Sri Jaganmohini Kesava Swamy
The famous Sri Jagan Mohini (Sri Maha Vishnu) temple is situated here. Ryali is situated in East Godavari district (Atreyapuram Mandal) of Andhra Pradesh - India. This area is also called Kona Seema, a purely well irrigated area of Andhra Pradesh due to many tributories of river Godavari lies at a distance of 24-km from Rajahmundry.
Ryali is famous for its excellent sculptures and rare iconography in the 'Janganmohini Kesavaswami' temple. The architectural beauty of the idol and temple is excellent. The flow of Akasha Ganga at the feet of Sri Maha Vishnu can be seen here. The image of the Lord is an exquisite piece of sculpture, which is considered to be the only one of its kind in India. The figure in front is 'Kesava' or 'Keshava', and on the reverse is the female attire with a hair-do representing 'Jaganmohini'. Carved in black stone, the image of the deity excites admiration. Even to this day it is as fresh as though it has just come from the chisel of the sculptor. The image stands at a height of 5ft and the front portion, besides the face of Kesava, contains sculptural representations of 'Dasavatara' (ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu). At the feet of the image is the figure of Goddess Ganga, from which drops of water trickle down throughout the day. This is considered a rare phenomenon. Though small, the shrine presents a grand appearance artistically.
The priests at the temple show the idol in the light of burning camphor and explain the idol of the god in detail. There is temple of Lord Shiva in front of Lord Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy temple. Lord Shiva is known as Sri Uma Kamandalesara Swamy here. The Legend of these two temples relates to Samudra Mathanam. The Idol is Swayambhu it means, it has formed on its own where visitors can see the Ganga i.e. water coming out between the two legs of the deity. The shrine of Sri Jagan Mohini Keshava Swamy is made up of single stone (Salagrama Ekashila - 5 feet height and 3ft width). Many visitors in India and foreign tourists visit the place to have a darshan of God. This place was purely a wild forest during 11th century and was ruled by Cholas. Raja Vikrama Deva originally constructed a small temple during 11th century and later renovated.
According to the legend Bhagavatham, while Devathas (divine angels) and Rakshasas (devils) were quarrelling over sharing of holy divine NECTAR (Amrutham) Lord Vishnu came to the rescue of Devathas in the guise of Mohini and convinced both rival groups promising to distribute holy divine nectar in equal share. But in the interest of universal peace and welfare of sages, holy and divine nectar was distributed among the Devathas alone and then Mohini disappeared. Lord Eshwara (Shiva) sees Mohini and falls in love with her. He chased her for getting for a while the presence of his consort Parvathi Devi. It is general belief that this a holy incident was the result of birth of Lord Ayyappa Swamy. One flower from the plait of Mohini fell down and it was smelt by Lord Siva then he surprisingly found Sri Maha Vishnu in the form of Mohini and felt shy for his behavior. The place where the flower from the plait of Mohini fell is named as RYALI (the Telugu meaning of Fall)
This place known as Ryali for the above reason became abode of Lord Siva and Sri Mahavishnu with the form of Mohini on backside. Lord Brahma consecrated the Sivalingam with his Kamandalam and hence Lord Siva at Ryali is worshipped as Uma Kamandaleswra Swamy. Sri Maha Vishnu in the form of Mohini in the back side is worshipped as Sri Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy. Both Siva and Vishnu temples are located facing each other. This is very rare feature at Ryali where Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva facing each other in East and West Direction.
There is also general belief that water will not flow out of Siva temple after the deity will absorb performing pooja to the deity and all the water.
The priests at the temple show the idol in the light of burning camphor and explain the idol of the god in detail. There is temple of Lord Shiva in front of Lord Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy temple. Lord Shiva is known as Sri Uma Kamandalesara Swamy here. The Legend of these two temples relates to Samudra Mathanam. The Idol is Swayambhu it means, it has formed on its own where visitors can see the Ganga i.e. water coming out between the two legs of the deity. The shrine of Sri Jagan Mohini Keshava Swamy is made up of single stone (Salagrama Ekashila - 5 feet height and 3ft width). Many visitors in India and foreign tourists visit the place to have a darshan of God. This place was purely a wild forest during 11th century and was ruled by Cholas. Raja Vikrama Deva originally constructed a small temple during 11th century and later renovated.
According to the legend Bhagavatham, while Devathas (divine angels) and Rakshasas (devils) were quarrelling over sharing of holy divine NECTAR (Amrutham) Lord Vishnu came to the rescue of Devathas in the guise of Mohini and convinced both rival groups promising to distribute holy divine nectar in equal share. But in the interest of universal peace and welfare of sages, holy and divine nectar was distributed among the Devathas alone and then Mohini disappeared. Lord Eshwara (Shiva) sees Mohini and falls in love with her. He chased her for getting for a while the presence of his consort Parvathi Devi. It is general belief that this a holy incident was the result of birth of Lord Ayyappa Swamy. One flower from the plait of Mohini fell down and it was smelt by Lord Siva then he surprisingly found Sri Maha Vishnu in the form of Mohini and felt shy for his behavior. The place where the flower from the plait of Mohini fell is named as RYALI (the Telugu meaning of Fall)
This place known as Ryali for the above reason became abode of Lord Siva and Sri Mahavishnu with the form of Mohini on backside. Lord Brahma consecrated the Sivalingam with his Kamandalam and hence Lord Siva at Ryali is worshipped as Uma Kamandaleswra Swamy. Sri Maha Vishnu in the form of Mohini in the back side is worshipped as Sri Jagan Mohini Kesava Swamy. Both Siva and Vishnu temples are located facing each other. This is very rare feature at Ryali where Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva facing each other in East and West Direction.
There is also general belief that water will not flow out of Siva temple after the deity will absorb performing pooja to the deity and all the water.
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