Exploring the Spiritual Heritage of Telangana 1:  A Tour of 5 Temples from Patancheru – ORR Exit

As part of Spiritual Heritage of Telangana, Lokahitam would like to present you a series of Ancient Temple Tours.

Embark on a spiritual journey through some of Telangana’s most revered temples with this consolidated trip plan (Google Maps Directions ) starting from ORR Exit 3 at Patancheru. This route efficiently covers five sacred sites, allowing you to experience their spiritual essence and architectural beauty. It is planned in such a way that you don’t need to worry about which will come first etc. These 5 sites are available at Kandi, Nandi Kandi, Begumpet (do not confuse with Hyderabad’s Begumpet), Chinnakanjerla and Ganesh Gadda.

More such temples are mapped in the Google Maps and are available at the below locations:

Total Time and Distance

• Total Estimated Travel Time (without time spent at temples): Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Total Distance: Approximately 98 km

1. Sri Panduranga Swamy Devalayam, Kandi

• Location: Little inside on NH 65, Kandi, Telangana 502285
• Temple Timings: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Travel Time from Patancheru Exit: Approximately 25 minutes (20 km)
• Google Maps Link: Sri Panduranga Swamy Devalayam

Nestled in Kandi, Medak District, Telangana, just 20 kilometers from Patancheru, Hyderabad, the Panduranga Swamy Temple stands as a testament to ancient architecture and spiritual heritage. This 400+years old venerable temple, dedicated to Lord Panduranga (also known as Vittala or Vithoba), is not only a place of worship but also a sanctuary of peace and historical value.

A Sanctuary of Heritage : The Panduranga Swamy Temple is renowned for its beauty and historical significance. The temple complex houses several other sacred shrines, including those dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lakshmi Narayana. These temples, while rich in heritage, require ongoing maintenance to preserve their architectural splendor and spiritual essence.

The spacious premises of the Panduranga Swamy Temple provide a serene environment where families can gather, relax, and participate in religious rituals. It offers a perfect setting for contemplation and devotion, with ample space to spend quality time with loved ones.

Preserving Our Legacy: The message from the Panduranga Swamy Temple is profound and timeless. Rather than investing heavily in new constructions, it is crucial to focus on preserving and maintaining our historical temples, which embody our cultural and architectural legacy. These ancient structures offer a glimpse into our rich heritage and provide a sense of continuity and connection to our past.

A Lesson in Devotion

The story of Lord Panduranga imparts a valuable lesson in family devotion and care. Serving and honoring our parents, family, and relationships is akin to serving the divine. The temple encourages us to cherish and uphold these values, reinforcing the idea that true devotion begins at home.

By nurturing our historical temples and embracing the lessons they offer, we honor both our cultural heritage and our familial bonds. The Panduranga Swamy Temple is a living reminder of the importance of preserving our past and the timeless value of family devotion.

2. Sri Ramalingeshwara Temple, Nandikandi

• • • Location: Nandikandi, Telangana 502291
    • Temple Timings: 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    • Travel Time from Sri Panduranga Swamy Devalayam: Approximately 10 minutes (8 km)
    • Google Maps Link: Sri Ramalingeshwara Temple

Nandikandi is renowned for its charming Ramalingeswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple features a striking brass lingam positioned on a tall, star-shaped granite base. Notably, the temple itself is designed in a unique star shape and was constructed in the 11th century. An important stone within the temple bears inscriptions dating back to 1086, detailing its historical context.

This temple was established during the era of the Kalyana Chalukyas. It is believed that Kalyan Chalukyas not only funded the construction of the temple but also contributed to a Veda Pathashala (a school for Vedic studies), pledged to provide daily food for saints traveling to visit the temple, and even adopted the nearby village of Kovvur. These details are recorded on the large stone slab within the temple.

The temple, though modest and single-storied, features a star-shaped base that transitions into a lotus shape. Venkatrao Joshi notes that while the central pillar might have been constructed in the 10th century, the entrance was likely built in the 11th century. The temple exemplifies the architectural style of the Kalyana Chalukyas, and some historians suggest it may have been erected during the reign of Vikramaditya V around 1014 AD.

One of the temple’s distinctive features is its entrance arch, adorned with seven inverted lotus designs called toranam. These gaps between the lotuses allow the morning sunlight to filter through and illuminate the Shivalingam in the inner sanctum, with each gap symbolizing a season. Devotees are considered fortunate if they witness this natural light phenomenon.

The temple is richly adorned with intricate sculptures, including those of Hindu deities such as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Narasimha, along with Varaha, Nataraja, Devi Mahishasuramardini, Devi Saraswati, and Gaja Lakshmi. These figures are carved into the four central pillars, which form the mandapa or navaranga of the temple. Additionally, the temple features carvings of directional guardians, elegant figures, and mythological beings.

The sanctum sanctorum is designed in the shape of a star, complementing the temple’s lotus-shaped shikaram (spire). This combination of architectural elements and detailed artwork makes the Ramalingeswara Temple a fascinating study for those interested in ancient craftsmanship and religious art.

• Location: Begumpet, Narsapur-Patancheru Road
• Temple Timings: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Travel Time from Sri Ramalingeshwara Temple: Approximately 40 minutes (35 km)
• Google Maps Link: Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple

The Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple, located on the Narsapur-Patancheru Road in Begumpet, is a stunning temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is renowned for its majestic idol of Lord Vishnu in the Anantha Shayana posture, a form of the deity reclining on the serpent Ananta. The temple’s architecture is a blend of tradition and grandeur, attracting devotees and tourists alike. It is a spiritual haven for those seeking peace and divine blessings.

4. Eshwara Alayam, Chinnakanjarla

• Location: Peddakanjerla, Telangana 502319
• Temple Timings: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Travel Time from Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple: Approximately 30 minutes (20 km)
• Google Maps Link: Eshwara Alayam

Eshwara Alayam in Chinnakanjarla is a revered temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Nestled in the picturesque village of Chinnakanjarla, this temple is a spiritual retreat for devotees seeking to connect with the divine. The temple’s serene environment and spiritual significance make it a perfect place for introspection and worship. The annual festivals celebrated here are vibrant and draw devotees from far and wide.

5. Ganesh Gadda, NH on Sangareddy to Patancheru – The Sindhoor Ganapati

• Location: On NH 65, between Sangareddy and Patancheru
• Temple Timings: Open throughout the day
• Travel Time from Eshwara Alayam: Approximately 20 minutes (15 km)
• Google Maps Link: Ganesh Gadda

Nestled in the tranquil Rudraram village near the Toshiba Company (formerly Vijay Electricals) along NH 65, Hyderabad–Mumbai Highway in Sangareddy District, Telangana, Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Temple is a prominent spiritual site for devotees seeking the blessings of Lord Ganapathi. Located just 14 kilometers from Patancheru, this temple is well-known for the belief that performing 108 Pradakshinas (circumambulations) around Lord Ganapathi’s idol can fulfill devotees’ wishes.

Historical Background

The origins of this temple trace back 300 years to a devoted pilgrim, Sri Siva Rama Bhattu, from Karnataka. During his pilgrimage to Tirumala on foot, Siva Rama Bhattu was known for his deep devotion to Lord Ganapathi. It is believed that on the auspicious day of Sankatahara Chaturthi, wherever he stayed, Lord Vinayaka would manifest to receive his worship.

In those days, Rudraram was covered with dense forests. Upon arriving there during Sankatahara Chaturthi, Siva Rama Bhattu carved an idol of Vinayaka from a large stone, driven by his faith. After worshiping the idol and paying his respects, he continued on his journey. Since then, the idol has been a focal point of worship in the area.

The temple once served as a vibrant center for saints but fell into disrepair over time. Recently, it has been revitalized and restored to its former splendor. Inside the temple, Ganesh is depicted in the rare form of an acorn (Sindhoora Varnam), distinctive in South India, where idols are typically black. This unique idol faces south, and legends suggest that worshiping this form of Ganesha can bring immediate blessings.

Temple Restoration

Over time, the original idol unveiled by Sri Siva Rama Bhattu became obscured. A pivotal moment in the temple’s history occurred when a devotee named Makham Das, traveling through the forest, discovered the idol when his horse abruptly halted. Sensing a divine presence, Makham Das dreamt of Lord Ganapathi, who instructed him to construct a temple. Following this divine guidance, Makham Das built the temple.

In recent years, the temple has undergone further renovations, restoring its grandeur and attracting pilgrims from various regions.

Festivals and Worship

The temple is renowned for its vibrant celebrations of festivals such as Sankatahara Chaturthi, Vinayaka Chaviti Navaratri, and Mahashivaratri. During these festivals, the temple hosts a large number of devotees who come to seek Lord Ganesh’s blessings. Homas (sacrificial rituals) are conducted, and free prasadams (sacred food) are distributed to attendees.

Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Temple stands as a significant spiritual destination and a testament to the enduring devotion of its followers. The temple continues to draw pilgrims, offering a sacred space to seek divine blessings and fulfillment of their desires through sincere devotion and worship.

Returning to ORR Exit at Patancheru

• Travel Time from Ganesh Gadda to Patancheru Exit: Approximately 10 minutes (8 km)

Tips for This Trip

• Breakfast / Lunch / Tea : As this tour is mostly on the National Highway, there are so many restaurants, Dosa Kiosks, Tea Points and lot of eatery outlets all over this road. So not much to worry about these things in the trip. Always, carry water with you and avoid plastic water. You can also plan to have Anna Prasadam at Ganesh Gadda temple, if you are there during the lunch hours.
• Start Early: From BHEL X Roads to ORR Exit, there will be traffic in general. So, begin your journey early in the morning to avoid traffic and have ample time at each temple. Usually temples do close before the lunch hours so plan accordingly. If it is delayed you can break during the lunch hours and continue journey after the lunch break.
• Plan for Breaks: Allocate time for breaks and refreshments to ensure a comfortable trip.
• Check Timings: Confirm temple timings closer to your visit, as they may vary on special occasions or festivals.

By following this plan, you can efficiently visit all the temples in a single day while experiencing the spiritual and cultural essence of Telangana. Whether you seek spiritual solace or wish to admire architectural beauty, these temples provide a memorable journey through Telangana’s rich cultural tapestry.