Kumara Rama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple, Samalkot, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh

The Bhimeswara swamy temple is a sacred Saivite shrine and is one of the five Pancharama shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. In accordance with the Pancharama nomenclature the temple is called Kumararamam the other four being Amararama- Amaravathi, Draksharama, Somarama - Kotipalli, Ksheerarama – Palakollu. The temple complex consists of two prakarams and four Gopurams on each side of the first Prakara, while the inner temple is a two-storied structure. The Sivalinga here stretches to the second floor. On the second floor, the Rudrabhaga or the top part of Sivalinga is worshipped. The Lord’s consort here is Goddess Bala Tripura Sundari.

History
The temple was built in the ninth century CE by the great Vengi Chalukyan or Eastern Chalukyan ruler Bhima –I. The King had to fight many battles in those days and figures put the total to around 360. There were many enhancements ever since and in 1394 CE the eastern Mukhamandapa was constructed. There are records dating the Srimukha Mandapam and Niluvu Mandapam to around 1422 CE. Temple inscriptions reveal an interesting story of some thieves running off with Nandi from a pillar. A new Nandi was made with stones brought from the city of Rajamahendravaram or Rajahmundry and installed at the place by a devotee named Lakshmi.

Legends
According to the Skanda purana this place is also called Kumararama as Lord Kumaraswamy consecrated the image of Lord Bhimeswara Swamy here. The common legend is that there once was a mighty demon called Tarakasura, who used to harass all the sages and Devatas. Lord Subramanyeswara fought with Tarakasura and killed him, while the Sivalinga on the demon’s throat broke and fell at five places which came to be known popularly as Pancharama Shrines.

Festivals
The most important festivals are Mahasivaratri in the months of February/March, Dushera in the months of September/October, and the holy Karthika Masam – a month long practice of holy rituals and strict adherence to guidelines.

Accommodation
The nearby town of Bheemavaram offers many private lodgings and so do the towns of Kakinada and Rajahmundry. Most of these towns are convenient as they fall under a radius of 50 kilometers and accommodation facilities aren’t dear on the pocket. There is also a state government departmental guesthouse at the nearby town of Peddapuram.