Jaganmohini Keshava Temple in Ryali of Andhra Pradesh is the world’s only temple dedicated to Mohini Avatara of Lord Vishnu. There is a continuous stream of Ganga emerging out from the lotus feet of the vigraha here.
Ryali is a small village in Andhra Pradesh within the East Godavari District. The village is situated between Gautami and Vasishtha Rivers – the tributaries of River Godavari. The village is small and serene without any sophisticated life around.
Ryali is only famous for two temples – the Jaganmohini Keshava Temple and the Uma Kamandaleshwara Temple. Both the temples are unique and rare in the world. In Telugu ‘ryali’ means falling. While Lord Shiva was following Mohini Devi, a flower from the braid of Mohini’s hair fell at this place. Lord Shiva picked that flower, smelt it, and became enchanted by Mohini Devi.
Jaganmohini Keshava Temple – constructed by The Cholas
Earlier to the current settlement in this village, this area was a thick forest. During the eleventh century, the Chola King Vikrama Deva used to visit this forest for hunting. Once, he became very tired hunting and took the shelter of a big ponna tree for taking rest. Soon he fell asleep and, in the dream, had darshan of Lord Maha Vishnu who guided him to excavate the temple there.
Lord Vishnu asked him to get a wooden chariot run in that area. Wherever the nail of the chariot’s wheel fell, under that place the temple was hidden. The King followed the advice of the Lord and found the vigraha of Lord Keshava. The King got a small temple constructed at that spot and arranged for the worship of Lord Keshava.
The enchanting vigraha of Jaganmohini Keshava Temple
The tall vigraha of Lord Kesava is exquisite in its beautiful features. It is an eka-shaligrama vigraha and one of the finest vigrahas you will ever have darshan of. In front, He is Lord Keshava with four hands and in the rear part, He is Mohini Avatara with the back of the woman. In the upper two hands Lord Keshava holds Panchajanya and Sudarshana. In the lower two hands He is holding the manthara mountain and the club.
Sridevi, Bhudevi, Narada Muni, Tumburu Muni, the apsaras Rambha and Urvashi, Kinnaras, Kimpurushas, Krishna lifting Govardhana Hill, Adisesha, Garuda and Ganga Devi are carved in the same vigraha around Lord Keshava.
There is a continuous stream of water emerging out from the lotus feet of Lord Narayana which makes His feet always wet. Devotees consider this water as Ganga and sprinkle on the visiting devotees. Some devotees believe that this water is going to Uma Kamandaleshwara Swamy Temple and abhisheka of Lord Shiva is performed there with this water.
Uma Kamandaleshwara Temple
Opposite the Jaganmohini Keshava Temple is the Uma Kamandaleshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said that this Shivalinga was installed by Lord Brahma in memory of the lila of Lord Shiva getting bewildered by the beauty of Mohini Avatara. After installing the Shivalinga, Lord Brahma performed the abhisheka by his kamadalu and hence Lord Shiva is known as Kamandaleshwara.
Lord Shiva bewildered by Mohini Avatara – origin of Jaganmohini Keshava Temple
During the Samudra Manthana which I will not elaborate here, Lord Narayana took Mohini Avatara – the feminine form which enchanted the entire world, the beauty not seen or heard by anyone before, even Lord Brahma, the creator. What to speak of any devatas or demon.
Hearing about this beautiful form of Lord Keshava which enchanted the living beings of the universe, Lord Shiva became eager to see it. Along with Bhavani, Lord Shiva approached Lord Madhusudana and prayed to the Lord to exhibit His female form. The all-merciful Lord Vishnu agreed to the request of Lord Shiva and showed the Mohini Avatara.
In the nearby forest, Lord Shiva saw the most beautiful woman who was playing with a ball. Suddenly there was a breeze which took away the clothes of Mohini Murti whose bodily beauty became exquisitely visible. Lord Shiva became bewildered looking at the beauty of Lord Vishnu. Her eyes were large and restless. Two brilliant earrings shiningly reflected over Her cheeks and the scattered hair made Her face still more beautiful.
She wore a shining saree and a belt over hips. Her feet were very soft and moved here and there. While playing with the ball she began glancing at Lord Shiva and slightly smiled with bashfulness. As Lord Shiva looked at Mohini, he forgot himself, his wife Uma and all his associates. Thinking that She was attracted to him, Lord Shiva became attracted to Her and desired to touch Her.
Due to the lusty desire, Lord Shiva approached her even in the presence of Bhavani as he could not restrain himself. When Mohini saw Lord Shiva coming, She started smiling and hiding Herself behind the trees and bushes in the forest. With his senses agitated, Lord Shiva began to follow Her like an elephant follows the female elephant.
After following her for some distance, Lord Shiva finally caught Her by the braid of the hair and dragged Her to him. But somehow Mohini released Herself from the clutches of Lord Shiva and again ran away. Lord Shiva began to follow Her again discharging his semen at places, due to the immense desire of enjoying with Her. She took Lord Shiva to many places like shores of the rivers, mountains, forests and the ashramas of great sages.
When Lord Shiva’s semen was fully discharged, he realized that he was victimized by the maya of Lord Vishnu and restrained himself further. Lord Vishnu was very pleased that Lord Shiva was unagitated and blessed him that he would never be attracted to the maya of worldly affairs.
Darshan timings of Jaganmohini Keshava Temple
The temple is open as per the standard Vaishnava Temples timings.
Morning – 6 am to 12:30 pm
Evening – 4 pm to 8 pm
Temple celebrates Bhishma Ekadashi, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Kalyanotsavas, Karthika Shuddha Dwadashi festivals grandly.
Ideal time to visit Jaganmohini Keshava Temple
The best time to visit the temple is all throughout the year. But the weather is typically hot almost throughout the year. Better to plan the visit during the winter season.
How to reach Jaganmohini Keshava Temple?
The best way to reach Jaganmohini Keshava Temple is to travel with Tirtha Yatra on the Srikurmam Simhachalam Yatra. You need not worry about any arrangements be it food or transport.
If you wish to explore this temple on your own, know that it is very difficult to reach the temple as it is situated in the off-beat location of Andhra Pradesh.
By Air – the nearest Airport is Rajahmundry Airport. It is a small airport with limited connectivity. The next main airport is Vijayawada or Vishakhapatnam. From here you need to either travel by road or rail.
By Rail – The nearest Railway Station to Ryali is Rajamahendrapuram or Rajahmundry. From here you must take a private taxi or the State Transport Buses to reach Ryali.
By Road – from Rajahmundry, buses are available to Ryali. One can also reach the place using private taxis.
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