Kumararama

Kumararama Bhimesavara swami temple
kumararama Bhimesvara Temple, Samalkota
Geography
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
District	East Godavari
Location	Samarlakota
Culture
Sanctum	Siva(shiva) Bala Tripura sundari
Important festivals	Maha Shivaratri
Architecture
Architectural styles	Chalukya and Kakatiya
Number of temples	One
History and governance
Date built	9th century

Siva(shiva)

Kumararama or Bhimarama is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is located in Samalkota of East Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The other four temples are Amararama at Amaravati(Dist. Guntur), Draksharama at Draksharama (Dist. East Godavari), Ksheerarama at Palakollu and Somarama at Bhimavaram(both in Dist. West Godavari). It is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance.

The temple is 1 kilometer from Samarlakota City. The limestone Linga, installed in the shrine, is 16 feet 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 temple has a mandapam that is supported by 100 pillars and is of great architectural importance. The temple has an Ekasila Nandi (A Bull carved from a single stone) guarding the Shiva Lingam at the entrance of the temple. The temple resembles the other Pancharama temple at Draksharama which is also called Bhimeswara Alayam. To the East side, there is a mantap called Koneti. Pushkarni (Koneru) lake can be seen here.

The construction of the temple was started in AD 892 and was completed during 922.here the Linga is made of limestone and appears white. From 1340–1466 during kakatiya dynasty the temple was reconstructed.so one can see the sculpture design of both Turpu chalukyas' and kakatiyas. Here the Goddess knownas Bala Trupura sundari.