RSS NEWS

  • ‘సామాజిక సమరసత’ వ్యూహం కాదు.. ఒక జీవన విధానం – ఆర్‌.ఎస్‌.ఎస్‌
    నాగ్‌పూర్: సామాజిక సమరసత అనేది వ్యూహం కాదని, జీవన విధానమని ఆర్‌ఎస్‌ఎస్ సర్ కార్య‌వాహ శ్రీ దత్తాత్రేయ హోసబాలే జీ అన్నారు. అందరినీ ఏకతాటిపైకి తీసుకొచ్చి సామాజిక పరివర్తనకు దారితీయడమే ఆర్‌.ఎస్‌.ఎస్‌ లక్ష్యమ‌ని, సమిష్టి కృషితోనే మార్పు సాధ్యమ‌ని, ఆ విధంగా అన్ని వర్గాలను ఏకం చేయగలదన్న విశ్వాసం ఆర్‌ఎస్‌ఎస్‌కు ఉందన్నారు. నాగ‌పూర్‌లో మార్చి 15 నుంచి 17 వ‌ర‌కు మూడు రోజుల పాటు జ‌రిగిన అఖిల భారతీయ‌ ప్రతినిధుల సభలో చివ‌రి రోజు ఏర్పాటు చేసిన […]
  • “Samrasata” is not a strategy, but an article of faith – RSS
    RSS pledges to join the whole society to move forward for Samajik Parivartan Dattatrey Hosabale Ji re-elected as Sarkaryavah  Nagpur, 17th March. Samajik Samrasata (social harmony) is not a strategy, but an article of faith. Samajik Parivartan (social transformation) will realize after bringing the Sajjan Shakti (the power of good) together and their collective efforts. […]
  • ABPS 2024 తీర్మానం – “శ్రీ‌రామమందిరం స్వాభిమాన సంకేతం”
    రాష్ట్రీయ స్వయంసేవక్ సంఘ్ అఖిల భారతీయ ప్రతినిధి సభ (రేషింబాగ్, నాగపూర్) ఫల్గుణ శుక్లా (6-8) యుగాబ్ది 5125 (15-17 మార్చి 2024) అయోధ్య‌లోని శ్రీ రామ జన్మభూమిలో పుష్య‌ శుక్ల ద్వాదశి, యుగాబ్ది 5125 (22 జనవరి 2024) నాడు శ్రీ రాంలల్లా విగ్రహం దైవిక ప్రాణ ప్రతిష్ఠ ప్రపంచ చరిత్రలోనే ఒక అపూర్వమైన ఘట్టం. వందల సంవత్సరాల పాటు హిందూ సమాజం అవిశ్రాంత పోరాటం, త్యాగం, సాధువులు, దార్శనికుల మార్గదర్శకత్వంలో దేశవ్యాప్త ఉద్యమాలు, సమాజంలోని […]
  • अ. भा. प्र. स. प्रस्ताव – श्रीराममन्दिर से राष्ट्रीय पुनरुत्थान की ओर
    || ॐ || राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ अखिल भारतीय प्रतिनिधि सभा रेशिमबाग, नागपुर फाल्गुन शुक्ल (6-8) युगाब्द 5125 (15-17 मार्च 2024) प्रस्ताव – श्रीराममन्दिर से राष्ट्रीय पुनरुत्थान की ओर पौष शुक्ल द्वादशी, युगाब्द 5125 (22 जनवरी 2024) को श्रीरामजन्मभूमि पर श्रीरामलला के विग्रह की भव्य-दिव्य प्राणप्रतिष्ठा विश्व इतिहास का एक अलौकिक एवं स्वर्णिम पृष्ठ है। हिन्दू […]
  • सम्पूर्ण समाज को जोड़कर सामाजिक परिवर्तन की दिशा में आगे बढ़ने का संघ का संकल्प
    ‘समरसता’ रणनीति नहीं, निष्ठा का विषय है – संघ श्री दत्तात्रेय होसबाले जी सरकार्यवाह पद पर पुनः निर्वाचित नागपुर, 17 मार्च. सामाजिक समरसता यह संघ की रणनीति का हिस्सा नहीं है, वरन यह निष्ठा का विषय है. सामाजिक परिवर्तन समाज की सज्जन-शक्तियों के एकत्रीकरण और सामूहिक प्रयास से होगा. सम्पूर्ण समाज को जोड़कर सामाजिक परिवर्तन […]
  • దేశ విచ్ఛిన్నకర శక్తుల కుట్రలకు ఎవరూ బలికావద్దు
