Temples of Pushpagiri

Legend has it that, once when Garuda was carrying nectar from Indra-loka, one drop of it fell into the pool in this place and turned the pool into a sacred one. One day an old farmer vexed with his wretched life jumped into the pool to commit suicide. The fall transformed him into a young man. The astonished farmer made his wife and oxen to take a dip in the pool. They also turned into young. The news of the sacred pool spread all over the place and all people started thronging at this place to become young. The news reached Satya Loka, Brahma sought the help of Vishnu and Siva. They instructed Hanuman to close the pool. Hanuman dropped a hill in the pool, but instead of sinking the hill, it started floating like a flower. Then Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva decided to clamp their feet at the ends. The imprint of the foot of Siva became famous as Rudrapada and that of Vishnu’s as Vishnupada. Thereupon the temples were set up for Siva and Vishnu at the same place.

Another legend has it that once a Brahmin carrying the ashes of his father to Ganga halted in this place and took a bath in the river by placing the ash pot near the hillock. On return from bath, the Brahmin saw the ash pot rolling on ground surrounded by Jasmine flowers. When he checked the pot, he found that the ash was leaking on to the ground and turning into flowers. He realized that his father attained moksha by the touch of the hillock. The news spread in the area and people started worshiping the hill and there by the village is named after the hill as Pushpagiri in memory of the miraculous event.

The temple dates back to the 13^th century CE based on the epigraphical sources. There is an inscription dated 1254 CE recording its foundation. An inscription dated 1298 CE and another inscription dated 1436 CE mentions about the renovation of the temple. It is evident from the present structure that the Vijayanagaras re-constructed the temple complex in 16^th century CE. There are few inscriptions in the complex dating between 1514 CE and 1559 CE recording various donations to the temples for maintenance.

Architecture:

The temples are enclosed in a prakara on four side with an only entrance in the west surmounted by a gopura with a five storied brick superstructure. There are a flight of steps in front of the Gopura leading to the bank of the River Penna. The shrines are located in the centre of enclouser and a pillared corridor is constructed running across the inner south wall of the Prakara.

The three main shines (Trikuta) located in the centre share a common pillared mandapa. The Chennakesava shrine and Santanamalleswara shrines are adjacent to each other facing west and the Umamaheswara shrine is at right angle to these shrine and faces south. The common hall is constructed on a raised platform which can be assessed through flight of steps. The temples are raised on adhistana and consist of padavarga, prastara and vimanas on the roof. The Chennakesava, Santhanamalleswara and Umamaheswara shrines consist of garbhagriha, an antharala and the common mandapa acts as the mukhamandapa for each shrine. All three shrines have vimanas of Dravidian order. There is an open four pillared mandapa with an elevated platform in front of the common hall. There are two small shrines, one at south to Chennakesava shrine with garbhagriha, arthamandapa and mukhamandapa facing west. Opposite to it attached to the west wall of prakara dedicated to Hanuman consists of garbhagriha and arthamandapa.

Art & Sculpture:

The main attractions of the temple are the lathe turned pillars in the common hall which exhibits the skill of the artisans. There are series of miniature carvings running all across the raised platform which include the figures of elephants and horses involved in various training and combat activities. The pillars carry sculptures representing Siva forms, scenes from Bhagavata and Ramayanam. On another level there are carvings of humans and saints involved in various household and ritual activities. The doorways of shrines are of trisakha variety and consist of dwarapalaka sculptures at bottom.  The entrance gopura has the beautiful carvings of Ganapati, Krishna preaching Arjuna and women standing under creepers. 

The most celebrated days in the temple are Sivaratri and Vaikunta Ekadasi. The auspicious days as per the Saiva and Vaishnava agamas are conducted.

5.30AM- 11AM, 4PM – 8PM