Description
Keesaragutta is a scenic hillock in the Keesaravilaga of the Rangareddy district. The beautiful location is famous for its Ramalingeswara temple and is said to have a Lingam installed by Lord Hanuman himself. In ancient times the village 'Keesara' was called Gatika. Gatika was famed for its educational institution in the 3rd century AD. Several shrines that lay ruined exhibited the Gupta style of architecture. These shrines were excavated from the area that is easily dated back to the 5th century AD.Since the Ramalingeshwara Swamy Temple is situated on the peak of a hill (gutta), it is known as Keesara Gutta Temple.
History
Legends and folklore claim that Sri Rama instilled the Shiva Lingam here to purify himself of the sin of killing Ravana, who was a Brahman. He chose this picturesque valley surrounded by hills and abundant greenery for this purpose and ordered lord Hanuman to procure a Shivlingam from Varanasi. Lord Hanuman was unfortunately late in arriving with the Lingam and as the auspicious hour approached, Lord Shiva himself appeared before Sri Rama and presented him with a Sivilingam for installation. Thus the lingam came to be known as Swayambhu Linga. It is also renowned as Ramalingeswara since Lord Sri Rama himself installed the lingam. Lord Hanuman was said to have returned with 101 Lingams for selection from Varanasi and felt resentful at not having his Lingam placed. He hence threw them all over the area owing to which even this day several lingams are found strewn over the place outside the temple.To appease Lord Hanuman, Sri Rama said that the hillock where the Lingam was installed would bear the name Kesarigiri i.e., Hanuman, the son of Kesari. Lord Rama also stated that precedence would be given to the worship of lord Hanuman.
Importance/Significance
Archaeological explorations and excavations were practiced by the archaeological department around the temple area. Several brick structures and Shiva Lingas were found on the northern front of the temple, over the hill. The remnants were found to be a part of the bygone Vishnukundin Empire reign. Fortified walls, Yagashala and a hall for Prayer were further excavated. Some cisterns cut out of rock were found on the hills indicating the Jainism and Buddhism that had flourished at one time. Very recently, i.e. on October 18 2014, twelve idols of Jain Tirthankaras were found in the area near the temple steps, 1 foot below the surface. These idols date back well into the 4th-5th century, sufficiently proving that Jainism co-existed along with Hinduism at Keesaragutta.
Facts/Mythology
Idols of Lord Ganapathy, Lord Subramanya with Valli Devanay, are seen to the sides of main door of Main sanctum. Within the main sanctum, the Ramaligeswar is seen along with a sculpture of Siva. A humble sanctum Durgamatha is also present. Another comprises of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana and Hanuman. Sculptures of Maha kali, MahaSaraswathy and MahaLakshmi are also present in the same hall. At a distance, Lord Hanuman can be witnessed in separate shrine and a huge Hanuman idol can be seen nearby on a platform.
Festivals/Events/Gatherings
Many a folklore state that the individual who prays the 101 Shivalingas scattered across the hillock would attain the blessings of all 330 million gods. The temple is visited by pilgrims in large numbers during the auspicious days of Karthik and Magh months.
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