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| Main Gopuram |
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| Sreechakram Shrine |
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| Statues of lions and elephants facing Sreechakram Shrine |
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| Gopuram at inner entrance |
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| Lotus Well |
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| Idol of Ganesh in the main hall |
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| Main Hall (Mukha Mandapa) |
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| Rajarajeshwari Statue in the inner sanctum |
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| Lion Statue on the temple tower |
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| Mukha Mandapa with sculptured pillars |
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| Sculptures on the temple tower |
This famous temple is located in the southwest corner of the
city on the banks of Vrishabhavati River which has now become almost a drain due
to industrial pollutants released into it.
Previously this area was called Kenchanagiri or Champakavana or Kenchanahalli.
Later it has been named after the famous temple as Rajarajeshwarinagar
established here in early 1960’s. Sri Tiruchi Swamigal (formerly called Sri
Sivaratnapuri Swamiji) set up Kailash Ashram Samsthanam when he was directed by
his guru, Sri Sivapuri Baba, to go towards South India where he would do good
work to the society. Accordingly he came to this place where it was said that Sage Atri and his spouse Anasuya lived and did penance. He established his
Ashram and Rajarajeshwari temple which rapidly developed later into a complex
with a free school for Vedic studies and also a Goshala for protecting cows.
Sri Tiruchi Swami laid the foundation stone for this temple on 3rd
April, 1960 in the morning time between 5.30 a.m. and 6.15 a.m. In “Tantra
Chudamani “this place was mentioned as one of the Shakti Peethams where Devi’s
ear was fallen (Karna Bhaga). The Shakti Peetha of this place is also called
“Jaya Peetha”.
The temple was built
in Dravidian style with five gopurams decorated with colorful figurines on the
towers. After passing through Rajagopuram
a row of holy serpent stones (Naga Devatas ) are seen. Many devotees worship
them with kumkum, turmeric and flowers. A little distance away a huge statue of
a stone elephant with two couching lions are visible.The shrine for Sree Chakra is seen just in
front of these statues. This is very unique since one cannot see a separate
shrine for Sree Chakra Yantra anywhere else. The Sree Chakra Yantra is carved on
a huge black shining granite stone and one can make pradakshinam around this
sacred shrine. There is another gopuram leading to Mukha mandapam with many
decorated figures and lotus –bud shaped cornices and pillars. Just near the
entrance of inner gopuram two lion figures in sitting posture are seen.
In the
inner sanctum the beautiful statue of Rajarajeshwari is seen in sitting position.
Her right leg is in folded and placed across the seat while her left leg is stretched
below with her foot resting on a lotus in full bloom (Padma Peetham). The six-foot
black granite idol is decorated with many ornaments and shining gems. One can
see various incarnations of Rajarajeswari all around the circamabulatory path
or pradakshina marga. Gold-coated idols
of Vinayaka, Dandapani, Lakshmi and Sarswati are seen along with other deities
on a raised platform with separate enclosures. On the wall one can also see
beautiful picture frames showing the various incarnations of Devi known as Dasa
Mahavidyas with various weapons and
mounts like Matangi, Bhuvaneswari Devi, Tara, Kamala, Kali, Chinnamastha, Mohini
etc. In another adjoining room one can see Navagrahas
on an elevated platform. In this temple worship is done as per Shaivagama
tradition. Special poojas are done Tuesdays, Fridays and during Navaratri
festiva amnd during Brahmostsava time. Chandi Homams are performed on these
special occasions. On 27th March every year the Sun's rays fall on the
main idol at sunrise in a miraculous way.
This temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in the
morning and from 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.in the evening. In this temple persons wearing jeans, shorts, Berumudas,
mini-skirts, sleeveless tops and short T-shirts are not allowed. Men should
wear a dhoti or full pants and shirts. Ladies should wear saris, churidars with
duppatas. Girls below the age of 18 should wear full-length gowns. Ladies
should not let their hair hang loose. They should bind their hair with a clip
or hair band.
At the main entrance a
shoe stand and a bookstall are seen. Parking space is also available.Inside
the temple there is a shop where prasadam is sold.In R.R.Nagar there are many other temples to see.The
nearby temples are Nimishamba Temple (2kms)., Shringagiri Shanmukha Temple
(4kms), Kalabhairava Temple (3kms.) and
Omkar Hills (4kms.)
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15th September, 2018 Somaseshu Gutala
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