A Towering Presence: Shiva at Sunrise Point, Penukonda

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Near the Sunrise Viewpoint within the fort precincts of Penukonda stands a striking and monumental form of Shiva. Positioned against a dramatic natural backdrop of rugged hills and cloudy skies, this contemporary representation serves as a visual and spiritual anchor for the region, an area once resonating with the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire.

The seated form of Shiva, rendered in soothing bluish-grey tones, is seen in a meditative posture, legs crossed in yogasana, arms resting on the knees, fingers gently curved in dhyana mudra. Calm and commanding, the expression reflects stillness, balance, and inward focus. A towering Trishula rises beside the image, reinforcing the iconography associated with the deity.



While clearly a recent addition, the structure maintains spiritual continuity with the sacred geography of Penukonda, a town marked by its shrines, stepped tanks and mandapas.

From the Sunrise Point, panoramic views of the Penukonda plains unfold, with the layered clouds and slanting sunlight offering a moment of reflection, a setting where silence prevails, save for the occasional whisper of the breeze through trees and shrubs.

This newly installed image of Shiva may not belong to the past centuries, but it echoes the age-old tradition of honoring sacredness through form and scale. Amidst historical ruins and fortified walls, it standsa sentinel of serenity, symbolising both remembrance and renewal.

Happy travelling.


Location: Penukonda, Andhra Pradesh 515110, India

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