A Prayer

                  Prayer is the nearest approach to God

 

                              

  1)  A feeling gushing out like a water spring

       A feeling that moves our bosom to tears

       A feeling that strengthens and removes our fears

       A feeling that inspires us to merrily sing

       A feeling that lightens our hearts to swing

       A feeling that soothes our souls and comfort brings.

 

2)   A feeling that makes us forget our self

      A feeling that fills our hearts with joy unknown

      A feeling that makes us secure, and not alone;

      A feeling that makes us free from power and pelf;

      A feeling that makes us see a spark of Thine

      A feeling that gives relief from stress and strain.

 

3)  A feeling that gives satisfaction sweet

      A feeling that wipes off dividing lines

      A feeling that removes our worries vain

      A feeling that shows thee in every bird and beast.

      A feeling that strikes at our egoistic pride

      A feeling that broadens our vision clear and wide.

 

  4)  A prayer is not a social bargain     

       A prayer is not a business pact

       A prayer is not a mutual contract     

       A prayer is not a struggle, a craving for gain.

       A prayer is not just asking favours from God

       A prayer is not just offering gifts and praising Lord.

 

5)  A prayer is not doing rituals with expense great

     A prayer is not chanting Thy name without a break

     A prayer is not sacrificing beasts for Thy sake;

     A prayer is not to show off one’s status and state;

     A prayer is not a competitive trade

     A prayer is not a provocative tirade.   

 

6)  A prayer done with a sincere heart     

     A prayer done with no egoistic show;

     A prayer done with spontaneous feelings’ flow

     A prayer done irrespective of creed and caste

     A prayer done with noble and selfless thoughts

     A prayer true--with no diversions fraught.

 

6)   Wide knowledge and learning cannot reveal

       Adamant votive rites and sacrifices huge

       Will not lead us to seek God’s grace and refuge;

       Neither philosophy nor artistic skills;

       Neither visiting shrines or sacred spots

       Only surrender with a sincere selfless heart.

 

7)    A prayer reveals Thy all-pervading powers

        A prayer manifests Thy mysterious grace;

        A prayer transforms and checks our wayward ways;

        A prayer bestows peace and blessings showers;

        A prayer our sole support to reach Thy lotus-feet

        A prayer humbles our pride with devotion sweet.

 

8)    A prayer is the rising rose of dawn within

        A prayer is the star that shows our goal

        A prayer is the spiritual bread for our soul

        A prayer unfolds our hearts to repent for our sins;

        A prayer nourishes hope and strengthens our trust

        A prayer resurrects our soul from earthly dust.

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              Prayer should be the key of the day

              and the lock of the night." George Herbert

                                                              

          25th January, 2022                         Somaseshu Gutala        

     

    

                       

       

       

 

    

 

 

     

 

     

                                 

My Visit to Kaleshwara Mukteshwara Temple, Kaleshwaram (Telangana)

  

Prowda Saraswati

                                            

Sculptures on Saraswati's temple

                                  

Haritha Hotel

                             

Sub-shrines around Pradakshinapatha

 Banks of Godavari and Pranahita rivers

This famous temple is located in Kaleswaram in Mahadevapur Mandal, near Ramagundam. It is one of the three sacred lingas (Srisailam, Draksharamam, and Kaleshwaram) in Telugu states from which the region got its name as Trilinga. The special feature of this Shiva temple is that one can see two lingas on the same pedestal. To the south of this temple the river Godavari flows in confluence with Pranahitha. So this is called Sangama where the Godavari and the Pranahitha join with Saraswathi that follows underground from the temple. This place is revered as second Kashi and many devotees perform holy ablutions and tarpanams for the liberation of their ancestors. The presence of Kala and Shiva at the same place signifies the rare combination of life and death, implying that life and death are not different.

 There is a spacious corridor leading to temple premises. The welcome arch is decorated with two lingams. After passing through the main tower at the entrance, Nandi Mantapa is seen in front of the main temple where one can see a beautiful idol of Nandi. There are four doorways to enter the temple from four directions and four Nandis are seen near four doorways. In Mukha mantapa the idols of Shringhi and Bhringhi are seen. In the sanctum two Shiva Lingas are seen on the same pedestal. The first Shiva Linga was installed by Kala or God of death. The second Shiva Linga is called Mukteshwara which has two holes on its crown. The water poured over this, flows through a secret passage and is said to join the Godavari River outside. Devotees have to worship Kaleshwara first and later Mukteswara as per tradition.

