Sri Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy Temple - Ryali , Andhra pradesh

STHALAPURANAM


According to the legend “Bhagavatam” while Devatas and Rakshas were quarrelling over share on holy nector “Sree Maha Vishnu “ came to rescue of Devatas in the guise of mohini and convinced both were rivalary groups promising to distribute holy divine nector in equal share to Devatas and Rakshas.But in the intrest of universal peace and welfare of sages,holy and divine nector was distributed among Devatas alone and the mohini disappeared .
Lord Siva having seen the most fascinating beauty of Mohini allured her. He chased her for getting her a while the presence of his consort parvathi Devi.it is the general belief of that the holy incident was the result of birth of AYYAPA SWAMY. One flower from the plait of Mohini fell down and it was smelt by Lord Shiva. Then he surprisingly found “ Sree Maha Vishnu” in the form of Mohini and felt shy for his behaviour. The place where the flower from the plait of Mohini fell is named as RYALI the Telugu meaning of “Fall”.
During 11th century , this village was a part of wild forest and these parts were under the rule of Chola Rajas. Sri Raja Vikramadeva who was ruling . this place known as Ryalifor the above reason became above for Lord Shiva Sree Mahavishnu with directions. The form of Mohini on Back side Lord Brahma constructed the Shiva Lingam with his Kamadalam and hence Lord Shiva at Ryali worshipped as Sri Uma Kamandaleswara Swamy varu,Sri Maha Vishnu with the form of Mohini on back side is worshipped as Sri Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy varu both siva and Vishnu Temples are located facing each other.This is very rare feature at ryali where Vishnu and Lord Siva Temples faces each other in the east,west direction.

Stahalpuranam

During the 11th century , this village was a part of wild forest and those parts were under the rule of Chola Rajas. Sri Raja Vikramadeva who ruling these parts .During those days came to this place for hunting wild animals, he took rest under the shade of a big poona tree , and fell in deep sleep and got a dream.Lord Sri Maha Vishnu appeared in his dream and informed that his shirine was located in the underground of this area and directed the Raja to get the wooden made Chariot pull in the area and where the nail of Chariot fell,the shirine can be found in the underground of that place.Raja has done accordingly and the land where the nail of chariot fell was excaved and found the idol making the dream of Raja true. He constructed a small temple during 11th century and arranged worshipped during his regime.Gradually prakaramas were developed in the 1936 (Data Nam Samvatsara) it was nenovated.

The shrine of Sri Jaganmohini Kesava Swamy varu is Salagrama Eka Sila with 5 feet height and 3 feet width. Salagrama Sila is itself the form of “ Sri Maha Vishnu “ . The idol of Sri kesava swamy varu of “ Sri Maha Vishnu “ in the front side and Jaganmohini on back side.

The ten incarnations Lord Sree Maha Vishnu with Consorts Sri Devi,Bhudevi , Sage Narada,Thumabara , Rambha , Urvasi , kinnera, kimpurusha , Lord Srikrishna with Govardhana Giri , Adhi Seshu , Garuda and Ganga are beautifully sculptured around the shirine. The most miracle and rare feature that , Ganga always flows from the feet of Sri Maha Vishnu is the origin of Akasha Ganga and his truth can be witnessed here. the most wonderful architectural beauty of shirine and flow of Ganga are relly unique features and shrine became very sacred . The Architectural beauty of idol cannot be described in in words .Further it gives impressions as it is new idol through its origin of 11th century.This shirine is “SWAYAMBU” people visiting the temple from several parts of the country believed that the shirine is not man made , but the certainly creation of Devatas and darshan Swamy varu gives the feeling of presence of real God.