C R GOWRI SHANKER

This Shiva temple dates back to Treta Yugam out of the four yugas of mankind as per the Hindu mythology.

The ‘Amrutha Gundam’ (tank) in the temple premises which is famed.

Hyderabad: Faith brings hordes of people to gods who they believe will fulfilled their wishes. But if the water on the premises of the god’s temple is believed to have medicinal values, this faith is sure to increase.

Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy Devasthanam or Parvathi Sametha Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy temple, also called as Dakshina Kasi is situated in Jarasangam village and mandal, around 12 kms from Zaheerabad in Sangareddy district and 112 km from Hyderabad. It is one of the oldest temples in Telangana state with a rich history.

This famed Shiva temple sees a confluence of devotees from TS, AP, neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra throughout the year, especially on Mahashivarathi and Mondays.

Besides the temple being the ‘Inti Devudu’ (family deity) for thousands of families in the four states, the fulfillment of their wishes and the water in ‘Amrutha Gundam’ (tank) on the temple premises earned fame.

Though the exact date of construction of this temple is not known, priests said it dates back to Treta Yugam, out of the four yugas or ages of mankind, as per the Hindu mythology. The first yuga was Satya Yuga, followed by Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and present Kali Yuga, which began in 3,102 BCE at the end of Mahabharata war.

The Shiva Lingam at the temple also has a rich past. According to some people, as per Skandapuranam, Lord Brahma personally installed the Shiva Lingam here.

It is believed a dip in the holy tank on the premises of the temple is as good as taking a dip in holy Ganga and sleeping on the temple precincts is like sleeping at Kasi!

There is also a strong belief that a small cave or guha at the holy tank leads all the way to Kasi in Uttar Pradesh.

“A story goes that a rishi Kasi baba, while taking a dip in Ganga at Kasi lost his ‘kamandalam’ (an oblong metal water pot). The baba frantically searched for his lost ‘Kamandalam’ but in vain. The Baba wandered from place to place and came to Jarasangam and it is said that he found the ‘kamandalam’ in a small stream on the premises of this temple. To add to faith, the small cave opening still exists at the tank and a Kasi matam (choultry or resting place) near the temple,” explains Sangaiah Swamy, the temple priest.

Regarding the belief that the tank water has medicinal properties and cures skin diseases, leprosy etc. Sangaiah Swamy narrates another story.

“The water in Amrutha Gundam (holy tank) here is considered as Ashta Teertha or holy water. People believe it has medicinal value. Story goes that once, Kupendra Bhupathi, Maharaja of Kuppanagar, was on a hunting mission in Ketaki vanam (forest) and felt thirsty. He asked a shepherd for water. He showed him a small stream under a stone,” the priest explained.

“The king was suffering from severe skin ailments. When he drank the water, and cleaned his hands with it, the aliments vanished from all parts of his skin where the water touched. The queen Chandrakala Devi noticed this and expressed surprise at the radiant skin of the King. The King told the Queen about the water he took. The Queen was elated. Word spread and a temple was constructed,” he adds.

Newly wedded couples from the families having faith in Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy temple visit the temple religiously and take a dip in the holy water.

As fame spread far and wide, the temple income too crossed 1 crores per annum and is growing day-by-day.