Commercial skyscapers drape the ancient temple
C R Gowri Shanker
Hyderabad: Tucked in the hustle and bustle of
concrete IT jungle in Rangbagh, Nanakramguda is the over 400-year old Ranganath
Swamy Temple, one of the cleanest temples in Hyderabad and Telangana State with
architectural beauty.
It’s no surprise the ancient temple bagged INTACH
Heritage award long back for preserving the heritage structures and the
premises spic and span.
Compared to a couple of years ago, locating temple
itself is now a difficult task as huge commercial complexes and residential
apartments camouflage the temple and its precincts.
But once you find it and enter the sprawling temple
complex near Wipro circle, one is floored by the beauty of the Gopurams, the
temple entrance, cleanliness and the serene environment. The temple is located
about 18 kms from Hyderabad city centre.
Presiding deity Lord Ranganath Swamy, Sri Maha
Vishnu, idol or Moola Vigraham, is a single piece black stone with the Lord in
reclining form under the hood of 5 headed snake, Adi Sesha.
The Lord’s consorts, Sridevi, Bhudevi and Neeladevi sit at his feet. Dasavataars (10 incarnations) of Lord Vishnu, are also carved in the same stone.
Creator, Lord Brahma, is seated on a lotus which has emerged
from the navel of Lord Ranganath Swamy.
Besides Ranganath Swamy, the temple also houses
Lakshmi Devi and 12 Alwars in the same premises. The temple is constructed with
stone and lime stone. But who constructed the temple remains a mystery even
today.
“People and we have immense faith in Lord Ranganath
Swamy. We feel it’s our divine duty to serve the temple, which with
the family since decades. We are fortunate to serve the Lord,” Sharad B Pitti,
Chairman and Managing trustee says.
Pitti family maintains the temple, priests, ward and
watch from their personal funds. “The temple income is merge hence we pump from
out personal funds,” he explains.
The presiding deity idol conforms to Krishna Sila or Saligrama Sila make. The temple is open from 6 am to 12 noon and 5 pm to 8 pm daily.
The utsav murthis of the Lord, Sridevi and Bhudevi are made of pancha-dhatu.
There is separate pancha-dhatu idol of Goda Devi, a
devotee consort of the Lord, popularly known as Aandal. Idol of Goda Devi was
discovered from the well in temple premises 100 years ago!
Besides Lord Ranganath Swamy, there is smaller temple at the back of Goddess Maha Lakshmi. The moola vigraham of Lakshmi is also made of black stone and utsav murthi is made of pancha dhatu.
Another mini
temple is that of 12 Alwars including Sri Ramanujacharya and other acharyas of
Sri Vaishnava sampradayam.
The temple complex is a study in synthesis as there
is clear evidence of continuous building activity over the years.
The temple complex reflects a blend of Qutb Shahi,
Moghul and Kakatiyan architecture.
It is stated the temple, other structures and surrounding land was purchased by Seth Shivlal Pitti in 1861 for a consideration of Rs 70,000.
In 1935, his grandson Raja Bahadur Sir Bansilal Pitti set aside
Rs 75,000 , the income from which was to be spent to meet temple expenses.
Temple was part of the private property of Pitti family till 1954, when his son Raja Pannalal Pitti created a trust to which the temple, the appurtenant land, jewellary, silver vahanams, utensils and other items were transferred.
It is believed the temple dates back to 16th or
17th century. “There are no records to show who constructed the
temple,” says Pitti.
The board of trustees was headed by his son Sri
Badrivishal Pitti and now headed by Sri Sharad B Pitti, son of late Badrivishal
Pitti.
Temple celebrates Janmastami, Dhanurmas (before
Sankranti) and Brahmotsvam in a big way. Brahmothsavam is celebrated during
Magha Masam (Jan-Feb) for 8 days including rathotsavam.
On the occasion, a decorated 35 feet, five storied antique wooden chariot carrying Lord Ranganath Swamy is drawn by the devotees for half a kilometer.
After this ritual, an effigy of Ravana is burnt to
symbolize the victory of virtue over vice.
Mr Shravan Kumar, then convener of INTAC AP remarked
while selecting the temple for the heritage award in 2002,” The entire
precincts is spotlessly clean and tidy. The loving care which the owners shower
on the remarkable ensemble is obvious from the State of the structures and it’s
up keep. It richly deserves the award.”
There are ruins of structures outside the temple
indicating a bigger temple complex in the past.
