Ardhagiri Sri Veeranjaneya Swamy Kshetram, Aragonda, Chittoor District

Ardhagiri Anjaneya Swamy Temple :

This temple is located in Thavanampalli (M) Chittoor Dt. distance 22 Km.from Kanipakam. Number of Private Vehicles are available from Kanipakam Devasthanam to Aardagiri.  For the present the APSRTC is operating 2 services daily from Chittoor to Ardhagiri via Kanipakam. 

 
 

That, Faith can move the mountains, is proved at this temple. 15 kms away from Kanipakkam is Sri Veeranjaneya swamy temple of Ardhagiri. This famous temple that attracts devotees from far and wide has a legend. It seems in Tretayuga during a battle Lakshmana went unconscious. In order to save his life Lord Hanuman carried Sanjeevani Parvatha. During the journey a piece of Sanjeevani Parvatha fell here. Later that place was called Aragonda. It is a belief that, the Sanjeevaraya Pushkarini (Tank) water here never gets dried up. Devotees carry water from this pond for intake as it is said to cure all diseases and it stays fresh for a longer period. Consuming the holy water has cured more than 1860 diseases. It is the belief that cures acute cases. This has been proved in the cases of Psoriasis, initial stages of TB, asthma, cancer & joint pains. The experiences of the patients who were cured have been recorded and they stand as testimony to it.

The striking feature of the moolavigraha (Main deity) is that it faces towards north, which is a rarity. The first says of the sun, fall on the feet of the Lord. Gradually the sunrays disappear after reaching the head of the lord. It is also believed that the ardent devotees and staunch believers can even hear the 'Omkara Nada' (Chanting of Om) at midnight amidst silence. It is deemed that Lord Anjaneya stays to safeguard Lord Lakshmi Narayana as he dwells there.

Festivals and Sevas at Ardhagiri

Fullmoon Day attracts thousands of pilgrims. It is said that prayers offered overnight on a full moon day are well received by the Lord. Cultural programmes are organised throughout night. Garlands made of betel leaves, blackgram & tulasi, adorn the Lord.

Accommodation and other facilities

Though the kshetram is 300 years old, the infrastructure facilities are inadequate. The board members are doing their best to improve the conditions for the ailing devotees. The endowments department recently has taken up the temple. Gradually, the inflow of devotees is increasing day by day. Philanthropists like Sri Pai Magham Suganakar Reddy are contributing their mite to provide basic amenities. Nearer to the temple is Vikram Lodge. APSRTC buses ply six times in a day from Kanipakkam. The temple is open for public from 05.30 am to 1.30 pm and 01.30 pm to 9.00 pm. On a full moon day it is open till 11 pm.

Temple of Sri Palli Kondeeswarar & Goddess Sarvamangala, Surutupalli

This is a rare and a unique temple. It is first of its kind in Asia. Lord Siva is Sri Palli Kondeeswarar in the Sayana posture (Sleeping) in the lap of Lokamatha, goddess Sarvamangala.

The Legend
During the ksheeera sagara madanam along with Lakshmi & Amruth came out Halahalam (visha i.e, poison), which if touches the earth would be disastrous. Lord Siva consumed this Halahalam for the welfare of the Universe. But it did have a meager effect on one of the Trinity too. He just got into the Lap of Goddess Sarvamangala to rest for a while in the presence of all the Gods and Rishis. Later that divine sight gave a divine experience to the divinities present there.

The ardent devotees going to worship Sri Palli Kondeeswarar and Goddess Sarvamangala at Surutupalli can experience the same feeling. The temple has another shrine too of Lord Shiva in the form of Linga. It has very rare idols like different deities like Sri Dampathya Dakshinamurthy, single statue of the trinity etc., which gives a devotee a wholesome experience of a pilgrimage. Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Peetham has declared this as one of the holiest and rarest shivite temples of Asia. This temple is situated 75 kms away from Tirupati. APSRTC buses ply frequently via Surutupalli.