Sri Mandeswara (Saniswaraya) SwamyTemple:Ancient Temple in Andhra

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Dear Members,Sri Mandeswara (Saniswaraya) Temple is an ancient manument in VillageMandapalli in East Godavari Distt of Andhra Pradesh.It is about 35 Kms from Rajamundry on the Vijayawada-Vishakhapattnam route. You are aware that Saturn is also called Mandi, or Mandachari. In legends, it is known as famous Siva Temple, which was built by Saturn, for atoning his sin of Brahamhatya by installing and adoring his Ishta Devata, LordShiva. Another legend, states that when Rakhsas on the path of destruction of Devatas, they pleaded Sage Dadhichi for help. Sage Dadhichi offered the Armours created from his body bones and gave to Devatas to fight Rakshsas. But, devatas could not defeat the demons. Then sage Dadhichi adviced them to approach great Saturn ,as he was the only capable entity to use these armoury and kill the demons. When approached by devatas, Saturn expressed his inability to go on war, as he was performing Yajna for his ishta devata, lord Shiva, for atoning the sin of brahamhatya. However, after forceful pleadings by the all devatas, Saturn consented to use the shastras of the bones of sage Dadhichi and fight demons, thus leaving his Yajna incomplete, and destroyed the demons. The place where Saturn destroyed the demons is known after the name of Saturn, Mandapalli.After the victory Saturn built a great temple for his ishta devata Lord Shiva by installing a black Shivling,then the temple of Parvatiji was also installed, followed by temple of Narayana and Nageshwaray. All in the same premises.

In this temple. the pujaris priests perform pooja for removing the severe effects and Graha dosham of all the planets, and the mantras are also addressedd to Saturn ; to help the devotee to free them from all obstacles and bad times they are undergoing, due to affects of kroor grahas. This pooja takes about 45 minutes. The pooja can also be specific for mahamritunjaya , if one needs that way. After this, gingelli oil is offered on the Shivlinga through a long funnel,and obeseience is also paid to the other deities. After performing the abhishekam ,the prasad given to the devotee is Kumkum, called Sri kumavari Kumkum.I was undergoing very severe period in my life from 2004 onwards, and Ihad done all the upayas, whatever I could do to the best of my knowledge,but of no avail. Even I had stopped my astrology work. Then in 2007, I happened to read about this temple on the internet ; and I simply proceeded to Rajamundry and visited the temple. After my return, I had lot of feel good factor, and slowly within 3 months my peace of mind started returning, health improved, astrology centre started re-working with more vigour and inner energy. As a token of my gratitude I again visited this ancient temple in November,2009, and now I feel greatly energised and more at peace and and satisfied. Visit and pooja at this ancient temple has been really a great experience for me, after visiting almost all the known temples and historical and popular religious places in the country during past 20 years.The priests there are not at all greeedy or fleece anyone. The pooja samagri costs Rs.40-50; and you can offer any amount in dakshina to the priests who performs special pooja , say anything between Rs.151 or more, as per your wishes ! Offering to all deities are normally done in cash to help the upkeep of the temple, and pujaris in 4 temples do not look askance at the devotees for money. Great soothing spiritual expereince indeed, as it is in a small village,with no hustle and bustle and hardly 2-3 devotees come to the temple , except on the Triyodasis( which fall on Saturdays ) , 3 or 4 times in a year. With my best wishes to all members and especially to those for whom nothing appears to be working right ! It is just the question of faith in His powers.Raj Bhardwaj, Sh Aditya Jyotish Kendra, Dera-Bassi, (Near Chandigarh),Panjab

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