Orugallu Andhalu - History & Cultures

Published by Orugallu Andhalu   Tiruvannamalai is one of the holiest spiritual destinations in Tamil Nadu. Every Full Moon night, millions of devotees walk around the sacred Arunachala Hill seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here in the Agni (Fire) form . The Glorious Arunachaleshwarar Temple Spread across 24 acres , the Annamalaiyar Temple (Arunachaleshwarar Temple) stands as a monumental masterpiece of Dravidian architecture. It was originally built by the Cholas between 850–1280 CE , and later expanded by Pandyas, the Vijayanagara Empire, and the Nayak rulers. The temple features over 1000 sculptures and 450 stone inscriptions . Saint poets of Shaivism like Thirugnana Sambandar, Sundarar, Appar, and Manikkavacakar have praised the divine glory of this temple in their sacred hymns. The Legend of the Eternal Fire A famous legend narrates how Brahma and Vishnu debated who was supreme. Lord Shiva appeared as a towering column of fire and ...

Published by Orugallu Andhalu Before the rise of Tiruvannamalai, there stood a sacred hill glowing with divine fire — the ancient shrine of Aadi Arunachalam. The Temple Older Than Tiruvannamalai Deep within Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district lies a timeless temple where Lord Shiva revealed Himself as a pillar of fire — the Aadi Arunachaleshwar Temple. This ancient shrine, located on the northern side of Arunachala Hill , is believed to be the original and earliest form of the famous Arunachaleshwar Temple we see today. Even before the grand temple of Tiruvannamalai was built, this sacred site was already a place of worship, drawing sages and seekers who wished to experience the eternal flame of Shiva. The Mythological Origin According to Hindu legends, after the celestial dispute between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu about supremacy, Lord Shiva appeared as an endless column of fire , symbolizing infinite consciousness. It is said that Brahma himself consecrat...

Published by Orugallu Andhalu Hidden in the quiet village of Mutharam, near Bheemadevarpally in Hanamkonda district, stands a magnificent yet forgotten relic of Telangana’s glorious past — the Kakatiya Trikutalayam, popularly known as the 500 Pillar Temple. Built during the 12th–13th century by the Kakatiya dynasty, this temple beautifully represents the architectural brilliance of an era that combined devotion, design, and engineering in perfect harmony. The TTT Model – Tank, Temple, and Town Like many Kakatiya structures, the Mutharam temple was also built following the famous TTT model (Tank–Temple–Town). In this concept, the rulers first built a tank (cheruvu) to meet the needs of the people and the temple’s rituals. The temple was then constructed nearby, serving as the spiritual heart of the settlement, and eventually, a town grew around it. This shows the Kakatiyas’ deep understanding of sustainability — where water, worship, and welfare existed together in perfect balance....

Published by Orugallu Andhalu   Deep in the quiet village of Nidigonda, Jangaon district, stands a remarkable yet neglected heritage site – the Nidigonda Trikutalayam. Built in the glorious era of the Kakatiyas, this temple is a hidden treasure that few know about, though its stones still whisper stories of devotion, architecture, and lost grandeur. The Story Behind the Temple According to an inscription dated 21st April, 1219 CE, this temple was constructed by Kundamamba, the sister of the great Kakatiya monarch Ganapati Deva and wife of Natavadi ruler Rudra. About 50–60 years after the construction of the famed Thousand Pillar Temple of Hanamkonda, Kundamamba created this temple with even greater sculptural finesse. Here’s our Orugallu Andhalu video on Nidigonda Trikutalayam – the temple built by Kundamamba  under Kakatiya sovereignty:   She consecrated three shrines here: Rudresha Linga – in the name of her husband Rudra Mahadeva Linga – in the name of her father ...

Published by Orugallu Andhalu   Introduction Hidden away in the quiet village of Katkur, Bheemadevarapally mandal, Hanamkonda district, stands a 12th-century marvel of Kakatiya architecture – the Katkur Trikutalayam . This temple, though lesser known compared to the Thousand Pillar Temple at Hanamkonda, tells us a fascinating story of devotion, power, and the artistic brilliance of the Kakatiya age. The Story Behind the Temple According to an inscription discovered in the temple, dated Śaka 1094 (1172 CE), the shrine was built by Viriyala Mailamba, wife of the Kakatiya general    Chounda Senani  who served under King Ganapatideva . What makes the temple special is the personal devotion Mailamba expressed through its construction. She consecrated three Shiva lingas in the sanctums, each carrying a personal connection: 1.  Mallikarjuneswara Devara  – in her own name. 2.  Anneswara Devara  – in the name of her brother. 3.  Aiteswara Devara...