Keesaragutta Temple

Keesaragutta Temple - (36 Km From Nampally)

Timings: 
6:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 7:30 PM (Daily)

Address: Keesara Gutta, Hyderabad, Telangana 501301

Phone: 098488 17732

Entry fee: Free

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Photography: Allowed

Description:  Sri Ramalingeswara Swami Devasthanam is located on a small hillock present at Keesaragutta Mandal of Ranga Reddy District. Main deity of this temple is Lord Shiva in the form of Lingam with the name of Sri Ramalingeswara Swami. This temple is 40 km away from Hyderabad city. Sri Ramalingeswara Swami Temple present in Keesaragutta Mandal is an ancient temple built before 4th Century CE for Lord Shiva. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consorts Bhavani and Sivadurga. We can see thousands of devotees visiting this ancient temple during Shivaratri festival. This temple is also known as Keesaragutta Ramalingeswara Devasthanam. The main temple was constructed on the Samadhi of Shri Prabhu in granite with Italian marble flooring as complex of majestic gateway known as Naubatkhana, Anand Mantap and Shejghar where the holy relics are preserved. Devotees can see the huge chandelier presented by the Nizam of Hyderabad at this temple.

History of the Temple

History of Sri Ramalingeswara Swami Temple in Keesaragutta starts from 4th Century CE. This temple was believed to be built before 4th or 5th Century CE. Archeologists found the existence of human civilization during Vishnukundins Era at this place. We can observe a 5 storied Gopuram built on the entrance of this ancient temple. Explorations and Excavations conducted by the archaeological department at the temple surroundings showed the presence of brick structures and Shiva Lingas at the north of the temple on the Hill. Along with these ancient brick structures they also found a sloppy Hillock near the water resource. All these remnants belonged to Vishnukundins Empire. Excavators found the Fortification of walls, Yaga shala and Prayer hall’s at the temple premises indicating the civilization at this place. Scientists found the remnants and rock cut cisterns and Idols of Jain Thirthankars on the hills indicating the existence of Jainism and Buddhism contemporarily at this place.

Legend has it that Sri Rama installed the Siva lingam here to atone for the sin of killing Ravana, a Brahman. He selected this beautiful valley surrounded by hills and verdant greenery for the purpose and ordered Hanuman to bring a Sivlingam from Varanasi. Hanuman was late in arriving with the Siva lingam and as the auspicious hour was nearing, Lord Siva himself appeared before Sri Rama and presented a Sivilingam for installation. Hence the lingam in the temple is called Swayambhu Linga. It is also called Ramalingeswara as lord Sri 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.

To mollify Hanuman, Sri 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 i.e., 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 Sri Rama.