References:
Sangam is a village and a pilgrimage site in Vangara mandal in Srikakulam
district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is about 56 kilometers from
Srikakulam Town and 20 kilometers from Rajam. River Nagavali, Suvarnamukhi and
Vegavati confluence (join together) takes place here. Hence it is a Triveni
sangam similar to one well known in Allahabad. One of the five
lingas of Lord Sangameswara , another name for Lord Shiva is here established(pratista
done) by Balaram , the brother of Lord SriKrishna . Thousands of devotees
gather here on Maha Sivaratri Festival.
Legends
and History/Beliefs (Pancha Lingas in Srikakulam)
Balarama ... the brother of Lord Sri Krishan toured along the eastern
side of Kurukshetra in depression of the battle of kurukshetra. Balaram was in
favour of Duryodhana(kauravas) but sriKrishna was in favour of Pandavas and
this is cause for his quite of the battle . On his journey when he reached the
Srikakulam area which was at that time in Orissa state , he stayed at a place
now called " kalahandi " near Rayagada of Orissa ... he noticed that
people are suffering with lack of water & food . On request of the local
public he prayed Lord Shiva (shiva tapassu) and booned with ganga (water) . The
water flow directed with his plough burrow from Kalahandi(Orissa) to
Kallepalli(Andhra) .. .. the river is called Nagavali and the river reaches the
Bay of Bengal at Kallepalli Moga near MapasuBandaru village in Srikakulam dist
.
In regard & with deep devotion on Lord Shiva Balarama kept Pancha lingas
(five Shiva idols) along the bank of this Nagavali river for the people to
worship Lord Shiva . They are
1.
Kekaveswara(HatakeswaraSwamy) Temple at
Paayakapaadu,Rayagada(Tq) in Orissa
2.
Chennakeswara (SomeswaraSwamy) Temple at Gumpa near Kotapam(Mandalam),Parvatipuram(Tq)
(vijayanagaram(dt) A.P)
3.
SangameswaraSwamy Temple at Sangam ,
RegidiAmadalavalasa(Mandalam)(Srikakulam -dt_A.P)
4.
Uma Rudra Koteswara Temple at Srikakulam town
(Srikakulam dist_A.P),
5.
Mani Nageswara Temple at Kallepalli
,Srikakulam(Mandalam),Srikakulam dist_A.P)
Culture
and History
Mahshivaratri
Some unknown story (to explore more): a historical story or called as pakanati
mahapathivratha ama temple, A woman turning to stone with her monthly child
here
Few important links to know more about the temple:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WQCstuoA0Q (more history about the temple but in Telugu)
Architecture
Kalinga style of architecture. The temple is very small and slightly
below the ground level. The styles of the shrines follow the typical Kalinga
style. The main garbagriha is in a very small compound. Within the temple there
are works of rich iconographic style all through.
Rituals
and Festivals
Temple
Timings
Photography and Parking
No issues with Parking or photography. Do take time and click
photographs/Videos. We were unaware of the location of Sangam and infact we
were stuck in some issue with a blockade at a village, so we had to leave after
covering this temple.
Drones can be easily used without any issues too.
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 Neelkantheshwara temple at Narayanpuram, Sanghameshwara
Temple at Vangara and Jagannath Temple at Palakonda. So we followed the route
as shown below:
