The Sri Chaturmukha Brahmalingeswara Swamy temple here along with a clutch of older temples dating to the reign of Chola, Chalukya, Pallava and Kakatiya dynasties form a fascinating circuit of temples but those who know that such ancient structures exist in this fertile landscape may perhaps be counted on the fingers.
The Chaturmukha Brahmalingeswara Swamy temple that was built by Raja Vasireddy Venkatadri Naidu, about 200 years ago, is one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, although he is worshipped here along with Lord Siva.
Beautiful templeADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
It is said that Lord Brahma was cursed by Bhrugu Maharshi that he would not be worshipped on earth which is the reason why a Sivalingam with carvings of Brahma on its four sides was consecrated here instead of separate idols of him.
This is a beautiful temple situated in the midst of a tank surrounded by two small temples of Lord Siva towards the east and west and that of Vishnu in the north and south and four temples of goddess Sakti in the four corners manifest in different incarnations.
The nearby Sri Adikesava Swamy temple is older by centuries, built during the reign of the Pallavas. It has Sri Nageswara Swamy and Sri Bhimeswara Swamy temples in close proximity. It is believed that these temples were built between the ninth and 14th centuries.
ADVERTISEMENT
Utter neglect
Today, these ancient structures are left to the vagaries of nature by the Endowments and Archaeology Departments, which do not seem to be concerned about their condition. A lone display board put up by the Archaeology Department in front of Nageswara Swamy temple has nothing but rust on it.
A temple of Lord Nataraja and a 1,000 pillar hall (mandapam) are believed to have existed in front of the dilapidated stone sculpture of Nandi which can be seen close to the Nageswara Swamy temple.
It was an idol of Lord Nataraja measuring 12 feet that was the centre of attraction here thousands of years ago. None of these, not even their remains, can be found today.