Our trip was to temples in Mahabub nagar District. All the temples which, we visited were shifted from near by villages to the present location. It’s not only the deity, but the whole structure of the temple is shifted. No words to appreciate the work done. All temples belong to Kakathiya period of 12th century. Every temple construction is of stone.

1. Madhava swamy temple:
   
   
   Location: Kollapur of Mahabub nagar district, Andhara Pradesh.
   
   
   Route: Hyderabad, Jadcherla, Nagarkarnool, Kollapur and Jataprolu is one route. The other one is Karnool, Pebair, Jataprolu, Somasilla and Kollpur. The distance is about nearly 180 kms from Hyderabad.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity is Lord Krishna known as Madhava perumal.
   
   
   The complete structure of the temple is shifted from near by village to Kollapur which was feared to submerge in water. When somasilla project was under taken, it was shifted to this place, 25 years back from its original place.
   
   
   We see a huge gopuram with full of sculpture and huge front door. As we enter we see a stone pillar in front of the dwajasthambam full of sculpture. There is a small sanctum for garudazwar and Mandapam with pillars is seen. Radha, Rukmani and Madhava perumal is seen in main sanctum. Beautiful sculpture is to the celing of mandapm.
   
   
   
2. Somasilla:
   
   
   Someswra swamy and his consort Goddess Lalitha.
   
   
   Distance: This place is 8kms from Kollapur.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity: Someswara swamy is surrounded by 12 jyothir lingas here.
   The complete temple is stone structure. Endowment board has taken the temples.
   If proper care is taken it can become good tourist spot.
   
   
   As we enter inside we see Veerabadharar to right. It’s a huge mandapam with pillars and we see eight jyothirlingas in different sanctum. Mahishasura mardhini sculpture is seen, they say if one keeps jaggery near the goddess and pray they are bestowed with child.
   
   
   Goddess Lalitha is outside the mandapam to the side in different sanctum. We see Srichakra of stone in front of Lalitha matha. As we go around the main sanctum we see the other 4 jyothir lingas. It’s really exiting, to have the darshan of all 12 jyothir lingas in one place.
   
   
   
   
3. Jataprolu: Madhana Gopala swamy.
   
   
   Distance: This place is about 6kms from Somasilla.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity: Venu madhavar along with Radha and Rukmani about 5’ height.
   The place is where Jatayu fought with Ravana while he kidnapped Sita.
   
   
   This temple is also, shifted from its original place. We see medium size gopuram. As we enter, we see Dwjasthambam and big mandapam with pillars beautifully sculptured. Since the whole structure is stone its cool inside.
   
   
   
   We cross two level of mandapam to main sanctum and the deity is Venugopala swamy with Radha and Rukmani. The temple has entrance to four sides and we see pyol to three sides. We see Andal in separate sanctum.
   
   
   
   
4. We see about 20 separate sanctums of Lord Siva which are shifted from neighbouring villages near Madhavaperumal temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   All the temples are to endowement board. They are kept in a vast area which can be maintined in a better way to attract public. It’s to the other side of the road and we have an entrance arch built. We see a tomb sort of thing on which we get the names list of temple deities present in the place.
   
   
   The main temple is Agneeswarar. The deities and the temple are in good condition. The real fact is no one to perform daily pooja to god which hurts us.
   
   
   
   The other deities seen here are Veerabadhreswara swamy, Ramalingeswara swamy, Rajajeswara swamy, Chaturvedaeswara swamy, shambulinga swamy, Visweswara swamy, Bheemaseswara swamy, kaleeswara swamy, Anantha padmanabha Swamy, Gangadhareswara swamy, Bairavar, Sambasiva swamy, Maleswara swamy, Uma maheswara swamy, Madhana gopala swamy, Mallikarjuna swamy, Venugopala swamy, Jateswara swamy and Madhavaperumal.
   

1. Kulipaka Someswara Swamy temple:
   
   
   The place is now known as Kolusupaka. the temple is Veera saiva Kshetram in Aleru mandal, Nalgonda District, AP. Its about 80 kms from Hyderabad city. 6kms from Aleru.
   
   
   
   The temple is very old one and there are stone inscriptions of kings who have donated lands, cow, gold etc, to the temple during the period 1070-1126 for maintanance and nithya pooja. Chalukya architecture decorates the structure of the temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The main deity is Swayambu linga known as Someswara lingam and his consort goddess sakthi matha chandikamba. The temple is taken care by Veera saiva dharma samsthapanam. Veera Saiva lingodhbawa moorthy is seen at the back of Someswara swamy inside the main sanctum.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Moon worshipped Siva of this place to get rid of his curse by Guru. Naradha, Rama, Agyasthaya muni, and others have worshipped siva of this place. We see many idols in the temple as a proof.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The temple is full of carved stones and pillars with stone carvings in three segments. First we see a Maha Dwaram with Kakathiya style.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see Ganesha near the entrance to one side and a Nandi in lower level to the ground. As we enter there is Dwajasthambam with nandi at the top. Hanuman is there to the front of dwajasthamba. Ganapathy and subramanya swamy is seen to either side near Hanuman.
   
