Yaganti

Agastya wanted to construct a temple for Lord Venkateswara at this place. However, the statue that was made could not be installed as the toe nail of the idol got broken. The sage was upset over this and performed penance of Lord Shiva. Siva appeared and informed that the place is suitable for construction of his Temple. Agastya prayed Lord Shiva to give darshan along with Maa Parvathi to the devotees here. Shiva emerged with Parvathi in one idol in the form of Umamalleswara Swamy in one idol. The main temple tower has five floors and looks gorgeous. Beyond the tower there are Ranga Mandapam, Mukha Mandapam and  Antaralayam. There are both the images of Uma and Maheshwar on the ling in the sanctum. It is believed that the small Nandi idol was lit by itself later on after Agastya established the idol of Uma Maheswar in the temple.

There is a large stone idol of Nandeeswar appears in a seated posture at the entrance of the temple. The idol of Nandi is growing day by day. There are doubts as to whether the Nandi idol is growing in the temple. According to local information, four hundred years ago the Nandi idol was small and devotees used to make round the idol and it became un-feasible since the size of the Nandi idol increased during the last four hundred years.

Some people says that it is un-believable about the growth of Nandi in the absence of previous pictures and videos of small Nandi but it is true that Nandi is growing year by year. The temple staff says that the size of the nandi increased, and some portion at the base of two pillars was removed reducing their height. The growing of Nandi may be verified with a look on the pillars. Archaeological Survey of India have confirmed that the Nandi statue is growing at a rate one inch in 20 years, i.e. one mm per year, and that the idol carved on the stone with nature of self increase.

The boulders in Romania grow alive like Nandi statue in Yaganti and few more rocks would grow around the boulders. A few days later, the rocks grown will fall down and there will be no live in these rocks. The rocks need water to grow. These boulders will be like normal rocks in summer and the onset of growth begins when the rainy season arrives. Yaganti Basava (Nandi) is located in front of the main entrance of the temple in a Porch so it does not get water directly of the rain except moisture in the air. There is no answer as to why the Nandi statue in the other Shiva temples did not grow like Yagani Basava. Devotees strongly believe that it is God grace for the growth of Yaganti Basavanna About twelve hundred years ago, Potulur Srivira Brahmendraswamy wrote in his prophecy that Basavanna of Yaganti would stand from the present sitting posture and shout at the end of Kali Era. Devotees believe that the Nandi here is increasing day by day as mentioned in the prophecy since various aspects of prophecy are happening in the present times. Vitality abounds in the Nandi idol and looks like he’s ready to get up and shout.

It has been explained earlier that Agashya performed penance to find out his fault in breaking the toe of Lord Venkateswara idol. At that time the crows came and disturbed his penance. Hence Augusta cursed the crow not to appear in the area. Therefore crows do not enter this field. Crow is the vehicle of Saturn. Therefore Saturn is also could not enter in the shrine. The temple priests says that the Kartik lamp would be lit in the month of Kartika on a single pillar stone located at the back of the temple. But at present the Endowment Department is charging a fee for this and says that Karthika lamp will be lightened in the name of those who have paid.

The Agastya Pushkarini here is a spring born in the lap of nature. It flows down the mountain slopes and joins in the pond located next to the Nandi Statue in the temple complex. It is also known as Agastya Pushkarini since sage Agastya take bath in the pond. The water level in the pond is the same in all seasons throughout the year. It is believed that the water in the pond has medicinal properties and taking bath in the pool cures all diseases. There is stairway from Pushkarini to the temple.

Naturally formed caves in Yaganti amaze the pilgrims Lord Sri Venkateswara statue erected by Agastya Maharshi is seen in the cave of Venkateswara. Local mythology says that the cave is called Shivaguha. Venkateswara is worshiped by the devotees.

Devotees have to climb 120 steps to reach the cave. Devotees believe that the Pothuluri Veerabhramam lived for some time in an adjoining cave and enlightened the disciples. It is known as Shankaraguha or Rokallaguha.

Yaganti has many free charity choultries. The temple has accommodation and free meals facility. The temple is open from 6-00 to 11-00 in the morning and again from 3-00 to 8-00 in the evening.

There is Arya Vystya Nithyanna Dana Choultry of Sri Yaganti Umamaheswara Vasavi Seva Sangham in Yaganti. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in this Choultry on free of cost to Brahmins and Vysyas only. Pilgrims can donate as per their wish.

Accommodation can be booked by calling 9290262489 and 9491612599. There is wedding hall facility for weddings. Apart from this there is a Brahmin Choultry for Brahmins and a Raitu Seva Sangha Choultry for others. The famous Nrusimha Temple Ahobilam is located at a distance of 78 km and Maha Nandi at a distance of 62 km from Yaganti Shrine.

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