Hatakeswaram — Attraction in Andhra Pradesh

Located on the foothills of Nallamala Hills, Srisailam, Hathakesvara Temple holds a significant position among devotees. Anyone who comes for a Srisailam tour pays a visit to this ancient temple as well. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. A mystical Shiva lingam has been enshrined in the temple.

 Although smaller in structure, Hathakesvara Temple presents beautiful architecture. This temple is consisted of an open Mukha-mandapa with many pillars and a Garbhagriha.

It attracts devotees from everywhere with its significant history. One of the major attractions of Hathakesvara Temple is the belief that by visiting this temple and seeking blessing of the Sri Hatakeswara Swamy, a form of Lord Shiva, devotees can get rid of various diseases. The Shiva Lingam is said to hold exceptional powers to cure devotees of various kinds of illnesses.

Another attractive feature of Hatakeswara Swamy Temple is the breathtaking view of the surrounding hills and the river that one gets from here.

History and Legend of Hathakesvara Temple, Srisailam Dating back to 11th or 13th century, this temple is historically significant. It is the place from where the celebrated saint and philosopher Sri Sankaracharya wrote one of his philosophical treatises.

 As per the legend behind Hatakeswaram temple, a potter, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, used to lead a simple life. He would give all his food to the pilgrims. One day to test him, Lord Shiva appeared in the semblance of a pilgrim and begged him for food. Unluckily, potter didn’t have any food left in the home. Disheartened by his inability to offer food to the pilgrim, he prayed to Lord Shiva.

Pleased with his unflinching devotion, he appeared in a pot. This is the reason why this temple is known by the name of Atikeswaram, from the word Atika, meaning piece of pot. The word Atikeswaram later came to be known as Hatakeswaram.

As per another story, this temple received its name Hatakeswaram from the yogic school named Hatha Yoga. There are also a few findings, according to which, during medieval time there was a laboratory for Rasa Yoga at this place. This temple is also said to be a prominent centre for many secret sects of Saivism during ancient times.

Timings of Hathakesvara Temple, Srisailam  Hatakeswaram Temple Timings are from 6 AM to 9 PM, it is open on all days of the week.

How to reach Hathakesvara Temple near Srisailam Hatakeswaram Temple is around 5 km away from the Srisailam town. It is located on the way to Srisailam. It can be reached via local transports like auto rickshaws or local buses. Tourists can also hire a private taxi and reach the temple...

A modest temple, housing a Shiva Linga, tends to be one of the most frequently visited temples, by the locals. The temple is said to at the same place as where Sri Sankaracharya, a revered saint created one of his philosophical texts.

This picturesque spot is on the way to Srisailam of about 5 Km away in a serine atmosphere.

Tradition hopes that at this place God Siva appeared to a potter devotee in Atika (Piece of Pot) and hence named as Atikeswaram and later it became as Hatakeswaram.

Another tradition gives the name to this place from a particular yogic school known as Hatayoga, one of the form of Astangayogas (the eight yogas).

Some historians located a laboratory of Akhemy (Rasayoga) at this place during medieval times. The present temple dedicated to Hatakeswara Swamy is stone structure datable to 11th � 13th century A.D. and is consists of a Garbhagriha and opened pillered Mukhamandapa.

During the medieval times this spot was the centre for many secret sects of Saivisam who performed their rituals in the cave like chambers which can be seen even today.

This place give a panoramic view of the entire temple complex of Srisailam including the meandering...

This place is one of the Mystical spots of the Srisailam. In the chapter 7 of Kedara Khanda in Skanda Purana, various Lingas are mentioned. One of them is this Hatakesvara 🕉.

1. We visited this temple in April'22 during the scorching summer season. Carry waterbottle and snacks as we couldn't find any shops there.
2. It is situated 200 meters towards the right from the main road of the Mallikarjuna Swamy temple which is 3kms away.
3. There were lot of monkeys. One should be careful with the items being carried.
4. Once upon a time, there lived a pottery artist named Keshappa in Srisailam. He used to arrange feasts and fruits for the travellers of that region. Shivalingam emerged from the pieces of broken pottery and Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Golden Jyotirlingam. Since, Shiva emerged from Atika(pot), the god is called Atikeshwara and place as Atikeshwaram. Later, the place name got changed to Hatakeswaram - according to Skanda Purana it means golden(Hataka) god.
5. The Santana tree that's in front of the shrine is said to bless devotees with a child if one worships the tree and ties the knot 3 times after making 3 pradakshinas...