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| SRIMUKHALINGESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE-SRIMUKHALINGAM |
Srimukhalingeswara Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the left banks of River Vamsadhara. Elegantly carved, this temple is a group of three temples dedicated to three forms of Lord Shiva namely, Mukhalingeswara, Bhimeswara and Someswara. The temple is built in Indo-Aryan style. To witness one of the marvellous sculptures, carvings and intricate architecture, one has to visit this temple. The architecture of the temple is so elegant that one just cannot move eyes from it. As you observe closely, you can see that every piece and corner of the temple is as excellent as the other.
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| SRIMUKHALINGESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE-SRIMUKHALINGAM |
At the entrance, which is a huge arched gate, you are welcomed by two lions on each side of the few stair-cases. The first gate takes you to the outer prakara have where there is you a Nandi in a mandapam. A more intricately carved gate with figures of Gods and Goddesses takes you to the inner prakara (compound wall) where stands one of the master pieces of those times, the temple of Mukhalingeswara. At every corner of the inner prakara, there are many small temples, some dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of Someshwara and Bhimeswara) and Lord Ganesha. As you enter the temple, in the inner compound, there are two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, one at your right and the other at your left. In the centre stands the fantastic finely carved temple. The walls of the temple in the centre have images of Gods and Goddesses in their various avatar (forms). You can see images of Lord Shiva with His consort, some of them are forms of Lord Vishnu on them. Every image depicts a story from the Shiva Purana.
Srimukhalingeswara Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the left banks of River Vamsadhara. Elegantly carved, this temple is a group of three temples dedicated to three forms of Lord Shiva namely, Mukhalingeswara, Bhimeswara and Someswara. The temple is built in Indo-Aryan style. To witness one of the marvellous sculptures, carvings and intricate architecture, one has to visit this temple. The architecture of the temple is so elegant that one just cannot move eyes from it. As you observe closely, you can see that every piece and corner of the temple is as excellent as the other.
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| SRIMUKHALINGESWARA SWAMY |
At the entrance, which is a huge arched gate, you are welcomed by two lions on each side of the few stair-cases. The first gate takes you to the outer prakara have where there is you a Nandi in a mandapam. A more intricately carved gate with figures of Gods and Goddesses takes you to the inner prakara (compound wall) where stands one of the master pieces of those times, the temple of Mukhalingeswara. At every corner of the inner prakara, there are many small temples, some dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of Someshwara and Bhimeswara) and Lord Ganesha. As you enter the temple, in the inner compound, there are two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, one at your right and the other at your left. In the centre stands the fantastic finely carved temple. The walls of the temple in the centre have images of Gods and Goddesses in their various avatar (forms). You can see images of Lord Shiva with His consort, some of them are forms of Lord Vishnu on them. Every image depicts a story from the Shiva Purana.
HISTORY OF SRIMUKHALINGESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE-SRIMUKHALINGAM
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| SRIMUKHALINGESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE-SRIMUKHALINGAM |
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| SRIMUKHALINGESWARA SWAMY |
This is a group of three temples built by the Eastern Ganga kings in the 10th century. The deities here are Mukhalingeswara, Bhimeswara and Someswara. All these temples display the Orissa style of architecture. The Mukhalinga is a virtual art gallery. The entrances are a marvel in themselves. There is a plethora of sculptural work and perforated windows. The Bhimeswara temple lacks its grand splendour, but Someswara temple is also rich in sculptural work.
Mukhalingam:It is also known as the Kalinganagara, which was the capital of the early eastern Ganga rulers. They ruled over Andhra in the second half of the 1st millennium CE.
Someswara: Simple in architecture, it is regarded as the earliest of the Mukhalingam temples. It is located on the outskirts of the village of Mukhalingam. The images in the niches have exquisite sculptures. Two smaller niches flank each niche. The doorway of the temple bears the images of the Ganga and the Yamuna on either side.
