Sri Jagan Mohini Temple Ryali
Ryali is situated in East Godavari district (Atreyapuram Mandalam) of Andhrapradesh - India. This area is also called Kona Seema, a purely well irrigated area of Andhrapradesh due to many tributories of river Godavari. The famous Sri Jagan Mohini (Sri Maha Vishnu) temple is situated here. The shrine of Sri Jagan Mohini Keshava Swamy is made up of single stone (Salagrama Ekashila - 5 feet height and 3ft width). The idol looks like Sri Vishnu (male) from front side and as Mohini (female) from rear side. The architectural beauty of the idol and temple is excellent. The flow of Akasha Ganga at the feet of Sri Maha Vishnu can be seen here. Ryali was purely a wild forest during 11th century and was ruled by Cholas. Raja Vikrama Deva originally constructed a small temple during 11th century and later renovated. This unique shrine is situated in East Godavari district of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. The sanctum enshrines Lord Mahavishnu carved out of a single, five-foot-high Saligramam idol. The image of Mohini is engraved on the other side. Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Adi Sesha, Lord Krishna as Govardhanadhaari and sage Narada are carved around the image of Mahavishnu. River Ganga flowing from Lord Vishnu's feet is another interesting aspect of the deity. Opposite the Vishnu temple, there is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva as Uma Kamandaleshwara. Lord Brahma is said to have installed the Lingam in this temple
In Ryali Lord Shiva is worshipped as Uma Kamandaleswara because on the back side Lord Brahma Consecrated the Siva Lingam with his Kamandalam. The Mahavishnu is consecrated as Mohini at the back side and hence worshipped as Sri Jaganmohini Keshava Swamy. The temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu face each other in East and West direction, a rare feature to see at Ryali. The shrine of Sri Jaganmohini is a joy to see. The ten incornations of Lord Sri Vishnu and consorts are beautifully sculptured around the shrine.
The temple timings are from 6.00am to 12.00noon and from 3.00pm to 8.00pm. No photography allowed inside the temple. Better plan to have food and stay at Ravulapalem as Ryali is a small village. People can include other places like Vadapalli (Lord Venkateswara temple), Pancharama temples (4 in this area, Samalkot, Draksharama, Palakollu, Bheemavaram) in their trip plan for visiting as these are all nearby.
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