Kaleswaram:
The Shiva temple in Kaleswaram is one of three Shiva temples noted as residing in Trilinga Desham (Land of Three Lingams), the region of the Telugu speaking people of telangana. Kaleswaram forms one of the three corners of Andhra Desha, with the other two main temples being Draksharamam in East Godavari district and Srishailam in Kurnool. The site of the Brahma Temple marks the northernmost border of the Telugu nation.
Kaleshwar is also known as Dakshina Triveni Sangamam, because of the confluence of the two rivers, with are said to meet with a third unseen flow of the Antarvaahini (part of the underground Saraswati River). It is said that a Vaishya once performed abhisheka to Kaleswara Mukteswara here with hundreds of milk pots, and the milk was being produced by the sangam (confluence) of Godavari and Pranahita. Thus, it is also called Dakshina Gangotri.
Prior to 1975, there was so little facility for transport, that the Kalesvaram temple was far too difficult for most pilgrims to try and reach. It was surrounded by thick forest, and several streams had to be crossed along the way. Only a narrow cart track existed for foot traffic. Over many centuries, probably since the time the main temple was built by the Chalukyas, then renovated by the Kakatiyas during the 12th or 13th century, no effort was made to make Kalesvaram more accessible. That only happened when a government grant allowed a temple committee to be formed in the mid-1970's, and they began temple renovations and created road access.
Today, three big festivals are celebrated in Kaleshwar each year -- Maha Shivaratri, Shiva Kalyanam, and Durga Navratri - and throngs of pilgrims come here during Kartikka. The hermitage of Saint Gautama and his Manthani temple are nearby, along with a famous Lord Nrsimhadev temple, and another dedicated to Hanuman.
78 kms. from Karimnagar along the River Godavari is the 15th century temple town of Dharmapuri, where King Bali Verma performed the Dharma Devta Yagna. A famous 13th century Sri Lakshmi-Narsimha Swamy temple is located here, along with Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple, the Sri Ramallingeshwara Swamy temple where Shiva and Vishnu temples exist side by side, and another Brahma deity we will mention later
This temple is about 350 years old. A folk lore goes that the presiding deity of this temple Lord Laxminarayana arrived into Manthani in bullock carts of Chinta Pandu (Tamarind) that is being brought into the village for being sold. An old man asked the business men carrying tamarind in bullock carts for a lift across the village and near the Varadaraja Swamy Temple, the bullock cart that carrying this old man got struck and on checking with the load, it has been observed that the old man turned into a beautifully carved Black Stone Idol of Lord Laxminarayana with four hands and in sitting posture.
The idol was then shifted into the temple and before a final decision could be made about the position of installation, it has been found that the idols of Lord Varadaraja Swamy and Lord Keshavananda Swamy that were already existing in the temple moved apart and gave place for Lord Laxminarayana's idol in the middle of the sanctum sanctorium. There are, of course, no historical or documentary proofs for this story.
In 1965, a local vaishya devotee Shri Dontula Vaikuntham sponsored brass metal covering of the 30 FT Dhwaja Sthambam in the temple. In 1967, another local Komati devotee Shri Illendula Chantiah installed the idol of Andallu Ammavaru in memory of his parents.
This temple is at the heart of the village and probably, that's why, it is well maintained by local people. There are everyday bhajans, kirtans, poojas, regular visits, at this temple. Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Dasara, Rama Navami, Krishna Asthami, etc. are main activity Utsavams here.
Maha Lakshmi Temple:
This temple is of about 250 years old is on the bank of Ravula Cheruvu on the West of the village. It is in a 20 Sq. Mt. area with a Mantapam constructed with stone pillars. There are two dwarapalakas carved on the entrance. The presiding deity is Goddess Maha Lakshmi the bestower of wealth. The Chaturbhuja Maha Lakshmi is carved on a 1 Mt. Slab as the Goddess is holding a dagger, a kumkuma bharine, a lotus and a chakra in each of her hands.
Recently a magnificent dwaram was constructed. Of late, there has been efforts to get the doors of the main sanctum sanatorium covered with silver sheets. Funds are being raised towards this project both from local and nonlocal devotees. Besides regular bhajans, poojas and weekly poojas during Fridays, the Devi Navaratri Utsavams are main attractions among activities at this Temple.
