Ramagiri, a village situated in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh is around 95 Kilometers northwest of Chennai en route to Puttur from Uthukottai after crossing Surutupalli and Nagalapuram. The deity here is Sri Valeeswarar and Goddess Sri Margadhambikai. Though this is a Shiva temple, the presiding deity is Kaala Bhairava also known as Santhaana Praapti Bhairavar. This deity is worshiped by childless couples to be blessed with a baby.

In Ramayana, after defeating Ravana, Rama reached Rameswaram, on his way to Ayodhya. As he killed Ravana, he was caught by Brahmahathi Dhosha. One will suffer from this Dhosha, if he kills a Brahmin. Ravana, though being a demon king, was a Brahmin as he was born to a Rishi. Rama was advised by His Guru Sage Vasishta to get a Shiva Linga from Kaasi (Varanasi) and perform poojas to Lord Shiva to get relieved from the Dhosha, so that he can proceed to Ayodhya to take charge as the king. Rama took his Guru’s advice and sent Anjaneya (Hanuman) to bring a Shiva Linga from Kaasi Anjaneya dutifully obeyed Lord Rama's orders and went to Kaasi to bring a Shiva Linga. On his way back, he was passing through this place calledKaalinga Madu Karai or Thirukkaarikkarai, where Lord Kala Bhairavar was present. Kala Bhairava saw Anjaneya with the Shiva Linga and wanted Lord Shiva to take abode in His place here. He wanted to play a trick for His dream to come true. He requested Lord Surya (Sun God) and Vaayu (God of Air) for cooperation. Suddenly Sun started shining heavily, emitting high temperature and dry wind blew all over. Anjaneya became thirsty because of this act. He landed there and saw a boy wandering with his cows who was Lord Kala Bhairava in disguise.

He asked the boy for any water source nearby. Lord Kala Bhairava prayed to Mother Ganga and a water pond hit Anjaneya’s sight. Anjaneya requested the small boy to hold the Shiva Linga till he came back as it should not be kept on the ground. The boy agreed and while Anjaneya was quenching his thirst, the boy told Anjaneya, that the Shiva Linga was too heavy for him to hold anymore and kept it on the ground and went away.

Anjaneya came back and saw the Shiva Linga on the ground. He tried lifting it but failed. He tied his tail around the Shiva Linga and tried to lift it using all his strength. The Shiva Linga tilted a bit but never came off the ground. Anjaneya realized that it is impossible to lift it and started to Kaasi again to bring another Shiva Linga for Lord Rama. When he started, he felt that the atmosphere was normal. Suddenly, the heat of the Sun came down and there was cold breeze. He understood that it was a trick played by someone.

Out of anger, he cursed the pond to become a hill.

The pond became the hill here, on which a Murugan Temple is situated now. The Shiva Lingam which was brought by Lord Anjaneyar is situated in the temple at the foot hill.

As Anjaneya brought the Shiva Lingam here, which was meant for Rama, the place came to be known as Ramagiri

Since Anjaneya tried to pull the Shiva Lingam with his tail, the Lord here is called as Vaaleeswarar. (Vaal means Tail in Tamil & Vaalam is the Sanskrit word for tail)

Another unique feature of this temple is Lord Anjaneya is present in front of the sanctum between the deity and the Nandhi facing Lord Shiva in a praying gesture. Such Shiva temple is not seen anywhere else.

The temple pond which is situated in front of the temple, is called Nandhi Theertham. There is a small Shiva Linga with a Nandhi nearby. The Nandhi’s front half is seen protruding from the wall of the pond. The water originating somewhere from the hill, reaches a small well and from there it passes and comes through this Nandhi’s mouth and flows into the pond. Native villagers say that they have never seen this water flow stop, as far as they can remember. Also they are not sure about the source from where the water reaches Nandhi.

Also one can see Sri Bhairavar only in the praakaarams of Shiva Temples. But here, Sri Kaala Bhairavar has a separate shrine located in such a way that one has to visit Him first before proceeding for the dharshan of Lord Shiva.

As the Shiva Linga here is brought by Anjaneya from Kaasi, it is said that by worshiping Sri Vaaleeswarar here, one gets the benefit of worshiping Lord Shiva of Kaasi.

How to get there:

There are frequent bus services run by APSRTC and TNSTC to Tirupati. One can take a bus from CMBT and get off at Pichatur and ask for directions from the locals to reach the temple.

Source: Chennai Online