- Mrs. Alladi Vaidehi

           ANDHRA Pradesh is the abode of celebrated places of holy worship belonging to different religions and creeds –Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Christian and Islam. The various temples, churches, mosques, chaityas etc.. are the eternal monuments of our rich heritage, culture and civilization. Most of these belong to the ancient and medieval periods but they remain intact even to this day. Due to space restriction, I shall give a short account of Hindu Temples in Andhra Pradesh.

           As K. A. N. Sastry puts it "the Hindu Temple was not merely a place of Worship. It filled a large place in the cultural and economic life of the people. Its construction and maintenance offered employment to anumber of architects and craftsmen who were responsible for bold planning and skillful execution. The making of icon in stone and metal gave scope to the best talent of the best sculptors of the country. The daily routine especially in large temples gave constant employment to a number of priests, musicians, dancing girls, cooks and many other classes of servants. The periodical festivals were marked by fairs, contests in learning, wrestling matches and every other form of popular entertainment. Schools and hospitals were often located in the temple precincts and it also served often as the Town Hall where people assembled to consider local affairs or to hear the exposition of sacred literature." The temple is a 'Devalaya or the House of God. People, when they enter the temple forget about all their differences. Dvaitas, advaitas, smarthas, saivites, vaishnavites and members of every Hindu religious sect, rich and poor, Brahmin to sudra visit the temple. They feel that this is the one place where they forget all their problems, sufferings, and obtain confort, peace and happiness. They return home with a strong will power and desire to be happy and make others happy. There is nothing like north and south so far as these sacred places are concerned. Kasi to Rameswaram is the main route of all Hindus. As mentioned earlier Andhra Pradesh is a treasure house of temples and pilgrimage centres (Punya Kshetras). I will refer to only a few of them.

Sri Sailam :
           Sri Sailam is situated in the thick and inaccessible forests of the Nallamalai Hills in the North Eastern portion of the Nandikotkur Taluq of Kurnool district. It is a sacred place of pilgrimage and became very popular in the medieval period. It is also known as Sri Parvata. There is a reference to Sri Saila in Mahabharata which says thus :

"Sir parvata Maha devo Devya
Saha Maha dyutihi
Nya Vasatu Paramaprito Brahma Cha
Tridasoha Saha
Tatra Devahride Snatva Suchini
Prayatamanasaha
Asvamedhja Ravapradi Kulam
Chaiva Samudvaretu"

           Thus Sri Sailam was one of the most important of Saiva centres from time immemorial. Tradition has it that the Siva Linga there came to be known as Mallikarjuna Linga because it was held that a certain Chandravati, daughter of Chandragupta was in love with Swayambhu Siva. She offered daily a bunch of Malli (jasmine) flowers to him. As he was pleased with the sincere devotion she had for him, he was willing to marry her. She was ultimately wedded to him and from that time onwards the Siva Linga there, came to be known as Mallikarjuna Linga.

           Sri Sailam was one of the twelve jyotirlingas of Bharatadesa. The Goddess of Mallikarjuna Swamy is Sri Bhramaramba Ammavaru and this place is one of the Ashtadesa Shakti Pithas (eight main Sthanas) of Lord Siva. The traditional gate ways of the Holy path to Srisailam are (1) Sri Tripurantakeswara Swamy Temple, Tripurantakam (Prakasham District) on the East, (2) Sri Siddhavateswara Swamy Temple, Siddhavatam (Cuddapah District) on the South, (3) Sri Umamaheswara Swamy Temple, Umamaheswaram (Mahaboobnagar District) on the North and (4) Sri Bala Brahmeswara Temple at Atmakur (Mahaboobnagar district) on the West.

           An elaborate and interesting description of pilgrimage to this famous Saivite Shrine of Sri Sailam is given by Palkurki Somanatha in his Panditaradhyacharitra. According to him a; visit to Sri Sailam would enable a man or woman to attain Salvation. They would get from it a benefit much more than they would get by feeding a lakhof Brahmins at Varanasi, two lakhs at Gaya, three lakhs at Kedari and one crore in other places of pilgrimage. Somanatha pointed out that Sri Sailam was an All India pilgrimage centre and visitors in large numbers came to this place from Nepala, Kedara, Santari, Kashmira, Kambhoja, Kalinga, Bangalam, Gujarashtra, Malava Bhoomi etc. Among the pilgrims were people of all classes and castes, men and women, old and young as well as children.

           Palkurki stated that Sivaratri attracted largest number of pilgrims to Sri Sailam. On that day some Brahmins engaged themselves in reciting the Vedas, the Brahmanas, the Rudra and Sutras. A few of the Brahmins used to be busy in the various religious ceremonies while several other engaged themselves in explaining the sacred books to the pilgrims. Some of the pilgrims sang devotional songs while others shared their piety by dancing accompanied by music on different instruments. There were some people who entertained the pilgrims by means of puppet shows, fancy dress and folk dances. Thus, Sri Sailam served not only as a place of religious worship but also as a centre of culture and learning of different kinds. It fostered social equality and national integration.

