SRI VEERA ANJANEYA SWAMY TEMPLE, GANDI, CUDDAPAH DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH...
S/Sri Mohan Rao and TBJS Rajappa
Cuddapah alias Kadapa
Cuddapah had derived its name from the word 'Gaddapa' which means
entrance or doorway in Telugu. To have the dharshan and blessings of
Lord Venkateswara of Sri Sheashatrishyla, Cuddapah was the entrance and hence
known as Devuni Caddapah, later came to be known as Cuddapah.
Palakonda hills
Near Cuddapah there is village Vempalle. Papagni river passes through the
hills of Palakonda near this village Vempalle. There are two version of
legend which says as to why the range of hills is known as Palakonda. In the
first version, Shepherds from Nellor District use to grace their cows in the
foot hills, since people can get milk from them the hills came to be known as
Palakonda. The second version says that the water of the river is white in
color like milk since it originates from the Nandi hills (Nandi is the
sacred divine cow). Range of hills derived the name 'Palakonda' from this,
since Pala means milk and konda means hills in Telugu.
River Papagni
The river Papagni which originates from Nandi hills, passes through
Cuddapah Chitoor, Ananthapuram and enters Raichote taluk, and it merges with
Penagni river presently known now as Pennar near Kamalapuram in Cuddapah
Dist.
It is interesting to know as to how the river Papagni got its name. This
region was once dense forest and there lived the tribes known as Chenchu.
The innocent Chenchu tribal head was once killed by the king. The king
was affected with leprosy for this sin and could not get rid of this even
after best medication. He went on pilgrimage to many kshetras, but to
vain. He was then given divine direction to take bath in the sacred river in
Gandi kshetra. It was further said since Sri Vayudeva had done penance
in the valley; the place and the river are sacred. Accordingly the king took
bath in the river and offered his prayers daily to get rid of his sin and
succeeded in getting rid of his sins and illness. Since the sins had been
turned into ashes the river got its name Papagni. Papa means sin and
agni means fire.
Gandi
Kshetra
The range of Palakonda makes a small valley with Marellamadaka village as
entrance. Marellamadaka is a little village situated at the entrance of the
gorge through which the Papagni pierces the Palakonda rage of hills.
The valley like place is popularly known as 'Gandi', meaning a narrow
valley with a running river in Telugu. The river Papagni wends it's through
the Palakonda hills which are about 200 feet in height and emerges in the
plains of Cuddapah region. In Gandi kshetra the river Papagni enters
north-east from between hills and flows from south towards north.
Sri Ramakrishna Anandha Swamy of Boomanandha Ashram had given the name
Gandi kshetram to this place.
Sri Anjaneya at Gandi Kshetra
On the right bank is the temple of Veera Anjaneya situated in serine
atmosphere presenting a picturesque scene. The legend of how the temple of
Lord Anjaneya had come to being here is very interesting.
During the Ramayana period Sri Vayudeva was on mediation here. Sri Rama had
passed through this place while going southwards in search of Sri Sitadevi.
While Sri Vayudeva wanted Sri Rama to stay here as his host, Sri Rama had
told that he will accept his hospitality on his way back to Ayodhya from
Lanka.
On hearing of Sri Rama's victory over Ravana in Lanka, Sri Vayudeva had
prepared this place to welcome him and flung a wreath (festoon) of golden
flowers across the ravine through which the conqueror should pass on his way
northwards to Ayodhya.
Sri Rama's drawing
At the earnest request of Sri Vayudeva, Sri Rama halted here with his
troops. Sri Anjaneya had then gone northwards for informing Sri Bharatha
about return of Sri Rama. Sri Rama thinking about Sri Anjaneya, before
leaving this palace had impressed the mark of figure of Sri Anjaneya with his
arrow on a rock. Before he could complete the figure Sri Rama had left for
Ayodhya. The figure of Lord Anjaneya is complete in all respect except the
little finger of lord's left hand.
Incomplete figure of Sri Anjaneya and Sri
Vyasaraja
The figure of Sri Anjaneya drawn in a thin line by Sri Ram was sculptured
by Sri Vyasaraja. The blooming figure of the Lord as we see today is the
contribution by Sri Vyasaraja, as a blessing from Sri Rama himself. An
interesting thing happened during the time when Sri Vyasaraja had sculptured
the figure. As a true Hanumath devotee Sri Vyasaraja wanted the figure of Sri
Anjaneya complete and had sculptured the little finger of left hand also. To
the astonishment of the great saint the little finger broke and blood started
oozing. The great Hanumath devotee then understood the true intention of Sri
Rama Bakth, and left the figure as drawn by Sri Rama. On a sacred and
auspicious day 22.04.1447, Sri Anjaneya was consecrated by Sri Vyasaraja in
this kshetra.
Sir Thomas Manro and Gandi Kshetra
The golden flowers arranged in the thoranam form by Sri Vayudeva
for welcoming the victories Sri Rama are true and could be visible between
the two hills. Even in this Kaliyuga it was visible for those who had faith
on Lord. It is believed that those who had done their karma during this janma
in full and truly are blessed to see the golden thoranam during their
last days. It is also believed that for those who had the dharshan of
this golden festoon are free from rebirth.
It is in record that Sir Thomas Manro the District Collector of Cuddapah was
one of the blessed to have seen the golden festoon (Bangaru thoranam)
during his last visit to "Gandi". It has been recorded in the Madras District
Gazetter Cuddaph District Vol I - Chapter I - Page 3 & Chapter XV - Page 217
dated 01.10.1914.
Temple of Sri Anjaneya at Gandi Kshetra
Swami Vasanthaacharyalu, follower of Sri Madwa cult had constructed the
temple for Lord Sri Anjaneya in this kshetra and brought the glory of
the Lord of kshetra to the lime light. An odorant devotee of Lord Anjaneya he
later came to be known as Udgavi Gandi Acharya. As a mark of respect
for this saint an idol of the Acharya was installed by the Cuddapah
Madwa Sangam in the temple on the right-side of the main hall. Even today the
Prasadam offered to Sri Anjaneya is next taken to Swami
Vasanthacharyalu and offered before distribution to the public.
Lord Anjaneya of Gandi Kshetra
The lord of this kshetra is seen a thejasvi as bright as raising
sun. His pingaksham - eyes are bright and radiating. He is holding
lotus in one hand and with the other He gives abhaya sign - do not
fear - to His devotees. Lord here is seen as a figure who will guide His
devotee with valor, nirbhaya and hence victory. In every inch of the
Lord one could see and feel the valor.
Location of the Temple
The temple is located in Andhra Pradesh, Cuddapah (kadapa) Dist,
Chakrayapetta mandal, Veerannagattupalle village. Place is popularly known as
Gandi kshetram and is about seven kilo meters from Vempalle village in
Rayachote Road. Buses are available from Rayachote and also Vempalle.
Poojas in the Temple
Daily poojas are performed in the temple all days from 6 AM to 2 PM and
then from 5 PM to 8 PM. During the Sravana month of lunar calendar
special poojas are conducted. On every Saturday there is special
bhajans by the devotees in the angkan of the temple. There will be
vedic chanting daily morning and evening. Akku (betal leaf)
mala and vadamala is considered divine here in this temple.
A visit to this Gandi Kshetra, Lord Anjaneya will bestow you power to over come your fear and inspiration to conquer and victorious.
[Ed. November 2007]