Aniyanka Bhimeswara: was built later than the Mukhalingeswara temple. It is plain compared to the grandeur of the Mukhalingeswara temple. The devakoshtas bear the images of Brahma, Narasimha and Dakshinamurthy.
Architecture: A massive gateway is flanked by two lions at the entrance of the outer prakara of the temple. A Nandi mandapa is situated in front of the sanctum. The entrance to the inner prakara contains beautiful friezes. There are eleven shrines in the inner prakara, each a complete temple. The entrance to the main temple is from the south and east. The niches in the outer wall contain beautiful sculpted images and perforated windows all create beautiful works of art. It was built during the period of the King Kamarnava (941-976 CE).
ACCOMMODATION AT
SRIMUKHALINGESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE-SRIMUKHALINGAM
Though there are small villages on the way from Srikakulam town, they don't have proper accommodation facilities. It is better to stay in Srikakulam and make a day's trip to the temple of Srimukhalingam.
Hotel Nagavalli A/c (3- Star Hotel)
Ring Road, Srikakulam - 532 001,
ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA
Phone: 91 8942 -222916, 228806, 228807
Fax: 918942 223455.
E-Mail: info@hotelnagavali.com
Visit Us: http://wwww.hotelnagavali.com
Some other hotels are Hotel Satya A/c (Star hotel), Hotel Aditya A/c, Hotel Balaji A/c, Hotel Natraj and Hotel Kinnera. There are choultries of the temple where you have to book in advance for accommodation.
HOW TO REACH
SRIMUKHALINGESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE-SRIMUKHALINGAM
Srimukhalingam village is 35 kms from Srikakulam town.
There are trains to Srikakulam from where you have to catch a bus or any private vehicle to reach Srimukhalingam temple.
The following is the road way, if you are travelling by your car.
Once you are in the town of Srikakulam, take the road towards Peddapadu Village, from there go straight towards Appannamathali gudi Junction. Go straight towards Singupuram Village cross the village and go further straight on NH-5 without taking any diversions. You come across the Vamsadhara Bridge from where go straight towards Devadi Village. Just after crossing the Devadi village, at Komarthi Junction, take the left diversion towards Komarthi village. You have to cross the Yarabadu Cheruvu and at Varaha Narasimha puram, take the right turn towards Mathalabu Peta towards Urlam. You come to a railway track, cross that and go towards Kollavanipeta Village. Cross that village and go towards Nadagam. Just after crossing Nadagam, take the right diversion road towards Gonapapeta Village. Then you have to cross some small villages like Chennapuram, Paraselli and then Allada. You can stop here for some time, as this is one of the beautiful villages on the way. Go straight from there towards Muddada Kingdom. Then you come to Timadam Village from where you have to go straight upwards. You will cross Dompaka and Suravaram and then you'll come to Komanapalli Road. About 2-3 kms from here, you have the Komanapalli Junction. From this junction, which is a Y- road, take the left diversion and go straight towards Atchutapuram. There is a Seeta Rama Temple on the way at your left hand side. You can stop here for sometime and then move forward. Once you are in Atchutapuram, go further straight on the road and after crossing Nagarikatakam, going straight, you are in the temple village of Srimukhalingam. In the village of Nagarikatakam, you have another Shiva temple and Murali Bathing Ghat at about 5 kms radius, which you can visit.
SRIMUKHALINGESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE-SRIMUKHALINGAM CONTACT PHONE NUMBER
E.O., Sreekurmam--------------------- 283604,
SRIMUKHALINGESWARA SWAMY TEMPLE VIDEO
Srimukhalingeswara Temple structure is built as per Kalinga(Orissan) style of temple architecture of 9th to 10th century AD which is atypical of other forms of temple architecture.
ReplyDeleteThe style can be well compared to other temples of Odisha (erstwhile Orissa) like Jagannath Temple, Lingaraj Temple, Mukteswara Temple.... and Many more.