The impressive temple tower of the Kotilinga temple on keesaragutta.
Koti Linga Temple on Keesara Gutta – the name literally translates to “The temple of a crore lingams situated on the hillock of Lord Hanuman.”
The village is in Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh and is located about 18 km from ECIL X roads on the outskirts of Hyderabad (and about 45 km from Begumpet airport). The temple is a mere 1.5 hour -2 hour drive from the city. When we were traveling, it was raining and the drive was very pleasant.
Legend has it that when Lord Rama wanted to atone for the sin of killing a great devotee of Lord Shiva like Ravana, he asked Lord Hanuman to bring a shiva linga carved from the rocks of mount Kailas itself. But since Hanuman could not bring the lingam back in time for the auspicious moment of the propitiation,
One of the several lingams that can be seen scattered on the hillock of Keesaragutta.
Lord Rama made one out the sands and performed the pooja. Frustrated, Lord Hanuman hurled the lingam he had brought from Kailas with all his might and it fragmented into ten million (a crore) smaller lingams that scattered on this hillock. These can be seen even today on the hillock.
The sacred Shiva linga which was said to have been installed and worshipped by Lord Hanuman himself.
One of the lingam is reputed to have been installed and worshipped by lord Hanuman himself and even today some powerful vibrations hit you when you enter the shrine.
Koti Linga therefore means a crore (ten million) lingams and Keesara is a colloquial version of Lord Hanuman’s name Kesari. Gutta means hillock. Hence the name of the temple is derived.
You can reach the temple by traveling on regular APSRTC buses or just hire a cab to take you there. On a normal day, the trip to and from the temple will take about 5 hours. On a festival day, it takes considerably longer at the temple.
A word of caution – you are sure to be greeted by large battalions of monkeys while there. These simians do not hesitate to grab items from your hands. Though they are never known to be aggressive, please be careful with your children and what you display to the monkeys!
The huge idol of Lord Hanuman, which faces the main temple on the hillock.
December 23, 2009 at 11:48 am
Nice explanation. Lovely presentation. Pl keep it up.
Sekar
February 7, 2010 at 6:27 am
can we have telephone numbers of the temple or its governing body members.
March 11, 2010 at 11:14 am
It is a good presentation of your pleasant piligirmage. We wish to visit the place soon.Thanks for the info.
March 11, 2010 at 11:16 am
it is a clear communication and a neat presentation of your pleasant pilgrimage. We wish to visit soon. Thanks for the info.
Rgds
MP Sharma
February 5, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Good presentation and will be useful for everyone who plans to visit like us.
January 30, 2012 at 12:12 pm
how do i reach there..i mean where can i get a bus
June 19, 2014 at 12:38 pm
Ms. Anuradha – I must admit I am not sure about the exact bus route. We had traveled by car. But I do know that there are a number of buses that go there from Hyderabad having seen them myself.
February 23, 2012 at 11:26 am
Thank You very much, this information is helpful
September 16, 2012 at 7:28 am
thank u
November 17, 2012 at 11:31 pm
its really helpfull who is willing to visit d place
May 6, 2013 at 8:01 pm
I went to the temple yesterday and you must know how. While I was going for a drive on the ORR, I saw the word Keesara and immediately recalled a dream I had seen the same morning where a senior person kept repeating the word “Keesara”, “Keesara” and that immediately flashed my mind. I told my co – passenger while the milestone board showed 64 Km. that I must visit the temple today – and so I went. It was heavenly to have reached a place where I never thought I would go especially to a place which I had never heard of before. I guess some higher energy inspired me to reach this destination – by the way I am a very strong devotee of Shiva.
Thanks and Regards,
Atul
June 19, 2014 at 12:36 pm
That must surely have been a very awesome experience for you Atul. God’s ways are indeed very mysterious.