Keesaragutta Temple

2022-05-18T10:38:00Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Keesaragutta Temple
| native_name = Kesarigiri
| image = Temple at Keesaragutta, AP W IMG 9127.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Keesaragutta Temple as viewed from the staircase on the hill.
| map_type = 
| map_caption = Location in Telangana
| coordinates =
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Telangana]]
| district = [[Medchal-Malkajgiri district|Medchal-Malkajgiri]]
| location = [[Keesara|Keesara Village]], [[Medchal-Malkajgiri District]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = [[Shiva]]
| festivals = [[Maha Shivaratri]]
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| established = 100 BCE
| creator = [[Rama]]
| website = [http://www.keesaragutta.org keesaragutta.org]
}}
'''Keesaragutta Temple''' is a Hindu temple dedicated to [[Shiva]] and his consort [[Parvati]] at [[Keesara]]gutta , Keesara Village in [[Medchal-Malkajgiri district]], [[Telangana]], [[India]]. It is about 30 km from [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] and 12 km from ECIL. It is located on a small hillock. The temple draws up to lakhs of devotees on the [[Maha Shivaratri]] festival and during the ''Kartika'' month of the [[Hindu calendar]].

==Legend==
Legend has it that [[Rama]] installed the [[lingam]] here to atone for the sin of killing [[Ravana]], who was a brahmin by birth but a demon by nature. He selected this beautiful valley surrounded by hills and verdant greenery for the purpose and ordered [[Hanuman]] to bring a lingam from [[Varanasi]], believed to be [[Shiva]]'s favourite place. Hanuman was late in arriving with the lingam and as the auspicious hour was nearing, Shiva himself, appeared before Rama and presented a lingam to him for installation. Hence the lingam in the temple is called a [[Swayambhu]] Linga. It is also called ''Ramalingeswara'' as Rama had installed the lingam.

Hanuman returned with 101 lingams for selection from Varanasi and felt aggrieved at not having his lingam installed. Hence he threw them all over the area. Even to this day several lingams are found scattered all over the place outside the temple. These lingams are worshipped along with the lingam in the sanctum of the temple to this day.

To pacify Hanuman, Rama ordained that precedence would be given to him for worship at the temple. He also said that the hillock where the lingam was installed would bear his name ''Kesarigiri'' that is, Hanuman, the son of Kesari. Over a period of time, it has colloquially transformed and is now known as Keesara and the hill as Keesaragutta. Ever since, the rituals follow the command of Rama.

==Archaeological Excavations==

Exploration and Excavations were conducted by the archaeological department in the surroundings of Keesaragutta<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201975-76%20A%20Review.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=23 May 2013 |archive-date=23 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823122954/http://asi.nic.in/nmma_reviews/Indian%20Archaeology%201975-76%20A%20Review.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Temple. Many Remnants of Brick structures and Shiva Lingas were found on the hill north of the temple and a hillock near the water resource. The remnants belonged to Chalukyan Empire reign. Fortification walls, Yagasala and prayer halls were excavated here. Some vestige remnants and rock cut cisterns were found on the hills as an indication that Jainism and Buddhism flourished contemporaneously. On 18 October 2014, twelve idols of [[Jain]] [[Tirthankara]] dating back to the 4th-5th century were found near the temple steps at a depth of one foot which proves that [[Jainism]] co-existed along with Hinduism at Keesaragutta during the time of Vishnukundinas in 4-5th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Idols-of-Jain-Tirthankaras-belonging-to-4th-century-unearthed/articleshow/44895614.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021171323/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Idols-of-Jain-Tirthankaras-belonging-to-4th-century-unearthed/articleshow/44895614.cms|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-10-21|title=Idols of Jain Tirthankaras belonging to 4th century unearthed - Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]]|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sakshipost.com/index.php/news/state/47446-was-keesargutta-a-jain-temple.html?psource=Feature|title = Telugu States Latest News, Breaking News, News Headlines, Live Updates, Today Top News}}</ref>

== References ==

{{Commons category}}
{{reflist}}

{{Hindu Temples in Telangana}}

{{coord missing|Telangana}}

[[Category:Shiva temples in Telangana]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Telangana]]

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Keesaragutta Temple