Bugga Ramalingeswara temple | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | Hinduism |
District | Anantapur district |
Deity | Lord Shiva |
Location | |
Location | Tadipatri |
State | Andhra Pradesh |
Country | India |
Architecture | |
Completed | Between 1490 and 1509 |
Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy temple is a Siva shrine situated on the southern bank of the Penna river in Tadipatri, Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, India.[1] It was built between 1490 and 1509 by Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu I, a chieftain of the Gutti-Gandikota region during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire.[2]
The presiding deity is a linga, considered to be ‘swayambhu’ (naturally occurring or self originated).[1] The temple has seven small independent pillars in front of the Vishnu shrine and when struck they produce 'saptaswara' (the seven musical notes).[3] The gopurams of the temple are unfinished and were described by architectural historian James Anderson as ‘wonders’.[4]
Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy temple is 4 km (2.5 mi) from Tadipatri railway station. It was likely built between 1490 and 1509 during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire.[2] As per the Tadipatri kaifiyat collected by Colin Mackenzie in 1802, the temple was built by Ramalinga Nayudu, a chieftain of the Gutti-Gandikota region in Vijayanagara Empire.[2]
The temple consists of a sanctum, ardhmandapa, and mukhamandapa in an axial line. The temple contains bas relief structures illustrating episodes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The presiding deity (linga) being a ‘swayambhu’ (naturally occurring or self originated).[1] Unlike other Hindu temples where the deities are east-facing, in this temple the Shiva linga faces west.[4] When struck, the seven pillars in front of the Vishnu shrine produce 'saptaswara' (a musical scale).[3]
The architectural historian James Anderson described the gopurams of this temple as ‘wonders’.[4]