Chennur Agastheeswara Swamy Temple

Chennur Shivalyam or Agastheswara Alayam is located in chennur village, Mancherial district, Telangana State, India on the banks of Godavari river around 30 kms from Mancherial town. This temple is dedicated to lord Shiva.

Chennur Sri Agastheeswara Swamy Temple is the ancient shivalayam in this area with very old inscriptions in Dravida language. it is said that Agasthya Mahamuni himself performed puja in this temple, was visited by Srikrishna Devaraya.

Maha Shivaratri is the major annual festival, celebrated with religious gaiety and pomp in Agastheeswara Swamy Temple.

Sage Agasthya Maharshi installed this lingam and did poojas to the Shivalinga’s on his journey from Kasi to Dakshina yatra and named it Agasteshwaram. Hence it was named as Agastheeswara Temple.

Public from different communities come from far places to immerse the remnant of the dead bodies in the form of ashes, in holy river Godavari which is called Ash Visarjan and have darshan of lord shiva.

Akhanda Jyothi is continuously glowing from almost 410 years. It was first lightened by a brahmin priest named as jakkepalli Sadashivayya. He used to offer prayers regularly in this temple. Later his sons and grandsons took the responsibilities of Akhanda Jyothi and present, his fourth generations grandson name Himakar sharma took the responsibility of Akanda Jyothi

Construction
In 1289 AD during Kakatiya reign King Pratap Rudra had reconstructed this temple and then after 20 years in the time of Alauddin Khilji Senani Malik kafur had destroyed the pyramidal tower of the temple. Later Sri Krishan Deva rayalu visited this place and he again reconstructed the temple. All these had been written in front of the temple in Telugu and Kannada languages

Panchkosha Uttara Wahini
Generally Godavari flows from west to east but the Godavari river in Chennur flows towards the north for 5 Kosa (15 km) hence it is known as "Panchkosha Uttara Wahini".

Temple Timings : 6.00 AM to 8.00 PM

Godavari Pushkaralu takes place once every 12 years, when the Jupiter is in the Leo sign. The Maha Pushkaram ("Great Pushkaram") takes place once every 144 years.

The last pushkaram is from July 14 - 25, 2015. This year it marks the ‘Maha Pushkaram’, which comes once in 144 years. Astrologically, Brihaspati (Jupiter) enters Simha rasi (Leo). It is called Maha Pushkaram as it is the 12th time, the 12-year Pushkaram cycle is being held starting with Ashadha month on Chaturdashi. The next Godavari Pushkaram is in 2027 and Maha Pushkaram will be celebrated in 2159.

Pushkaras are celebrated at 12 rivers, 1 river per year, according to which rasi Jupiter enters that year. Though the festival is theoretically ongoing throughout the year, only the first 12 days of Jupiter entering the rasi are celebrated. The last 12 days of Jupiter leaving the rasi are also considered auspicious.

The 12 rivers are: Ganga, Narmada, Saraswati, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Bhima (tributary of Krishna), Tapti, Tungabhadra, Sindhu, Pranhita (tributary of Godavari)

Pranahita Pushkaralu is a festival of River Pranahita normally occurs once in 12 years. The Pushkaram is observed for a period of 12 days from the time of entry of Jupiter into Pisces (Meena rasi).Pranahita Pushkaralu was celebrated from April 13 - 24, 2022









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