Vinayaka Temple:
Seeleswara and Siddeswara Temples :
Vinayaka Temple:
The Vinayaka Temple is on Godavari Road on the Northern side of village. It is about 250 years old and was constructed by a Local Brahmin. The presiding deity in the temple is Lord Vinayaka. The idol is carved on a Slab of 1-½ Mt. height. The idols of Bhageerathi with tweleve hands, Veera Bhadra and Kala Bhairava are also worshiped around the premises of this Vinayaka Temple.
Seeleswara and Siddeswara Temples :
No recorded evidences are found supporting the origination of these twin temples stand highly / grandly and allowing a panoramic view of the surroundings. Local elders remember to have heard that there were two army chiefs in the army of King Prola?II who defeated Gunda Raju of Mantrakootam. It was these two Commanders of King Prola?II who built these twin temples in memory of their victory over Gunda Raju. This folklore also goes to say that these two commanders also built the Seela Samudram, a pond further west to the Ravula Cheruvu. These twin temples were subsequently renovated by a local resident Shri Loke Ramanna (who later took Sanyasam and known as Shri Ramanandendra Saraswati Swamy, thereafter) in 1942. He added a small temple of ‘Jagadguru Shankaracharya’ right in between these twin temples and installed the Shankaracharya’s idol carved in marble stone. Both the temples are located on an elevated platform and gives a grand look. Constructed with stone pillars with beautiful figures carved thereon, these twin temples very much stand in line with the Kakatiya Architecture. The principal deity of both these temples is ‘Lord Shiva’ in the form of Shiva Lingam. In both the temples Goddess Paravati is in the back corner of the garbha griha, and Lord Ganesha was before the Garbha Griha. As the tradition goes, there are Nandis and Dhwaja Sthambhams in both these temples.
Dattatreya Temple :
This temple is said to be built by a devotee of Shri Dattatreya Swami, namely, Smt. Domala Radhamma about a Century ago. The presiding deity in the temple is Lord Dattatreya. The marble stone idol of 45 CM height of Lord Dattatreya is in all grandeur of the God.
Omkareswara Temple:
This temple is on the Tammi Cheruvu Katta in north west part of the village. The presiding deity of this temple is again Lord Shiva in the form of a Shiva Lingam. Goddess Parvathi is back side of Lord Shiva and Lord Nandi is in the front hall before the Garbha Griha. This temple is 6X6 Mt. in area with a Gopuram of 35 Ft. height, and Dhwaja Sthambham of 9 Mt. height. The main temple is strangely in Boudha Architecture that is quite uncommon in this part of Andhra Pradesh. Though the actual time of construction is not known, the construction, the style, the materials that are used in construction suggests that this temple is also ages old.
Goutameshwara Temple :
Goutameshwara is the presiding deity of the Village and the Goutameshwara Temple as well. This temple is located on the bank of Godavari and is one of the grandest temples in and around the village.
Saraswati Temple:
This is a temple constructed by a local Brahmin (Late) Shri Choppakatla Papaiah about 200 years ago. A stone idol of Goddess Saraswati of a height of 3 Ft. is installed in the temple.
Bhelu Hanuman Temple:
Hanuman temples in manthani 1.Tammicheru katta hanuman 2.Penjeru katta hanuman 3.Ravula Cheruvu Katta 4.Vagu Gadda 5.Bala Veera Hanuman 5.Ganga Daggari Hanuman 6.Library Hanuman 7.Balleru Hanuman
Bhiksheshwara Temple:
The architecture suggests Kakatiya period. There are archeological treasures around this temple. It is believed by local people that there are temples and places of worship that are buried around this temple. One of such buried treasures was found in the form of an idol of Sun God when a local resident got his house's foundation dug for repairing. This idol is presently laying in open near the temple compound.
The temple is amidst local residents and still regularly visited by locals despite the near ruin status of the entire compound. A local Brahmin Shri Mahavadi Vissayya funded its renovation during 1940s. But still this temple needs attention specially in view of the fact that this is the only temple where devotee enters into the temple from a Southern Dwaram. This feature is not considered auspicious for temples and no where else such an entrance is found.
Sai BabaTemples:
There are two Sai Baba Temples in the village. Locals constructed these temples in late 1990s. One of them is for Shirdi Sai Baba and the other is for Puttaparti Sai Baba. Both are well maintained and are of in the modern temple architecture that is found all over Andhra Pradesh.
Ramalayam Temple:
Sri Govinda Naik, the then District Collector of Karimnagar District constructed this temple in early 20th Century. The idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshmana and Hanuman were originally brought from Kashi.
