Island Temple at Yeleshwaram Draws Devotees to Nagarjunasagar
Though daily rituals ceased after 1962, displaced residents revived annual festivals at the temple in 2006
Nalgonda: The hilltop Yeleshwara Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple near Nagarjunasagar is drawing large numbers of tourists and devotees, with visitors travelling by boat to reach the site now located on an island.
Surrounded by the greenery of the Nallamala Forest, the temple reflects a long historical legacy spanning several dynasties, including the Satavahana, Ikshvaku, Vishnukundin, Western Chalukya and Kakateeya periods.
Regular puja rituals were performed at the temple until the construction of the Nagarjunasagar project in 1962. Following the project’s completion, the Yeleshwaram hillock became isolated amid the reservoir waters. Archaeological excavations conducted before submergence unearthed inscriptions and deity idols, which were later shifted to museums in Hyderabad and other districts.
Historically known as “Dakshina Kashi”, Yeleshwaram attracted devotees from across Telugu-speaking regions. The presiding deity idols remain at the hilltop temple, continuing to draw visitors.
Though daily rituals ceased after 1962, displaced residents revived annual festivals at the temple in 2006. On Ekadasi and Shivaratri, the tourism department arranges special boat services for two to three days, drawing large crowds. On other days, devotees depend on local fishermen operating indigenous boats from Chandampaet, travelling about six kilometres to reach the hill.
A devotee, K Ramulu, said that running motorised boats daily from the Nagarjunasagar boat station would help improve access and promote the site as a tourist destination.
Another devotee, V. Rajendra Prasad, said the temple premises require basic facilities and fencing, and called for measures to ensure its protection.
