History, Importance, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Kumarrama Bhimeshwar Temple, Samalkota, Andhra Pradesh
The Kumararama Bheemeshwara temple is solely dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Samalkot, near Kakinada district head quarter of East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is very unique as the Lord Shiva Lingam is white in colour. It is one of the five temple in South India which form the Pancharama Kshetram. The temple is called Bheemeshwara as the temple was built by the king Chalukya Bhima in Dravidian style during 892-922 CE. The temple architecture is one of the best architecture in India where 100 pillars supports whole structure of two stories. It still stands strong and known as one of the National Heritage Site. The temple resembles the other Pancharama temple at Draksharama which is also called Bhimeswara Alayam. In the east side, mantap called Koneti is siuated and devotee can see the Pushkarni - Koneru lake from here. Idol of Goddess Shri Bala Thripura Sundari (Tripura Sundari) is placed in the ground floor in temple premises.
The carvings of the Apsaras on the pillars is breath taking view. The Nandi is also placed in the entrance opposite to the Lingam. The Lingam is 14 feet long and it is known to be one of the beautiful lingam in India. As per legends, it is “Yogashetram” means the person who has given the opportunity by good or boon have a chance to visit this temple.
As per the legend of this place and existence of Lord Shiva here is, during Tarakasura vadha, the Amrutha Atma Linga which was theft by demon Tarakasura. Due to this he was unbeatable by any of the God, then as per advice of Lord Vishnu, Kartikeya – Kumara swami son of Lord Shiva and Parvati broke this into five pieces and one of the piece was fallen down here. Then Kumara swami defeated demon king Tarkasur and killed him. The piece of Shiv linga was installed and worshiped here by Kumara Swamy thereafter, it came to be known as Kumararama.
The visitors are quite high in numbers during regular visit but you can see high crowd during the car festival in Maha Shiv Ratri, Kartika and Margashira masam months Abhishek is performed and an Utsav held during Feb-March called Kalyana Mahotsam.
How to reach – the roads are very well connected with the major cities and towns of the state. It is 15kms from Kakinada, 40 Kms from Annavaram, 125 kms from Vishakhapatnam. As Samalkot Railway station is on the Vijaywada-Howrah broad gauge railway line of South - Central Railway, thus lot of trains stop here. The nearest Airport is Visakhapatnam International Airport at a distance of 130kms.
