Samalkota Sri Chalukya Kumararama Sri Bhimeswaraswamy vari Temple

Samalkota


Sri Chalukya Kumararama Sri Bhimeswaraswamy vari Temple:

Samalkot is located at a distance of 12 km from Kakinada, 52 Km from Rajahmundry. Bhimavaram (Lat. 17o 02'N, Long. 82o 12'E), which now forms part of Samalkot town, is known as Bhimavara Kshetram with its famous temple of Kumararama - Bhimesvara. The village was known in the past as Chalukya Bhimavaram according to the inscriptions found in the temple. It is situated at a distance of about 11 kilometers to the North of Kakinada in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh and is on the Chennai - Howrah broad gauge railway line of South - Central Railway.

The place was under the yoke of several ruling houses from Nandas of Pataliputra to Asaf Jahis of Golkonda in its long history and was subjected to so many vicissitudes from the dawn of Christian era. Among the various dynasties that ruled over this region the Eastern Chalukyas had a lion's share in shaping its destiny and as such it is no wonder that they had the privilege of exercising greater control and conspicuous influence than other dynasties.

The Eastern Chalukyas, also known as Vengi Chalukyas, ruled Andhra country for four and half centuries from AD 624 to AD 1076. The Kingdom of Vengi comprised at its greatest extent the whole area between the Mahendra Mountains in Kalinga and the Maneru River in Nellore; its Western boundary ran in general along the foot of the Eastern Ghats, though temporary extensions often brought areas of farther west under the rule of Vengi from time to time.



There were about 30 kings in this dynasty starting with the founder king Kubja Vishnuvardhana (AD 624 - 642) to the last king, Vijayaditya-VII (AD 1068-1076), who ruled first from Pishtapura, next from Vengi and then from Rajamahendri (Rajahmundry) and their hisotry is largely a record of disputes about succession. For some time the Rashtrakutas and the Chalukyas of Kalyani from the West and later the Cholas from the South interfered in these dispute. Of the kings, Narendra Mrigaraja Vijayaditya (AD 805 - 846), Gunaga Vijayaditya (AD 848 - 891), Chalukya Bhima-I (AD 892 - 922) Danarnava (AD 971 - 973), Ammaraja II (AD 945 - 970) and Rajaraja Narendra (AD 1019 - 1060) are the greatest patrons of Art & Architecture and Telugu Literature.



Rajaraja Narendra is said to have laid the foundation of the new city called Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) after his name. On the request of Rajaraja Narendra, his court poet Nanayya began to translate Sanskrit Mahabharata into Andhra Mahabharata, which stood as a land mark in the development of Telugu literature. his temple, known as Kumararama at Bhimavaram in Samalkot is one among the five important and popular 'Pancharama' temples of Andhra.



The other four temples dedicated to Siva are Amararama at Amaravati (Dist. Guntur), Daksharama at Daksharama (Dist. East Godavari), Kshirarama at Palakollu and Somarama at Gunupudi - Bhimavaram (both in Dist. West Godavari). There is an episode on the origin of these 'Pancharamas' which is also found in 'Bhimesvarapurana' written by Srinatha (AD 14th - 15th Century). According to it, Lord Vishnu, in his charming and fascinating incarnation of Mohini started distributing the nectar (amrita) obtained after the hazardous churning of the ocean to both the demons (asuras) and divined (devas) Dissatisfied with the injustice meted out to them in the manner of distribution of nectar, the asuras lead by the lords of Tripuras resorted to severe penance on the advice of the celestial sage Narada and were blessed with boons by Lord Siva. Thus with the power newly acquired through the boons, they inflicted atrocities on the devas, who sought refuge with Lord Siva.

 

On hearing the pitiable plea of the devas, Siva killed the asuras with his infallible Pasupata (a spiritual weapon of flame), which reduced them and their kingdoms to ashes. This material aspect of Siva is better known as Tripurantaka. However, a huge stone linga, worshipped by Tripuras, remained intact after the encounter. This was cut into five lingas by Lord himself and distributed for the purpose of installing at five different places which came to be locally known as Pancharams.

According to the inscription at Pithapuram, it is very clear that the temple of Kumaram Chalukya Bhimesvara was constructed by the famous Eastern Chalukya king Chalukya Bhima-I towards the end of the 9th century AD and the presiding god Siva, in the form of tall Sivalinga, was named after the monarch as Chalukya Bhimesvara. The inscription states that Chalukya Bhima, the son of Vikramaditya having been victorious in three hundred and sixty battles ruled the earth for thirty years.



