Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple - Yaganti

Yaganti Uma Maheshwari Temple, also known as Sri Yaganti Uma Maheshwari Temple, is located in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is believed that the Nandi statue here is constantly growing. The temple was built by King Harihar Bukka Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century. Yaganti Uma Maheshwara Temple is an ancient and mysterious Shiva temple located in the Yerramala Hills of Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. This temple worships Lord Shiva in the Ardhanarishvara form, which is a unique feature. The main attraction of the temple is the statue of Nandi located here, which is constantly growing. Yaganti Temple was established in the 15th century by King Harihar Bukka Raya of the Sangama dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire. Earlier, Maharishi Agastya had tried to build a temple for Lord Venkateshwara here, but it could not be possible due to the breaking of the part of the statue. Then Maharishi Agastya established the temple in the form of Ardhanarishwar of Lord Shiva. A single stone idol of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati is installed here. One of the main attractions of the temple is the idol of Nandi, which is constantly growing. According to local belief, this idol grows about 1 inch every 20 years. According to the Archaeological Department, this stone is of a special type, which has a tendency to expand. The priests of the temple believe that when Kaliyuga ends, this Nandi will come alive and make a sound. Yaganti Uma Maheshwara Temple is a major pilgrimage site for devotees due to its historicity, mystical features and spiritual significance. The peace and divinity here gives a unique experience to the devotees. The temple includes two main festivals, the first is Mahashivaratri, which is the main festival of the temple, which is celebrated in February or March. And the second is Navratri, in which Navratri is also celebrated with great pomp for the worship of Goddess Parvati. The specialty of the temple is said to be the Ardhanarishvara idol which means a single stone idol of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The second is the rising Nandi idol which is a continuously growing Nandi idol.