Kurnool: Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple which has a growing Nandi near Banaganapalle in Kurnool is a big draw among tourists. Everyday as many as 3,000 — 5,000 visitors come to this cave rock site which increases to 15,000 visitors on weekends said Archeological Survey of India deputy director Krishna Chaitanya.
But the major drawback for aged visitors is the size of steps leading to the temple. Each step is almost two and half to three feet high. People with arthritis and low muscular flexibility at the knee can not walk easily.
Devotees have requested Archeological authorities to build a ramp on the stairway. If the ramp is built soon, the elderly can easily walk up at their own pace without exerting their knees. When Mr Chaitanya was contacted, he said that he would forward the representations to higher authorities for building a ramp.
Devotees believe that the Nandi in front of the temple is continuously increasing in size.
Locals say that the idol was much smaller than what it is now. They believe that experiments were carried out on the idol and the rock keeps growing in size. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has confirmed that the idol increases by 1 inch every 20 years.
A feature of this temple is its Pushkarini, a small pond of water on the temple premises. Water flows into this pond from the bottom of hill through the mouth of the Nandi (bull). The water is fresh and sweet, as it comes from the hills.
No one knows how the water reaches the pond all year round and this temple architecture showcases the skills of ancient Vishwakarma Sthapathis. Devotees find that a holy bath in the Pushkarini is beneficial.