 Devotees can themselves enter the sanctum and do pooja and Abhishekam to the main deities. One has to take Rs.300/- to perform abhishekam in inner sanctum. Abhishekam is done here from 7.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.  Shiva Parvati Kalyanam is done daily from 9.30 a.m. to 10.3o0 a.m. other poojas like Satyanarayana Vratham, Kalasarpadosha Nivarana pooja and Navagrahabhishekam,  Navagrahahomam are done here. The temple is open from 4.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 3.30 p.m.to 8.00 pm.The temple is crowded during weekends, Mondays and during Maha Shivarathri and during  Navarathri festival days. 

Adjacent to this temple there is another shrine for Goddess Parvati who is called “Shubhananda Devi.” A little further one can see another temple for Saraswathi with a mukhamantapa. Around the circambulatory path one can see many sub-shrines of gods and goddesses. Idols of Durga, Dattatreya, Lord Vishnu, Sri Kashi Vishveshwara, Sri Bala Rajeshwara, Vijaya Ganapati, Maha Ganapati, Swarnakarshana Bhairava, Kala Bhairava, Sri  Bhairava, Veera Bahdra, Sri Kartikeya, Anjaneya, Mastyavatara Murti , Jyesta Devi and Lord Surya. A little further one can see another temple for Saraswathi with a mukhamantapa. The Goddess is named “Prowda Saraswathi”.There is a separate temple for Rama along with Sita and Lakshamana.

There is Adi Mukteshwara temple just two kms away from this temple. One can see a Shiva Linga with two holes in the sanctum. The temple priest said that Lord Mukteshwara moved from here to the present temple after Kala did penance. Here white Vibhuti stones were found on digging. Now one may not locate them.

In Skandapurana, the Kaleshwara Khanda mentions that River Goddess Godavari did penance here and requested Lord Shiva to stay here and give salvation to people who take bath in the river and worship Lord Shiva. Hence lord Shiva stayed here as Mukteshwara that is one who gives Mukti or moksha to devotees. Lord Kala finding that no one came to his world, requested Shiva to help him. Lord Shiva suggested that he should also install a Shiva Linga on his name as Kaleshwara beside Mukteshwara. Those people who do not worship Kaleshwara first before worshipping Mukteshwara would go to hell. The God of death installed a Shiva Linga (Kaleshwara) beside Mukteshwara on the same pedestal.

 As this temple is on the banks where two rivers which join just like in Kashi, this place is considered as another Kashi. Just before entering the temple on the western side, one can see a four-sided arch for devotees to pass through. This is called Yama Konam with Akhanda deepam called “Ganda Deepam”. People believe that people who go through this passage are saved from sufferings of Yama Loka. People pour oil into the vessel containing “Ganda Deepam”. Just a few steps down there is a large area where one can see an Audumbara tree (fig tree) with a statue of Lord Dattatreya. Many devotees come here and light lamps and go round the tree.

The temple was constructed by the Kakatiya king, Rudra Deva in twelfth century. The temple was constructed in Kakatiya style of architecture. Later Kakatiya kings and Vengi rulers also worshipped Lord Shiva and developed this temple. In 1140 A.D. Kakatiya king, Prolaraju II, visited this temple. Vellanki Gangadhara, Minister to King Ganapatideva, did much to improve this temple. In Kolipaka edict it was written that the daughters of Sri Vishweshwara Shivacharya, Kundamamba and Yelamamba (Guru of King Ganapatideva) were said to have installed one thousand and one hundred and sixteen Shiva lingas here.

Kakatiya king, Prataparudra, distributed gold worth his weight by performing Tulabhara ritual. In 1397 King Devaraya visited this temple and performed Pooja here.   Sri Shankaracharya came here and spent some time doing penance here. In 2000 A.D. Sri Bharatitheerthaswamy, Head of Shringeri Mutt, came here and installed various gods and goddesses in sub-shrines and also participated in renovation activities and Mahakumbhabhishekam. The Telangana Government also spent liberally to improve the facilities in this temple. The temple authorities and T.T.D.  provide accommodation facilities here. There also many private hotels also to provide accommodation here. It would be better if water and toilet facilities are provided here for the convenience of devotees. 

There are not many shelters for devotees to sit and relax. There are very few trees on the road leading to temple. So, there is much scope to develop greenery in and around. There are three routes to reach Kaleshwaram. The route from Hyderabad to Kaleshwaram via Warangal is 265 kms by road and via Karimnagar is 295 kms. Now there is a shorter route from Chennur and recently two bridges have been constructed over Pranahita river to reduce the distance and duration of travel. The road runs through a dense forest for nearly 30 kms. One can enjoy viewing the dense forest where many monkeys are seen playing on the  branches of the trees.

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          11th January, 2022                          Somaseshu Gutala