The Bhimesvara temple at Samalkot is similar in architecture to that of the Bhimesvara temple at Daksharama. The temple is surrounded by two prakara walls built of dressed sand stones. The outer prakara wall is pierced by gopura - entrance on all the four sides. The four gopura - dvaras have ardha - mandapas on either side. The inner enclosure wall is divided horizontally into two sections separated by a cornice. It has a two storeyed pillared mandapa running all the inner side.


The main shrine is a free standing monument lying at the center of the inner enclosure. The temple is a rectangular structure and has two storeys. The lime stone Linga, installed in the shrine, is so tall that it rises from the pedestal on the ground floor and enters the second floor by piercing the roof, where the Rudrabhaga is worshipped. The present Vimana of the main shrine has been renovated and is covered with thick plaster. It consists of flat pattas, row of geese kutas, salas, simhalalatas, lotuses and kalasa. It is a dvitala vimana of the dravida order with regional variations. Like in Daksharama, a miniature temple model, found in the court yard of the temple, shows the whole temple with all the architectural details, possibly used as model before erecting the temple ranging from AD 1147 to 1494, recording gifts made to this temple. These epigraphs refer to the construction of mukhamandapa at the Eastern entrance in AD 1394.


Further the erection of the additional structures like Srimukhamandapam and niluvu mandapam on top of it in AD 1422 are also mentioned in the inscriptions.



There is a monolithic pillar on the western side, locally known as kappa stambham containing an inscription which records that when some thieves pulled down the nandi from the pillar from material gains, a new one was fabricated and installed by a lady named Lakshmi wife of Narasimudu, after bringing the stone from Kotilingalu at Rajahmundry.



Festivals:



Maha Shiva Ratri(February/March)

Saran Nava Rathrulu(Dessara 10 days)

Karthika Masam(October/Novermber)





Accommodation:

Guest Houses available are :


R & B Guest House is available at Peddapuram which is at a distance of 5 Kms. There are lodgies in samalkota and peddapuram.

Temple Authorities:



Executive Officer,

Sri Chalukya Kumararama Sri Bhimeswaraswamy vari Temple

Samalkot

East Godavari District.

 

Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama/ Accommodation At Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama/ Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama Contact Phone Number

Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama

Draksharamam is located 28 Km from Kakinada,50 Km from Rajahmundry and 25 Km from Amalapuram. Throughout the length and breadth of the Sacred "Mother India", there are many pilgrim centers. From amongst them "Draksharama" is the one in the Southern India on the Eastern Bank of the River Godavari. It is colloquially known as Draksharama carrying the implied meaning as "Draksharama" meaning the Abode of Daksha Prajapathi - the Father-in-law of Lord Siva and the beloved Father of 'Sati' the spiritual spouse of Lord Siva.
The history of the Sacred Pilgrimage is exhaustively dealt within the 'Skanda Purana' of Sri Vyasa. To give a brief narration of the same the story goes thus. Once Daksha Prajapathi decided to perform a Yaga. In pursuance of the same, he had been to Kailasa to invite Gods and Goddesses to sanctify his 'Yazna' and accept his hospitality. But when he had been there, Lord Siva was in his Court immersed in his spiritual splendour. But Daksha Prajapathi out of his ego of being the father-in-law of Lord Siva, mistook the Lord's trance as indifference towards him.


So, being put out at the difference of his Son-in-law he came back without inviting the Lord and the Lady to his sacrifice.
Sati in her womanish nature requested Siva to permit her to attend, the sacrifice at her parental home, even uninvited and have the pleasure of the performance and the association of her kith and kin. But Siva explained her the tragic implications that she might have to face at her parental house and let her to at her own wish. But, when she actually stepped into her parental home, none greeted her or even just asked her a mutual exchange of her well-being. Then Sathi was put out with the humiliation she had to face amidst her own blood and then and there, decided to give up her body instead of facing her beloved husband with a fallen face. So, she gave up her body then and there and fell down dead. Siva having come to know of the tragic end, sent his son 'Veerabhadra' to boot down the ego of Daksha. Siva in his pangs of separation with Sati came down to her dead body and shoultered the corpse over his shoulders and danced in 'Pralaya Thandava'.

