Information

 Sri Mukhalingeswara Temples

The Sri Mukhalingeswara Temples are situated on the banks of the Vamsadhara River in Srimukhalingam village, Jalumuru Mandal, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. This place is also known as Dakshina Kasi or Mukhalinga Kshetram.

History

1. Kalinga Capital: Srimukhalingam served as the capital for the Eastern Ganga dynasty rulers (from the 5th to the 12th century CE). It was historically referred to as Kalinganagaram or Trikalinganagaram.

2. Construction: There are three main Shiva temples at the site:

• Sri Mukhalingeswara Temple (Madhukeswara Temple): This is the main temple, believed to have been constructed in the 10th century CE by King Kamarnava II of the Kalinga dynasty.

• Bhimeswara Temple: Built by Kamarnava's son, Aniyanka Bhima Vajrahasta.

• Someswara Temple: Considered to be more ancient.

3. Uniqueness of the Lingam: The presiding deity, the Mukhalingeswara Lingam, is not a sculptured stone but is believed to have originated from the stump of an ancient Ippa tree (Madhukam), which turned into a Shiva Lingam over millions of years. A "face" is said to be visible on the stump, hence the name Mukhalingeswara (Mukha means face). The Ippa tree is called 'Madhukam' in Sanskrit, which also gives the temple the name Madhukeswara Temple.

4. Religious Harmony: Inscriptions and findings (like idols of Saraswati and Jain Tirthankara Mahavira) suggest that Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism flourished here during different periods.

Sculpture and Architecture

1. Kalinga Style: The temples primarily showcase the Kalinga architectural style (Indo-Aryan style), which is similar to the temple architecture found in Odisha.

2. Mukhalingeswara Temple (Madhukeswara Temple): The main temple is renowned for its exquisite sculpture. The temple walls are adorned with beautiful carvings depicting various Shiva Leelas, Ganesha, Mahishasuramardini, and Ardhanarishwara. The structure was built by carving and assembling red stones without using mortar (lime). The sanctum has eight smaller Lingams on its eight sides.

3. Bhimeswara Temple: This temple exhibits a visible influence of Chola sculpture in its architecture.

4. Someswara Temple: A remarkable feature of this temple is the massive single-stone slab used as the roofing for the elevated shikhara (tower). Beautiful sculptures of the Seven-tongued Agni (God of Fire), Ganesha, Kashi Annapurna, Nataraja, and Harihara Deva are found here. Some Shringara (erotic) sculptures are also present.

5. Diversity in Sculpture: Idols of various deities and forms, including Varaha Avatara, Vamana Avatara, Surya (Sun God), four-faced Brahma, and Lakulisha (founder of the Pasupata Shaivism sect), can be found within the temple complex.

Distance from Nearest City

• Distance from Srikakulam: Approximately 46 to 49 km

• Distance from Jalumuru (Mandal Headquarter): Approximately 12 km

• Distance from Amadalavalasa (Nearest Town/Railway Station): Approximately 38 km

• Distance from Visakhapatnam (Nearest Airport): Over 150 km (Visakhapatnam is the major city with an airport).