A few random Temples in/near Hyderabad

Sai Baba Temple at Padmarao Nagar

The Birla Mandir:

This is a snap from my school, Vidyaranya High School which is located at Salsburg Street., the Temple was right above our school.. :)

Birla Mandir on the Naubath Pahad is a magnificent Hindu temple of Lord Venkateshwara, entirely built in white marble.The temple is built on a 280 feet (85 m) high hillock called the Naubath Pahad on a 13 acres (53,000 m²) plot. The construction took 10 years and was consecrated in 1976 by Swami Ranganathananda of Ramakrishna Mission. The temple does not have traditional bells, as Swamiji wished that the temple atmosphere should be conducive for meditation.

Though the chief deity is Lord Venkateshwara, the temple has pan-Hindu character with deities of Shiva, Shakti, Ganesh, Hanuman,Brahma, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Saibaba. The selected teachings of holy men and Gurbani are engraved on temple walls.

Birla temples are open to all Hindus including dalits, as identified by Mahatma Gandhi and other Hindu leaders as one of the major social evil that was to be reformed in modern India as part of Freedom struggle.

The temple complex overlooking the southern side of Hussain Sagar offers a magnificent panoramic view of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It presents a colorful and spectacular sight when illuminated at night.

Peddamma Temple at Jubilee Hills:

This temple is located at Road no.55. JubileeHills, Peddamma temple is very famous among "Bonaalu" (A Very Colorful Local Festival - More popular in Telangana Regions of AP) celebrating community. The word "Peddamma", which is "Pedda+Amma", literally means 'Mother of Mothers' or "The Supreme Mother". She is one of the 11 forms of Village Deities and The Supreme most. The Temple is a must-visit during this "Bonaalu" festival which occurs during June-July every year. People offer their prayers and scrifices to The Mother round the year, and The Mother bestows Her warm to the devotees.

The Famous Hanuman Temple located at Khairtabad

Durga Mata Temple in Secunderabad

Renuka Yellamma temple: Located 30 kms away from Hyderabad

Renuka or Yellamma is worshiped as the Goddess (devi) of the fallen, in the Hindu pantheon. Her devotees have revered her as the "Mother of the Universe" or Jagadamba. Legends say that Yellamma is the incarnation of Kali, who on one hand symbolizes the death of ego, and on the other hand is the mother who is compassionate about her children.

Yellamma is worshipped mostly in South India, including Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharastra, where the deity is known by many names: Mahankali, Jogamma, Somalamma, Gundamma, Pochamma, Mysamma,Jagadambika, Holiyamma, Renukamata and Renuka Devi.

Surendrapuri:

Surendrapuri is a theme park located about 60kms from Hyderabad. The theme park is also known as Mythological Awareness Center. As the name indicates, it was established to create an awareness of Indian mythology, or more specifically Hindu mythology. It was established by Kunda Satyanarayana in memory of his son Surendra. It is also known locally as Kunda Satyanarayana Kala Dhamam, in his honor. Meaning that Kunda Satyanarayana has used artistry extensively to depict mythology.

It contains nearly full sized replicas of almost all the important Hindu temples in India. The architecture of the temple and the sculptures inside make one feel as if one is in the actual holy place itself. There are a few hundred such replicas.

There are sculptures and paintings depicting stories from major Hindu epics, Ramayan and Mahabharat. Scenes of war between Rama and Ravana in Ramayana and between the Kauravas and Pandavas in Mahabharat, are dealt with in great detail.

For the religious minded, it provides satisfaction of having visited all the Hindu holy places in India in one short trip of about 3-4 hours. For the curious minded, it provides a good visual background of what Hindu mythology is all about. One does not have to be religious to visit this place.

Yadagiri Gutta/ Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple:

Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple or Yadagirigutta is a popular Hindu Temple of Narasimha Swamy, an incarnation Lord Vishnu It is situated on a hillock in the Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India, 60 kilometers from Hyderabad.

Legend Of Yadagiri Gutta:

In Tretayugam, there lived a sage by the name of Yadarishi, son of the great sage Rishyasrunga and Santa Devi who did penance inside a cave with the blessings of Anjaneya (Hanuman) on this hill between Bhongir (Bhuvanagiri) and Raigiri (Now in Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh, India). Pleased with his deep devotion, Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu appeared before him in five different forms as Jwala, Yogananda, Gandabherunda, Ugra and Lakshminarasimha. They later manifested themselves into finely sculpted forms that later came to be worshiped as Pancha Narasimha Kshetram.

There are Purana and traditional accounts of this Shrine, which are widely popular among the devotees. There is mention about the origin of this temple in the Skanda Purana, one of the famous 18 puranas.

Glowing bright atop the sikharam of garbha griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) of this cave temple is the golden Sudarshana Chakra (about 3 ft x 3ft) of Lord Vishnu (whose reincarnation is Lord Narasimha), the adornment as well as the weapon is a symbol this temple is identified by from as far away as 6 km. It is said that many years ago the chakra moved in the direction from which the devotees came as if like a compass guiding them towards the temple.

Lord Narasimha is believed to have been worshiped by sages (rishis). The region of Yadagirigutta is reputed to be a "Rishi Aradhana Kshetram" or the place of worship for sages.

As the belief goes, Lord Narasimha has taken on the role of a "doctor" and is known as "Vaidya Narasimha" by his devotees at this shrine to cure many chronic diseases and the role of a 'do gooder' to those who are under the influence of bad planets, witch craft and black magic. Many instances are cited of the Lord appearing in the dreams of the devotees, and administering medicines and operated the patients and blessed them with good health. Many devotees tell of vivid dreams in which the Lord comes to heal them from chronic or terminal illnesses, and even mental or emotional problems. A mandala (40 day) pradakshina is very popular made by many devotees to get cured of a long standing ailment or chronic disease. Often, the Lord Himself has imparted mantrOpadEsham to select devotees in their dreams.

Another Legend also has it that Sriman Narayana, pleased with Yada's penance, sent Sri Anjaneya to direct the rishi to a holy spot, where the Lord appeared to him in the form of Sri LakshmiNarasimha. This spot is marked by a temple located at the foot of the Yadagiri hillock, and is located about 5 km from the present temple. There the sage worshiped the Lord for many years.

After Yadarishi attained moksha, a number of tribals, hearing of the Lord's presence, came to worship Him at this temple. But, not being very learned, these devotees began to engage in improper worship. Because of this, Sri LakshmiNarasimha moved into to the hills. The tribals searched for many years to find their Lord, to no avail.

After many years had passed, the Lord appeared in the dream of a devout lady among the tribe, directing her to a large cavern wherein He revealed Himself to all as five majestic Avatars.

The Aradhanam and Puja in this temple are performed according to Pancharatra Agamam. The puja vidhanam (Puja procedure) was set by Late Sri Vangeepuram Narasimhacharyulu who composed Yadagiri Suprabhatam, Prapatti, Stotram, Mangalashasanam and served as Sthanacharya of this temple.