Swarnagiri Temple – the new Venkateswara Swamy Temple built near Bhongir is enchanting visitors with its massive 12 ft Idol in the Garbha Gudi – the 40 ft monolith statue of Lord Hanuman on a 120 ft mandapa and other attractions, writes Rajeshwari Kalyanam
The statue of Hanuman – 40-feet monolith standing on the 120-feet Mandapa (platform) unique in its posture is one of the many firsts in the newest addition to the architecturally brilliant temples of Telangana – the Venkateswara Swamy Temple – Swarnagiri.
Monolith Hanuman Statue
Largest Venkateswara Swami Temple in Telangana
Some of the other unique features of Swarnagiri temple currently spread on 5 acres of the otherwise over 20 acres of temple land donated by the Manepally family includes a bronze bell weighing about one and- a-half tons, the second largest in India.
Conceptualised by DNV Prasad Sthapathi, the chief sculptor of Statue of Equality, the temple is the result of 10 years of incessant passion with which the trustees employed their energies to build one of the best Venkateswara Swamy temples in Telangana. Fashioned in line with the Tirumala temple, the temple founder Manepally Rama Rao says that it is his good fortune that the seven-hills God descended upon their humble hills of Bhongir.
Manepally family goes back to generations settled in Hyderabad from around 1890s and have been in Gold business. Today with many branches Manepally Jewellers are one of the popular destinations for gold jewellery.
Manepally Rama Rao
The Family That Built Swarnagiri Temple
Rama Rao – the senior member in the family for long was planning to build a small temple on his land – but an accident to his wife where she went to the verge of being in Coma changed everything. She was in a hospital after a dangerous accident in a lift – and as the family and doctors were giving up hope – a friend brought the teertham from Tirumala which was applied on her forehead as she lay there non-responsive on hospital bed. In a few moments they saw a small movement and soon she was responding to their instructions. It is nothing short of a miracle believe the family and as she got back to her healthy self – the family vowed to leave no stone unturned to build the best possible temple to the Lord as thanksgiving.
Today when over 80000 people come to the temple on a daily basis with the visitors count exceeding lakhs on a festival day – they attribute the popularity to the God of Tirumala hills.
The Stunning Temple Architecture
True to their promise the temple which is run by a trust is built to be the best possible. The majestic 12-feet tall statue of Lord Sri Venkateshwara, decked in gold said to be the largest in Telangana is awe inspiring to begin with. The Jala Narayana Swamy Sannidhi flanked on four sides by different forms of Lord Vishnu facing each other & the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy resting on Adi Sesha set in the middle of the Koneru (the water pond) is a beautiful site, especially during the nights when the lights shine like twinkling stars on the waters.
What to See at Swarnagiri Temple?
Then there are the other attractions that speak of the skilled artisans who have crafted the temple complex and the sculptors that chiselled the intricate figurines and the divine idols adorning the gopurams. In addition to the Sri Jala Narayana Swami Sannidhi and the Karya Siddhi Hanuman Sannidhi are the Garudalwar Sthambham, Sreevari Padapeethamu, Sri Lakshminarasimha Mandapam and the Sri Bhuvaraha Mandapam that are grand and stunning. The aesthetically designed Kalyana Mandapam with its beautiful paintings depicting the episodes from epics is the venue where Swamivari Kalyanam happens on a daily basis. While on the topic of the sculptures – the Ashta Lakshmis carved on the curved roof in the main temple complex outside the sanctum sanctoram is yet another artisanal marvel
One must also experience the lunch and dinner served on daily basis to the devotees, a simple and delicious vegetarian meal served at the Annadhana Sathram.
Weekend Getaway / A Daytrip From Hyderabad
Swarnagiri Yadadri Tirumala Devasthanam is around 50 kilometres from Hyderabad enroute Yadagiri Gutta currently more convenient to reach when you travel by your own vehicle. The temple timings are from 6am to 2pm and 4pm and 9pm.
