Iluru

Iluru
village
Interactive map of Iluru
Iluru
Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
Coordinates: 16°15′47″N 80°49′50″E / 16.2631°N 80.8305°E / 16.2631; 80.8305
CountryIndia
StateAndhra Pradesh
DistrictKrishna
Government
 • TypeGram Panchayat
 • BodyIluru Gram Panchayat
Area
 • Total
4.66 km2 (1.80 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total
1,475
 • Density317/km2 (820/sq mi)
Languages
 • OfficialTelugu
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
Postal code
521 247
Vehicle registrationAP 16
Lok Sabha constituencyMachilipatnam
Vidhan Sabha constituencyPamarru

Iluru is a village located in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, India (Thotlavalluru Mandal).

Ancient and Historic temple

Iluru Rameswara Swamy Temple

Iluru is a historically significant village located on the opposite bank of the Krishna River from Chilumuru. It forms the second part of the Ubhaya Rameswara Kshetram pilgrimage circuit.[2]

Religious Significance

While the Chilumuru shrine features the sand Lingam created by Sita Devi, the temple at Iluru houses the Lingam brought by Hanuman from Mount Kailasa. According to the Sthala Purana, after finding that the auspicious timing for the consecration at Chilumuru had passed, Lord Rama directed Hanuman to install the Kailasa Lingam across the river in Iluru.

This creates a spiritual "balance" between the two villages:

  • Chilumuru: Represents the Saikata Lingam (Sand) established by the power of Sita's devotion.
  • Iluru: Represents the Shila Lingam (Stone) brought from the Himalayas by Hanuman.

The village is noted for its traditional architecture and its proximity to the river, which allows devotees to take a holy dip (Snanam) before visiting the shrine. During the Maha Shivaratri and Kartika Masam festivals, a large number of pilgrims travel between Chilumuru and Iluru to complete the "Ubhaya" (both) darshan, often crossing the river or using the connecting road bridge.

References

  1. ^ a b "District Census Handbook – Krishna" (PDF). Census of India. p. 16,400. Retrieved 11 February 2016.
  2. ^ Eenadu. "Iluru Temple".