Kaleswaram temple that promises redemption from cycle of life and death

 

Tucked away in deep forests of Mahdevpur, Bhupalpally district on the banks of holy river Godavari, the famous Kaleswaram temple instills a sense of awe and devotion among the vistors true to all temples of Lord Shiva. It is considered as one of the few great temples of Shiva in the country owing to its historical and spiritual significance. It is known as Dakshina Gangotri.

Legend has it that Lord Yama Dharmaraju sought the help of Lord Shiva to save him from curse of living creatures who cursed him for throwing them in cycle of life and death without redemption. Lord Shiva has asked Yama to install a Linga and also his adjacent to it. Whoever prayed for Yama and then to Shiva would be redeemed from the cycle of life and death. Hence the temple came to be known as Kaleswara and Mukteeswara temple. It was the only place where one could find two deities in one sanctum sanctorum (two Lingas on single pedestal).

Temple chief priest Tripurari Krishna Murthy says the temple has many unique features and first among is that it was set up by none other than Lord Yama Dharma Raju.

“This temple has four entries to sanctum sanctorum which you cannot find anywhere. It has two deities (Kaleswara and Mukteeswara) adorning in single temple. This is located on the banks of Triveni Sangamama – confluence of three rivers – Pranahita, Godavari and Gupta Saraswati,” he explains.

Another unique feature is that one could find nostrils on Shiva Linga and said whatever water or milk you drop, they never get filled up. They say the water or milk finds way to river Godavari.

Adjavent to main temple,there is Saraswati temple which is said to be one among the three Saraswati temples of India. Bala Saraswati temple in Kashmir and Gnana Saraswati temple in Basar, Adilabad and here it is called Maha Saraswati or Proudah Saraswati.

It also has one of the three Surya temples – Arasavilli in Srikakulam, and another at Konark, Odissa.

The temple witnessed some development in recent period and has got accommodation facility. People throng the place to perform Shani puja and Sarpa Dosha puja and crowds could be witnessed on Sundays where normally people from distant places visit. Devotees come in large numbers on Monday and Saturday – auspicious days for performing Rudrabhishekham and Shaneeswara Abhishekham.

About half kilometre from temple the river Godavari flows majestically. Ghats were constructed at this spot where devotees can have a holy dip.

Unlike in North India, this temple is not patronised much despite having great history and spiritual significance owing to less sense of devotion among people in the state. It is frequented more by devotees of Lord Shiva who account for meagre numbers.

The temple is located 120 kilometre from Hanamkonda and could be reached via Parkal and Bhupalpalli towns. From Hyderabad, the distance is about 240 kilometre. But for a little patch of road, mostly the road is smooth and a long drive amid thick forests of Mahadevpur and Kataram is pleasant.

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WARANGAL PEOPLE AND PLACES - 2

‘Nowadays, people want movie songs and vulgar jokes’

Harikatha Bhagavathars were most sought after by the public in the olden days and at times they were unable to give call sheets, renowned Harikatha Bhagavathar octogenarian Velide Harishankara Sastry reminisced.

There were times when he hopped from village to village without returning home for a month.

“More than the money we got, we were thrilled about the public patronage and their interest in our art form. We used to get Rs.15 as fee and an equal amount through generous donations from the audience,” Sastry says.

Harikatha is a form of Hindu religious discourse that comprises storytelling, poetry, music and drama. Those practising it are known as ‘Bhagavathars’ who once ruled the roost before the emergence of cinema and televisions.

Referring to the changed tastes of public, Sri Sastry said the audience used to listen in rapt attention till late into the night in the 1940s and 1950s when he started his career.

Now, people ask for movie songs and vulgar jokes, which are out of context. “We cannot sing songs. Some try to appeal people by changing the tune of Mangalaharathi songs in filmi tunes. That is all we can do,” he explained.

Harishankara Sastry, born in 1930 was a regular artiste at the Deccan Radio, as was the present All India Radio called before Hyderabad State merged into Indian Union.

“They used to pay me Rs.25. The ticket from Warangal to Secunderabad was Rs.2 by train. In all, the expenditure would come to Rs.6. Gold was sold for Rs.100 for 10 grams. I bought some gold with Rs.18,” he said.

Lamenting the decreased public patronage, he says now the audience is thin and not that devout as in the olden days. Though artistes are paid around Rs.3,000, it is far from enough.

Harishankara Sastry has toured all over the State and was felicitated by the then Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao, who admired Sastry a lot.

He popularised the traditional vocation and even initiated his son and two grandsons into the art form.

It is time that Telugu University or some agency comes forward to document the life and times of Harishankara Sastry for the benefit of posterity.

http://gollapudisrinivasarao.blogspot.in/

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