Ramagiri is a beautiful place in the South Indian state Andhra Pradesh. It is situated about 5 km from Nagalapuram. This place has a long and interesting legend associated with it. It is nestled in picturesque mountains and sylvan scenery. There are two ancient temples here, one at the foot and the other on the top of a scenic hillock.
Ramagiri is also known as `Bhairava Kshethra`, which means the abode of Bhairava. `Lord Kalabhairava` is the presiding deity of the hill foot temple. It is one of the various forms of `Lord Siva` in which the Lord assumes the role of commander of the hill top temple. The above temple is dedicated to `Lord Muruga`, the son of the divine couple Lord Siva and goddess Parvathi.
According to the popular legends, it is believed that once Lord Anjaneya on a duty was going by air to Rameswaram with a Siva Linga taken from Kasi. It was to be installed there carefully placed on his mighty shoulders. At that time, he was suddenly attacked by strange and dry weather with the Sun scorching very hot. The wind was also blowing against and trying to follow the air borne Lord. It was planned by the Lord Kalabhairava, who wanted the Linga to be installed right here at his place. Lord Anjaneya, ignorant about this, landed the place in search of water. He ran from here and there and finally found a beautiful calm cool pond. This Linga of Ramagiri was supposed to be installed at Rameswaram only and not to be placed anywhere before that. So, he requested a boy to hold it for few moments till he drinks water. This boy was none other than Lord Kalabhairava, who placed the Linga down there and vanished in seconds. This made Anjaneya very angry and he tried to take out the Linga from there but in vain. Then he encircled the Linga with his long tail and tried to take it out from there. But, it was just slightly inclined and he could not even move it. Now, Lord Kalabhairava appeared before him and told him the real facts.
Even today, this Linga can be seen slightly inclined with horizontal marks around left by the tail of Lord Anjaneya. There is a tank here near the temple and the water of it are said to have curative powers. This water comes from a perennial sweet water spring in the above mountain. This water flows into the tank from the mouth of the Holy Nandi Bull of Lord Siva. This `Nandi` is sculpted beautifully on the sidewall of the tank about a foot above the water level. This is maintained by a continuous inflow and outflow of the spring waters that refill the tank without any break. The spring water is utilised for drinking and the water flowing out of the tank is applied for irrigation in and around Ramagiri. Buses ply from Uthukottai and Pichattoor for Ramagiri.
