The story! (How it all began)
- Legend has it that Rama installed the lingam here to atone for the sin of killing Ravana (who was a bramhin by birth, but a demon by nature). He selected this beautiful valley, surrounded by hills and verdant greenery, and ordered Hanuman to bring a lingam from Varanasi (the holy city of Kashi or Benares; believed to be Shiva's favourite place).
- Hanuman was late in arriving with the requested lingam and, as the auspicious hour was nearing, Shiva himself appeared before Rama and presented a lingam to him. Thus, the lingam in the temple is called a Swayambhu Linga. It is also called Ramalingeswara, as Rama had installed the lingam.
- Hanuman returned from Varanasi with 101 lingams to choose from, but felt aggrieved at not having his lingam installed; instead, he threw them all over the area. Even to this day, several lingams can be found scattered outside the temple. These lingams are worshipped along with the lingam in the sanctum of the temple, to this day.
- To pacify Hanuman, Rama ordained that precedence would be given to him for worship at the temple. He also said that the hillock where the lingam was installed would bear the name Kesarigiri—“Hanuman, the son of Kesari”. Over a period of time, it has colloquially transformed and is now known as Keesara, and the hill itself as Keesaragutta. Ever since, rituals have followed the command of Rama.