Kumararama Bhimeswara Temple

History

Pancharama legend links Samalkot’s Kumararama to the scattered linga fragments after Tarakasura’s defeat; the East Godavari district site describes the temple as the Kumararama of the set.

District listings place the shrine among the principal Shaiva destinations of the Godavari delta, often visited together with Draksharamam and other Pancharama temples.

Stories

A Chalukya Temple of the Tenth Century

Kumararama, also called Bhimarama, is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras sacred to Shiva. Accounts say the Chalukya king Bhima began the temple in 892 CE and finished it in 922, which is why the deity is called Bhimeswara.

Later rulers added to it, with the Kakatiya period given as the time when the pillars were renovated. Inscriptions dated between 1147 and 1494 are written on the pillars and list gifts made to the temple over the centuries. It is a centrally protected monument.

A White Linga Through the Roof

The linga at Kumararama is of limestone and white, which is unusual, and it is said to be about 14 to 16 feet tall; sources give different heights. It rises from the pedestal on the ground floor and pierces the roof, so that its upper part is worshipped on the first floor.

The temple has a hall supported by 100 pillars and a Nandi carved from a single stone at the entrance. It closely resembles the Pancharama temple at Draksharamam, and is described as being in excellent condition without cracks.

Mahashivratri and the Five Aramas

The most important festival at Kumararama is Mahashivratri. A Kalyana Mahotsavam is held in February-March, and from the months of Karthika and Margashira daily abhisheka is performed.

Pilgrims often visit all five Pancharama temples together: Amararama at Amaravati, Draksharama, Somarama at Bhimavaram, Ksheerarama at Palakollu and Kumararama. The state road transport corporation has run a circular tour covering all five in about twenty-four hours.

Good to know

Kumararama among the five Pancharama Kshetras

Profiled on eastgodavari.ap.gov.in temple pages

Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara sanctum at Samalkot

Getting there

Nearest airport: Rajahmundry. Samalkot junction is on the Chennai–Kolkata rail corridor; local road links to Kakinada and the Konaseema delta.