Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Tatikona

Tirumala Tirupati , Place that doesn't need any introduction.Its Kaliyuga Vaikuntam for devotees ,One of the richest temples in the world and the temple which draws huge crowds everyday.Apart from all these,Tirumala Seshachalam forest range has many unknown treasures like Bio diversity, which are yet to be discovered.As a history lover,its always surprising to know the kind of historical treasure this place is...


Tirumala and Tirupati are very prominent places from pre historic age itself,many rock art shelters and pre historic dolmens in seshachalam forest range are standing evidences for this.And its well known fact,how Lord Venkateswara Temple, made this place even more prominent in ancient and medieval periods for many dynasties.Every dynasty has left their own mark in this place, which is evident through many grand temples and forts around this place.
Tirupati and Tirumala known as temple city, all temples function with all it's grandeur. But how many are aware that there are so many wonderful ancient temples that were abondoned and left for ruins .Though neglected from centuries these ancient marvels are still standing with all its past glory,waiting for some visitor to tell its story.One such place is Tatikona,here I am with the story of this place,how it fell from glory to gloomy.


Tatikona , once a grand temple complex with many temples, a pushkarini and a mud fort on the hill(which is not present now).This place might be very very important from the ancient days,it would have witnessed the ancient man and many poweful endangered animal species, it would have witnessed kings and their grandeur,it would have witnessed dedicated sculptures working, brave soldiers protecting ,it would have witnessed grand temples with nithya pooja and many devotees daily,regular utsavams etc., But now this place is crumpled into ruins,and completely camouflaged into the jungle, hard to find and harder to reach, fully surrounded by thorny plants.Once ravaged by invaders,what ever is survived, it is reduced to wreck by present day hooligans (who dug all over for treasure) and conveniently forgotten by residents and authorities.

Tatikona at present
I seriously wish, i could see this place 50 years back, it would have been in much better shape.With present remains we can infer, there are 3 temples , 2 temples are big and other is small shrine .And the two big temples are dedicated to Shiva, which we can confirm by sculptures on the pillars, the sculpture of nandi, sculpture of Kannappa, Shiva linga , and the other small shrine. can't confirm the deity(Probably for Ganesh or Karthikeya).Beautiful Pushkarini(Temple tank)which now looks like lake,but as per locals it was very much in shape till very recent years.It is said there was a mud-fort on the hill for Vijayanagara Kings(disappeared with out a trace), and another interesting feature we can find a pre historic Megalith dolmen here .There is a small Shiva shrine on the hill, and as per locals  deep in the woods other 2 temples dedicated for lord Narasimha and local deity yellamma ,  are in better condition(we couldn't visit due to the time crunch).One more unique feature of Tatikona is the style of building temple,Shiva temple built by cutting the rock boulder, and the rock boulder is still visible around the gopuram. The only other temples of this type can be found in Hampi, Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple.

Even after facing so much destruction, this beautiful treasure can teach so many lessons.Beautiful temple walls, intricate carvings on the pillars and beautiful megalith and located in a very serene location,which in short remains us of Hampi. Doesn't this place deserves renovation, clean up, a sign board , inclusion in tourist brochure of Tirupati. Tirupati doesn't need any theme parks,if  that money is spent on places like Tatikona they can be turned into beautiful learning center, spiritual center and wonderful weekend spots.. Eagerly waiting for that day
#HeriateISourPride
 JAIHIND
Peddamudiam - Pride of Andhra Pradesh

Peddamudiam, a village in Kadapa district near Jammalamadugu.It is a beautiful calm village with lush green farms away from the hustle and bustle of cities. To reach this village ,one needs to ask route from Jammalamadugu,Buses are available from Jammalamadugu. This village is very important ,because it holds the great heriatge of our past.Peddamudium or Peddamudiam village has many protected monuments,each monument has its own importance

 The monuments in the village has unique style of architecture. Most of the monuments in this village are ASI (Archeological Survey of India) recognized monuments, But these monuments in a very deplorable condition which need immediate attention. Any heritage lover, any spiritual seeker can’t welcome the present vulnerable situation of this architectural marvels.

List of monuments in Peddamudiam
Ugra Narasimaha Temple – The most neglected temple, beautiful architecture, believed to be built by Cholas, later developed by Vijayanagaras. Always deserted, but a pandit from neighboring village comes in the morning for performing basic Pooja for Lord.The compound wall and entrance of the temple are in dilapidated condition.This temple needs a special mention for its exceptional architecture, intricate carvings of figures and stories of our mythology exhilerate every visitor for sure


Mukundeswara Temple Complex – There are 5 temples in this temple complex, 2 Shiva Temples, 1 Narasimha Shrine, 1 Karthikeya Shrine and 1 Shrine for NagaGrahas..This temple complex is the oldest temple Complex in the village, Compared to Ugra Narasimha Shrine…these temples are in better condition. Though there is no Information board about the era or dynasty they were built, we can easily infer they are very early type of construction and very unique style of Architecture. After multiple trails of finding the basic information about this sites, what I inferred is, they existed from Sathavahana Era later flourished in Pallavas and Cholas time.One can easily spot the marks of Pallava and Chola architecture in the temples


Kodanda Rama Shrine and Old Village Site – Though these shrine looks like Vijayanagara Style of architecture, Can’t say for sure, as the temple was closed(when we visited), and there is an ancient village site as well, but couldn’t get much information about that(No information boards here)..it is just a barren land with fencing.There are big bastions(buruju) in the village, as per villagers it is 300 years old.

 If correctly publicized , this beautiful village may get the transformation of busy tourist hub, great learning center ,a heritage village , which creates job oportunities for local villagers as well.Peddamudiam village has great potential to pull crowds here.