Temple dances:
Temple dances, which use to entertain devotees and
ceased to exist at many temples, has been revived at the Sri Ranganath Swami
Mandir.
The temple dances are performed at the annual
8-day Brahmotsavam by noted artistes.
“If I am not wrong, it’s the only temple in the
country which has revived the original ancient temple dances. Only change is
instead of Devadasis, which is banned, artistes perform,” says Sharad B Pitti.
According to Pitti, noted dancer Swapna Sundari and
her disciples had performed at the temple.
“Temple dances are performed during specific daily
rituals and are integral part of worship but not in the form of mantras or
chanting but worship through medium of dance. Temple dance or Vilasini natyam
covers dance during the “Balbogh” (offering of prasad to Lord), Baliharan
(offering of prasad to Asthadikpalak, Garuda, Brahma, and Sarvabhutadhipathi),
Palki Seva, and Kumbha harathi,” he explains.
The Asthadikpalaks are Lord Indra, Agni (God of Fire), Yama (God of death), Niruthi (Lord of South-west corner), Varun (God of water), Vayu (God of air), Kubera (God of wealth), and Isana (Lord of North East--Shiva).
These dances are an integral part of worship but not in the form of manthras or chantings but worship through the medium of dance.
Temple dance / Vilasini natyam covers dance during the “BALBHOG”, “BALIHARAN (morning and evening)” , “PALKI SEVA” and KUMBH AARTI”.
“BALBHOG”:- It is a ritual of offering prasad to God after Suprabhat and
morning Araadhana.
The dance is performed in front of the main deity to entertain God by gentle nritya while having the prasad.
“BALIHARAN”. It is an offering of prasad to the ASHTADIKPALAK,
GARUD, BRAHMA AND SARVABHUTADHIPATHI. The Ashtadikpalakas are placed in 8
different locations in the parikrama of the temple which guard and protect the
temple and are an integral part representing some aspects of the Universe.
The Ashtadikpalakas are:
1. INDRA
(the Lord of the East and the Chief of the Gods)
2. AGNI
(the Lord of the South-East corner and God of Fire)
3. YAMA
(the Lord of the South and God of Death)
4. NIRRUTHIi
(the Lord of South-West corner and the Chieftain of the Rakshasas and terror to
the demons, devils and spirits)
5. VARUN
(the Lord of the West and God of Water)
6. VAYU
(the Lord of North-West corner and God of Air)
7. KUBERA
(the Lord of North and God of Wealth)
8. ISANA
(the Lord of North-East corner and is none other than Shiva himself).
This ritual is performed daily in the morning after devotees have had darshan and before the afternoon prasad is offered and again in the evening before palki-seva.
Around the temple in the parikrama, they will
be offered prasad in their respective places by reciting their related manthra
and slok by the priest followed by a particular padam in a specific rag and
tal.
While reciting that padam ,the dancer will perform
the dance as if the anklets of her are also reciting.
Apart from the Ashtadikpalakas, for GARUD (the vahan
of Lord Vishnu), BRAHMA (the creator) and SARVABHUTHADHIPATHI (the Chief of all
elements in the Universe), the offering is made at the Brahmasthan ie., at
Dhwajasthambh.
PALAKI SEVA: After evening puja/aradhana and
Baliharan, the Utsav Murthies are decorated and placed in the palki seated on
different vahans like Garud, Hanuman, Seshnag, Elephant and Hamsa etc.,. and
taken out of the temple compound up to a decided distance to facilitate the
devotees to have darshan, who are unable to go to the temple. The palki will be
stopped at some places and the dance will be performed in front of God.
KUMBH AARTI: It is a ritual done by the dancer by performing the aarti in a specially made
kumbh to remove the effect of evil eye on the Utsav Murthies when they are
brought back into the the temple at the end of the palki seva.
Press Release
This is with reference to the news item published in a leading Telugu news paper in it's state edition on 14.f2.2O1G under the caption "Rangadi Gudiki Mantri Chera".
lt appears that the said news is based on false information and inputs provided to the said News paper just to tarnish the image of the Trustees and the age old reputation of the family they belong to.
We are absolute owners and were in peaceful possession of land for generations in Sy. No. 135 admeasuring acre 1.25 gls, Sy. No 140 admeasuring acres 3.29 gls, Sy. No 138 admeasuring 8 acres 11 gts, Sy. No 141 admeasuring 2 acres 15 gts, Sy No 142 admeasuring 7 acres 17 gts, in Nanakramguda Village Sherlingampally village/Mandal Ranga Reddy Dist.