           Sri Sailam is famous as a centre of pilgrimage even to this day. Its annual income exceeds on crore of rupees. The religious and endowments department of Andhra Pradesh has allocated a portion of the income for laying good roads etc. At Sri Sailam, poor are fed every day. A big library is established here. A huge water tank with a capacity of one lakh gallons of water is recentlyconstructed. The Asthana Veda Pandita recites Pranama every evening. On festive occasions Pandits and teachers from different regions are invited to deliver lectures on Bhakti Marga and also for rendering Harikatha Kalakshepam.

           "Kasyanthu Maranamuktim

           Smaranadarunachale

           Darsana Deva Sri Saila

           Punarjanma Na Vidya Te."

Pancharamas :
           The Pancharamas are five great centres of Pilgrimage. They are famous for ages. Of these five, four are situated in the Godavari Delta area and one in Krishna Delta area. They are all famous for Saivite Centres. The legend says that the original Linga was erected by the Lord Sun and worshipped by the Saptarshis or seven sages who are still said to be present on the seven branches of the Godavari in its march to the sea. The legend says that after the Tripurasena Samhara the original Linga broke off into five pieces and fell or Aaraamas namely Bhilmaraama, Kshilraaraama, Amaraaraama, Draakshaaraama and Kumaaraaraama.

Amaravati :
           Amaraaraama or Amaravati also known as Amaradalu was one of the five Aaraamas or centres of pilgrimage. It was also known as Dhanakataka, the capital of the Satavahanas in the early centuries of the Satavahana period. During their period, it was famous as a Buddhist centre and contained a great monument know as Dhanakataka Mahachaitya (the great chaitya enshrines a relic of Lord Buddha himself). In course of timeBuddhism declined and Saivism became popular and this great chaitya was said to have been readopted for Hindu worship as a Saiva or Iswara temple. There are many legends or Sthala Puranas which speak about the greatness of this centre of pilgrimage. It is believed that Lord Amaresvara is no other than Lord Viswanatha and the river Krishna, at this spot is no other than river Ganges. So a devotee, if he takes a bath in Krishna river and worships Lord Amareswara will obtain the same result as ny devotee will get if he reaches Kasi, takes a bath in the holy Ganges and worships Lord Viswanatha or Lord Siva who in this place is in five linga forms namely Parameswara, Agasteswara, Koteswara, Someswara and Partheswara. According to Skanda Purana if a devotee stays at this kshetra for three days and worships Lord Amareswara with faith and devotion after a bath in the river Kfrishna he will straight away attain Siva Loka and if any devotee dies here he will be absorbed in Lord Siva. Even to this day many pilgrims visit this Kshetra.

Draksharama :
           The Bhimeswara temple at Draakshaaraama is one of the five Araamakshetras of Andhra Desa. Tradition has it that the temple was actually constructed by Chalukya Bhima-1. Regarding the origin of the temple, there are many Sthala Puranas. According to one legend Daksha Prajapati's daughter Dakshaayani married Lord Siva without her father's consent. So Daksha was very angry with his daughter. Once when he was performing a great Yagna after the above incident he did not invite Lord Siva or his daughter out of 'Dambha and Darpa'. But Dakshaayani was very eager to attend the yagna inspite of being uninvited by her father. Dakshaprajapati's pride increased all the more when he saw his daughter attending it without invitation. In this pride he did not care to receive his daughter. On the other hand he insulted her. Dakshaayani's self respect was thus wounded. She felt that it was not only an insult to her but also to her consort Lord Siva. She plunged immediately into fire and ended her life. When Lord Siva heard the news he became extremely furious and began to sweat profusely. Out of his sweat was bord Lord Veerabhadra who killed Daksha, destroyed the yagna and took revenge on Daksha who insulted Siva and Parvati. Drakshaarama is supposed to have been the place where Daksha contemplated his yagna. Hence even to this day orthodox Brahmins do not perform any yagna within the premises of Drakshaaraama.

           Drakshaarama is also know as Dakshina Kasi. It is considered to be a sacred place for Muslims also. All the religions believe that there is only one God. Different religions worship God in different forms. But for God all are equal. For him the only consideration is devotion or Bhakti. A true Bhakta would always be blessed. There is a legend which speaks in glorious terms this Dharma. It says that 500 years ago there was a great Muslim Saint who was born at Gardez near Mapina in Arabia. During the course of his tour with his disciples he came to Draksharama. They were all very hungry. They found a bull, slaughtered it and ate it. The bull belonged to a Saiva Mutt and was the pet of the Mattadhipati. This roused anger among the Hindus which resulted in a dispute between the Muslim Saint and the Saiva Mattadhipati. Finally they thought of method by which they could decide their relative greatness. A Siva Linga was thrown into a pond known as Lingala Cheruvu. The two contestants were ordained to bring back the Linga by their powers of worship. The Muslim saint worshipped the infinite Lord and the Lord was pleased with his devotion and he acceded to his request. Thus the Muslim Saint was adjudged the winner. The Mattadhipati immediately came forward and handed over the Mutt to him whicgh he converted into a sacred mosque. To this day this place is considered to be a sacred place even by Muslims. This great incident exemplified the broad outlook of Indian culture and people. Hence India is known as Punya Bhoomi.

