Ryali Importance

As per Bhagavatam, Lord Vishnu takes the guise of Mohini to rescue Devatas against Rakshasas during Samudra Mathana for getting Amrutam (holy devine nectar). During equally distributing the Amrutam among Devatas and Rakshasas, Mohini works in favour of Devatas and avoids the nectar by giving to Rakshasas. Lord Eshwara (Shiva) sees Mohini and falls in love with her. Lord Shiva comes to know that Mohini is the guise of Lord Vishnu when a flower falls from the plait of Mohini. This place where the flower has fallen is named RYALI meaning FALL in Telugu.

In Ryali Lord Shiva is worshipped as Uma Kamandaleswara because on the back side Lord Brahma Consecrated the Siva Lingam with his Kamandalam. The Mahavishnu is consecrated as Mohini at the back side and hence worshipped as Sri Jaganmohini Keshava Swamy. The temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu face each other in East and West direction, a rare feature to see at Ryali. The shrine of Sri Jaganmohini is a joy to see. The ten incornations of Lord Sri Vishnu and consorts are beautifully sculptured around the shrine.