Sri Kumara Rama Bheemeswara Swamy Temple

Overview

This is one of the five important and popular Pancharama Kshetras dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. This temple is located in Samarlakota near Kakinada.

About the Temple

Lord Shiva is called as Kumara Bhimeswara Swami and his consort is Goddess Bala Tripurasundari. On hearing the plight of the Devas, Shiva killed the Asuras with His Pasupatastra (considered the highest weapon, an Arrow). However, a huge stone lingam, worshipped by Asuras, remained intact after the encounter. This was split into five lingams by the Lord Himself and distributed for installing at five different places which came to be locally known as Pancharams. According to Skandhapurana, one of those five lingams was installed by lord Kumara swami, second son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati at Samarlakota. Hence the temple is called Kumara Rama.

The temple premises almost resemble one of the other Pancharama temples at Draksharama called Bhimeswara Alayam. The temple is surrounded by two walls built of dressed sand stones. The outer wall is pierced by gopurams (entrance) on all the four sides. The main entrance is called Surya Dwaram. There are carvings of divine Apsaras on pillars. A mandapam supported with one hundred pillars can be seen. The inner enclosure wall is divided into two sections horizontally separated by a cornice. It has a two storied pillared mandapam running all the inner side. To the East side, there is a mandapam called Koneti where Pushkarni Lake can be seen.

The main shrine is free standing lying at the centre of the inner enclosure. The temple is a rectangular structure and is two storied. People can see Shivalingam at the first floor. Steps are there at both the sides. The lime stone Lingam is very tall that it rises from the ground floor and enters the second floor through the roof, where the Rudra-bhaga is worshipped. Goddess Shri Bala Tripurasundari statue can be seen at temple premises. Nandi is kept at the temple entrance opposite to Shiva lingam. The present Vimana of the main shrine has been renovated and is covered with thick plaster.

About the Deity

The main deity of this temple is Lord Kumara Bhimeswara Swami (Lord Shiva) in the form of a big Shiva lingam. The Shivalingam here is made of limestone, and is 16 ft high.

Legend and Stories

The Eastern Chalukyas had a great share in developing the temple and town. According to the inscriptions in the temple, it was constructed by Eastern Chalukya king Chalukya Bhima-I in the 9th century AD and the main God Shiva was named after him as Chalukya Bhimesvara Kumararama.

According to legend, Lord Vishnu, in incarnation as Mohini, started distributing the nectar obtained by the churning of the ocean to both the Devas and Asuras. Dissatisfied, the Asuras resorted to severe penance on the advice of sage Narada and were blessed by Lord Shiva. With the power newly got, they harmed the Devas, who sought refuge with Lord Shiva.

Festivals

During Karthika and Margashira months (November-December) Abhishekams (anointments) are carried out every day. During February-March, Kalyana Mahotsam Magha Bahula Ekadashi day is celebrated. In the months of October, Dussera is also celebrated. On Maha Shivarathri, there are a lot of grand celebrations especially, the car festival.

Significance

People pray for relief from domestic problems and to gain fortune.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is at Rajahmundry, but not many flights stop by here unlike Visakhapatnam.

Railways

Samalkota railway station is very nearest to the temple.

Road

Samalkot is 40 Kms from Annavaram, 15 Kms from Kakinada, 49 kms from Rajahmundry, and 125 kms from Visakhapatnam and is well connected by buses.

Temple Address

Sri Chalukya Kumararama Sri Bhimeswaraswami vari Temple
Samalkot,
East Godavari District,
Andhra Pradesh.