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| Jaganmohini Kesava Swamy Statue's front and rear views |
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| Uma Kamandeleswara swamy Temple |
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| Inner View of Jaganmohini Kesavaswamy's Temple |
Many tourists visiting Rajahmundry generally come to see this rare temple at Ryali where we find the unique sculpture of Lord Kesava Swamy on the front and the graceful beauty of Jaganmohini on the rear side of the five-foot high black Saligrama stone, a kind of presenting two figures combined at one place. This type of sculpture one finds nowhere in any other temple. The concept of Arthanareeshwara is found in some paintings. But this type of Purusha and Prakriti combined on the same stone is a very rare work of art. The sculptor exhibited his skill of revealing the majestic face of Lord Kesava with four hands holding a conch, a discus in upper pair of hands and a mace and Mandhara mountain in the lower pair of hands. At the feet of the Lord, Goddess Ganges is seen sitting in lotus posture and water is seen flowing from the feet of the Lord. Around the sculpture the figures of Sridevi,Bhu Devi, Narada, Adi sesha, Garuda, Kinnera and divine damsels like Rambha and Urvashi are carved . The holy water from the feet of the Lord is sprinkled over the heads of the devotees during worship. The devotees are allowed to enter the sanctum and the priest shows the features of the Lord Kesava and Jaganmohini in the light of the camphor-lamp. On the rear side of the sculpture the hair of Jaganmohini folded into a bun is clearly seen decked with ornaments. The slender waist , round hips, bracelets on hands and feet adorned with anklets show the features of a divine damsel seen from the back.
According to Puranas, Lord Vishnu assumed the
form of Jaganmohini when the gods and demons quarreled over claiming Amritha
that emerged from the churning of the Milky sea. She cleverly distributed
Amritha to gods beguiling the demons with her captivating charm. Even Lord
Shiva enthralled by her beauty pursued her. Suddenly a flower fell from her
hair. When Shiva smelled that flower, He realized that the damsel was none other
than Vishnu and felt ashamed of His conduct. The name of the place “Ryali” is
from Telugu which means “to fall.” As per the request of the gods and holy
sages Lord Vishnu stayed here as Kesava-Jaganmohini and Lord Shiva also dwelt
there as Kamandaleswara with His consort Uma. The temples of Shiva and Vishnu are seen opposite each other facing east and west directions. Lord Brahma performed abhishkam with holy
water of his kamandala (a brass vessel containing water). This temple was first constructed by Raja Vikrama
deva, a feudatory of Chola kings in eleventh century. Later it was renovated in
1936. On the walls of the tower the sculptures of Dasavataras and figures of
parrots are beautifully sculptured. There is another shrine of Satyanarayana
Swami in the temple premises.
This temple is seen between Vasistha and Gautami,
the two tributaries of the river, Godavari. The temple timings are from 6.00 to
12.00 in the morning and 3.00 to 8.00 in the evening. Special poojas are
performed on occasions like Krishnasathami, Kartika Ekadashi, Mukkoti Ekadashi
and Bhishma Ekadashi. Kalyanam for Kesava swamy is done from Chytra Suddha
navami to Chaitra Pouranami. Kalyanam for Satyanarayana swamy is performed from
Vaisakha Suddha Ekadashi to Vaisakha Poornima. There is a strong belief among devotees that
whoever visits this temple is sure to get promotion and transfer to place of
his choice. In whole India there are only two temples of Jaganmohini – one at
Ryali and the second one at Mhalasa Narayani,Ponda, Goa where the statue of Jaganmohini
is believed to be a combined manifestation of Kali, Uma and Lakshmi.
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10th February, 2018 Somaseshu Gutala
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