Information of Neelakanteshwara Temple (Kanteshwar Temple), Nizamabad, Telangana

Neelakanteshwara Temple (Kanteshwar Temple) is located in the heart of Nizamabad town, in the district of Nizamabad, in the state of Telangana, in South India. It is an early medieval period Hindu temple in this particular region. The primary deity of this shrine is Lord Shiva. It is a unique Lord Shiva temple that is built as per the Jain style and pattern of architecture. As per the local legends and religious experts, it was constructed in a successful manner by Satakarni-II who was a Sathavahana King who ruled this region approximately 500 years ago. Within the temple premises, there are sub-temples dedicated to Lord Satyanarayana and Goddess Annapurna. The temple's annual festival is conducted during Ratha Sapthami in a religious manner. It is one of the most frequented and sought after Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in this district.

Neelakanteshwara Temple Religious Significance

Neelakanteshwara Temple is largely known amongst its adherent devotees and pilgrims for the strict manner of following the Vedic rules and regulations to a great extent in the religious affairs. It is a Lord Shiva temple, where Shiva pooja is performed in a spiritual manner with a lot of perfection. This shrine is well-appointed with vast experienced and well-qualified priests for conducting all types of religious functions and activities. They also guide the visitors with right type of poojas, homams and yagnas to be conducted in order to seek the blessing of the Lord for happiness and prosperity in their personal and professional life. The main attraction of this shrine is the grand celebration of Mahashivarathri. On the special eve of this festival, a large number of local devotees and pilgrims drop in for actively participating in the religious affairs of this shrine.

Neelakanteshwara Temple Architectural Significance

Neelakanteshwara Temple is popularly known among the visitors and tourists for its unique Jain style and pattern of architecture. It is strongly claimed to be built during the period of Sathvahanas. A stone inscription within the temple complex cites that it was built in a successful manner by Satakarni-II about 500 years ago. During those days, it was one and only Lord Shiva temple in this region. It gained immediate prominence because of its architectural and religious significance in this area among the local people. The Vimana or tower is tall and broad on the main sanctum. It is filled with certain images of Local Gods and Goddesses in the dancing form. The ceiling and flooring of the main sanctum and prayer hall has attractive carvings. There are only few sub-temples situated within the given temple complex. These sub-temples are arranged in a systematic manner as per the Vasthusastra and Vedic rules and regulations. As per the local legends of this region, the selection of spot for building this temple was taken after conducting a grand homam for this purpose under the supervision of the King. It is also claimed that the King personally supervised the construction activities during the building of this shrine.

Festivals at Neelakanteshwara Temple

In the district of Nizamabad, Neelakanteshwara Aalayam is popularly known for conducting all the Lord Shiva related festive and auspicious days in a religious manner. The main festival of this shrine is Mahashivarathri. On this festive eve, devotees and pilgrims from the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and rest of Telangana visit this temple with great faith and devotion. On all the auspicious days, special Shiva pujas are performed in the presence of local people, pilgrims and devotees.