Samalkota, Kakinada
Samalkota is a town located in the East Godavari district of Indian state Andhra Pradesh. It is located at 17.0500°N 82.1833°E. Samalkota is at a distance of 15km from Kakinada and 49kms from Rajahmundry. It is famous for the Shiva temple which is considered as one of the sacred pancharama temples. The temple was constructed at the end of 9th century by Chalukya Kumara Rama, son of Vikramaditya. Previously, it was spelled as 'samulcottah' and eastern Chalukyas ruled this place. Samalkota is a junction to all places and it has main railway station which is connected to all places.
The Sri Chalukya Kumararama Sri Bhimeswara Swamy temple is located in Samalkota and it is historically prominent. The temple was built in the Dravidian style and it is similar to that of Bhimeswara Swamy temple at Draksharamam. There is an entrance on all the four sides of the temple, the main entrance of the temple popular as Surya Dwaram. It has a mandapam that is supported by 100 pillars so, the temple has great architectural importance and is in a rectangular structure with beautifully carved gopurams. Goddess Bala Tripura Sundari shrine is present in the temple, Ekashila Nandi is installed at the temple entrance opposite to Shiva lingam. Here Shiva lingam is nearly 14ft height, sculptures also beautifully engraved. There is Mandavya Narayana Swamy Temple situated at the back of the canal.
There was an interesting myth behind this temple regarding the existence of Lord Shiva. In earlier days, a monster named Tarakasura performed a terrible penance on Lord Shiva, and Lord Shiva appeared. The monster asked lord Shiva's spirit to give him a gift. Lord Shiva gave that gift then, he showed his savage nature on gods, saints and makes them suffer more difficulties. They all are unable to bear that pains so, they pray maha Vishnu to give powers to get out of that situation. By using those powers they all tried to kill him, at the time of tarakasura vadha, the Shiva linga which was in the throat of him broke into five pieces and one of the pieces fell here. Thereafter, it became Shiva linga and named as Bhimeswara Swamy. The story of Mandavya Narayana Swamy temple is once up on a time a great saint named Mandavya did penance at this place and he got the dharshan of Lord Narayana Swamy at this place.
The temple is surrounded by sandstones and it has a flawless and pleasant atmosphere. Shiva lingam is on the first floor and enters the second floor by piercing the roof. The monolithic pillar is present on the western side of the temple which is known as Kappa Stambham. Here Shiva lingam is made of lime stone, the temple still stands very strong because it was made a national heritage site. It is famous for festivals like Maha Shivaratri, kartheeka Mondays, Bahula Ekadasi, Jwalathoranam. At that time Bhimeswara Swamy and Bala Tripura Sundari goddess marriage ceremony celebrated grandly. 'JataJutam' is kept to Shiva lingam on Maha Shivaratri. To see that stunning beauty of the temple, thousands of devotees visit the temple and worship the god to receive blessings. Nitya abishekam, pujas are also done here. There is also a pushkarini lake present on the east side of the temple that has great importance. The total maintenance of the temple was taken by the government of Andhra Pradesh and the endowment department.
The temple is located just beside the railway station so transportation is very easy to reach the temple. The temple openings are from morning 6:00 am to 12:00 pm afternoon and 4:00 pm afternoon to 8:00 pm evening. It became one of the well-known temples in Andhra Pradesh and has delighted many pilgrims all over the world.