Penukonda

Ananthapur

Penukonda is located 70 kms from Anathapur.  There are several temples in this village.  It is also said that there are around 365 Anjaneya swamy vigrahas were installed by a king around the village, though very few are visible at present.  This region was controlled by chalukyas, vijayanagar rajas and nawabs etc.  but the town was established by Hoysala kings.

Some prominent places to visit here are Penukonda fort, Anjaneya swamy huge vigraham, Gagan mahal, Sri Ramabhadralayam, Sri Muktheswaralayam, Sri Kanyaka Parameswari temple.

Due to time constraint we restricted to visit few places from above list which are unique in their prominence.  By the way, the village is also best place for mountain trekking. 

Sri Kanyakaparameswari temple:

The first place we visited is Sri  Kanyakaparameswari  temple where we wanted to meet “Amma” a blessed woman by Goddess Parameswari. She was initiated by Kanyakaparameswari goddess to write Devi Bhagavatham though she was never been to schooling.  By the grace of goddess she (locally called as ‘Narasamma’ avva) could write up entire grantha in a single night without her bodily consciousness.  She is very humble and motherly caring lady.  After taking her blessings we wanted to move to our next place, but she insisted us to take lunch and move ahead.  By the time the lunch was prepared we took her permission and moved to further.  We also enquired about place of “Seethamma Padam” (Sita devi left foot print) and started.

Gaganmahal:

We reached “Gagan Mahal” an old architectural resembling cultural heritage.  Many religious and secular structures have been added at this place during Vijanagara Kings period.  It was summer place for the rulers.  The pyramid roof built up in tiers is adopted from Sikhara of Dravidian style.  Palace was built by a combination of Indo-Persian architecture. 

Ramabhadrayalam:

A very unique temple of Sri Ramachandra murthy in Yoga mudra.  Perhaps this might be the only temple with Sri Rama in this posture.

We felt blessed to reach this place, but disappointed to find that the temple doors were closed.  By the grace of god we could get pujariji’s(Priest) phone number and requested him to come and open the temple doors.  It was around 11.15 am.  Fortunately pujariji came and opened temple, our souls got immediately connected to god after seeing Sri Rama with his parivar (family).  A very pleasant and spiritual inner feeling flourished as soon as we stepped in.  Very decently decorated with colorful flowers and  graceful moorthys (idols). 

Sri Ramachandra prabhu is seen in padmasana with yoga mudra, showing his right hand in abahayamudra raised his palm to his middle of chest (a gesture of protection) and left hand in vara mudra.  Seethamma is on his left side in padmasana and with dhyana mudra.  Laxmana swamy is little behind, standing on right side of Sri Rama, with mukulitha hastha (folded hands with respect).  Anjaneya swamy on left side Seethamma in veerasana with mukulitha hastha.  A very rare and unique of posture of Sri Rama parivara.  Our souls immersed in bhakthi paravasa (devotion).

Sri Muktheswaralayam:

In uttara disha (north side) of Sri Ramabhadralayam, Sri Shiva temple depicting our Indian historical heritage can be seen.  The Shiva Linga in this temple is brought from Kashi (Varanasi) and established by Sri Krishnadevaraya.   Very powerful gods with many proofs of his glory are seen even today.  The present priest in the temple is a devoted pujari to this god and through generations their family is serving the god. Their family did not think about other occupation for their lively hood but totally dedicated to this god and taking his blessings.  The four side walls of inner temple (garbha gudi) are sculptured depecting shiva purana and shiva kalyaana.  Sri Dakshinamurthy is also sculptured on south wall.

By seeing these glorious places we forgot about our initial task of seeing “Seethamma  padam” (left foot) that happened to be stamped by her when Ravana taken over her (stolen).  While the right foot print is available in “Lepakshi”.   But none of the people in those areas could direct us, but by the gods grace the priest in the Shiva temple could explain its where about.  There is huge hill behind the temple where Sri Narasimhaswamy temple is available.  There also about five wells (bhaavi) on the hill in which the devetas had dipped get rid of their sins or banes.  Seetamma padam is present in “Veeranna konda” (a hill called Veranna) to which there is not proper path to reach.  Disappointed but happy for seeing such glorious places and confirmation about Seetamma padam. Then we started our return journey to “Sri Kanyakaparameswari” temple  “Amma” was getting our lunch prepared.

Our entire troop tiered and enjoyed the meal as it was more than just a food a blessing prasadam for us.  We have rush fast as we have to catch train at 5.00 pm in  Ananthapur.  Amma insisted us to take meals dinner parcel for our train journey.  With lots of her love and blessings being bagged by us, hearts filled with joy we back started  our journey.