Maha Sivarathri signifies and recaptures the memory of all Shiva temples. One of the most important and famous such Temples is Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple at Keesara. Keesara Gutta is in Keesara Mandal of Ranga Reddy District. The temple is 33 km from Hyderabad. The presiding deity of the Temple is Sri Ramalingeswara Swamy accompanied by Sri Bhavani and Sri Shiva Durga.

History of the Temple in Brief

In Tretayuga Sri Ram along with his consort Seeta Devi and Hanuman while roving in the area leisurely met several Maha Rishis. They advised Sri Ram to consecrate a Siva Lingam to get rid off his sin killing Ravana who was a Brahmin and a great devotee of Lord Siva. They also fixed an auspicious time for installation of Siva Lingam. Hanuman set out to bring a Siva Lingam, Lord Siva then, manifested before Hanuman in the form of 101 Lingas for the performance of pooja by Sri Ram but not before the auspicious time. Sri Ram was, therefore, constrained to pray Lord Siva and Lord Siva transfigured as Siva Linga and manifested before Sri Ram. Sri Ram consecrated the above Siva Lingam in the accompaniment of Sri Seeta. Hanuman felt unhappy as the 101 Lingams brought by him found no favor with Sri Ram. He lost his calmness and darted them away. Sri Ram pacified Hanuman and gave a boon that the devotees who pray 101 Siva Lingas brought by Hanuman would attain salvation.

The excavation revealed the back history of 1600 years and from it is known that the various kings of different dynasties like Shatavahanas, Ikshvakulu, Vishnu Kundinulu, Pallavas ruled the Andhra region. The present authorities of the temple have already taken action to construct a ten-storied Rajagopuram, which is under completion.

Importance of the Temple

Sivarahtri Brahmostavam is performed on a very large scale when lakhs of devotees visit the temple from all the corners of the State and seek the blessings of Lord Siva.

LEGEND

It is said that despondent at the horrors of the great war of Mahabharat at Kurukshetra, Sage Vyasa went on a pilgrimage of Dakshinapatham (South India), accompanied by his son Shukadeva and other rishis. He stayed in a village for some time to meditate, which was called "Vyasapuri" in his honor, later changed as "Vasar" and today it is called "Basar".

During his stay, Sage Vyasa used to bring three handfuls of sand daily after a bath in the Godavari. He used to place sand at a particular place and slowly it transformed itself as images of Saraswathi. This idol made of sand has its face smeared with turmeric. Eating a little bit of this turmeric paste, it is believed, will enhance one's wisdom and knowledge. Many people, in fact, take their kids to Basar for "Akshara abhyasam" before commencing formal school education.

However, according to another legend, Adikavi Valmiki installed Saraswathi and wrote the Ramayana here. There is a marble image of Valmiki and his samadhi near the temple.