Kumararama Bhimesavara Swami Temple,Andhra Pradesh

Kumararama Bhimesavara Swami Temple is one of the five important and popular Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu God Siva. This temple is located in Samarlakota near Kakinada around 10 km, and 1 km from Samarlakota town in the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh in South India. The other four temples are Amararama at Amaravati, Draksharama at Draksharama , Ksheerarama at Palakollu and Somarama at Bhimavaram

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Kumararama Bhimesavara Swami Temple is built quite similarly to the Draksharama Temple. It is surrounded by two prakara walls, the outer wall has entrances on all the four directions. The main hall of the temple, supported by 100 pillars is an example of architectural excellence. A monolithic Nandi bull sits guarding the inner sanctum where the Shivalimgam is present. The limestone linga is 16 feet tall. It rises from the ground floor and pierces the roof to reach the 2nd floor where it is worshipped as Rudrabhaga. Mahashivratri and Kalyana Mahotsavam are some of the important festivals of this temple.

According to historians, the Dravidian Temple architecture is attributed to the Chalukya king – Bhima I, towards the end of the 9th century. Hence the name, Kumara Bhimeswara Swamy Temple.

But the previous history of thie same temple says the following Lord Shiva is known as Kumara Bhimeswara Swamy here. The consort of Lord Kumara Bhimeswara Swamy is Bala Tripurasundari. According to legend, the Sivalinga at the temple place was installed and established by Lord Kumaraswamy. Maha Shivaratri, Karthika Masam and Sarannavarathri are the main festivals celebrated at the temple.

There is an interesting legend regarding the name of this place and existence of Lord Shiva in this place. During Tarakasura vadha, the Shiva Linga which was in the throat of Tarakasura broke into five pieces and one of the pieces fell here. Thereafter, it came to be known as Kumararama. Lord Bhimeswara Swamy was installed by Kumara Swamy (son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati) and hence the temple is called KumaraRama. This temple was built in Dravidian style, by the King Chalukya Bhima. Hence the name is Bhimeswara.^[2]

The main shrine is a free standing monument lying at the center of the inner enclosure. The temple is a rectangular structure and has two storeyd.

Darshan of Sivalingam is at the first floor. Steps are available at both the side. The lime stone Linga, installed in the shrine, is so tall that it rises from the pedestal on the ground floor and enters the second floor by piercing the roof, where the Rudrabhaga is worshipped. Goddess Shri Bala Thripura Sundari statue can be seen at temple premesis. Eka Sila Nandi is kept at the temple entrance opposite to Sivalingam.

Kumararama Bhimesavara Swami Temple timings are from morning 6.00am to 12.00 noon and after noon 4.00pm to 8.00pm

During November–December (Karthika and Margashira masam) months daily Abhisheka is carried out. There will be Utsavam (Kalyana Mahotsam) during February–March (Magha Bahula Ekadashi day) time. Till Maha Shivarathri grand celebrations in the temple can be seen. Temple timings are from morning 6.00am to 12.00 noon and after noon 4.00pm to 8.00pm.^[5] Additional places of interest around Samalkot include Draksharama, Annavaram, Thalupulamma Thalli and Rajahmundry. Budget hotels are available in Samalkot to stay. Travellers can also make Rajahmundry as the center place for their trip.

By road:

Samalkot is 40 km from Annavaram, 15 km from Kakinada, 49 km from Rajahmundry, and 125 km from Visakhapatnam.

By train:

As Samalkot is on the Vijaywada-Howrah broad gauge railway line of South – Central Railway, a lot of trains stop here. One can access this place by buses as this connected with National Highways.

By air:

The nearest airport is at Rajahmundry, but not many flights stop by here unlike Visakhapatnam where one has a lot of options.

Accomodation:

Budget hotels are available in Samalkot to stay. Travellers can also make Rajahmundry as the center place for their trip.