Sangameshwara Temple – Boatings Are Carried For The Followers To Go To The Temple Because Its Surrounded By Water

SANGAMESHWARA TEMPLE

AT

KURNOOL

The Sangameswara Temple in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh State of India. It is an ancient temple located close to the Muchumarri, at the confluence of the Bhavanasi and Krishna rivers. The temple is on the foreshore of the Srisailam Reservoir.

Devotees are allowed to the temples in the vicinity to be relocated to higher grounds, When the Srisailam Dam was being constructed, but did not allow the Sangameswara Temple to be shifted.

As a result, this temple is considered unique as it stays submerged under water most of the year and emerges just for 45 to 60 days in a year when the water level recedes in summer.

The Srisailam Dam was constructed in 1981 and thereafter the temple surfaced for the first time in 2003 and this trend is going on ever since. The Sangameswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to local legend, when the Pandavas were exiled, they wanted to do pray to Lord Shiva.

The Pandavas felt that the site was sacred because it was located at the confluence of the two rivers and their five tributaries, namely Veni, Tunga, Bhadra, Bheemarathi and Malapaharini. Bhima, one of the five Pandavas, was asked to bring a Shiva Lingam.

Bhima went looking for one, but failed to return to his brothers with a lingam. So Dharmaraja, the eldest Pandava, installed a lingam made from neem wood. And, the temple was built around this sacred site.

When the temple surfaces, boats are used to transport devotees from the shore to the temple, as it stays surrounded by water.  It is during this time that the temple priests perform special prayers and other rituals. Before the temple is opened to the public, silt from the temple premises is first removed.

By Bus

Government Buses and private travel buses are available to reach this temple. This temple is 98km away from Kurnool. Since this temple is surrounded by water in all directions devotees use boats to reach this temple.

By Train

The nearest Railway station to this Temple is Kurnool Railway Station. From here buses are available to reach the nearest shore to the temple. Boats are available to access the temple.

By Air

The nearest airport is Hyderabad. Government Buses and private taxis are available to reach Kurnool. From here many buses are available to reach this temple.