Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/mWvQuC8AJqE
Neelkantheshwar Temple is a temple on the
banks of river Swarnamukhi in vizianagaram district, dedicated to Lord Shiva
Legends
and History/Beliefs
The popular belief is worshiping Lord Shiva
here, one is blessed for good health.
Culture
and History
Shivratri is a major festival which is
celebrated in this temple, with thousands of devotees throng. Devotees used to
take a holy dip in the river before entering the temple complex.
From the inscriptions on the temple walls, the temple was built around 1010 AD
by King of Eastern Ganga Dynasty Ananta Varma Choda Ganga Deva. The temple has
4 shrines. The Endala Mallikarjuna deity was lost during floods many years ago.
The shrines currently present are Neelkantheshwara, Sangameshwara,
Mallikarjuna, and Naleshwara shrines are in this temple complex. Sangameswara shrine is located to the north of Nilakanteswara shrine.
Naleswara shrine is located to the South of Nilakanteswara shrine. It is said originally these temples have 99,99,999 shiva lingas
sculptured on these temples. These temples are full of splendid Art. The
entrance door was beautifully carved with the Idols of Navagrahas and Lakshmi.
Rich carvings of Siva, Kartikeya, Brahma, Vishnu, Saraswati, Nataraj,
Arthanareeswara, Vinayaka, Mahisasura Mardini can be seen on the walls of Garba
Griha.
Below context:
Coutesy: Mallikarjunarao Navuluri (Google reviews)
Narayanapuram near Bobbili in Vizianagaram
District built from temple during the Eastern – Ganga period. These are 1)
Nilakanteswara Temple 2) Sangameswara Temple 3) Mallikarjuna Temple 4)
Nileswara Temple. The main deity of Narayanapuram is Nelakanteswara temple. The
temple consisting of a deval and Jagamohana. The flat roof of the Jagamohana is
supported by two rows of pillars. At Narayanapuram a group of temples exhibit
Orissian architectural features. The inscriptions engraved on these pillars
Numbering 55, belong to Eastern Ganga Dynasity.
For more information :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GtODPqFYHs
Architecture
The architecture of the temple is a typical
Kalinga Style architecture. There is a Rekha deul, but no Pidha or Khakra Deul
in the temple. The temple seems to be a smaller version of temples at
Bhubaneshwar.
Rituals
and Festivals
Shivaratri, Karthika Masam
https://youtu.be/2GtODPqFYHs?si=IhxILI78LBxgSApv
Temple
Timings
6am - 12pm 4pm - 6pm
Photography and Parking
There is
ample place for parking, with no dedicated parking around. Photography is
restricted in the garbagriha, but allowed elsewhere.
Using
Drone shouldn’t be an issue at all
Stay and
Accomodation:
Rajam and Bobbilli are the nearest towns.
Bobbili doesn’t seem to have hotels. Rajam is nearby with JJ Innotel hotel which
is a very reasonably priced hotel with good rooms. The food in the restaurant
is also very good. Do try the Masala Dosa for just Rs 50 and awesome in taste.
Route and Location:
Staying at
Rajam, we planned to cover this temple along with Sanghameshwara Temple at
Vangara and Jagannath Temple at Palakonda. So we followed the route as shown
below:
