Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/yvPebSj1gNA
Location: "Sri Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, 25RC+WF5, Jaggamma Garipeta, Samarlakota, Andhra Pradesh 533440"
Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Temple is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu god Shiva, with a 16 ft tall limestone shiva linga and an ekashila Nandi, situated in Samalkota, Kakinda District. Its a 9th century temple with Kakatiya and Chalukya architectures consecrated by Chalukya king Bhima, hence the name Bhimeshwara. It is said that the temple was built as a celebration of Chalukya King Kumara Rama’s victories in more than 300 wars.
The other four
temples are
1) Amararama
at Amaravati(Dist. Guntur),
2) Draksharama
at Draksharama (Dist. East Godavari),
3) Ksheerarama at Palakollu and
4) Somarama at Bhimavaram(both in Dist. West Godavari).
Samalkota
temple is one of the centrally protected monuments of national
importance.
The limestone
Linga, installed in the shrine, is 16 feet 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.
The entire
compound has temples of ammavaru, Kalabairava and lord shiva. A beautiful lake
is situated at the back of the compound, where one can spend some time. This
Shiva temple is unique because of its while limestoe 16 ft tall linga and
worship of the linga happens in the second floor.
Kala Bhairava is also of importance, and Balatripura
sundari is the Goddess. Sasanas* between 1147-1494 were
scripted into pillars of the temple, which also have lists of gifts given,
through the ages, for the temple. Recent excavations in the compound of the
temple has yielded many figures dated back 1000 years are now present inside
the temple. In Puranas it has been written that it is a Yogakshetram, which
means, the person who has the "yogam" ("fated to have" or
"opportunity given by god" or "boon") to visit, will visit
the temple.
Architecture
A mantapam
supported with one hundred pillars is built here along with Eka Shila Nandi
(Single Stone Bull) at the temple entrance opposite to Shiva Lingam. Goddess
Shri Bala Thripura Sundari is also worshipped in this temple.
Originally
Chalukyan, The Kakatiya rulers (in the period 1340-1466CE; Musunuri Nayaks) have added and renovated the
temple pillars with very fine sharp finishes. The work of Chalukyas and
Kakatiyas is very easily distinguished, by the well-decorated and polished
pillars in the temple to the rest of the temple, both new and old. The
construction of this temple is so solid that it has not changed much through
all the years, when compared to the Draksharaam temple.
Accessibility
and Parking
Easily
accessible from Kakinada in case with own vehicle. The temple is situated in a
big compound, with ample dedicated parking space, cost 30 Rs.
Photography
Restricted. No
checking though, if checked by someone you would be asked to take permission
from the office. Keep clicking till someone asks you. Don’t shoot deity pics
Note:
Sasana: Śāsana is a Buddhist and Shaivite term for their
philosophy and practice. It can be translated as teaching, practice,
discipline, doctrine, and "the teaching of the Buddha". Since in
Buddhism there is no divine being, Śāsana is considered a more accurate
description than "religion" as it avoids the implication of a
non-changing divine call from an all-knowing god.