On My Visit to the Sun Temple at Trimulgherry, Hyderabad

 

Lord Surya in the main temple

    

Shiva's shrine in open space

Marakatha Ganapati 

 

Goddess Saraswati

             

Naga Devata

This temple is located on a rocky hillock in Aruna Enclave in Secunderabad. From Secunderabad cantonment road, it is nearly five kms. This temple was constructed by Surya Saran Das in 1959. The approach road to Surya temple looked worn out though the cross roads are provided with neat sign boards. Near the foot of the hillock, we can see a few shops selling pooja material and vendors selling devotional books spread on a sheet by the wayside. After climbing a few steps, one  can see a spacious place where the temple is seen. One has to park vehicles a little away from the temple as there is no parking space.  Many cars are seen randomly parked almost blocking the approach road to the temple. The temple authorities should see that vehicles are kept at a distance without causing inconvenience to devotees. The sun temple is a small one with a tiny idol of Lord Surya fully covered with silver kavacham. Only the face is seen decked with a golden crown. On the temple wall prayers like Aditya Hridayam, Suryashtakam and other Vedic hymns are inscribed.

Many devotees do pradakshinam for 108 times around the main temple for twelve Sundays to get their desires fulfilled. They go around, sometimes coming in the way of other visiting pilgrims. So, arrangement should be made to make the devotees go round in a line without causing inconvenience to other devotees. The Surya temple is built near a rocky boulder. Near the entrance to the temple one can see a big sculpture of Marakatha Ganapati carved on a rocky boulder. Just on the right side near the entrance, there is a shrine for Lord Satyanarayana Swamy. Beside the Surya temple there is a Shiva Lingam near the Peepal tree in the open square. Just beside it there is a temple for Goddess Saraswati. The marble statue of the Goddess looks beautiful with a big veena placed before her. There are idols of Mahalakshmi and Parvati also in the same shrine. There is a shrine for Nagadevata , the Goddess of serpents. She is seen under the hood of a serpent with a garland of lemons around her neck.

The temple is fully crowded during special occasions like Makara Sankranti and Ratha Sapatami. On Sundays many devotees come here. Prasadam is given in liberal quantities and water packets are kept for devotees. Cleanliness is maintained with provision of garbage bins.

Many devotees relax themselves here looking at the greenery and garden below the hillock. Many big trees are seen in the garden. Devotees worship the holy peepal tree where there is a platform is to light the oil lamps. At the foot of the hillock on the opposite side there is a goshala where cows looked after.

The opening hours of this temple are from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. in the morning and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. in the evening during week days. On Sunday the temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. one can find peace in the serene surroundings of the temple. As it is very nearby, many people visit this temple. Any person having Surya dosha can contact the temple authorities and perform Maha Sowra Homam here.

                 *********************************

     25th February, 2023                           Somaseshu Gutala

                    

After Many Years

             

         

   

                                     

 1.           The town looked same with same old squalid scenes

   The roads pitted with worn-out rough surface;  

   Like an aging lady devoid of vital sheen

   All greenery vanished like youthful grace;

   Roads more congested with wayside shops and stalls

   Noisy tumultuous place with crowded malls.

 

2.       The pristine silence polluted with raucous sounds.

   The black-topped roads turned rough and rude.

   The swelling population went out of bounds.

   The town expanded with corruption crude.

   With outer trappings feigned with tempting eyes

   No sanitation and no proper precautions wise.

 

3.      Swirling clouds of dust choked our breath

   Waters from narrow gutters gushed onto the streets;

   So many vehicles spouting fumes hazardous to health;

   Flouting rules raced as if engaged in intricate feats;

   For old, weak people, a risky challenge to walk

   Drivers, with tilted heads, through mobiles talk. 

 

4.      The bulky trees with dense leaves no more cheer

   A shelter for squirrels to leap and for birds to sing

   No chirping sounds and rustle of breezes we hear

   No leaping mirth of monkeys with merry swing;

   Small smoky stalls with wooden benches greet

   No place to rest with ease in fresh air sweet.

 

5.      The town seemed new, so suddenly grown

   No friendly faces seen; myself a stranger unknown;

   No old friend met, no response, I wandered all alone;

   I felt myself out of time; Nothing I felt my own.

   My quest for past turned out a wild goose chase

   We can’t get back the glories that time did erase.

 

6.       My fancy to re-capture the joyous past

    Like sunny domes of Xanadu dissolved at last;

    Time changes men and places too, I thought.

    Driven by greed Nature’s charms are forever lost.

    I glanced wistfully at places where I went.

    Recalling the days, and friends with whom I spent.

                     ***********************

The sunny domes of Xanadu -- A mythical place in Mongolia where Kubla Khan built a beautiful palace with a pleasure-garden. Here it means an idyllic enchanting scenic spot. Samuel Coleridge wrote a poem "Kubla Khan" based on his dream experience in 1797 and published it in 1816.

     8th February 2023                         Somaseshu Gutala