    – కరీంనగర్ RDO కుందారపు మహేశ్వర్ ఘనమైన సంస్కృతీ వారసత్వాలను కలిగి ఉన్న భారతదేశ నిజమైన చరిత్రను ప్రతి ఒక్కరు అధ్యయనం చేయాలని కరీంనగర్ జిల్లా రెవెన్యూ డివిజనల్ అధికారి కుందారపు మహేశ్వర్ పిలుపునిచ్చారు. ఆదివారం కరినగర్ లోని వాగేశ్వరి డిగ్రీ కళాశాలలో ప్రజ్ఞాభారతి, జాతీయ సాహిత్య పరిషత్, సమాచార భారతి సంయుక్తంగా నిర్వహించిన “గంగలో విషనాగులు” పుస్తక పరిచయ కార్యక్రమంలో ఆయన ముఖ్యఅతిథిగా పాల్గొని మాట్లాడారు. రాజీవ్ మల్హోత్రా, విజయ విశ్వనాథన్ సంయుక్తంగా రాసిన “స్నేక్స్ […]
  • ABPS Resolution – Shri Ram Mandir to National Resurgence
    RASHTRIYA SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha Reshimbag. Nagpur Falgun Shukla (6-8) Yugabd 5125 (15-17 March 2024)  Resolution – Shri Ram Mandir to National Resurgence The grand and divine Pran Pratishtha of Shri Ramlala vigrah on Paush Shukla Dwadashi, Yugabda 5125 (22 January 2024) at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi is an ethereal and golden page of […]
  • Statement of Maananiya Sarkaryavah on Punyashlok Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’s 300th Birth Anniversary
    Rashtreeya Swayamsevak Sangh Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha Reshimbag, Nagpur Phalgun Shukla 6-8, Yugabda 5125 (15-17 मार्च, 2024) Punyashlok Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’s 300th Birth Anniversary Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’s 300th Birth anniversary is commencing on 31st May 2024. Her life journey from a village girl of an ordinary background to an extraordinary ruler is a great source […]
  • ‘ఆర్‌.ఎస్‌.ఎస్’ యావ‌త్ సమాజానికి చెందిన సంస్థ – డాక్టర్ మన్మోహన్ వైద్య జీ
    రాష్ట్రీయ స్వయంసేవక్ సంఘ్ అనే సంస్థ మొత్తం సమాజానికి చెందిన సంస్థ అని ఆర్‌.ఎస్‌.ఎస్ వ్య‌వ‌స్థాప‌కులు, మొద‌టి సర్ సంఘచాలక్ డాక్టర్ కేశవ్ బలిరామ్ హెడ్గేవార్ జీ అన్నార‌ని, గత 99 సంవత్సరాలుగా దీనిని అనుభవిస్తున్నామ‌ని ఆర్‌.ఎస్‌.ఎస్ స‌హ స‌ర్ కార్య‌వాహ డాక్టర్ మన్మోహన్ వైద్య అన్నారు. అఖిల భారత ప్రతినిధుల సభ ప్రారంభోత్సవం అనంతరం ఏర్పాటు చేసిన విలేకరుల సమావేశంలో ఆయ‌న మాట్లాడుతూ 2017 నుండి 2024 వరకు సంఘ పని పరిధిని అంచనా వేయడం […]
  • RSS is the organisation of the entire society – Dr. Manmohan Vaidya Ji
    Nagpur, 15th March. The founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the first Sarsanghchalak Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar had remarked that, “RSS is the organisation of the entire society”. We are experiencing it since the last 99 years. The reach is evident from the expansion of Sangh’s work since 2017. The work of the RSS […]

