Temples: history, architecture and distribution

[ramana]

Deccan Chronicel, 15 Oct., 2006. The townis also famous for being the home town of PV Narasimha Rao.

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Abode of mantras
 
Heritage

<b>Karimnagar: A heritage museum has been set up by the Sri Seetharama Sevasadan of Manthani to familiarise the new generation with the resplendent heritage of the temple town, which was called Mantrakuta in the days of ore. </b>The museum, named Mantrapuri Darshanam, is an attempt to chronicle and highlight the way of life and customs of Manthani people for ages.

According to legends, Lord Gautameswara (Shiva), the presiding deity of the town, created it as a refuge for sages who were being pestered by demonic beings.  The word Mantrakuta literally means centre of mantras or chants of the Vedas. <b>There is also another belief that the temple town derived its name from the hermitage of Sage Gautama, where people from far-off places came to learn Veda mantras.</b>

Historians also agree that the temple town is very old. References to Manthani are found in the Skanda Purana and inscriptions at Gaya, proving its long history. Archaeologists found similar inscriptions in the Hanuman temple at Manthani.  During the sixth century AD, Adi Sankaracharya visited the town. There are records of the Jagadguru’s visit at Dwarakapeetam and Pushpagiripeetam.

The area was under the rule of Kakatiya kings and later came under the control of Mohammad-bin-Tuglaq and his deputies, until it became part of the Nizam’s territory in 1724 AD. All these legends and vignettes have found place in the museum, wherein wide range of tools and artefacts from bygone eras have been displayed. They were collected painstakingly by volunteers of the sevasadan.

The heritage museum, a brainchild of Narayana Guruji, the founder of the sevasadan, was formally opened for visitors by government whip D. Sridhar Babu, a native of Manthani, on April 3. “It is a commendable effort,” said Mr Sashi Bhushan Kache, former sarpanch of Manthani. “The old building housing the museum is itself an instance of the distinctive architectural culture of our town.”

Visitors can see artistically carved earthen pots, brass and steel utensils, intricately designed wooden furniture, various household articles, ornaments, musical instruments and traditional dresses reflecting the judicious blend of Telangana and Marathi cultures. Town dwellers have also done their mite. M. Savitri, a resident of Manthani, donated the Uyyala, dangling wooden furniture preserved by her forefathers. Another resident, Krishna Mohan, gifted the large Naagali (traditional agriculture tool used to till the land) dating back over a century.  “It reminds us of the glory of the past and the rich lifestyle of our forefathers”, said S Rakesh, an intermediate student of Manthani. “It’s entertaining and informative.”
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->