Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/mWvQuC8AJqE
References: https://xploreall.com/blog/sri-umarudra-koteswara-temple-srikakulam/
Uma Rudra
Koteshwara Temple is Kshetrapalika temple on the western border of srikurmam temple. The
temple is situtated in Srikakulam city in the banks of river Nagavali river,
dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be one of the 5 temples
built by Lord Brahama and is known as Pancha Linga kshetras in Northern Andhra
Pradesh.
Legends and History
Originally
believed to be built around 5000 years ago, the temple was constructed using
the Salihundam Red Stone and the architecture resembles Dravidian style.
In Dwapara
Yuga, Lord Bala Raama instead of participating in the colossal Battle of
Kurukshetra took a neutral stand in Kuru Pandava War. Unwilling to witness the
impending destruction of mankind in the great War of Mahaa Bharat, Lord Bala
Raama went in search of a Peaceful Place for Meditation. He crossed the
Mountain Ranges of Vindhyas to enter South India and settled in the Padmanabha
Mountains of Madhava Vanam in Dandakaranyam. Though he was looking for a
Peaceful stay, he was moved by the Sufferings of the Local People by the twin
effects of Demons, headed by Pralambasuti and Droughts.
Coming to
know about Lord Balarama, the people approached and prayed to him to relieve
them of the pains. He vowed to rescue the people and killed the Demon
Pralambasura immediately. However, to relieve the people from the Natural
Droughts and Famine, Lord Bala Raama concluded that Water is Life and Ganga has
to be brought here. So, he took up his Divine Tiller and dug the earth and made
a river to flow, which is now the Famous Nagavali River flowing in Srikakulam
District.
He promised to bring Kasi
Visweswara here so that people can serve the Lord and get Prosperity. With this
Vision, Lord Bala Raama established 5 Shiva Temples on the banks of River
Nagavali, which are now popularly known as the Pancha Linga Kshetras. These are
- Sri Paayakeswara
Swamy Temple
- Sri Someswara
Swamy temple
- Sri Sangameswara
Swamy Temple
- Sri Umarudra
koteswara temple
- Sri Mani Nageswara
Swamy Temple
Refer to
Sri Kurmam temple document for more information.
Another
legend for Uma Rudra temple says, Indra was once denied entry for performing
worship to Lord Shiva in the ancient Uma Rudra temple, considering it is wrong
to worship after the closing of temple, by Nandeeshwara (Nandi). An argument
pursued, aftet which Nandeeshwara threw Indra away using his horns. Indra felt
unconscious and after getting conscious, he realized Lord Shiva and his sins
and consulted sages to get rid of the sin. The sages advised him to worship
chief planet of Navagrahas (sun), for revering him of the sin. Sun god advised
him to create a temple, where he fell. He did the same and found an Idol of Sun
God, which he installed in the Sri Umarudra koteswara temple at Arasavalli, and
then performed all the rituals related to the relief from Planet-related Evil
effect.
Recent Renovation and modifications to the
temple
Recent
modifications/ rebuilding was done in the Year 1774 by Sri Magatapalli Kamayya
Setti of Konada Village in Vizianagaram District since the Year 2001.
Rituals and cultural History
Kartika masam
and Maha shivrati are the major festivals which are celebrated here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMBwCs2yx5g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUM6YuOMGCw
Photography and Parking
The approach to
the temple by own vehicle is a bit tough and parking is also not very
convenient. Photography is restricted inside the garba griha and temple too.
But without notice can be done carefully.
Drone: Can be
used from outside, from a distance.
It is advisable
to visit this temple through local transportation.
Stay and
Accomodation:
Srikakulam is the place to stay. Hotels in
Srikakulam are available, but not that easily though.
Temple
Timings
05:30 AM – 12:00
PM | 04:00 PM – 08:00 PM
Route and Location:
Our route was to
cover the temple and move on to Rajam covering Dantapuram, Kamalingeshwara
Temple too.
We started from
Srikakulam and had to cover Dantapuram, and Uma rudra koteshwara Temple on way,
so the route we took was this:
Location of the
temple:
