Rare Temples of Lord Hanuman #4
Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!
Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaya!
Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!
ARDHAGIRI SRI VEERAANJANEYA SWAMY
The legend behind the origin of this Kshethra dates back to the Epic days of Ramayana in Thretha Yuga during the war between Lord Sri Rama and Ravanasura. During the course of the Epic war Lakshmana, brother of Lord Sri Rama fell unconscious along with others while fighting with Indrajit, son of Ravanasura. In order to revive him back some rare and celestial herbs were required to be brought from the Himalayan range. Lord Hanuman goes to Himalayas in fetch of the herbs and reaches the mountain where the rare herbs exist, but could not locate them as they were invisible. Hence, not to waste the time Lord Hanuman uproots the mountain itself that was clothed with the celestial herbs and carries it along with him to the battle field. After the herbs were applied Lakshmana and others regain their normal health.
(Ardhagiri Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy)
While it was being carried by Lord Hanuman, a piece of the mountain popularly known as Sanjeevani Parvatha got broken and fell on the ground. The spot where it fell became a sacred place that came to be known as Ardhagiri and later as Arakonda or Aragonda. Ardha means half and Giri means mountain. Ardhagiri means half or a portion of the mountain. Similarly Ara means half in Telugu and Konda mean mountain. Arakonda means half mountain.
(Sri Sanjeevaraya Pushkarini at Ardhagiri)
There is a natural water pond known as Sanjeevaraya Pushkarini on the hill that is said to be in existence since the Epic days. It is believed that the pond contains holy herbal water that never gets dried nor gets spoiled. The water is said to contain medicinal properties that cures many diseases when consumed, especially the chronic one like Asthma, Psoriasis, Arthritis, Paralysis and Skin diseases etc… Pilgrims visiting this place invariably carry home the water of this pond and their experiences in getting cured of diseases have been recorded that stand as a testimony to the divine power of the water in the tank.
There is also a temple of Lord Hanuman known as Sri Veeraanjaneya Swamy on the top of the hill. Striking feature of this temple is that the idol of Lord Hanuman facing North which is a rarity. Another significant feature is that during Uttarayana the first rays of the Sun falls on the feet of the Hanuman idol, gradually moves towards the head and then disappears. There is another belief among the ardent devotees of this Kshetra that they hear Omkara Nada (chanting of ‘Om’) coming from the hill range during night times in the silent hours. Though the place and the Pushkarini are said to be dating back to the Epic days, the temple is said to have come up during Cholas’ Period.
Glorified with the Epic background and sanctified by the touch of Sanjeevaraya (Lord Hanuman) the place Ardhagiri is becoming popular day by day with thousands of devotees daily visiting the temple. On specific days like Full Moon day the pilgrim population will be much higher. We also find people staying there for specific number of days (41 days) and performing Seva to Lord Hanuman to get cured from the chronic diseases.
How to reach?
Located in the state of Andhra Pradesh at a distance of about 75 km from the famous pilgrim centre Tirupathi, Ardhagiri is very nearer (10 km) to Kanipakam the famous pilgrim centre of Lord Ganesha. Chittoor, the district head quarters is 15 km away, from where APSRTC buses ply to Ardhagiri via Kanipakam at periodical intervals. While going from Bangalore to Tirupathi one can take a diversion on the National High way near Bangarupalyam and drive about 15 km to reach Ardhagiri. The temple is kept open from morning 05.30 am to night 9.00 pm that gets extended on Full Moon days.
Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama
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