Papanasi Temples

There are many beautiful shrines in Papanasi Temples, some of the must-see places to visit in Alampur, all dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many people know these buildings for their beautiful paintings.

Historical Relevance of Papanasi Temples

The construction of the Srisailam Dam prompted the relocation of the temples to their current location. Originally, they stood on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Builders constructed the 24 churches between the sixth and tenth centuries. The Chalukyas built the main shrine, Papanaseswara, in the sixth century. The Rashtrakutas built the other churches between the ninth and tenth centuries. The site has two prominent temples and several smaller shrines. The buildings were built in the Dravida and Phamsana styles.

Architecture

The main shrine of Papanaseswara has a big mandapa with columns and a sanctum with a Shivalinga inside. On each side is a miniature shrine for Ganesha and the Saptamatrukas. Some of the most important paintings in this temple are of Vamana as a form, Ashtadikpalakas, Mahishasura as Mardhini, scenes from the Ramayana, Lingodbhava, Gajasura stories, and Shiva dancing.

Gurulingesawra is the second-largest temple in the complex. It is on the left side of the main shrine. This temple had a mukhamandapa with beautiful carvings of scenes from the Ramayana, the marriage of Shiva and Parvathi, and Samudra Madhana. On the roof, artists had carved Shiva with the Ashtadikpalakas and Lord Vishnu in different forms.

The rest of the shrines are pretty small and home to shivalingas. In the main shrine of Papanaseswara, the Shivalinga is shown in green. There are 18 Shivalingas in the building, all of different sizes and colours. In one of the shrines that faces east, there is a figure of Surya, the primary God.

Spiritual Significance of Visiting Papanasi Temples

Spiritually, going to the Papanasi Temples is very important because it allows believers to wash away their sins and ask for benefits. The peaceful atmosphere of the churches makes spiritual experiences better, so they are a must-see on Alampur tour packages for people who want to connect with God.