The Keesaragutta Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Siva and his consorts Bhavani and Sivadurga at Keesara in Medchal-Malkajgiri district of the Telangana state. The temple located on a small hillock and about 30 km from Hyderabad and 12 km from ECIL. The temple draws lakhs of devotees on Shivaratri and Karthika Masam.
Legend of the Keesaragutta Temple
According to the legend, 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 Sivalingam 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 Sivalingam 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 that is, 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.
Architecture of the Keesaragutta Temple
Recently, idols of Shiva were dug up from the temple steps and were said to date back to 4th and 5th century. Lord Ramalingeswara in the sanctum sanctorum graces in a Linga form of a small size. Lord Sri Rama had worshipped this Swayambumurthi. The temple also has shrines separately for Lord Lakshmi Narasimha and Lord Rama with Mother Sita. This is Shiva-Vishnu temple and ensures all benefits to the devotees. The temple was built by Akkanna and Madhanna who were ministers during the Nawab rule. All Shiva related festivals are grandly celebrated in the temple. Lord Ramalingeswara is the hope of His devotees.
Festival of the Keesaragutta Temple
The major festivals celebrated in this temple are Maha Sivaratri and Karthika Masam . Lakhs of devotes are visiting to this place during this time.
Temple Timings of the Keesaragutta Temple
The temple remains open from Morning 06:00 AM to 08:00 PM in the Evening.
Pooja Timings of the Keesaragutta Temple
The temple priest performs the daily pooja. Suprabatha Seva : 6 am to 6:30 am Mahayana Poorvaka Rudrabhishekam : 6:30 am to 7:30 am Maha Aarathi : 7:45 am Abhishekams : 8 am to 12:45 pm ARCHANA & Abhishekams : 3 pm to 7 pm Nivedana, Aarathi, Mantra Pushpam & Pavalipu : 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm Seva.
How to reach the Keesaragutta Temple
By Air
The nearest airport to the temple is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Hyderabad Airport) which is about 66 KMs away.
By Rail
The nearest Railway Station to the temple is Secunderabad railway station which is about 30 KMs away.
By Bus
Nearest bus stop is Keesara bus stop is about 5 kms. Bus services are available from Hyderabad, Secunderabad and other cities of the state to this place.
