Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
The Sri Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple at Samarlakota (Samalkot), in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh, is Kumararama – one of the five sacred Pancharama Kshetras of Lord Shiva. Built more than eleven centuries ago by the Eastern Chalukya kings, it is also a fine historic monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and it remains a living temple where daily worship continues. It is locally known as the Sri Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple.
Main Deities
The presiding deity is Lord Shiva as Sri Bhimeswara Swamy. The white Shiva Lingam here is extraordinarily tall – about 14 to 16 feet – and rises through two storeys: devotees see its base on the ground floor and then climb to the upper floor, where the top of the Lingam receives worship. The Goddess is worshipped as Sri Bala Tripura Sundari.
Sthala Puranam
According to the Pancharama legend, when Kumaraswamy (Lord Subrahmanya) defeated the demon Tarakasura, the powerful Lingam the demon wore broke into five pieces, which fell at five holy places. Kumaraswamy himself is believed to have installed the Lingam at this place – which is why it is called Kumararama. The other Pancharamas are Amararama at Amaravathi, Draksharama, Somarama at Bhimavaram and Ksheerarama at Palakollu.
History and Architecture
The temple was built by the Eastern Chalukya king Chalukya Bhima I, who ruled from about 892 to 922 CE, and the Lord's name Bhimeswara recalls its royal builder. It is built in the Eastern Chalukya style and is very closely related in design to the Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Draksharamam, raised by the same king – the two are often called twin temples. Features include:
- a two-storeyed sanctum designed around the towering Lingam, with pillared corridors (prakaram) on both levels;
- strong outer walls of finely dressed stone with gateway towers;
- an elegant pillared mandapam, and inscriptions that record gifts made to the temple over the centuries;
- a large Nandi facing the sanctum.
Festivals
- Maha Shivaratri (February–March): the main festival, with special abhishekams, the Kalyanotsavam and large crowds of devotees.
- Karthika Masam (October–November): lamps and special worship, especially on Mondays; many devotees visit all five Pancharamas during this month.
- Devi Navaratri (September–October): special worship of Sri Bala Tripura Sundari.
Temple Timings
- The temple is generally open from morning until midday and again in the evening.
- Timings change on Shivaratri and during Karthika Masam; please check locally.
How to Reach
By Road: Samarlakota is about 12 km from Kakinada and about 50 km from Rajahmundry, on the main road between them. APSRTC buses run frequently.
By Train: Samalkot Junction, on the main Howrah–Chennai line, is close to the temple.
By Air: the nearest airport is Rajahmundry Airport (RJA), about 50 km away.
Visitor Information
- Dress code: traditional dress is recommended.
- Two-storey darshan: remember to climb to the upper floor to see and worship the top of the Lingam.
- Heritage care: this is a protected monument – please do not write on or damage the old stone walls and carvings.
- Pancharama yatra: the Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Draksharamam is about 30 km away and is often visited on the same day.
- Nearby temples: the Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple, Annavaram, about 40 km away.
