Proddutur Sri Mukti Rameswaram Swamy Temple – Andhra Pradesh

Address

26/1186, Rameswaram, Proddatur,

Andhra Pradesh 516360

Temple Timings :

6.00 am to 11.00 am

4.00 pm to 8.00 pm

Moolavar

Mukti Rameswaram Swamy

Amman

Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi

Introduction

Sri Mukthi Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple is Shiva temple located at Proddutur Town in Kadapa District. This temple is located on the bank of the penna river. The Saikata lingam stands 56 inches high and still has the fingerprints of Lord Sri Rama on it. Here Shiva lingam is installed by Lord Sri Rama.Goddess Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi is the consort of Lord Shiva. To perform pooja, Rama installed Siva Linga and performed Abhishekam. From then on this Kshetram is popular as Ramalingeswara Swamy Ksehtram. As Ravana was killed by Sri Rama, he attained ‘Mukthi’. Hence this place is also called Mukti Rameswaram.

Puranic Significance

According to inscriptions written on the walls, this temple was built by Sri Krishan Devaraya in 16th century. Raja gopuram is a five tiered construction with beautiful carvings.

While on the way to Ayodhya, Rama decided to halt their journey here as sun is setting. Sri Rama wants to offer prayers to Siva at the early hours, to get rid of his sin in Killing Ravana. Ravana is a Brahmin so he needs to get rid of Brahmatti Dosham (Killing a Brahmin).

Sri Rama orderere Hanuman to bring Siva Linga from Kasi. Hanuman who left to Kasi to bring Siva Lingam could not return within pooja time. To perform pooja within time, Rama had installed Siva Linga and performed Abhishekam, which he made out of Sand. This siva Linga is called ‘Saikatha Lingam’ , a sand sculpture representation of Lord Siva.

On return, Hanuman felt bad that he could not fulfill his master’s request. To please Hanuman, Rama installed Siva Linga brought by Hanuman, little away and opposite to Saikatha Lingam. From then on this Kshetram is popular as ‘Ramalingeswara Swamy Ksehtram‘ and ‘Hanuman Kshetram‘ . As Ravana was killed bySri Ram, he attained ‘Mukthi’. Hence this place is also called as Mukti Rameswaram.

As Sri Rama consecrated the Saikatha Lingam before the sun rise and hence place is called proddaturu, later changed to Proddatur. Proddaturu is derived from two words, Proddu and turu. In telugu, Proddu means time after Sun Rise, turu means village.

Special features

Mukthi Rameswaram temple is facing towards in East direction. Gopuram is built by the famous King of the Vijayanagara Empire Sri Krishna Devaraya. The Gopuram stands at a five-storied height with several images of Gods such as Kumara Swami, Durga Devi, Ganapathi and idols of Lord Siva and Parvathi, Vishnu on his Garuda Vahanam, Krishna with Kaliya serpent sculptured on it. The temple has a Dhwaja Stambham. Inscriptions written on the walls, According to inscriptions written on the walls, this temple was built by Sri Krishan Devaraya in the 16th century. The walls and pillars of the temple are embellished with intricate carvings. Shiva Lingam is made out of Sand.