Exploring the Divine

Sri Kharmanghat Hanuman Devasthanam In the 12th century, during the rule of the Kakatiyas in the Deccan region, the area now known as Hyderabad was primarily a dense forest. One day, while the king was out hunting in the jungle, he heard a faint sound in the distance. The sound seemed like someone was chanting the name of Lord Sri Rama. Intrigued, the king waited for a while, and as he moved toward the sound, he realized it was emanating from a rock in the area. Upon discovering this, the king immediately summoned his servants and ordered them to construct a temple at the site. The temple was later maintained and cared for by his successors, ensuring that the sacred place was preserved for future generations. However, the story takes a darker turn during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who aimed to establish Hindusthan (India) as a Hinduism-free state. One day, Aurangzeb arrived at the temple and ordered the demolition of this sacred structure, as he had done to many other t...

Do you know? Have you ever seen two Venkateswara idols in the same Garbhagudi? There are many temples in India, but why is this temple considered equally significant to Tirumala? You can even fulfill the vows (mokkulu) you made at Tirumala here, but the vows made specifically at this temple must be fulfilled here only. Let’s dive into more details in this blog. The History of Dwarka Tirumala According to the history of Indian dynasties, it is believed that this temple was built during the reign of Dasaratha, the father of Lord Rama. A monk named Dwaraka, who meditated to gain the blessings of the Kaliyuga Pratyaksha Daivam, Sri Venkateswara Swamy, played a significant role in its legacy. After years of penance, Lord Venkateswara Swamy was impressed and asked Dwaraka to make a wish. Dwaraka expressed his desire for the "Padaseva" (worship of the Lord's feet). In response, Lord Venkateswara Swamy offered his lotus feet, which can still be observed today. The self-manifested...