   
   
   
   
   From the main entrance to the second segment we have a big corridor on either sides with full of beautiful sculptures of all gods and goddess on a platform which catch your eyes.
   
   
   
   There is a Linga here known as Nayalinga, where villagers settle their disputes by touching the linga and solve their problems.
   
   
   
   Near the door to the second segment on either side we seeVeerabadhra and Subramannya swamy. Here we see Linga and a big Nandi known as Bavishya nandi.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Now we enter into the third segment which is a big hall known as Navaranga mandapam and the main garbhagraham of Swayambu Someswara swamy in the form of lingam, and at the back, we see Sri Jagadhguru Renukacharya lingothbava moorthy.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   In the Navaranga mandapam we see a big Siva lingam with panchalokha trimoorthy with kavacham and a big nandi in front.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Goddess chandikamba sannidhi is attached to main Someswara swamy. To the side of the temple we see Kotilingam and nandi in front of him.
   
   
   
2. Veera narayana swamy temple:
   
   
   This temple is also situated in the same place Kolunapaka, near Someswara swamy temple. This temple is also very old one. Chalukyan style is reflated on this temple built around 1104 AD.
   
   
   
   Inside the premises we see Mahalakshmi and Sita Ramar in different sanctum. At the back of the temple there is a Shiridi baba temple.
   
   
   
3. Jain mandir: Sri Swetharambar jain tirth mandir.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Location: Kolanapakka, Nalgonda District, Andhra pradesh.
   This temple is about a kilometer away from someswara swamy temple.
   
   
   
   In the jain mandir beautiful images of Thirthankaras are seen. The impressive image of Mahaveera is carved entirely out of precious jade.
   
   
   
   They say the temple is as old as 2000 years, and it was last renovated some 100 years back when it was discovered. Now the renovation work is going on for the past 20 years.
   
   
   
   The temple is of marble stones and pillars.The complete temple is with beautiful carvings to the side’s pillars and roof. There is a huge bell at the entrance of the temple.

Basar

1. Basar: Gyana Saraswathi temple.
   
   
   
   The temple is in Basar town of Nizamabad district in Andhra Pradesh. It is about 250kms from Hyderabad. The town is well connected by bus and rail. Choultrys are available.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The main deity is known as Gyana Saraswathi.It is of mud, installed and worshipped by Vedavyasar. The temple is situated on the banks of River Godavari.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see a separate temple for Vedavyasar to the side of main entrance on the main road. The temple has a beautiful park around well maintained. The temple is famous for Akshrabyasa ceremony for little kids.
   
   
   Within the main sanctum we find Goddess Lakshmi also to the side of Goddess Saraswathi, and utsava vigraham. Sthala vruksham is Meda tree. Dhathathreya is seen under the tree. Annadhanam scheme is there in the temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see maha kali temple on the first floor of the praharam. A little distance away from the temple we can reach the bathing ghats of River Godavari.

This time our visit was to Bhopal for a marriage and we availed the opportunity to visit two Jyothirlingas of twelve, nearer to Bhopal. Bhopal stands on the site of the 11th century city of Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoja.

1. Bhimbetka:
   
   
   This place is about 45kms from Bhopal.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see pre historic caves with paintings discovered in 1957. There are about 600 rock shelters. The paintings depict hunting, dancing, horse, elephant riders, and animals so on. The treasures at Bhimbetka have recently been designated a world heritage site.
   
   
   Visiting time is till 5pm. Some of the places visitors are not allowed.
   
   
   
2. Bojpur
   
   
   The place is about 28kms from Bhopal.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   We see magnificent Shiva temple of 11th century known as Bhojeshwar temple founded and named after Bhoja Raja. The temple structure is incomplete and the earthen ramp used to rise to dome level, is still incomplete. The massive patterns engraved on the surrounding rocks show a grand architectural plan for the temple.
   
   
   The Shiva linga inside the sanctum is huge in size. The temple is one of the best examples of 11th century architecture.
   
   
   
3. Ujjain:
   
   
   The place is about 205 kms from Bhopal and 55kms from Indore.
   
   
   Modern Ujjain is on the banks of Shipra River, and we see lots of temples in this city. Ujjain is the modern name for Ujjayini.
   
   
   Legend is that the God like Shiva of Avanti Commemorated his victory over the demon ruler of Tripura on the bank of River Naramada by changing the name of his capital Avantipura to Ujjayani.
   
   
   
   Importance:This is one of the places where Kumbamela is celebrated once in 12 years. The great poet Kalidasa is said to have written some of his works from this place. Most of the temples are on the ancient sites, which are renovated over years.
   
   
   
4. Mahakaleswar temple:
   
   
   this is One of the 12 Jyothir linga temples.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   The temple is rebuilt by Marathas in 18th century. The temple is below the ground level.
   
   
   The main deity here is Swayambu lingam known as Mahakaleswar. He is also known as Dakshina moorthy facing south. Near the entrance we see nandi and inside the sanctum, we see Ganesha, Parvathi and Karthikeya. To the outer circle we see Ekadasa linga, Hanuman, Ganasha, andNarashimar. Navagraha here is in the form of 9 lingas.
   
