Hemavathi shrine cries for ASI, govt attention
As ASI fail to maintain, devotees vow to collect `100 cr for renovation
Update: 2024-12-02 05:24 GMT
The 11th Century’s historic Lord Shiva temple in Satya Sai District – the only shrine in the south with Lord Shiva in human form -- has been in a dilapidated state. While the Archaeological Survey of India has failed to maintain the temple, the devotees have come up with a promise to organise donations up to `100 crore for its renovation.
The historic Shiva temple is located at Hemavathi in Amarapuram mandal in Satya Sai district. It draws thousands of devotees from Karnataka through the past several generations.
While the ASI has not undertaken even minimum maintenance works, the AP endowment department was permitted to conduct poojas and hold traditional celebrations. Devotees and political leaders from the Madakasira assembly segment are planning to approach the Supreme Court to direct ASI to renovate the ancient temple.
The temple is also known as Nolamba Pallava University.
Known in different names like the Veerabhadra Siddeshwara, Henjeru Siddappa, Moorkanappa, Henjeru Bhairava or Yajnarishwara temple, the shrine was built by the Nolambu royal dynasty of the 8th-11th Century.
The world-famous Shiva temple hosts the largest stone idol of the anthropomorphic Lord Shiva of Hemavati. The Shiva Lingams made of black stone can be seen rising majestically from the mandapam opposite them. Spread over an area of about 14 acres, the park is a delightful sight with a lot of greenery.
All the ancient temples in the region were built in the 9-10th Century AD. Among these, the temples of Siddeshwara Swamy and Doddeswara Swamy are unique Shiva temples that face the west. The sanctum sanctorum of these temples is square in shape and boasts of an Artha Mandapam and Vasara.
A Nandi Mandapam exists opposite to the sanctum sanctorum, which does not have an elegant facade. On the walls of the room are figures of doves and various creatures. The pillars are carved out of smooth black stone.
In a rare response, devotees are coming forward to organise funds for renovation of the temple by taking money from their own wallets.
The ASI recently threatened initiation of criminal cases against the Rural Water Supply department when it planned to construct toilets so as to provide facilities to devotees. Funds for this were sanctioned by the Satya Sai district administration.
“This is the only temple with Lord Shiva in human form across the south. The ASI is of no help, We are planning to file a case against ASI in the Supreme Court as we are deeply distressed,” stated Telugu Desam leader, Madakasira assembly segment party incharge and former MLC, G Thippeswamy.
“Hemavathi deserves to be developed on the lines of Srisailam and Srikalahasti temples. Now, devotees have no facilities to stay in the temple town,” he said.
The Hemavathi temple draws in a large number of devotees from near and far . They offer sambrani pooja to the deity to free themselves from graha doshams and jaggery to Kasi Kalabhairava, a temple located inside the premises, to ensure safety for them at home from poisonous insects like scorpions.
The temple is also known as Nolamba Pallava University.
Known in different names like the Veerabhadra Siddeshwara, Henjeru Siddappa, Moorkanappa, Henjeru Bhairava or Yajnarishwara temple, the shrine was built by the Nolambu royal dynasty of the 8th-11th Century.
The world-famous Shiva temple hosts the largest stone idol of the anthropomorphic Lord Shiva of Hemavati. The Shiva Lingams made of black stone can be seen rising majestically from the mandapam opposite them. Spread over an area of about 14 acres, the park is a delightful sight with a lot of greenery.
All the ancient temples in the region were built in the 9-10th Century AD. Among these, the temples of Siddeshwara Swamy and Doddeswara Swamy are unique Shiva temples that face the west. The sanctum sanctorum of these temples is square in shape and boasts of an Artha Mandapam and Vasara.
A Nandi Mandapam exists opposite to the sanctum sanctorum, which does not have an elegant facade. On the walls of the room are figures of doves and various creatures. The pillars are carved out of smooth black stone.
In a rare response, devotees are coming forward to organise funds for renovation of the temple by taking money from their own wallets.
The ASI recently threatened initiation of criminal cases against the Rural Water Supply department when it planned to construct toilets so as to provide facilities to devotees. Funds for this were sanctioned by the Satya Sai district administration.
“This is the only temple with Lord Shiva in human form across the south. The ASI is of no help, We are planning to file a case against ASI in the Supreme Court as we are deeply distressed,” stated Telugu Desam leader, Madakasira assembly segment party incharge and former MLC, G Thippeswamy.
“Hemavathi deserves to be developed on the lines of Srisailam and Srikalahasti temples. Now, devotees have no facilities to stay in the temple town,” he said.
The Hemavathi temple draws in a large number of devotees from near and far . They offer sambrani pooja to the deity to free themselves from graha doshams and jaggery to Kasi Kalabhairava, a temple located inside the premises, to ensure safety for them at home from poisonous insects like scorpions.