At this juncture, the Lord Vishnu, the presenting, force of Universe, sent his 'Chakra' to cut down the body of Sathi and redeem the grief of Lord Siva. The Chakra came and cut the body of Sati into eighteen pieces feel in eighteen parts of this 'Punyabhoomi' of ours and came to be known as 'Ashta Dasa Peethas' and out of these eighteen Sri Manikyamba of Draksharama is the Twelfth.
This Holy Pilgrimage is one of the rare few, where the God and Goddess are equally important. One is Varanasi in Northern India with Viswanatha and Annapurna. Second is Srisailam in Southern India with Sri Mallikharjuna and Bramaramba and third is Draksharama with Bhimanatha and Manikyamba.

There are many mythological anecdotes scattered in many of the Sacred puranas about the 'Swayambhu' aspect of the Lord's existence here.

One of many is for once who is curious to know that Bhimanatha came down from Kailasa and settled here at the request of Parvathi herself who happened to be the daughter of Dakhsa.The historical aspect of the temple goes from the thirteenth century onwards.

 

This temple is one of the "Pancharamas". This is an ancient and holy pagoda. This is one of the reputed piligrim centers in Andhra Pradesh. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees visit the temple and worship the Lord to receive blessings.
This temple is a protected Monument. The Archaeological Department has to undertake the renovation works of this temple to create beauty and divine atmosphere. The wealth of inscriptions and epigraphical details that can be glanced from the inscriptions on the walls of this temple are a paradise for the epigraphist and the historian.

This temple is managed by the Executive Officer under the control of the Endowments Departments. Devi Navaratrulu, Karthika Masam, Dhanurmasam, Birthday Celebration of Sri Bhimeswara Swamy varu, Subrahmanya Shasti, Maha Sivaratri and Kalyanam etc., are the important festivals of this Temple.

 How to reach Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama?

Drakasharama is located in East Godavari district near Kakinada. Rajahmundry is the nearest airport. Draksharama constitues one of the five Arama kshetras of Andhra Pradesh, sacred to Shiva, the other four being Kumararama, Ksheerarama and Bheemarama and Amararama. Draksharama, Sree Sailam and Kalahasti together constitute the three sacred Shivalingams of Andhra Pradesh, giving it its ancient name Trilinga Desa. 


Festivals At Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama

Sarrannavarathri Festival from Asviyuja Suddha Padyami to Dwadasi every year (October).
Kartheeka Monday Festivals and Jwalathoranam in Karteeka masam every year (November).
Sri Swamyvari Birthday on Margasira Suddha Chaturdhasi every year (December).
Shasti Festival in the Month of December every year
Sri Swamyvari Kalyanam on Bhisma Ekadasi Day in Magha Masam Every year (February).
Mahasivarathri Festival in Maghamasam every year (February-March).


 Accommodation At Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama

There is one Choultry adjacent to the compound wall of the Temple
Founder family member,
Sri P.V.R.Choultry,
Santhinagar,
kakinada-3,
East Godavari District
Phone no: 0884 - 2363535.

 Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama Contact Phone Number:

The executive Officer,
Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple,
Draksharama,
Ramachandrapuram(M),
East Godavari District,
A.P,
pin-533 262,
Phone no: 08857- 252488

Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple, Draksharama pooja details:

