Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/OhngVgPXgL8
Location: "Ancient Shri Mukhalingeshwara Swamy Temple, HXV7+WCV, Mukhalingam, Andhra Pradesh 532428"
References: https://ancientterminus.com/sri-mukhalingam-temple/
Mukhalingam
is a village panchayat in Jalumuru mandal of Srikakulam district. It is home to
3 major temples dedicated to lord Shiva.
Scriptures suggest the importance of the tree called Madhuka which is
uniquely famous in the location. Sthala Purana mentions the
manifestation of Lord Shiva here in a Madhuka tree with the purpose of
relieving the Gandharvas born here from Vamadeva Maharshi’s curse. Lord Shiva
here is also hailed as Shri Madhukeshvara Swamy.
The origin of the name Mukhalingam, amongst the various views, one
states it as the corruption of “Mohalingam” which is the Odia/Prakrit form of
“Madhu[ka]linga”. Another view states that the linga at
the Madhukeswara shrine is a faceted one and therefore the shrine and the town
were termed as Mukhalinga with "Mukha" meaning face in Sanskrit/Telugu/Odia. It as also
been posited that "Mukhalingam" is derived from
"Mudu-Kalingam" which is the Telugu translation of the Sanskrit word
"Tri-kalinga". Mukhalingam was the main city in the region of Kalinga, also known in the ancient period as
Tri-Kalinga because it was divided into three regions.
The capital of the early Eastern Ganga Dynasty kings was Dantapura.
Danavarna, the second son of Virasingha (founder of Eastern Ganga Dynasty) and
Kamarnava-II (grandson) retained the center at Kalinganagar or Kalinganagari (present day Mukhalingam) while
remaining 5 sons of Virasingha ruled from different places. Eventually the
capital was moved from Dantapura to Mukhalingam. Kalinganagari (Mukhalingam) served as the
capital of Eastern Ganga Dynasty from 6th century AD to 12th
century AD, before Sri Ananthavarma Chodaganga Devara conquered Utkala around
1122 AD and shifted the capital to Caudwara
Kataka.
Temples at Mukhalingam
Mukhalingam
has 3 major temples all within a distance of 2 KMs. The main temple is Sri
Mukhalingam, while two others: Someshvara and Bheemeshvara Temples.
Pre-1936, the temples were under the undivided Ganjam District of the
Madras Presidency.
Main temple: Sri Mukhalingam (Dakshina
Kashi) also known as Madhukeshvara temple, dedicated to Lord Srimukha
Lingeshwara (a form of Shiva). It is one of the masterpices of the later Eastern
Ganga Dynasty rulers also known as Choda Ganga, built during 8th to
11th century AD (contested), in typical Kalinga architectural style.
The temple was formerly known as Dakshina Kashi (Varanasi of South) and initial
looks to the temple gives an immediate impression of Lingaraja Temple, which of
course is much larger. This is expected because of the similar architectural
styles that both have (Kalinga).
The
copper plate grants of Choda Ganga’s Korni dating back to 1113 AD show that
Choda Ganga’s ancestor “Kamarnava” built the main temple Sri
Mukhalingam.
The
other two temples in the vicinity, Bhimesvara and Somesvara have similar
construction dates and all are situated on the banks of Vamsadhara river.
All the 3 temples are brilliant pieces of stone work and sculptors
throughout the walls depicting all the deities throughout.
Golem (Huge
Mud Pot)
Behind the main deity is a Golem (a huge
mud pot) bigger than the Sanctorum door. According to temple
texts, once upon a time, there was a potter man named “Naganna.”
He was a devotee of Lord Shiva and would offer puja every day, asking for a
child as a blessing. One day, he decided to offer the golem of
milk to Shiva, but because of its size and weight, he could not take it to
Shiva. So, he left the golem at the entrance door and returned home sadly. The
next morning, when the priest opened the temple door, to his utmost
amazement, he found the golem just behind the deity. Everyone believed it
was the god’s magical deed, and the potter man was also blessed with a child.
The dates of the temples contested by several historians put them
anywhere between 8th century and 11 century CE. Late 17th century
Maharaja of Paralakhemundi Estate renovated this
temple.
During
Shivratri, Chakratirtha Snanam (holy bath) is taken by lakhs of pilgrims here
in the Vamsadhara river, who mainly visit from Odisha, and
AP to take blessing before Lord Shiva. Cultural events and cultural dramas were
also held at the temple premises over a period of two days.
Bhimeshvara
Temple
The second temple Bhimeshvara, again dedicated to Lord Shiva, in
Mukhalingam situated on the left bank of Vamsadhara River, just few 100 meters
ahead of the main Shri Mukhalingam Temple. This temple was built slightly later
than the Mukhalingeshwara temple during the period of King Vajrahasta II
(Aniyaka Bhima) (979-1014 CE). The
temple is east-facing, and over a raised platform. The most striking feature of
the temple are the 2 Nandis (instead of normal 1) facing the Shiva linga. The
presiding deity of the temple is known as Bhimeswara or Aniyaka Bhimeswara, and
the deity is represented in the form of a Linga. The Shikhara (tower) over the
sanctum follows the Pidha Deul architectural style (Kalinga architecture).
Culture and
Traditions:
Culturally Shivaratri is very famous in this temple.
Someshvar
Temple
The third temple is Someshvarar Temple, at Mukhalingam which is also
dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated around 200 meters from the second
temple Bheemeshvara (one can say outskirts of Mukhalingam).
The temple is believed to be built during the second half of the 9th
century CE or early 10th century CE by Eastern Gangas.
Very small compared to the main temple, but even with its small size,
this temple too is an architectural wonder with beautiful iconography on its
wall and brilliant sculptures. The architecture of the temple is again a
typical Kalinga Nagara styled one, but There are no mandapas or halls and looks
more of a single Rekha Deul. It is a west facing temple, featuring a Nandi
facing the sanctum. The temple is constructed atop a raised platform, although the platform or plinth or jagati is very small compared to
the other two temples. The sanctum doorway has a gajalaxmi motif and above it
there are navagrahas. Doors are having Ganga and Jamuna goddesses being
depicted. Other iconography on the walls of the temple includes: Ganesha,
Kartikeya, and Mahishasura Mardini, ekapada in the larger niches, while
Lakulisa and Ardhanarisvara which are depicted in the smaller niches.
Again Shivratri is very famous in this temple along with the other 2
temples.
Photography and Parking
Photography are more or less allowed in all the 3 temples and may be
except in garbagriha, there are no restrictions.
Parking at the main temple is not an issue on either sides of the temple
can be done or on the road side. There are no dedicated parking spaces. For the
remaining two temples too, parking should be on the road side, without any
issues.
Drone usage comfortability from the place where car is parked is quite
high. Because the temples are congested, and lot of people do watch, fly the
Drone from a distance as the height restrictions have been increased to 120
meters now.
Stay, Location and Accessibility:
Mukhalingam
is at a distance of around 50 km from Srikakulam city and 95 KMs from Baruva
beach. Both Srikakulam and Baruva beach are ideal places for stay. If
travelling on your own, staying in Baruva or Srikakulam, these temples can be
planned together: Meliaputti Venugopalaswamy temple, Mandasa Venugopal temple,
Mukhalingam temples, Srikurmam temple and finally end for a stay at Srikakulam.
Roads are excellent and easily approachable from National Highway 16.
Route: