Yaganti, in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh in India, is a popular tourist site that is famous for its temple of Sri Yagantiswamy, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the perfect way to get a feel of the Andhra Pradesh tourism. Also known as Uma Maheshwara Temple, the ancient Sri Yagantiswamy temple dates back to the 5th and 6th centuries. The temple houses the idol of Shiva and Parvathi fused together, called Ardhanareeswara. This fascinating idol is carved out of a single stone and is a marvellous idol of the deities to behold. The festival of Maha Shiv Ratri which falls around October or November each year is celebrated with great pomp and show at the temple. Tourists and especially devotees of Lord Shiva flock to the temple in huge numbers during this time.
The magnificent temple commands high reverence not only because of its religious significance but also because it has many striking and unusual features. To begin with, Yaganti is perhaps the only temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, where he is worshipped in the form of an idol, instead of Shiva Linga. The temple also has the Agastya Pushkarni, where water flows from the bottom of the hill, throughout the year. Worshippers take a dip in the holy water as a form of worship to the deity.
