Hathakesvara Temple Srisailam

Hathakesvara Temple is located on the foothills of Nallamala Hills in Srishailam in the state of Andhra Pradesh. One of the major attractions of Hathakesvara Temple is the belief that by visiting this temple and seeking blessing of the Sri Hatakeswara Swamy, a form of Lord Shiva, devotees can get rid of various diseases. The Shiva Lingam is said to hold exceptional powers to cure devotees of various kinds of illnesses.

Although smaller in structure, Hathakesvara Temple presents beautiful architecture. This temple is consisted of an open Mukha-mandapa with many pillars and a Garbhagriha.

Dating back to 11th or 13th century, this temple is historically significant. It is the place from where the celebrated saint and philosopher Sri Sankaracharya wrote one of his philosophical treatises.

As per the legend behind Hatakeswaram temple, a potter, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, used to lead a simple life. He would give all his food to the pilgrims. Since the area was majorly a dense forest, he would consider everyone who wishes to travel among the forest as a form of Shiva.One day to test him, Lord Shiva appeared in the semblance of a pilgrim and begged him for food. Unluckily, potter didn’t have any food left in the home. Disheartened by his inability to offer food to the pilgrim, he prayed to Lord Shiva.
Pleased with his unflinching devotion, he appeared in a pot. This is the reason why this temple is known by the name of Atikeswaram, from the word Atika, meaning piece of pot. The word Atikeswaram later came to be known as Hatakeswaram.

The name Hatakeswara according to Skanda Purana means golden(Hataka) god. To regular devotees, the lingam may seem like just any other lingam but for spiritual gurus and yogis, this lingam emanates a golden glow that of a fire. The shrine of Hatakeswara also has a Hatakeswara water stream. One must take a bath in the stream and then worship the Lord. All trees surrounding this area are Santana trees that are said to bless devotees with a child if one eats its fruits after worshipping the god.