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A Rama temple older than Bhadrachalam shrine
A stone ‘parupubanda’ or ‘ladybanda’, two km from an ancient Rama temple in Jeedikallu village under Station Ghanpur constituency, has a significant place in Ramayana. This temple is believed to be older than the one at Bhadrachalam. Priests of the Bhadrachalam temple give the Jeedikallu shrine a special place.
Janagaon (Warangal dist): A stone ‘parupubanda’ or ‘ladybanda’, two km from an ancient Rama temple in Jeedikallu village under Station Ghanpur constituency, has a significant place in Ramayana. This temple is believed to be older than the one at Bhadrachalam. Priests of the Bhadrachalam temple give the Jeedikallu shrine a special place.
Local residents believe Lord Rama during his ‘vanavasam’ chasing a deer (actually a demon in disguise), is said to have killed it. Foot and blood marks of the animal can still be found on the stone. The ‘ladybanda’ has a hollow space, which, if wiped with a clean cloth, will yield water.
This has been experienced by tourists, who make it a point to visit Jeedikallu, treat the exercise as a divine blessing. They also carry this water as ‘teertham’. It is also believed that Lord Rama washed his bow and arrow in the hollow space. Although these beliefs form part of folklore, there is no clear proof if they are genuine or false.
This temple area lacks adequate facilities. There is no road connectivity. Hundreds of inam lands under it are being neglected, as there are no funds. Devotees who face hardship want the endowments department to develop this temple like Bhadharacham.
‘Valmiki Guha (cave) symbolising the ancient Valmiki Ashram can still be found on the Raghuramudi Gutta (hill). Huge panchaloha idols were found in the Rama temple on the hill, along with a tank which had water even in summer. Even thousands of years ago people were said to be living here, going by proofs like ‘rakshasa gundlu’, ash-mixed sand, ‘taita penkulu’.
Local people strongly believe Lord Rama moved in this area. His footmarks were found in a cave at Sorike at Prolakondagutta while he was moving from Valmidi to Jeedikallu. He rested there.
A huge fair used to be organised at this spot. Later, Prolakondagutta was developed by the first generation Kakatiya Kings. Every year Sri Rama Navami Kalyanotsavam is celebrated here during the period from ‘Karthika Pournami’ to ‘Bahula Dwadasi’.