The Magnificent Temple Heritage of Sri Bhujangeshwara at Ummatturu

Source: Dharmadispatch
The second part of our essay series on Ummatturu provides a detailed description of the magnificent Bhujangeshwara Temple that dates back to the eleventh century.

Another custom unique to the Ummatturu villagers is that every family here maintains a rectangular block of stone picked up from the kondikallu betta or Basaveshwara gudda hillock. On the Narakachaturthi day of Deepawalitheblock is painted, decorated and worshipped and carried on the head by the family members. As they walk in a procession across the village, folk artists dance and sing all the way.

Karteeka-deepotsava

During the Karteeka month, a grand Deepotsava used to be organized at both the Ranganatha and Bhujangeshwara temples. Lack of funding has reduced the scale of these celebrations in the past few years.

Flower decorations duringthemonthof Aashada, Deepotsava during the month of karteeka and annabhisheka seva to Lord Bhujangeshwara on the day after TulaPurnima are some events that were added to the ancient customs in recent years.

Monuments at Ummatturu

The remnants of the old fort are still seen scattered in and around the village boundaries. A magnificent palace that once housed the royal families also used to be a ubiquitous feature in the area. Unfortunately, the debris of the palace now remains buried underneath a coconut grove, after the site illegally encroached. The site is still referred to as aramane hola (palace field). The Janardhana Swamy temple, which once used to stand in the palace vicinity and was maintained by the royal family, is now in total ruins.

Next to the site of the palace is a huge tank named Chayapatikola (Chayapati’s Tank). It was built by one Chayapati, a wealthy military general of Ummatturu centuries ago.

Temples of Ummatturu

Of the many temples of Ummatturu, the most prominent are the Bhujangeshwara and Ranganatha Temples built by the Ganga dynasty. Other smaller but famous temples are that of Saptamaatrukaa (also called Maramma’s temple), Sumukha Anjaneya Swamy, Veera Bhadra, Gramadevata goddess Urukateshwari, Kolada Basaveshwara (next to the Chayapati tank), Kootooru Basaveshwara, Moodala Basaveshwara, Siddheshwara, Kalabhairava and Maraleshwara. There are some ancient Jaina basadis in the village, the most popular of which is Vardhamanabasadi. This houses the divine idol of Mahaveera and the nisidi inscriptions. Thanks to the committed hard work and funding of the Jaina community, the basadis are excellently maintained to date and all the annual utsavas are celebrated in all splendour.

The Brilliant Bhujangeshwara Temple

The tenth-century Bhujangeshwara Temple lies in the heart of the Ummatturu village. It was established by the Gangas and later expanded significantly during the rule of the Mysore Wodeyars.

These well-planned temple premises are vast with the shrine structures spread out elegantly. The first glimpse of the temple premises hints that it was built especially for hosting large scale utsavas.

The temple comprises the garbhagrhaantaralanavarangarangamantapa and an open mukhamandapa and spacious corridors. The main temple structure houses a significantly large-sized Linga named Bhujangeshwara. The Brahmasutra calculation of the Linga reveals that it dates back to the tenth century CE. The Linga is said to be swayambhu (a natural manifestation) which lay in the jungles, surrounded by snakes for long. It was therefore named as Bhujangeshwara (Lord of Snakes). The local people narrate how the ruler of Ummatturu was relentlessly haunted by a betala (ghost) and how in response to his incessant prayers, Lord Bhutanatha (Shiva) appeared in his dream and assured him protection, directing him to build a temple for lokakalyana (the welfare of the world). Accordingly, the king consecrated the SwayambhuLinga of Bhujangeshwara and built a temple around it. Through a series of digbandhana or Protective rituals, he eventually managed to capture the betala and chain him down to the pillar opposite the temple. The bust of the fierce looking betala chained to the pillar can be seen on the Dhvajastambha (main pillar) of the temple.

Lord Bhujangeshwara’s lingam, a perfect spheroid with a rugged surface is evidently a natural formation. The peeta (platform) that holds the linga is a later addition. A modest temple was built around the Lingam in a forest long ago and was progressively expanded under various kings till it attained the present form under the Vijayanagara kings. Inside Sri Bhujangeshwara’s garbhagrha a small yogashakti vigraha of Bala bhuvaneshwariDevi is also worshipped. However, this Vigraha is not visible to the public. In the later years, a brilliant Suryamandala engraved with auspicious beejaaksharas (Sacred Alphabets)was placed behind the Lingam. The Purohita said that the temple must have probably been a seat of souropasana (sun worship) along with the upasanas of ShaivaShakti and Ganapatya sects.

