit this shrine.It is said that Lord Hunuman is said to have manifested 101 lingas here but none of them have been favoured by Sri Rama as Lord Shiva himself have transformed to a Linga for Lord Rama to worship him,thus Lord Rama is said to have given a boon that devotees who pray to these 101 lingas will attain salvation.