Sri Bhimeswara Swami Vari Temple is also known as Sri Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Swamy Temple and is located in Samalkot on the outskirts of Kakinada City. Some call this Temple as Bheemavara Kshethram. This is one of the five sacred Pancharama Kshethrams dedicated to Bheemeshwara Swamy who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The other 4 Pancharama Kshethrams are at 1) Amaravathi in Guntur District, 2) Draksharama in East Godavari, 3) Ksheerarama in Palakollu and 4) Somarama ar Bheemavaram. Some refer Samalkot as Samaralakota. It is believed that this Temple was built in the year 892. There is a massive Welcome Arch leading Devotees to this Temple and on top of the Welcome Arch with the Idol of Lord Shiva in the centre and with a huge name board of the Temple on it. The Temple's present entrance is from the North side only and there is a very small Rajagopuram leading to the Temple. The actual entrance to the Temple is from the Eastern side where the Temple's Pushkarani or the Sacred Tank is located but this entrance is now obsolete. The Sacred Tank too is huge with a Vasantha Mandapam at the centre of it. Facing the East entrance is a Dwajasthambam and a Bali Peedam. To the left of these is a four pillared podium on which a Shiva Lingam is seen and above it is a metallic pot from which water drips and falls on top of the Shiva Lingam. Apart from this, a Nandhi Bhagwan and a Naga Devatha too are seen along with it. There is a huge Peepal Tree beneath which the Idols of Shiva Lingam, Nandhi Bhagwan and Ganapathy are kept and Prayed. Just before entering the Moolasthanam is a engraved or etched Idol of Anjaneya Swamy on the left wall. Just before the Sanctum Sanctorum is a four pillared Mandapam in which an Ekaseela Nandhi facing the Moolasthanam is kept. This Ekaseela Nandhi is very unique since it has been carved out from a single stone. The Temple has a 100 pillared Mandapam with great architectural beauty. The Moolasthanam in the ground floor has a pedestal from which a Spadiga Lingam is seen going up right till the first floor. The Spadiga Lingam is made out of genuine limestone and measures upto a height of 14 feet. The threshold of the Moolasthanam in the first floor is silver plated with multiple Images of Lord Shiva etched on it. Devotees can have a Darshan of a Spadiga Lingam from the basement but Devotees who wish to go to the first floor of the Sanctum Sanctorum to have a Darshan ought to pay a fee of Rs.20/-. The top of the Spadiga Lingam looks so Divine and attractive since it has a Nagaabaranam. There is a Nandhi Bhagawan with a Divine Sandal here facing the Spadiga Lingam. The Consort of Shri Bheemeshwara Swamy is called as Goddess Bala Thirupura Sundari and She Blesses all Devotees from Her Shrine. The most important Sub Shrine of this Temple is supposed to be Kaala Bhairavar and Devotees are expected to Pray Him first before they they enter the Moolasthanam. There are Sub Shrines for Ganapathi, Dhakshinamoorthy, Sapthamathas, Dattatreyar, Saraswathi and Chandikeshwarar. There is a huge Mandapam where steel tables and plastic chairs are available and this place is used for the Devotees to have their Annadhanam which is cooked in the Temple's Kitchen. On the outer periheral of the Temple is a multi pillared mandapam where different Vaahanams have been neatly and safely kept. The Temple's Office is located within its premises. The Temple staff are doing an admirable job in maintaining a Nandhavanam or a Temple Garden. The entire Temple is under the care of Archealogical Survey of India with a Executive Officer of the State Government too. Mahashivarathiri, Aarudhra Dharisanam, Thiru Karthigai are some of the festivals that are celebrated here in a grand manner.

Contact Details: 79893 89266 and 88972 05858

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 12 Noon and 4 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Rajamundry to Samalkot is 48 Kms

Distance from Visakapatnam to Samalkot is 151 Kms

Distance from Vijayawada to Samalkot is 201 Kms

Distance from Hyderabad to Samalkot is 478 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Samalkot is 652 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Samalkot R.S

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