Tirupati :
           Tirupati is the most famous and sacred temple in Andhra Pradesh. Its presiding deity is Lord Venkateswara. It is primarily a Vaishnava Temple. Unlike the temples referred to above, this temple attracts all the Hindus – Vaishnavites, Saivites, Smarthas, etc. Pilgrims of all walks of life and from all parts of the country and outside visit this temple with greatest confidence that their prayers would be heard by the Lord. They relate their experiences about the Mahima (Greatness) of the sacred place.

           It is not actually known when this temple is constructed but it became famous in the 15th century during Vijayanagara times. The legends and Sthala Puranas current about the temple are so popular that it is not necessary to make any reference to them.

           The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has an annual income in several crores. With these funds it has established a; number of schools, colleges, Veda Pathasalas etc. It is actually maintaining the Sri Venkateswara University in which Sciences, Arts, Medicine, Engineering subjects are taught. It is maintaining an oriental manuscripts library. For the benefit of the devotees it has constructed a number chatrams and choultries, guest houses and hotels. Till recently it was also plying buses from the foot of the hills to the top. It is the richest temple in India and it making endowments to various institutions.

           Thus Andhra Pradesh is famous for its sacred places of pilgrimage, several of them were very rich and some of them continue to be rich even to this day. The Government of Andhra Pradesh like the rulers in earlier times is taking great interest in these temples. It has created a separate department called Endowments Department to administer the religious and charitable institutions. There is a minister in charge of the department. The Government officer is in charge of the department. The Government officer in charge of the department is known as the Commissioner who is normally an I. A. S. officer. There are assistant commissioners and several others working in the department. There are 600 executive officers of five grades besides the administrative and inspecting staff with its hierarchy of officers. They correspond to the 72 Niyogas of medieval temple organization. There are Devasthanams attached to the temples which are under the control of the endowments department.

           The main functions of the endowments department are:

• Religious instrucjtion, promotion and propogation of Hindu Dharma.
• Establishement and maintenance of Veda Pathasalas and schools for giving training in Archakatwam, Vedaparayana Sankirtanam, Silpam, Vadyam, Singing of Divya Prabandhakaras.
• Teaching Sanskrit.
• Establishing and maintaining libraries.
• Providing medical and health facilities to the pilgrims and others.
• Constructing roads and providing travel facilities to the pilgrims.
• Establishing schools, colleges, hospitals etc.

           The temple played similar role in the earlier periods as well. They functioned not merely as sacred places of worship but also played an important role in the general life of the people. They served as citadels of justice, Kings, nobles and philanthropic public made endowments to these temples in the form of gold, silver, cattle, lands, etc. Thus temples owned large estates and cattle farms. They maintained large bodies of agricultural labourers for carrying on the cultivation of the lands. The temple was the Nagara or the Palace of the Deity. Ifts services were organized on the model of royal household. There was a regular hierarchy of officers from the sthanapati down to the menial servants whose status as well as wages varied from category to category. Some of the most important temple servants were the Sthanapatis, the pujaris, Paricharikas, Astrologers, Musicians, Paranikas, Dancers, Sculptors, Artisans, cooks etc. The rulers used to have special departments or organizations to supervise the work of these servants and the temple property. They were like the present trustees.

           The temple also served as centre of learning. It was a Gurupitha to propagate the principles of religion. It was a Vidyalaya for imparting vedic education. It was a platform from which religious teachers delivered lectures. It was a Sabha from where the scholars discussed Sastras. It was a public forum from which the Pauranikas recited and expounded the epics. It was the greatest institution that protected the cultural life of the people. Thus the temple then and now played an important role in the life of the people.

           There is one very important activity of the Hindu Religious and Endowments Department which needs special emphasis. It has created a fund called the Common Good Fund with the surpluses of income in the temples. This fund is utilized for the renovation of temples, preservation and maintenance of Hindu religious institutuins by giving scholarships to deserving students studying in the Pathasalas under its jurisdiction. Recently it sanctioned Rs. 75/- to each student studying in the Silpa Kalasala at Hyderabad established by this department. A large amount of money from the Common Good Fund is spent during the Godavari and Krishna Pushkarams for the renovation of temples, construction of bathing ghats and providing various other amenties to the public. It has also sanctioned maoney liberally for the establishment of temples in foreign countries like the two temples at New York and Pittsburgh. It sanctioned a sum of five lakh rupees to the institute of Puranic and Vedic Studies and Research, Naimi Sharanya, Sithapur district in Uttar Pradesh which was established for the propagation of the Dharmic way of life and also for making a study and research of the Puranas and Vedas. It also sanctioned a sum of Rs. 50,000/- for printing and publishing of the inscriptions of the temples in five volumes and another amount of 1.5 Lakhs to Vemana Yoga Research Institute at Secunderabad. It has also taken up the performance of marriages of poor couples. It is running a monthly magazine called Aradhana for disseminating the knowledge in Vedas, Puranas, Agamas and historical importance of the temples and other literature pertaining to the Hindu Dharma. From the above account, it is known that the temple is an important institution in Andhra Pradesh. Its role is very significant as it reflects the mind of the people.