Uma Maheshwara Temple – Yaganti

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Yaganti Sage Agastya cursed the crows and said that they could not hover around the temple.

No crows have been seen at this cave temple since time immemorial. Legend has it that a sage cursed the species after being disturbed while in deep meditation. The temple authorities say that the story could have been about Sage Agastya.

It is said that Agastya wanted to build a temple for Lord Venkateswara at this site. However, the statue that was made for the temple could not be installed as the idol’s toenail broke. Upset by this, the sage decided to perform penance. One day, when he was meditating, a pack of crows descended on the region and started cawing loudly, Irritated by the sound, Agastya cursed the crows and said that they could not hover around Yaganti.

Since then, no cawing can be heard at the temple. Locals believe that the crow, which has the habit of pilfering and thieving, is the vehicle of Lord Shani.

The Yaganti temple has been frequented by sages and common folk who wish to cultivate the habit of living righteously. They believe that misfortunes will vanish from their lives with the darshan of Yaganti Uma Maheshwara. There are several cave temples adjacent to the main temple in Yaganti. The Agastya Cave is believed to be the place where Agastya performed penance to receive Lord Shiva’s blessings.

The Venkateswara Cave is another one of the caves in the region. Locals believe that the idol of Lord Venkateshwara found in the cave is much older than the idol at Tirupati. The Veera Brahman Cave is believed to be the place where Potuluri Veera Brahmam, popularly known as India’s Nostradamus, wrote some chapters of his book of prophecies – the Kala Gnanam.

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Another story says, a devotee of Lord Shiva named Chitteppa, was worshiping Lord Shiva and Lord appeared to him as a tiger. Chitteppa knew that it was Lord Shiva. In excitement, he shouted “Neganti Shivanu ne Kanti” meaning I saw Shiva, and danced joyously. There is a cave that is named after Chitteppa.