Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple , Ananthagiri – Vikarabad

Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple is popularly known as Ananthagiri Temple. Padmanabha Swamy Temple is located in the beautiful hilly region of the Anantha Giri Hills of Vikarabad, Rangareddy district, Vikarabad, Telangana. This is an ancient and 400 years old temple. Ananthagiri temple is situated amidst the deep forest of Vikarabad. Ananthagiri Temple is built during Nizam period. According to the legend the Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple was constructed by rishi Markandeya in dwapara yuga.

About the Temple

It is believed that the temple was constructed by the rishi Markandeya in dwapara yuga on the Ananthagiri Hills. It is said that, rishi Markandeya got attracted to the beauty of the hills and the atmosphere on the hills. So, rishi Markandeya use to practice his Yoga and meditation on the hills of Ananthagiri. After, completing his yoga and meditation rishi Markandeya use to go to Kasi through a cave, to take a dip in the holy water of Ganges. One day he could not go to Kasi as Dwadasi enter the early hours of the morning. Rishi Markandeya was upset as he did not go to Kasi.

On noticing the helpless situation of the rishi Lord Vishnu came in his dream and arranged the holy water from Ganges for his bath. Lord Vishnu came in the form of Anantha Padmanabha Swamy and converted into a chakra of the Swamy.

After this dream there are different stories came about. I will discuss two stories out of them. First, after Lord Vishnu appearing in the dreams of rishi Markandeya, it is said that, Markandeya was blessed to take a permanent place on Earth as a river. The river which is popularly known as Moosi, flows through Hyderabad.

Second story is that, there was a Rajashi known as Muchukunda. So this Rajashi after fighting with the Rakshasas and on killing Kalayavana came to Ananthagiri Hills to take rest. Muchukunda has a boon, if some one disturbs his sleep with burn down to ashes. Kalayavana, Rakshasa took control over Dwaraka and followed Lord Krishna and Balarama to Ananthagiri Hills to spoil the sleep of Muchukunda and was killed by the boon of Muchukunda. Here, after Lord Krishna came into the dreams of Muchukunda in the form of Anantha Padmanabha Swamy and blessed him to take a permanent place in the World in the form of a river. The river which is now known as Moosi/ Musi River. Moosi River originates in these hills, a tributary of Krishna River in the region of Telangana. Musi river is also referred as Muchukunda River.

400 years ago, Nizams and Nawabs used to visit Anantha Giri Hills in purpose of hunting and to take rest in the peaceful atmosphere of Ananthagiri hills. It is believed that, one day Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy came into the dreams of the Nawab and asked him to build the temple. The main temple of the Lord was built by the Nawab of Hyderabad 4 centuries ago.

Timings

Weekdays- 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Sundays- 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM & 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM

4:30 AM – 6:30 AM- Abhishekam

7:00 AM – 1:00 AM & 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM- Sarva Darshan

How to Reach the Temple

By Road – The temple is just 5 Km away from Vikarabad and 75 Km from Hyderabad. There are frequent buses and other means of road transport available to reach Ananthagiri Hills from Vikarabad.

By Train – people travelling by train need to get down at Vikarabad station and from there different means of road transport is available. Vikarabad station is 7 km away from the temple.