Laksha Patri Pooja – Rs. 350.00/-

Laksha Kumkumarchana – Rs. 300.00/-

Laksha Vattula Nomu – Rs. 300.00/-

Surya Namaskaramulu – Rs. 100.00/-

Ekadasa Rudramu - Rs. 100.00/-

Mahanyasa Purvaka Abhishekamu – Rs. 30.00/-

Sahasra Kumkumarchana – Rs. 30.00/-

Laghu Vyasa Poorvaka Eka Vaara Abhishekamu – Rs. 20.00/-

Ashtoottara Kumkumarchana – Rs. 20.00/-

Masasivaratri Abhishekam (Every month) – Rs. 10.00/-

Masasivaratri Kumkuma Pooja (Every month) – Rs. 10.00/-

Abhishekam (Every Monday) – Rs. 10.00/-

Pooja (Every Friday) – Rs. 10.00/-

Nomulu / Aksharabhyasam / Annaprasana – Rs. 100.00/-

Special Darsanam Ticket (On Festivals) – Rs. 5.00/-

Kesakhandana – Rs. 5.00/-

Upanayanamu – Rs. 100.00/-

Abhishekam Ticket (Monthly) – Rs. 300.00/-

Kunkumarchana Ticket (Monthly) – Rs. 300.00/-

Scooter Pooja – Rs. 20.00/-

Pooja for Tractor/Van/Car/Auto – Rs. 40.00/-

Pooja for Larry/Bus– Rs. 60.00/-

Abhishekam at the time of Dasara Festival (For 10 days) – Rs. 100.00/-

Kumkumarchana at the time of Dasara Festival (For 10 days) – Rs. 100.00/-

Rudra Homam – Rs. 100.00/-

Japam/Tarpanam /Nava Varaarchana – Rs. 100.00/-

Nitya Kalyanam – Rs. 500.00/-

Sthala Puranam – Rs. 3.00/-

General Marriage – Rs. 200.00/-

Marriage in Kalyana Mandapam – Rs. 300.00/-

Marriage in Nandi Mandapam – Rs. 300.00/-

Marriage in Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple – Rs. 300.00/-

Marriage in Sri Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple – Rs. 300.00/-

Marriage in Amma vari Temple – Rs. 400.00/-

Sri Swamy vari Archana – Rs. 5.00/-

Abhishekam/Kumkumarchana through MO – Rs. 100.00/-

Ubhayam at the time of Dasara – Rs. 500.00/-

Nitya Samuhika Abhishekam, Kunkumarchana (For One Year) – Rs. 730.00/-

Note: Devotees themselves has to arrange priests for all above Abhishekas and Poojas. Pictures of Swamy and Ammavaru are sold here.

Additionally Saswata Kalyanam, Saswata Pooja Padhakams are there. Devotees who wants to join in the Saswata Pooja Scheme has to send Rs. 2, 500.00/- to the EO, Sri Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Draksharamam. Debit on that money used for the Mahanyasa Purvaka Abhishekam and Sahasranama Kumkumarchana for Goddess on behalf of the devotee when he wants. These poojas will be going on for Lifelong.

Devotee who wants to join in the Saawatha Kalyanam has to send Rs. 4, 000.00/- by DD/MO. Debit on that money is used for Swamy Kalyanam on requested day (except festivals) for the lifetime and Prasadham will be sent to your address.

Devotee who buy Nityabhishakam Ticket of Rs. 730.00/-, Abhishekam for Swamy and Kumkuma Pooja for Ammavaru will be done daily, for the period of one year, Prasadham will be sent monthly once.

Please note that for the below days, Saswatha Kalyanam, Nitya Kalyanam would not be conducted in the Temple.

On Ekadasi in every month.

On Purnima in every month.

On Masa Sivaratri in every month.

On Sabhannavaratri Celebrations (Dasara) upto Asweyuja sudha padyami lagayathu dwadasi.

On all Mondays in Kartika Masam and the day of Purnima.

On kalyanam of Sri subramanyeswara Swamy Margasira Sudha Shasti and Shasti Celebrations.

On Birthday of Sri Swamy vari Margasira Sudda Chaturdasi.

On Kalyanam of Swamy in Magha masam and 7 days from Bhishma Ekadsi in every year.

Arjita Kalyanam in Maga masam, 2 days of Mahasivaratri.
Note:

Temple’s Guest house is located at Kotipalli, Near RTC Bus Stand, is of distance at ½ KM. Rent for large Dormitory is Rs. 200.00/- per day and small Dormitory is Rs. 100.00/- per day.

This Temple is 20km far from Kakinada, 45km far from Rajahmundry, 6 km far from Ramachandrapuram, and 36km far from Ravulapalem. RTC bus facilities is there.

Kanukalu, Mudupulu to the Bhimeswara Swamy through the Hundi are belongs to Sri Bhimeswara Swamy and Amma varlu and not accepted through other channels.

Donors of Gold and Silver garments and Jewelry to Swamy varu and Amma varu are requested to collect the payment receipts from the temple counter.



Rahu, Ketu Pooja – Rs. 200.00/-

Naga Pratishta – Rs. 500.00/-

Abhishekam, Kumkumarchana for Karteeka masam, (Prasadam will send to your Address) – Rs. 600.00/-

Devi Navaratrulu (10 days & Prasadam will send to your Address) – Rs.200.00/-

Saswata Poojalu (Done Pooja once in a year & Prasadam will send to your Address) – Rs. 2500.00/-

Saswata Kalyanam (Done Pooja once in a year & Prasadam will send to your Address) – Rs. 4000.00/-

Govu Pooja – Rs. 116.00/-

For more details log on to              http://www.draksharamabhimeswaraswamy.org.in/english/main.htm