The Khasara Pahani for the year 1954-55 pahanis for the year from 1960-61 till date, vasool Baqi registered and form - 1B (RoR) Dated 17.08.2015 issued by Tahasildar (Deputy collector grade) Sherlingampally Mandal, Ranga Reddy Dist and proceeding issued by Tahasildar (Deputy Collector Grade), Sherlingampally Mandal, Ranga Reddy Dist Vide proc. No. B/22!/2009 Dated 24.12.2009 and proceeding No. B/222/2OO9 Dated 24.12.2009 mention that our famlly as absolute owners, possessors and we are in enjoyment of the lands in Sy. Nos L35,138,14O,L4L ,f42 in Nanakramguda village Sherlingampally Mandal Ranga Reddy Dist.
Only Sy. No. 139 admeasuring 1.39 gts is shown as temple property in the revenue recoros.
The Endowment Department on a wrong presumption that Sy No. 135 and 140 also belong to temple, addressed aletter dated 20.!2.2009 to Sub-Registrar to include Survey No. 135 and 140 in the prohibition list.
On coming to know about the said proceedings, we immediately submitted a representation to the Government on 27.08.2015 to make necessary changes in the records of Endowments and issue No Objection Certificate in respect of Sy. No. 135 and 140 and futher requested the Government to withdraw the letter dated 20.f2.2OO9 addressed to the Sub-Registrar by deleting Sy. No. 135 and 140 from prohibition list.
The representation isstill pending before the Government. In the year 1954 shri Pannalal Bansilal pitti, my grandfather Executed atrust deed vide document No. 1367/1954 creating a trust "Ranganath Swamy Maharaj Dewal" and setteled the property shown in the plan Annexed to the trust deed, that is (1) Temple sri Ranganth swamy and its surrounding buildings (2) Rathkhanas (3) Kalyan Mandap (4) Hanuman Temple (5) Guest Houses (6) Dharmashala (7) Nagarkhana.'
The total extent of the land including building there on which were transferred to trust by sri Pannalal Bansilal Pitti in the 1954 is 538G square yards only and a map was also ennexed to the trust deed.
All the structures belonging to temple are intact except one structure which was in dilapidated condition collapsed. Sri Ranganath Mandir Rangbagh Trust Sharad B. Pitti Chairman & Managing Trustee) Administrative Office :6-3-6481401,4th Floor, Padmaja Landmark, Somajiguda, Hyderabad-500 082. (Telangana) Ph: 040-2331 1056 22
As mentioned above, our application seeking NO OBJECIION CERTTFTCATE in respect of Sy. No. 135 & 140 is still pending with the Government. we reliably came to know that a report was caled from Asst commissioner Endowment Dept Ranga Reddy district on our apprication seeking Noc.
Instead of submitting a report the Asst commissioner rodged a porice compraint against trustee farsery claiming that an extent of 5- acres 14 guntas in survey nos.13s & 140 was encroached by trustee. since we have not yielded to the illegal demands made by Asst commissioner Endowments sri srikanth Rao, he with mala-fide intention and with false allegations and without reference to the revenue records and with a view to damaging the image/reputation of our family filed a police complaint'.
And further, intentionaly gave false information to the media thereby getting articles published in media causing a dent in the image of our family. our family is a highly reputed and respected 400 year old family. Our family is very well known for its philanthropic and charitabre activities.
The department itself is showing claims only on sy. No. 135,139 and 140 to an extent of land of ./.13 acres in which our land admeasuring 5 Acres 14 guntas is included. Therefore, the question of occupying 23.50 acres is incorrect.
The temple is not notified by central Government under Archaeology act. The temple is also having lands in yellareddy village in Nizamabad Dist.
Even though sy.No 135 & 140 in respect of which Noc is claimed are private patta lands which belong to our family, no transactions have taken place in said sy. Nos and no construction is going on in said sy. Nos.
The allegations made in the news items are false and said news item was Dublished without verifying the real facts and revenue records. we, as regar abiding citizens folowing due process of law filed an application seeking Noc from Government in respect of sy. Nos 135 and 140 for deletion of the same from prohibition list.
As mentioned above, as we have ignored the illegal demands made by srikanth Rao Asst Commissioner Endowment therefore he has resorted to this kind of malicious campaign on false and frivolous allegations and resorted to blackmail us, to make us meet his illegal demands. The further allegations that some senior ministers are involved are also false.
For SRI RANGANATH MANDIR RANGBAGH TRUST
sd/-
(TRUSTEE)
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