The navaranga in front of the Antarala, comprises four short round (rudra-kanta style) pillars. The square bases of the pillars are engraved with episodes from the Bhagavatam and Ramayana. The Ranga-mandapa houses many other Vigrahas. Of these, the Kalabhairava and Surya Murtis belong to the Ganga period. The beautifully carved Surya Bhagavan holds up the auspicious Padmas (lotuses) in both his hands and stands in the samabhangi (front facing erect posture). The absence of the seven horses, Aruna, and other symbols hint that this Surya murti belongs to a much earlier period. An equally beautiful Kalabhairava Murti stands close to the Surya Murti. The naked Kalabhairava stands in sama-bhangi holding a bhiksha-patra (begging bowl) and has a snake tied around his waist. Around the sanctum of the Nandi are pancha-loha Vigrahas of Nityakalyana Murti, Uma-Chandrashekhara Murti and Shivastra-murti. The Uma and Chandrashekhara Murtis are the Utsavamurtis. (Utsavamurtis are usually made of Panchaloha, an alloy of five metals. They are taken on a procession within or outside the temple premises during festivals and special occasions).

The presence of the Sivastramurti in the form of a Trisula with auspicious symbols, establishes that annual Brahmotsavas used to take place in this temple. Local people narrate how their grandparents and great grandparents were eyewitnesses to the grand Brahmotsava of the Bhujangeshwara temple that used to be celebrated just about a century ago.

Bala Buvaneshwari Devi is the queen of Sri Bhujangeshwara. She is called ‘Baala’ because she manifests in the form of a young maiden, an important form worshipped in Shaakta sect. Interestingly, in Ummatturu temple, she is worshipped in three symbolic forms- Yoga Shakti(Spiritual Strength), BhogaShakti(Worldly or Material Strength) and VeeraShakti (Power that protects). The Purohit explained how yogaShakti represents spirituality, while bhogaShakti represents her worldly attributes and VeeraShakti represents her commitment to dushta-shikshana and shistarakshana (subduing evil and protecting dharma).

The YogaShakti is invoked in a small murti of the goddess kept in a corner inside the Garbhagrha of Sri Bhujangeshwara and is completely hidden from public view. This YogaShakti remains absorbed in deep meditation of her Lord all the time. Except for the routine rituals, it seems, she is not ‘disturbed’ with other sevas or upacharas.

The second form of Bala bhuvaneshwari is Bhoga Shakti, invoked in the female utsava-murti. The Bala Bhuvaneshwari Utsava murti is entitled to all the bhogas or utsavopacharas like colourful decorations, ornamentation, various naivedyams, processions, music-dance-poetry and celebrations and other royal honours in the public view.

The third form is VeeraShakti. She is invoked in the Moola-murti that is seen in the exclusive temple adjacent to Bhujangeshwara’s shrine structure. The beautifully carved goddess is about three feet tall. She represents veera-bhava or kshatra (Warrior Spirit), her commitment to protect dharma. The concept of Devi in this temple illustrates a beautiful confluence of Brahma(spiritual), Kshatra(protection) and vaishva (worldly).For those who want to explore the sanatana view of womanhood and Shakti, this provides ample food for thought.

There is a shayana-mandapa (roughly translated as “Sleeping Quarters”) adjacent to the Balabhuvaneshwari shrine. The nityakalyanamurti of Sri Bhujangeshwara is taken in a procession to the shayana-mandapa every night and taken back to Bhujangeshwara shrine every morning. On every Krishnatrayodashi night, the procession is grander and proceeds apace in three rounds. The first round is marked by anna-Bali (offering of food) while the second and third rounds feature music-dance accompaniments and VedamantraArathi sevas respectively.

Between the shrines of Bhujangeshwara and Bala bhuvaneshhwari, is the little temple of Sri Subrahmanya seated on a peacock, as though he is ready to take off. It is very unusual that a shrine in the temple of any other deity is ever built between that of Shiva and Parvati. This perhaps signifies some siddhanta (Philosophy) that we have lost access to, says the Purohita.

There is another small shrine of Sri Chandikeshwara on the rear-left of Bhujangeshwara. On the rear is the small but captivating Sri-pada Temple that houses a huge pair of the Divine Feet. Some experts aver that it is the feet of Vishnu while some say it is of Devi.