Yaganti Shiva temple - Gem of Rayalseema

India as a whole has is an amazing country to explore, and even in your lifetime i doubt one can completely visit this huge demography. My idea is to explore what i can one day at a time. Many of you might already have guessed that i am a big Bhagwan Shiva follower and keep visiting many famous and unexplored temples as well. One of those is Yaganti temple.

Me and my friend had a scheduled temple darshan for 13th October 23 for Tirupati and looking at the route via the famous NH4 (which in its current state is riddled with lot of diversions starting from Satara in Maharashtra till Belagavi in Karnataka), we decided to re-route our travel via NH-65 i.e. the Mumbai Hyderabad highway. It turned out to be the right decision with roads being good in most of the places, except the border area between Maharashtra and Karnataka which has been a pain since quite a lot of time (there is a bypass being worked on as i write which should ease the trip). With regards to Traffic, another major problem for Mumbai Hyderabad highway is passing through Pune (a nightmare even early morning or late night as the road passes though now Pune city, i mean city has been built up on this route till Yavat)

Coming back to trip, as i said trip was planned for Tirupati temple visit and de-tour we took to visit Yaganti Shiva temple was a wise decision, what a beauty of a temple it is. The best part is all the natural lighting and rituals and cleanliness that is maintained at the temple premise. The roads till Yaganti temple are in really good condition. Diversion for Yaganti temple from main state highway (approx. 41km from Kurnool i.e. midway distance) takes you to village road which is in good condition and you head towards the mountains

The moment you reach the temple vicinity it gives the divinity you are longing for, the hillock which surrounds the temple feels like nature's guard for the temple and makes sure Bhagwan Shiva is not disturbed in his moment of peace. The hillock houses some really beautiful caves all across the landscape and the view you get from top is just breathtaking.

The temple complex has a huge Gopuram which leads you towards a step well where a small Nandiji is seated. The step well is huge and nicely ornated.

As you enter the temple complex, you have to purchase an entry ticket (this is to make sure upkeep of temple and being an ASI site it helps). On the inside the temple has a big Nandi statue bowing towards Bhagwan Shiva and its mythical on how this Nandi statue keep growing as per the local legend. You can visit the temple and be immersed in its holiness & spend some time meditating.

On the side of the temple there is a large opening (like a cave entry which is the Venkateshwara cave) and it has steep steps to climb to. On a day when its sunny the steps are really hot so be careful

Food: There is very limited option near the temple and along the way. However the temple houses a large bhojnalaya where free food is served and all the devotees are welcomed here.

Stay: Not many options near the temple. However the temple premise houses guest house for people who wish to stay here with basic facilities

Parking: Ample parking near the temple complex

Overall cost:

Stay: 2400/- (in Kurnool)

Toll: 1,000/- (till Zaheerabad, no toll after that)

Parking: 50/- when you enter the Yaganti temple complex

Food: 1400/-

Diesel: 932km @18.5km/l = 4580/- (90 Rs/ l)

Road conditions: 95% roads are good, except border area between Maharashtra and Karnataka which is still bumpy

Note: Please maintain temple decorum and make sure you don't litter. Enjoy the temple vicinity

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