   
   
5. Hara Siddhi Matha temple:
   
   
   
   The temple is to the adjacent road to Mahakaleswar temple.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Here Matha Annapoorna is seen seated between the idol of Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswathi. Sri yantra is enshrined in the temple.
   
   
   According to Shiva puranam elbow of Sati Devi dropped in this place and it is one of the Sakthi peetam. The stone pillars adorned with lamps are special features of Maratha period. When we go around the temple we see Bala Ganesha, Bala Hanuman, and Maha Maya sanctums.
   
   
   
6. Chintamani Ganapathy:
   
   
   
   The temple is situated at a distance of 6 kms from Ujjain city across Shipra River on Fatehabad railway line.
   
   
   Here Ganesha is swayambu with his consorts Siddhi and Buddhi on either sides known as Chintamani Ganesh.
   
   
   
7. Chardham temple:
   
   
   The temple is near Mahakaleswar temple. This is not an old temple but recently constructed one. Inside the temple we have darshan of Badrinath, Dwarakanath, Ramanath, and Kedarnath.
   
   
   
8. Sandipani Ashram:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   According to purana, Lord Krishna, Balaram and Sudhama had their education in Sandipani Ashram. We see Guru Sandipani on his Samadhi in the ashram. In front of Guru we see marble idol of Balaram, Sri Krishna and Sudhama with slate and chalk. The idols look very beautiful and attractive.
   
   
   Gomathikunda is the source of water to the Ashram. We see Shiva linga worshipped by Guru Sandhipani and nandi in standing posture, as a respect for guru.
   
   
   
   
9. Mangalnath Temple:
   
   
   
   The temple is situated over a hillock near Sandipani Ashram on the banks of Shipra River in Ujjain.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   According to Matsya puranam it’s the birth place of planet Mars. We see Very old idol of God of earth Bhoodhevi here. Shiva is the main deity worshipped here. Everyone is allowed to enter inside the main sanctum. We see Ram instead of nandi in this temple.
   
   
   
10. Siddhavat:
    
    
    Here we see a Banayan tree on the banks of Shipra River.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    The place has same importance as Akshyavat in Prayag, Panchavat in Nasik, Vanshivat in Vrindhavan, and Bodhivat in Gaya.
    
    
    We see a shiva moorthy under the tree which Parvathi worshipped during her penance. There is a Ganesha idol in the same place. We see Bala Hanuman sanctum near the entrance. There is a bathing ghat and people perform ceremony here for ancestors.
    
    
    
11. Kala Bairavar:
    
    
    
    The temple of Kala Bairavar was built by the King Bhadrasen on the banks of Shipra. The temple is old and famous one.
    
    
    Here wine is poured in the mouth of kalabairavar which he drinks. We don’t see any hole in the mouth. It’s a miracle, which is unique feature of this place.Worship of Kalabairavar is believed to be a part of Kapalika and Aghora sect. Even today liquor is offered as a part of rituals to Kalabairavar and the liquor is given as Prasadam.
    
    
    
12. Bada Ganapathy temple:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    The temple is situated near Mahakaleswar temple.
    
    
    There is a huge Ganesha statue and as you enter inside in the middle of the room we see Pancha mukha Hanuman idol. We can have the darshan of hanuman to four sides, in all four forms and by doing we come across Ganesha and Durga Matha.
    
    
    
13. Navagraha Temple:
    
    
    The temple is situated on Triveni ghat of Sipra River. The temple is located 6 kms away from city to south on Sanwar road beside Shipra River.
    
    
    Importance: Here we see Sane Bhagawan in two forms one is called Bada Sani and the other one as two and half year Sani . Ganapathy is also seen along with them. Thil oil abishekam is performed here. As we go around the sanctum we come across Navagrahas in their respective sides. This place is known as Triveni Tirth.
    
    
    
14. Sanieswaran temple:
    
    
    
    
    
    This temple is at Bhairam which is about 40 kms from Ujjain to Indore road. The temple is private owned, built with granite stone fully.
    
    
    Importance:All idols of Navagraha in the temple are of granite and they are huge in size. The idols are beautiful with sharp features. The navagrahas are placed in their respective directions. In the entrance we see Ganesha and Hanuman to either side of entrance. The idols are well decorated with flowers and beautiful to look at. The temple is neat and well maintained.
    
    
    
15. Omkaraswarar:
    
    
    This is One of the 12 Jyothir Linga Temples.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    The temple stands on an island formed by the fork of Narmada River in the shape of holiest Hindu symbol OM. We have to cross the river to reach the temple that is on hill.
    
    
    Nandi here is spoilt due to the river water. The temple is constructed of soft stone with striking carvings. The roof of the shrine is intricately carved and enriching the shrines. We cross the hall with pillars carved with circles, polygons and squares.
    
    
    The main deity Omkareswarar is in Linga form which is coarse and shapeless. Goddess Parvathi is seen at the back of Shiva linga.
    
    
    To reach the place from Indore it is 75 kms by road, and by rail it is Omkareswarar road 12 kms on Ratlam-Kandwa of western railway.