Sri Kumara Bheemeswara Swamy Temple - Samarlakota

Sri Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy temple is located in Samarlakota of Kakinada district in Andhra Pradesh State.

It is one of the Pancharama temples of Lord Shiva.

The primary deity of this temple is Lord Kumara Bhimeswara Swamy, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

Here Goddess is Bala Tripura Sundari.

Here, the Lord is 14 feet (4.3 meters) high and shaped like a lingam, built of limestone.

Eka Shila Nadi is opposite the Shiva Lingam at the entrance.

The main entrance of the temple is also popular as Surya Dwaram.

During the legendary Tarakasura vadha, the Shiva Linga which was in the throat of Tarakasura broke into five pieces and one of the pieces fell. After that, it became popular as Kumararama.

Lord Bhimeswara Swamy was placed here by Kumara Swamy (son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati) and hence the temple is called Kumararama.

King Chalukya Bhima built the temple in Dravidian style. Hence the name, Bhimeswara.

The inner enclosure wall is divided horizontally into two sections separated by a cornice. It has a two-storied pillars mandap, which functions all the inner side, and 100 pillars support the Mandapam. To the East side, there is a mantap called Koneti.

Pushkarni (Pushkarini) lake can be seen here. The temple has carvings of apsaras on its walls. One can see the sculpture design of both Turpu chalukyas’ and kakatiyas.

Demon Tarakasura theft Amrutha Atma Linga emerged during Ksheerasagar Mathanam (drilling Ocean of Milk). Tarakasura wearing this Linga around his neck, with its supernatural powers, he was unbeatable. Kumara Swamy son of Siva and Parvathi, who was the commander-in-chief for deities came face to face with Tarakasura in the war. Kumara Swamy used his Sakthi weapon to kill Tarakasura. Kumaraswamy repeatedly broke Tarakasura's body into pieces and it was reunified again. Kumaraswamy was confused and sought advice from Vishnu. Lord Maha Vishnu advised Kumara Swamy to break Shiva linga into pieces, only then the demon can be killed. Maha Vishnu also said that even after breaking the Shiva linga, the pieces will try to reunite again. To prevent this reunion, all these broken pieces should be fixed in those places where they fall, by worshipping and building temples on top of it. As advised by Maha Vishnu, Kumara Swamy used his Agni weapon to break the Siva Linga worn by the demon. The Atma Linga was broken into five pieces, the broken pieces tried to reunite by making the chant ‘om’. To prevent this Indra, Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Vishnu, and Kumara Swamy worshipped the Linga at their respective places. Kumara Swamy had installed the Siva Linga here.

During November–December (Karthika and Margashira masam) months daily Abhisheka is carried out. There will be Utsavam (Kalyana Mahotsam) during February–March (Magha Bahula Ekadashi day). Till Maha Sivarathri grand celebrations in the temple can be seen.

Temple Timings :

6am – 12pm & 4pm – 8pm.

How To Reach the Temple :

50 km from Rajamahendravaram

15 km from Kakinada railway station

Nearby Temples :

Sarpavaram, Sri Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple – 10 km

Pithapuram, Sri Kukkuteswara Swamy Temple – 14 km

Biccavolu, Sri Golingeswara Swamy Temple – 18 km

Gollala Mamidada, Sri Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple – 20 km

Draksharamam, Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple – 33 km

Annavaram, Sri Satyanarayana Swamy Temple – 45 km

Rajahmundry, Sri Uma Markandeswara Swamy Temple – 64 km

Ryali, Sri Jaganmohini Keshava Swamy Temple – 70 km

Vadapalli, Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple – 72 km